I'll Never Let You Win

9

"So you get this everyday?" CC asked me.

"Yeah" I sighed. We were sat alone in the form room, and I was telling him about who to avoid, who's alright, and Ashley and Jake. I don't think he could get used to the fact two members of his favourite band are at the same school as him.

"Wait so why doesn't Jake get it too?"

"Because he's Ashley's friend and the two of them made that clear from day one. Also, people only bully who Ashley bullies. So that's me basically."

"And now me too?" He asked innocently.

"Maybe." I told him. "But considering you've got his band on your shirt, he'll probably keep away from you. That way he thinks you're more likely not to tell anyone. With me he thinks threatening and abusing me works. I'd like to know what goes on in his brain sometimes."

"Y'alright Andy!" Tony shouted, flinging the door open and walking in. "I hope you aren't busy, you're... needed outside. Someone needs help with something." He said, flashing me an innocent smile at the end. I knew if I didn't go, a lot worse would come out of it. I reluctantly stood up and followed Tony, leaving CC behind without an explanation.

"So." Tony said, grabbing hold of my arm and dragging me towards the back field. "I hear you're a poor kid, without parents. What a lovely surprise, now we don't have to keep calling you the same old names. Mix it up a bit, you know?"

We arrived at a separated off part of the field, where nobody else would ever come because this was where the drug trading happened. Tony grabbed my other arm in his other hand and pulled my arms up behind me, leaving me defenceless. Well except for my legs. I knew exactly what was going to happen. They'd beat me up so bad I'd have to take a week off school, leaving CC alone. Then they'd target him whilst I was gone and act like nothing happened. Everyone was stood in front of me, in a kind of horse shoe, Ashley being in the middle. I struggled against Tony's grip, trying to break free but not succeeding. What else could I do? Oh yeah, Ashley's band. I shot him a look of 'you do anything and I'll tell them all', receiving one of 'you wouldn't dare'. I smirked at him briefly, raising an eyebrow.

"Oi faggy stop flirting with Ashley, he's off limits to emos and guys. Oh look you're both, and you sing." Someone spat at me, I think his name was Alex. I chuckled quietly to myself, thinking of how much they were insulting Ashley as well as me.

"What's so funny?" Ashley asked me, walking up to me. I kept trying to struggle out of Tony's grip, but he kept holding tighter, so there was no chance of me getting away.

"Just what their saying. It reminds me of someone." I replied, looking him in the eye with a knowing look he didn't seem to receive.

"And who might that be?" Another person said, also stepping towards me. I could see the fear in Ashley's eyes setting in, he finally caught on to where I was going with this - but too late.

In one final desperate attempt, I lifted my leg up, hit Tony in his balls with my heel, losening his grip on my arms. I shook him off me, backing out of the crowd, and before I left I made sure to answer their question.

"Ashley Purdy."