Horrible mess

3

So far, other than this morning, my school day had been uneventful. I went to each of my classes, introduced myself, then explained that it was a prosthetic, not a Halloween mask. I didn't encounter the bully again, but I did find out that most of my classes had at least one person from the group of kids. I had art with Larry and Ash, Honors Geometry with Todd, Home Ed with Chug (go figure), and gym with Maple and Larry.

Now, I'm on my way to lunch, but first, I stepped into a restroom by the lunchroom to rinse my face off. As I stepped in, I was greeted by the blonde bully from this morning. I tried to turn away and escape the room, but he took my shirt collar in his fist and he pulled me into a wall. I felt all the air leave my lungs.

I groan in pain. The bully smirked, before ripping off my prosthetic. I instantly try to cover my face, but blondie grabbed both my wrists, holding them to the wall. I try to kick him away, but I knew I couldn't do anything. I looked up to see his face contorted in disgust, hatred. I look away, tears forming in my eyes.

He let go of my left wrist before he punched me in the face. He threw insults at me.

Freak.

Disgusting.

I hate you.

Faggot.

At one point, I couldn't tell what he was saying and what my brain was telling me. The insults just mingled together at some point. I don't know when it happened, but the bully was on the floor, Larry punching his face. Blondie's nose was obviously broken, blood spilling from both his nose and mouth before Larry just stood up, yelled a few things at the bully, before picking up my prosthetic over to me.

He saw that I was sitting up, and he handed the prosthetic back to me. I was covering my face with my hair and my right hand, reaching for the prosthetic with my left hand. I quickly grab it, put my head down, and clipped the prosthetic back into place. Larry reached a hand down, offering to help me up. I lifted up a shaky hand, excepting his help.

He hoisted me up, examining me for injuries. "You okay man?"

I shake my head no. He nodded, motioning me to follow him. I did and he lead me to a lunch table that had the group eating there. When everyone noticed me, they waved to me, smiling. I look at the group, awkward. Nobody has ever been excited to see me. I simply give them a smile wave, before Larry motioned me to sit down next to him.

I sat down, staring at the table. I don't know what to say.

What do I say? I don't want to sound weird or make them dislike me. This group of friends is the closest thing I've had to friends. What if they don't like me? What if they already think I'm a freak?

I start to hyperventilate as these thoughts crossed my mind. I started to scratch the back of my neck, which was a nervous habit of mine. I breath heavily, not even realizing it. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and when I look over, I see the concerned eyes of Larry and Ash.

"Hey, you okay Sleeping beauty?" Ash asked. I look down, feeling shame that she still thought I was girly.

"Ash, please, not the nickname." Larry stated, his voice showing that he wasn't joking. "But, Sal, you good? You seem to be freaking out."

I shrug, knowing that nobody really cared about me. Larry squeezed my shoulder. "Alright, but if you do need anything, don't be afraid to ask. And if it's Travis that's bothering you, I'll make sure he won't fuck with you again."

I nod. It's odd that he actually is trying to care about me. Nobody has ever shown me this sort of care. I smile slightly, the first time since my mom died, with happened when I was three, so about eleven years ago.