The Little Things [Book 1]

Chapter Twenty-Two: Assist

Mark and Thomas were sitting right outside the Principal's office. No words were shared between the two, both waiting for Principal Chevrolet to come out and talk to them. The only sound to be heard was the large clock on the wall, ticking with each second that passed. The halls outside were empty, the rest of the students in their classes.

When the door opened, only Thomas looked up with anticipation. Mark didn't even have the strength to do that. Principal Chevrolet looked over at the boy he had known for years now and then he turned his attention to the troubled boy he had met only a handful of weeks ago. He walked up to him and kneeled down to look Mark in his eyes.

"Mark, I talked to your parents..." he started. The little response the boy gave send a chill down the old man's spine, but he shook it off with a deep breath. "They are afraid that they cannot come and pick you up, but they contacted a friend of yours who will come and take you. A Samantha Bach?"

At the sound of the name, Mark responded by looking at the Principal. What the old man saw broke his heart. A broken boy. A broken child. Silent tears were still filling up Mark's eyes and keeping his cheeks wet. He wanted to speak up, but he found no energy to. All he wanted to do was lie down and just close his eyes. Maybe sleep. Maybe just rest in the silence.

The Principal turned to Thomas and slowly rose up. "You should go to your class. You've already missed too much," he told Thomas.

"No, I'm not- I'm not leaving Mark," Thomas said with a firm shake of his head.

"Thomas..." the Principal started to say when Mark's movements stopped him. He had reached out and grabbed Thomas by his forearm. He was weak and he was still fighting the urge to vomit again.

"Please, let him stay," Mark muttered, fresh tears streaking down his face. The Principal sighed, but he nodded and backed up a few steps.

"I'm going to do some work, but if you need anything I'll be right in the next room. Don't shy away from telling me. It's anything but a bother," he said and after Thomas nodded in understanding, Principal Chevrolet went back in his office.

For the next fifteen minutes, the two boys were left in silence. Occasionally, Mark would sniffle his nose or a sob would escape from his lips. But other than that, neither let out a word. Mark was too weak, and Thomas was at a loss. He wanted to ask Mark how he felt; if he was any better; if he needed anything. But above all, what Thomas wanted to do was apologize.

It had been after he grabbed him; after he had pulled him down. Whatever he had done, Thomas had caused this. He had made Mark have a panic attack. He had made him cry and shake and vomit. He had caused this.

There was a soft knock on the door and Sam walked inside. Noticing this through his glass door, the Principal stood up and exited his office.

"Samantha Bach?" he asked, hesitancy clear in his tone. The girl nodded and extended her hand to greet the man. Thomas's gaze went over the girl, noting her metallic skirt, fishnet stockings and her metallic combat boots. Her shirt once again left her tattooed abdomen exposed and over that she wore a thick leather jacket.

"Mark?" she softly asked and turned to her best friend, who hadn't even looked up at her. "Can you tell me what happened? Because I doubt I'll hear much about it from him..." she whispered to the older man. Thomas stood up to go close to them and listen in.

"I'm not exactly sure myself. My daughter came to call me while it was happening," the man said and scratched the back side of his head.

"We were having lunch," Thomas started, "and he playfully kicked me off my seat. And then I pulled him down. I think I caused it..."