Simon walked into the empty corridor of his school, hands in his denim jacket pockets.
He heard loud laughter from a distance, because of which he tensed a bit. Nobody bullied him anymore after his final coming out post on tumbler. The post of proudly admitting that yes, he is gay.
Still he shuddered at the thought of being bullied again, like that day at school cafeteria.
As the voices got closer, his hair at the back of his neck stood up, as his heart raced. And when he saw two tall and strong boys turn around the corner to the same corridor, he looked down, avoiding any eye contact with those two.
But when the two boys saw him, they passes each other a look, and one of them gestured the other, towards Simon.
"Hey, fag want some?" One of the boys pushed Simon towards the wall, face first. He was lucky to not hit his forehead too hard on the wall. And the boy pinned him to the wall, holding his shoulders. "Looks like you are dying for it, aren't you?" The boy laughed looking at his friend, while Simon tried to push his way out from the boy's grip.
"Stop it, Chris." Bram ran towards them, followed by Nick and Garrett.
Bram and Nick pulled Chris away from Simon and Bram punched Chris' face , while Garrett landed a punch on the other bully.
"Simon, you okay?" Bram asked, concern written all over his face. Simon nodded.
"Let's go from here" Bram held Simon's hand and started walking away from Chris and his friend, Nick and Garrett followed suit.
"You are lucky Simon that these three assholes pity you." Chris said.
Simon stopped right there. Bram went one step ahead of him, but stopped when he felt a tug on his hand, which Simon was holding.
"You know you don't deserve it Speir. Pity. Not from them, not from me, not from anybody." Chris added.
Simon, left Bram's hand, and slowly turned around to look at Chris.
"I don't want your pity." Simon said with a straight face, his voice low and angry.
"Oh, but you are surviving after being outed, only because of that." Chris said flatly. "People like you are ashamed of who they are, as they should be. People like you are afraid of your own identity. So, normal people pity this. They tell you lies that you are normal, that you are still you." he added, but this time he looked at bram too. Not being afraid of him anymore.
Simon took a deep breath and clenched his fist. Bram was about to say something when he was inturrepted by Simon shouting, "Listen, douchepants you're not going to tell me anything I know about myself, already. Also, stop insulting my boyfriend."
Simon's cheeks were red because of his anger. Bram had never seen Simon so angry before, so his eyes had widened. Nick had a small smirk on his face. Whereas, Garrett had somewhat same reaction as Bram.
"Why? he deserves that too." Chris said.
By this time Simon was right in front of Chris. "BULLSHIT!" he shouted, while he hit Chris' hand so hard that his phone fell from his hand. "He doesn't deserve that and neither do I. I am normal. Also I am not ashamed of who I am."
Chris tried to punch Simon, but this time Simon was quick and kicked Chris on his groin. When Chris fell down in pain, Simon ran away from all of them, as tears formed in his eyes.
He came to the empty football ground and sat on one of the side benches, letting the tears flow.
"Simon" Simon recognized the voice.
"Bram" he didn't turned towards Bram though.
"Simon, it's alright." Bram said, while he sat next to Simon and held him in his arms, while he sobbed. Bram waited until Simon calmed down. Then proceeded to ask, "Did you really believe that?"
"Believe what?" Simon asked, still chocked up.
"Whatever Chris said about pity and you being abnormal and people lying to you."
"Before coming out, yes. But not now."
"Then it's okay. Please never believe all that shit ever again. We all love you for who you are." Bram reassured him.
"Thankyou, Bram. I know nobody is lying to me and I am okay the way I am." Simon said, proudly.
"You surprised me though. By fighting back."
"I know" Simon smiled, "you looked cute with that surprised expression on your face."
"Bram smiled too, oh how he loved this crazy brave boy, whom he was holding in his arms right now.