Rampage - Patrick Hockstetter

Chapter 9

Jay waited anxiously in her seat as she tapped her foot. The bell ringing finally meaning that the day was finally over and she could go home and rest.

"Teo!" Jay shouted, spotting the munchkin in the hallway. "Hi Jay!" He beamed, clutching his books in his hand.

"How are you?" Jay asked, walking with the frail boy. "Tired, I want to go home."

"I'm with you, but it's the end of the day so you're in luck!" Jay laughed. Teo giggled, nodding, "Yeah I guess I'm lucky, how are you?"

"Tired as well, but I'm extremely glad that I don't have to see that ugly bitch from this morning." Jay muttered, touching her finger to her scabbed eyebrow.

Teo contemplated, looking down at his knees and then to Jay, "You know you didn't have to defend me, like that. I'm used to it anyways."

"I don't tolerate bullies and especially not when they're bullying you Teo. You deserve more than to be picked on everyday because of your size or age."

Teo fakes a smile and nodded, "Yeah I guess so." Jay threw her hand around his shoulder giving it a squeeze before turning a corner.

"How about me and you go somewhere tomorrow after school, on me. We can go out to eat or something if you'd like?" Jay asked. Teo glanced to her, "Really? You'd really do that?"

"Yes of course Matteo, you're not just some 'lil guy I carry around, you're my friend."

Teo smiled wide, before the pair continued down the hallway through the doors and down the steps of the school. "Are you walking home?" Jay asked.

"No, ever since what happened, my mom made it her ambition to walk me home everyday." Teo squinted, the sun shining into his face.

"Mahtao! Mahtao!"

Jay watched across the court yard as a women in a coral blouse waved to the boy. "I think that's her."

"Yep, I guess I'll get going now." Teo glanced to Jay. "Yeah- Oh! And make sure to tell your mom about tomorrow, I'll bring you home and everything."

"I will," Teo nodded before hopping down the steps and running to his mom, giving her a hug. She was about the size of him and had light frizzy hair.

Jay watched from a far as Teo spoke something to his mother, pointing to Jay. Teo's mom looked at her son and then to Jay, waving.

Jay chuckled, waving back before walking down the steps and towards the side entrance of the school, past the student parking.

Glancing into the parking lot, Jay grew envious of her fellow students, knowing that she had to walk home and they could drive. It was crazy to Jay how just a couple years ago she was begging for a ride from her dad and now people her age were driving themselves.

"Jay!"

Snapping her head in front of her, Jay spotted Josiah jogging towards her, his bag slung over one shoulder and his jacket bouncing up and down.

"Hey Jo." Jay smiled. "Are you driving?" Jo asked, slightly out of breath. Jay glanced to his hand, his keys clutched in his fist.

"Oh no, walking actually." Jay shrugged, embarrassed at the fact the new guy had a car and she didn't. "Well I can give you a ride home, after all I kinda owe you."

"No no no you don't have t- wait owe me for what?" Jay asked. "For letting me sit with you at lunch. Not many people here would do that."

Jay searched his face, watching his eyes shift from the sidewalk to her. "No no I was just trying to make up for the fact I called you a jack off."