Learning to punch

Chapter ~ 2

Surprise ||Xavier Coles

"Heard about the fight" Autumn stated as we walked side by side to our next class, I sighed my fingers rubbing over my solar plexus. "Don't tell Papa, he will would have a fit" I pleaded to my younger sister. "I love you Xavier but you can't let the bullying continue. They are passing into abuse territory." She argued, I know this but it's no point tell our parents, all they will do is send me to another school with more assholes waiting.

I didn't reply muttering a small goodbye as I turned into another hall to get to my classroom, while Autumn continued straight for the dance gymnasium. She is part of the acrobatics team so instead of sport she does acrobats.

Lunch couldn't come sooner, my stomach demanded quietly to be fed, threatening to let the world hear how good it's loin mating calls were. Stuffing my books in the locker and made my way to the cafeteria, I groaned when Kiara spotted me, walking up with her hips swaying as if she was on a catwalk.

"I've decided to forgive you for this morning, but for a price" she stated her hands on her hips, stepping forward in the line I grabbed a tray, "I'm going to the mall this afternoon, if you come along, then consider yourself forgiven" I stared at her, wondering if her how thick her skull was, did rejection compute in her brain? Is she mentally incapable of understanding no?

"I meant what I said. I'm not interested" I said grabbing a slice of pizza, a sausage roll and a small bag of hot chips. Thanking the lord as Autumn walked up, glancing at Kiara who looked slightly pissed off at the rejection. "I forgot my wallet" she muttered sheepishly to me. I rolled my eyes, she is as forgetful as she is untidy, honestly if her head wasn't screwed on she'd forget that too.

As the people in front of me moved forward I stayed In my spot allowing my sister to join the line, grabbing a salad and another bag of chips for her self. Kiara stomped away angrily with her fists clenched by her side, I rolled my eyes at her bratty behaviour.

Arriving at the check out I paid for our lunches before following Autumn to her table of friends since she offered. I figured social interaction would be better for my health before I turn into a complete unsocial hermit.

I wasn't paying much attention to what was going on around me as I ate my lunch. Cold liquid hit the top of my head, which driped down my shirt soaking it instantly. The cafeteria went quiet. My day was not getting any better. "You desperate bitch. He is not into you! Get that through your thick skull!" I heard Autumn snap angrily, as I sat in slight shock.
Getting up, I walked out. Hearing the faint boisterous laughter of the football team and soon the rest of the cafeteria.

Honestly hate them all. My hair stuck to my face, I'm glad I took my beanie off in economics. I blinked away tears, could this day get any worse? Why me? Why today?

"Xav? You okay?" Autumn asked softly standing beside me. I felt utterly humiliated, my chest constricted as I gasped lightly for air. My mind echoing with peoples laughter, their judging stares.

"Xavier, breath, in and out" my sister said softly her hand rubbing circles on my soaked  back. "You're okay, just breath. You have a spare shirt in you bag, put your beanie on and ignore everyone" she said softly counting too three slowly, I focused on her voice breathing in as she counted, holding as she paused and breathed out as she counted to five.

Once my panic attack subsided, I dug through my bag for the spare gym shirt. Handing it to autumn as I peeled the wet shirt off my body. Autumn gasped softly her fingers brushing over a few of the bruises that started to show up as dark red blotches. "Why don't you fight back? You could take Joel easily?" Autumn muttered softly.