Breaking Slowly // h.s. au

Chapter Forty Two

Chapter Forty

*Elsie*

Songs-

Spaces- One Direction

Clouds- One Direction

No Control- One Direction

We've always had the same little chat when it came to bullying. Always the same three people involved- bully, bullied, and bystander.

They never mentioned parents or teachers, principals even... yet I still sit here with three years' worth of fading bruises and bad memories. My hand is tightly gripping Harry's and I know that those stupid rehearsed words spewing from our principals lips have an effect on him too.

He's categorized as bystander in these textbook phrases laid before us. Watching, and not doing anything. But what they fail to mention is that it's more complicated than bystander and bully and bullied. It's just- I don't know- different.

"If you see someone getting bullied you should and will report it." His lips are dripping with lies. If anyone was gonna step forward they would.

I am at fault too though I guess...

Not only have I told no one about what happens but I'm not the only kid that gets bullied. Fuck not in the slightest.

One of the many reasons why I hate Parkston High is that there is a constant ranking being formed in this little school of ours. I'm not the only one that gets bullied... not even close. I just get the brunt of the physical violence and publicity.

The others are silent. Sinking into my shadow. It's disturbing and I hate it more and more every day.

"Now. There are also rumors of Anti-Semitism and Homophobia and Racism."

"You've got to be fucking kidding me." I grumble under my breath as I bring my face to rest in my hands.

Harry rubs my back slowly as I let the humiliation sink in. I am the only Jewish student. No one is out of the closet at this war zone of a school except apparently my mothers and now there hundreds of eyes on me.

"You're gonna be okay." Harry whispers in my ear as I shake in my seat.

Mr. Principal man, all high and mighty in his little suit still stands there telling us what we've heard a thousand times. Like it'll somehow click and make a difference.

"And that concludes our time for our assembly." His beady eyes scan the clock as Riley Conner and her army huff- sending glares my way like I'm to blame for this.

Like I'm to blame for being born.

For going to school here.

For showing up today.

For sitting here in this Auditorium seat as a man preaches a speech to me that I've already heard to try and help me in a way he already could.

I know I'm worthless to the lot of them. I know that they despise my existence, my relationship to Harry, my one friendship with Violet. They just wish that I would kill myself already.

I feel a pull on both my arms as I look up to see Violet and Harry physically dragging me out of a nearly empty auditorium.

"Elsie speak." Violet says grabbing my hand. I hadn't even realized I wasn't ranting out loud.

"What is there to say Vi?" I shrug her off and hug my arms around myself. They both stare at me impatiently, "Better question- what do you want me to say?"