Depression

One

I haven't felt happy in a very long time. I walk the school halls, staying close to the wall, and being invisible. Something I wish I could do well. But once the hallways are mostly empty, and only the bullies stick around, I become the target. 

I try to get to my classes before then. 

It seems as though I'm going to make it there today. Classroom in sight, I speed up, head down to avoid unnecessary attention. I'm getting closer with every step. I bring my head down slightly more to make a final burst- when my backpack is suddenly yanked down, taking me to the ground along with it. I resist the urge to curl into a ball when I see the grinning faces. They like when I show fear. It eggs them on. I glance at the classroom door. I was so close. 

Brodi, a tall, freakishly muscular guy from the hockey, football, and basketball teams, smirks down at me. "Oh, you've fallen. You're such a clutz." His side-chick, Breanna, giggles, putting her hands snobbily on her hips. She agrees with everything he says- and he keeps her around. Not because of the agreement, but most likely the size of her breasts. They're massive. He glances at her and grins. If only she would stop stroking his freakishly large ego. It's already bigger than his fake muscles.

As per usual, I have said nothing. Breanna steps forward, and unzips my backpack, dumping the contents all over the hall. "You've even spilled your backpack all over! Oh no!" She chortles, and Brodi croaks a laugh. I close my eyes as the bell rings, signaling the start of class. Maybe if I'm lucky, they'll go away. 

I must have deserved it. At my silence, Brodi's grin fades into a scowl. Using my dark green sweatshirt for leverage, he lifts me up, pushing me against a wall. The air whooshes out of me. "You are such a loser. You have no friends- and you never will." My throat closes slightly, and I feel tears prick at the back of my eyes. I'm unlucky. Same as always. I don't know why I even try anymore. 

I refuse to cry. I slowly blink. Brodi reaches a fist back, and I know that I will be hit. I shut my eyes. "You deserve this, you ugly bitch!" Breanna screeches, and Brodi laughs. I feel the hand holding me up tighten. His fist will impact me any second. 

At the lack of a hit, I hesitantly peek open an eye. Breanna gasps and my eyes fly open. There is a man holding Brodi's fist, only inches from my face. He stares intently at Brodi, who looks horrified. "W-What are you doing here...? I... Thought you were being homeschooled...?" I blink in shock. I've never heard Brodi stutter before. I glance over at Breanna, who looks as though she's about to piss her pants. Her legs, mostly revealed from her disgustingly short skirt, are trembling.

"Not anymore." A shiver racks up my spine at the stranger's cool voice. He glances over at me, his dark green eyes (more emerald than my sweatshirt) meeting mine. His eyes widen, and he quickly tears his gaze away, back to Brodi. He stares at him, then moves to Breanna. They both back up, incredulous looks on their faces. Brodi releases his hold on my sweatshirt, and I crumple to the ground. The stranger's arm flies out, catching me. He helps me to my feet and steadies me. His gaze scrutinizes my face and suddenly grows hard as he looks back at the two bullies. "Leave. And stay away from her." The two turn around and run off. 

"Are you alright?"He asks, looking into my eyes. I turn my gaze away, cheeks heating, and drop to my knees, scooping up all my spilled bag contents. The man kneels down next to me, helping. He pauses, staring intently at a smooth piece of paper. He glances up at me. "Did you draw this?" He holds up the paper- on which a girl is singing up to the Heavens as she drowns in the sea. Hand drew by me. I flush, reaching out to grab it, assuming he would pull it further away from me. Just like everyone else does. But he simply hands it back to me, smiling softly.

"Thank you." My voice comes out softer than I intended, and for a moment, I was afraid that he wouldn't hear me.

But he simply grins at me, green eyes shining with mirth. "You are very welcome." He pauses for a moment as he hands me the stack of loose leaf papers. I close the pencil box full of colored pencils I had cleaned up and glance up at him. He is very good looking. My heart jumps into my throat as I examine him. Deep, emerald green eyes, full lips, a strong nose, crooked from being once broken, and a muscular build- real muscles, not fake like Brodi's. His blonde hair, almost white, is longer, hanging just above his eyes. I realize he is smirking, watching me stare at him. I blush bright red and look away. "Hey. What's your name?"

I hesitate. Why does it matter? I'm no one. What would make someone like him want to know anything about someone like me? But, nonetheless, he asked, so I decide to be out with it. "Adelaide."

He pauses, and his smile widens slightly. "Adelaide." I shiver as my name exits his lips, testing out the name. He seems to like it, for he grins even more and repeats himself. "Adelaide." He puts a hand on my shoulder. "My name is Sebastian."

I raise an eyebrow slightly. "Sebastian? Are you from England? Or simply old?" I freeze and tense up, realizing what had spewed from my mouth like vomit. Oh no. Oh no oh no, did I seriously just say that?! My eyes widen, and I jerk back, away from his hand. "I-I'm sorry! I didn't mean to say that!" I quickly begin shoving things into my backpack, my heart in my throat and pounding so hard that it almost reverberates throughout my body. I quickly stand and turn to hurry away, but a hand grabs my wrist to stop me.

"Adelaide, wait!" I stop, tears spilling over my cheeks. I don't turn towards him. God. I always do this... I always fuck things up. Sebastian puts his fingers under my chin to turn my head towards him. He steps closer to me. "Please... don't cry. It's alright." He chuckles softly. "I thought it was funny." I choke back a sob. He thinks I'm funny now? Even better! "Actually, my grandmother absolutely adored London, and my name is very popular there. She convinced my parents to give me this name." I sniffle, and his gaze softens. He goes into his pocket and hands me a gray handkerchief with initials on it (I assume they're his own). SFR. I wonder what his middle and last names are. I slowly take it, and dab at my eyes.

"Ah... thank you." I rub the handkerchief with my thumbs. Suddenly, Sebastian tugs me into a hug. My eyes widen, and I tremble slightly. Little tingles and shocks shoot through my body, and I shiver. Wha... A... Hug? I don't... People don't hug me... After a few moments of being uncomfortable, he still doesn't seem to want to let me go, so I wrap my arms around him, leaning my forehead into his chest.

All too soon, he steps back, grinning. "C'mon. Let's get to class." He holds out his hand, but I don't take it. I hardly know this man. What if he turns out to be just like everyone else? I quietly nod. I begin to head towards my classroom, which isn't very far away. Thinking about it, I realize that there was hardly a doubt that they would have been able to hear everything. It makes my stomach fall. They really don't care... I look down at the floor as I walk, hesitating before I walk into the classroom. Who am I kidding?

No one cares.