Matthew's POV

It was my first day back at school from medical leave. My leg was still sore from the hockey accident, but I could walk just fine. I put my red and white backpack in my locker and took my binder to science class. Like usual, the teacher didn't see me in the back. It was ok. I usually sat behind a tall kid anyway. I took out the work packet that we were finishing and started filling out a few answers. Then I thought to myself, Do people notice me? Why am I always ignored? Then the bell rang. I stood up and walked out of the classroom, pondering this thought. Then, I looked to the left and gasped.

Regular POV

A new student, most likely in the grade above Matthew, was pinned to the lockers by Alex, the bully you didn't want to mess with at all costs. "What are ya gonna do, paleface?" he teased. He kneed the new student in the gut, shocking him and causing him to sink to the floor.

"Aww," he mocked. "He won't fight back." The student looked up at him with his ruby red eyes. Eyes that pierced into your soul yet calmed you to contentment. "S-stop" was all he managed to say. Matthew looked at the crowd of students around them. Each one of them had their phone out recording, none of them even trying to fight back. He clenched his fists and stormed over to them.

He didn't know what he was doing anymore, but he found himself between Alex and the new student, holding his arms out to shield him completely. "Leave him alone!" he said angrily.

"Oh, look!" Alex taunted. "The Invisible Boy has come to defend the pale freak!" He hit Matthew across the face and laughed derisively as he walked away, leaving Matthew on his knees in shock.

The new student crawled over to Matthew. "Thanks," he said, smiling weakly.

"No problem," Matthew replied, looking up. He gasped. It wasn't a dramatic gasp like you'd see in an action movie, just one of those little gasps you'd have if you tripped over the edge of a rug. The new student had extremely pale skin and hair to match, along with his startlingly red eyes. He was albino.

"I'm Gilbert," he said, standing up. "What's your name?"

"Matthew," Matthew answered.

"It's nice to meet you," Gilbert said, reaching his hand out to Matthew. Matthew took his hand and pulled himself upright. He then felt this warm, soft feeling at the bottom of his chest.

"Um, n-nice to meet you too," Matthew quickly sputtered. He was too focused on the feeling he experienced. What was it? Why was it therei? Why him?