LOSER

Chapter 3

   Sal got no sleep last night. He laid on his mattress all day. Half of their furniture wasn't here yet, so he only had his mattress. His room was long and skinny. The mattress was against a wall and boxes were littered around the room. It had a yellow-creme color with plush green carpets. It was outdated, but it was comforting.

  He pulled a baggy sweater over his head and pulled on ripped jeans. It was his first day at this High school and he was exhausted. His back was achy and his head hurt. Great.
All he needed to do was feed Gizmo, put his shoes on and then he can leave.. Gizmo, shoes, and then he's out. He quickly slides him feet into a pair of beat up, black sneakers. He walks out into the living room, trying to step lightly. It was early, so his dad was still asleep.. He wasn't always like that, only when he drinks. Sal quickly poured some into Gizmo's shiny bowl. The cat meowed at him and rubbed against his leg. This left a trail of fur.
"I know, Buddy," Sal whispers as he pet behind the cat's ear, "I don't wanna leave you either.."

He grabs his backpack, which is covered in many pins and patches, before heading out the door.

'A new start...'

—-

"Larbear!"

"Larry Johnson, get your ass out of bed before you're late."

Larry groaned, shoving his head under a pillow. It was school season again. He felt all groggy. He was not a morning person. The mornings made him feel sick and tired. Who willingly gets up at this time?
He finally gets dressed and walks out of his room. He's almost done with this shit. Half way there..

"Look who's finally up." Katie teases. Larry is not in the mood for her mind games. "Oh shush." He snarls and grabs a piece of toast, "We are not late, relax."
He grabs his dirty backpack, slinging it over his shoulder. He's kept this one since Junior High. Its gross, but it gets the job done. Plus, until it breaks, he doesn't need to drive into town to buy a new one.

"..But if you don't hurry, we will be." Katie says in a sing-song voice. It irritates Larry, it's too early to be that energetic. He finishes his toast and stands up. Lisa had already left for work so, like usual, Larry was left in charge.

"If we don't get to the bus stop in seven minutes we're gonna miss it." He says, glaring at her as she slips on her shoes. Finally, she gets up and grabs her bag. She's always so slow.

  
   The duo quickly walked to the bus stop. It was a few minutes away from the apartment building, but it wasn't too long of a walk. They were side by side. Katie was practically squealing the whole way. It was school, there's nothing exciting about it in Larry's opinion.

"Aren't you excited?" She asked, a huge grin on her face. "No." Larry said, his voice was rough. He wanted to be back in his bed. It was freezing outside. "Lar-bear, you should be. You're a junior!" She giggles.
That's why Larry wasn't excited. He was a Junior. He wanted to graduate already. Sure he didn't get the best grades, but he could find a job. Sell his painting, help around the apartments. School wasn't his passion. "That's why it's not exciting" He grumbles as they approach the crowded bus stop.

Suddenly, a certain blue haired boy catches Larry's eye. Its Sal. He's going to the same school.. "Oh look Larry! It's Sal, he's going to our school!" She whispers to him softly, but immediately squeals afterward. Some days, she really gets on his nerves.

"Yep..." He sighs as they stepped onto the bus. It smelt kind of gross. Like stale food and sweat. That annoying prick, Travis Phelps, starts yelling. He's not a big guy, but he has a big mouth. He picks on someone new every year.

"Hey faggot!" He chuckles as he shoves Sal to the grimy floor. A few kids on the bus start laughing.

It's just plain cruel.

—-

'Ouch..'

Sal laid on the bus floor. It felt like everyone around him started laughing and staring. The blonde boy kept insulting him. Whispering to his friends before talking to him once more.

   "Say something, faggot!" He says, kicking Sal again and laughing. "Leave him alone, Travis." Sal doesn't even bother looking up. He recognizes the voice almost immediately.. Larry.

"Seriously, Travis. Just leave him alone."

   He kicks Sal once more, knocking him back onto the floor. He'd barely gotten to his knees since the last kick. Suddenly, Theres a loud thud. Larry is standing over Travis, scowling at him. He kicks him. Similar to how Travis kicked him.
   Katie walks over to Sal, ignoring her brother completely. "Hey, you okay?" She sticks her hand down to help him up. Sal coughs as he stands up, but tries to give her a reassuring thumbs up.

"That's enough, Larry."

   She looks at him and he finally stops. He reaches down and pulls Travis up by his shirt, still scowling at him. He lets go and shoves him onto a seat.

No one even looks at him.

   Katie helps Sal to a seat and sits down next to him. She looks at him with such care in her eyes. "I'm sorry Travis did that," She makes a disgusted sound, "He's such an ass." Sal looks over at her and pats her shoulder. He's not very good at comforting people, but he always tried. She smiles back at him, "I think we're gonna be good friends, Sal.."
Sal looks at her and nods. He didn't have many friends back in New Jersey.. Maybe it really would be a new start. As they sit in silence, a smile spreads across his face..

'He stood up for me....'