Hidden Tears

Chapter Two - Pain

ALEX

I lay in bed thinking about today. How the Cross Gang bullied me again but this time a guy helped me.

He was leaning on the door frame with his arms crossed looking brave and strong. Right then I knew he was my hero.

John had short, dirty-blond hair and he had light green eyes with a hint of yellow in them. He was tall and thin.

No one has ever helped me, especially stading up to the Cross Gang. What if something bad happenes to John because he stood up to them. They would never let anyone go so easily. I need to stay away from him.

The next day I walk through the hallway with my backpack on my back and my hands in my pockets of my hoodie.

I try to avoid all eye contact. I'm not popular but I'm not unnoticeable. I'm the prey of Cross Gang. The bullies of this school and a secret one. If anyone who knew about them told a soul to any of the adults they won't be able to see the light of day again.

You may not believe it but it's true, it has had happened before but they made it seem like an accident. No one stood up again. It is very scary to even think about.

I'm afraid for John. What if something happens to him because he told them off, because of me.

I shut my eyes trying not to think about it. Not again. I hope he didn't say anything, I don't want him to get hurt. Maybe not seeing him will help. It's not like he'll remember me or even see me.

"Alex!" I turn towards the voice with my head down. Afraid its the Cross Gang. I look up and see the green eye boy, John. Oh no!

Without thinking I turn around take off running. I hear running steps after me. I know he's following but why?

I run without a stop until I find myself in a dead end hallway. I turn and see John turn the corner towards me. He stops running and pants, his hands on his knees. He's out of breath. He finally straightens up and walks towards me as I back up towards the wall behind me. Seeing this he stops.

"Hey, you ok?" He asks in a worried voice. I nod.

"Why are you running away from me? Did you think I was the guys from yesterday?" I shake my head.

He sighs a relief sigh. He then looks up at me and says, "Then what's wrong?"

"I-I don't want you to get hurt." I whisper.

"What?" He didn't hear me. He takes a small step closer.

"I don't w-want you to get hurt." I say a little louder.

He starts walking towards me again then stops two feet away.

"Stay away from me." I say loud enough for him to hear. I don't want that but I have to.

"What? Why?" He asks. Though I knew he knows why.

"They might hurt you." I say clearly.

"Don't worry about me." He laughs. "I'll be fine."

I shake my head a little so he won't notice. "You don't get." I murmur to myself.

The bell then rings for class. Taking my chance I run around John. I felt his hand brush my arm as he tried to stop me. But he didn't follow.

I'm sorry. But you don't get it. They will hurt you if you stay to close. Both physically and emotionally.

----

School finally ends and I rush through the hall way as fast as I can. I run down the stairs and through another hallway. This school is so big and this hallway is empty completely. Which is one reason I take it. Both a good and bad idea.

I trip and fall on my side. I try to get up only to be kicked back down from the back. I've been caught.

"Where are you going in a rush? Huh pal?" Chase laughs hysterically.

His gang laughs behind him. Jordan, Gran, Roock, and Chase. All have short hair and different eye contacts everyday. Jordan has blond, spiky hair and eyeliner around his eyes. Gran has blond hair with black highlights. Roock has dark hair and Chase has black hair with light yellow tips. All are around the same height and are juniors. I don't know anything else from them as I tried to avoid them when I first got here but too late for that now.

Chase puts his foot down and kicks my stomach. I grunt in pain covering my face, it's worse getting hit there.

Gran pulls me up and throws me towards the wall. I slam against it and fall back down on my back. Hands still covering my face.

Roock then pulls me up and holds my arms back and I feel a fist smash against me stomach. I scream as another comes again. Roock kicks the back of my knees making me kneel.

Jordan removes my hands from my face and I see Chase smirking. He then kicks me at my crotch. Tears start forming.

"Ahh did that hurt?" Roock whispers in my ear.

Tears start spilling and I try to break free only to be hold tighter.

"No, stop, please!" I scream.

"Shut up!" Gran punches my face and I fall.

"You're annoying!" He kicks my back then pulls me up and smashes my face to the wall only to be pulled back down.

I roll on my back which was a mistake. I get stomped on by Chase. He twists his foot along with my abdomen. I cry in pain.

"Until next time." He smirks and walks away.

I lay there alone and in pain. How long has this been going?

I'm sorry. Luke. I can't. I lay there for a while. I look around and see a girl standing at the end of the hall. She saw.

She sees me notice her and takes off running. Not that it mattered, no one wants to be caught up in something like this especially with the Cross Gang.

I get up and limp out the school by the side door. I look at the front of the school from my view and see John in front of a car. He looks back at the school with a worried expresion then he's gone. I hope he didn't see. Though if he did he might have tried to step it again and I didn't want that. I smile sadly and walk home.