Jules POV
I stood at my locker watching two people break up. It was really intense but, the girl left after about a minute. I recognized her from my science class but, I didn't remember her name. All I know is that she's one of 'those' kids, the ones that always gets in trouble, the ones who go to that corner and do who knows what. I sighed, she wasn't always part of that group. In the beginning of the year she was a great student, top of the class but, it all kinda just.. went downhill from there and my there I mean when I started to realize he was seeing Ricky. The 'bad boy' of the school.
"What are you lookin at?" Ricky yelled at me. I guess I zoned out, dang it jules. Why'd you have to look there out of all places? I closed my locker door and started to shuffle away. "I ain't playin" he harshly grabbed my backpack. Oh no. "Why were you lookin at me huh? you judging me?" I felt very intimidated by him and I felt myself shaking, my palms were getting sweaty and my breaths were becoming shorter and shorter by the second. He pushed me against a locker, I was about to have an anxiety attack, oh god, this can't be good.
"Hands off bro" a random guy came to my rescue. I took a deep breath knowing that I was safe.
"Who are you?" Ricky tried to intimidate him too but, it didn't seem to work.
"None of your business" I took a pause to check on me and I gave him a grateful look "let's go" he told me and he rushed me out if the scene. Once we were out of sight he turned to me and whisper yelled at me "what do you think you're doing" I stuttered trying to find a word to say but, he continued "Ricky is bad news. Try to not draw attention to yourself when you are near him" the guy started to walk away.
"Thanks" I managed to say "i just zoned out and I didn't know what I do" I said taking deep breaths between every word I said. he gave me a nod.
"Sorry for blowing up on you" he sighed and wiped his forehead "I'm niko by the way" and he held out his hand and I shook it. "Some people will look out for you here but, not a lot... you were lucky I was there" he adjusted his glasses "and that I actually have some guts unlike half of this school" he gave me a look and I felt embarrassed being seen as weak. But, I was actually okay with that because it's the half truth. I could be strong sometimes but, I don't want to always be seen that way. It would be hard because if you feel sad you have to act strong even though you are probably just holding on by a thread, struggling not I break down.
Anyway it was the end of the day so I headed home to my parents. Well, my mom basically. My dad is always at work which, I guess is okay because he supports us to live the life we have. Life in a run down apartment where barely anyone lives.
"Hi mom" I said brightly when I came home. I loved it at home, it was the only place that I could be myself. Even thought there are no brothers and sisters here because I am an only child, it was always more fun then school. I always imagined what it would be like with siblings but, I always pushed away the thoughts because I knew it wouldn't happen.
"Jules" she said happily and she ran up to hug me, I hugged her back instantly. And I know what you're thinking, oh! he must be a mama's boy. Well yes and no. I love my mom and that's that, I appreciate her and everything she has done for me. Unlike, a lot of other people I take the advice of my mom and I don't take her for granted, well I try not too. I guess you can say I am a mama's boy. "How was school?" I hated my mom stressing over my life in school so, I just used my regular answer
"Good! learned a bunch of interesting stuff" I laughed and she joined in "and I have a lot of homework" I told her
"Okay, I'm gonna make dinner. How about your favorite?" She smiled brightly and added "longanisa?" I quickly agreed longanisa is my favorite filipino food! I thanked her, kissed her cheek, then ran to my room.
We lived in an apartment so there was no upstairs and no downstairs, just one floor that we lived on. I walked to my room and looked at my papers. I really wasn't up to studying right now so, I walked back into the kitchen and helped my mom around in the kitchen. This is the only place I feel accepted.
After dinner I kissed my mom goodnight and headed to my bed. I didn't sleep because as usual I procrastinated with my homework. I was done by 11pm, after that I laid in my bed dreading the next day. I didn't want to go back to school, I've never wanted to, I stared at the wall deep in thought. At least I actually have a friend now. Well I think he's my friend. I kept overthinking until I drifted to sleep with a heavy heart.
