Bullies

4. "I Got Yo Man"

"Thank you, darling." she said and finally smiled nicely at
him. Ash smiled politely.

"You're welcome, Mrs. Seas." Ash said and looked toward the door seeing a little boy staring at him in fright. Ash crouched down and smiled at the little boy. "Hello." The little boy flinched back, making Ash frown deeply.

"It's okay, Eli. He's nice." Blake said and the little boy looked at Blake and Blake smiled while nodding. The boy looked back at Ash and slowly walked toward him. Doors flung open and the little boy squeaked and ran into Ash's arms. Ash grabbed the little boy and stood up, walking to the door and making sure it's closed.

"Blake okay?" the little boy asked softly. Blake smiled brightly at the little boy.

"I'm okay, bubba!" Blake said louder than usual. Ash smiled brightly and chuckled, shocking the boy in his arms.

"What's your name?" Eli asked softly while messing with Ash's collar.

"I'm Ash. What's your name?" Ash asked. Eli smiled lightly.

"I'm Eli." he said and smiled, looking up into Ash's eyes. "Ooh! I've always wanted to see someone with green eyes!" Eli said happily. Ash chuckled and smiled again. Eli giggled and looked over at Blake.

"Oh! Matt stopped by asking for you." Mrs. Seas said and Blake groaned, hitting his head against the brick wall behind him.

"I told him to leave me alone." Blake said and suddenly snapped his head up at Eli and pointed at him. "What did you do?" Eli giggled in mischief and Mrs. Seas gasped.

"You told Eli to do that?! The poor boy fell to the ground holding himself!" Mrs. Seas yelled but ended up laughing. The three laughed while Ash stood there clueless.

"Good job, Eli! I owe ya!" Blake said as he tried catching his breath.

"No. Just be happy!" Eli said and wrapped his arms around Ash's neck. "Also, I got yo man." Ash looked at him in shock. Ash looked at Blake to see the younger's face red. Mrs. Seas chuckled.

"Oh, come on. Leave Blake alone." she said and took Eli into her arms. She turned to Blake. "You're going home. I'm going to follow you." Blake sighed and nodded.

"Yes, mother. The keys to the truck are in my locker though." Blake said. Ash raised his hand to get their attention.

"I can go around and get the work from each of your classes and, if you trust me enough, I can get the teacher to open your locker so I can get your keys." Ash said and looked between Blake and his mom. Mrs. Seas nodded with a smile and looked at Blake for his answer. Blake hesitated for a moment before looking Ash in the eyes.

"Okay.." Blake said. Ash smiled brightly and walked closer to Blake.

"What's your next two classes in order?" Ash asked. Blake looked away from Ash for a moment.

"English with Mr. Elias and art with Mrs. Nola." Blake said and looked back at Ash. The older nodded and walked out of the nurse's room.

"Alright, Mr. Eli. Time to get you to the car and get you buckled in." she said and bounced him on her hip. He giggled and she turned her gaze to Blake. "I'll be waiting for you, darling." Blake nodded with a smile. She walked out of the room and Blake huffed, turning his head to look around. He noticed a black backpack on the ground next to the table and he assumed it was Ash's. He hummed to himself and groaned, remembering he had forgotten to ask Ash to grab his phone and wallet from his locker.

| time skippy |

Ash walked back into the room and Blake looked over at him and smiled. Ash sat down a couple of books and kept some in his own arms, putting them in the chair instead.