Broken Promises

Chapter Six

So we scurried out for the next class, and then during dismissal, we headed out the school together. It wasn't a first for me, to actually accompany someone out the gate. I actually experienced such already, whether be it the occasional nice guy who needed someone to come with him outside or the classmate during the last class to question me about that day's homework while walking by. But it was always awkward when you walk with somebody else. You just don't know what you should say, and you wonder if you are disinteresting to the eyes of whom you are with -- such is the case with me, especially that I have not the vaguest clue on how to start a conversation.

Surely I felt the awkwardness with Julia, but she didn't seem like she was thinking of how much of a bore I am. She just grabbed my wrist as we maneuver through the masses of students buzzing with excitement, the class hours finally done. As we did, tons of people greeted her, and they even did high-fives and hugs. A particular group invited her for milkshakes, but she said she was with me and she was bringing me out the school. Maybe she would, she told me, but they'd have to wait until I am out the gate.

Wow.

"Julia, no... Go."

"I will. But I'm bringing you out first ... Unless, though, you want to come."

WHAT?

I gagged. The initial response to that was, "no", even though -- honestly speaking -- I sort of wanted to. "N -- no."

"Why not? It'll be fun. They're awesome people. You will love them."

Unless I even get in a word edge-wise, actually. "Julia no... No... I have to attend to my dad." Not a lie. He worried me sometimes.

"Oh. That's sad. Okay. Good bye."

We were out the gate. She pulled me into a swift hug before entering again the school. Damn. I was about to bid her farewell as well and to tell her to take care, but she was away before I could ever say it. I really am awkward.

--

The next day, I did what I ordinarily would on a normal day in my life: I quickly scampered for the woods--

"Peter!"

I was in the hallway, walking towards the soceer field, when Julia trailed behind. "Wait for me! I want to come."

She said it in a way that a child would wuss to his or her mother about wanting to come to -- let's say -- a grocery shop, but I slowed down my pace just so she may catch up anyway.

She led the way when a group of girls called out, "Julia! Eat with us!"

She smiled but shook her head. "No thanks. Having lunch with Peter here."

"Who is he anyway? Your boyfriend?"

"Yeah, Julia? Something you're not telling us?"

"No!" She let out a laugh and swatted her hands. "He's a friend. Now, we have to go, guys."

Friend. Boyfriend.

My mind debated which one I should fancy more. A persistent voice nagged that it is to be her boyfriend.

But I shook that thought out of my mind and settled with "just friends".

I wanted that anyway.

We crossed the field when a bunch of soccer dudes bellowed, "Nice rack!"

Surely they were pertaining to Julia. My anger boiled.

"Who IS that dude with Julia?"

"Isn't he the loser in Math class?"

"Oh yeah! The one who did not let us copy his answers!"

"I say we beat him black and blue!"

Panic surged through my veins as they blocked our way. "Hey punk!"

"What's up, man? Scoring some chicks? Well you aren't, because --"

Julia stepped forward. "Who are you and what do you want with him?"

"He owes us. Big time." With that, a smirk. "He needs a lesson. We will give it to him."

The others cackled in laughter. My heart sank.

"YOU guys deserve a lesson. Who do you guys even think you are? You sons of bitches. You should rot in hell right now "

"Whoa. Look who's talking."

"Chick is talking. But listen. We need to --"

He was poised to punch. "No! Don't! Jesus fucking Christ, just stay away!" She hit them, but they grabbed at her hands. I felt the innate need to chop them off one-by-one.

"You really want us to stop with him?"

Julia nodded.

"Forever?"

She vigorously nodded.

I sensed something off. "Uh, Julia, you don't have to do this for me..."

The dude released her hands. Then, it happened quite fast. They groped at her boob and scooped Julia's part, her school uniform's skirt the barrier between them.

"Stop!" I grabbed them by the shirts and pulled them away, then I motioned Julia to scamper. "Run! Away!"

"No!" Her scream radiated terror and fury. They swung a punch at me, which I recoiled, then I pulled Julia out of my way until they were able to aim, and down, down, down, I went.

They kicked me and was about to hit once more when heavy rain sheeted us wet, thus the blood coming out of my nose was washing away by that minute.

They stepped backward, recognizing the heavy downpour that cascaded towards the earth. And then they stopped: they ran inside the school laughing, until Julia and I were all that remained on the fields.

She helped me up. "I am sorry, Peter. I am so sorry."

"Hey now, it wasn't your fault..."

She clung onto me in a tight hug. "I am so sorry." Then I heard a sound I didn't realize would be so goddamn painful -- I heard her crying.