The Brothers

17 - {Dead Memories}

~Third Person POV~

Young Chance was getting off the bus until the bus driver grabbed his arm, turning him around. He asked why he hurt the kid just for wanting to sit with him, and Chance looked confused, having no idea what he meant by that. The boy hopped off the bus and the bus driver pointed at him, covered in bruises and bleeding from the nose. "I didn't do that!" Chance denied, knowing himself well enough not to do something that cold.

"Sure, you didn't. If it happens again, I won't hesitate to call your parents, okay son?" the bus driver patted his back and told him to get off to go to school, so he did. Chance froze in his spot when he realized the beat-up kid was waiting for him with a helpless smile. He was wearing a short-sleeved, white T-shirt with a cross necklace around his neck. His pants matched, making him seem like one of those typical, Sunday church people.

"I'm so sorry...." he began to apologize as he caught up, wanting to give the poor kid a hug in an attempt to make up for it, but he found himself not doing such a thing. But he still felt the guilt tugging inside him. "I didn't mean to.... I-I don't know what got into me. I-I'm sure you're a nice guy!"

"Hey, don't worry about it," the other boy giggled, and his tone sounded warm and welcoming, despite the fact he had a bloody nose and bruises. He held a hand out as they started to walk. "My name's Christian, and I'm sorry for being mean to you. I've been having a crappy day," he laughed.

"It's okay, Christian, I get it."

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Students in Liam's class had the choice to work anywhere in the room to work on cards for the staff in the building, congratulating them on what they've done for the school. The teacher told them it was okay to work with partners or groups as long as they didn't get too rough, and that they worked on the project until the end of class."What did you say your name was again?" Liam asked the raven-head sitting next to him. He wore a long-sleeved, buttoned-up, checkered flannel that was long enough to cover his undershirt.

"It's Steven," he grinned widely, accidentally getting glue on his fingers. "Dang it...." he whined softly with a frown.

"It's okay, Steven, I'll help."

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Theo's class, along with other classes in his grade, were all outside for recess. Recess happened at different times, mostly the afternoon, if not earlier, where classes in the same grades will go outside and stretch their legs and let the children run around, socialize, do whatever they wanted, as long as it wasn't dangerous or inappropriate for any of the children or teachers.

The young, six-year-old was struggling to hold himself up on the monkey bars due to a few kids pressuring him into climbing on it, despite the fear in his eyes when he was starting to do it. Theo thought he could make it to the other side until he felt the bars give way. As soon as he shut his eyes, he knew he had completely lost his grip on the bars, and panic started to set in, giving him a huge adrenaline rush.

That is, until he opened his eyes just to come face-to-face with a boy his age. The boy had light blue eyes and ruffled, blond hair. He wore He felt his heart immediately drop, in a good way, of course. He was grateful and thankful, and he was relieved for his new-found hero.

"Your heart's beating," the child said softly, letting Theo use his legs to stand up properly. "Orlando's the name. Why did you climb the monkey bars if you're afraid of heights, kid?"

"Other st-students made some.... Some stupid game up and...."

"It's okay, Theo, I know how peer pressure feels."