I walk across the muddy fields to the maths block, my hair whirling around my face in the cold wind. I hear shouts in the distance. As I walk closer to the maths block, the shouts become louder and louder. It's a cold day, the leaves crunching underfoot, my breath coming out in white clouds. My hands are bunched into fists inside my coat pockets. I keep my head down, sheltering it from the harsh wind. The shouts are ominously close now. By now, I can tell it's the shouts of boys, maybe about 3 or 4. Then I hear laughter, and not the good kind. It's the mocking kind and I shiver, but it's got nothing to do with the temperature. I give in to the temptation and I look up to the sound of laugher mixed with evil. It noises belong to 3 boys, standing around something lying on the muddy ground. I slow down slightly, trying to see what they're surrounding. They haven't noticed me yet. I hear a guttural moan and I freeze. It sounds like something, an animal perhaps, in pain. I inch closer, curiosity getting the better of me.

'Faggot' I hear one of the boys say, guarding whatever's on the floor.

I look between the boys' black trousers and scuffed trainers and I see someone lying down. A boy, with dark brown hair. He's hunched over, protecting himself, his knees to his chest, his hands covering his face.

'Go suck some dick, gay boy'. The other's laugh.

'Hey Dan, you ever seen a vagina before?' One taunts.

'Don't be retarded, he's gay. He likes cock' another joins in.

'I'm not gay' I hear a quiet voice say, and I know instantly it's from the boy lying crumpled on the floor.

'Don't lie to us you little shit' one says, bending down so he's eye level with the brown haired boy. 'We all know you're gay. We've seen you in the changing room, checking us out. You like dick, everyone knows. Queer'.

'So, what did you do last night Dan?' By now, all three are crouching down next to the boy. 'Masturbate to gay porn?'

'No' the brown haired boy says.

'Fucking look at me when you're talking to me, faggot' one says, ripping the boys hands away from his face. His brown eyes ringed with dark circles. They're dull, there's no life in them.

'No' the brown haired boy repeats suddenly, looking into the boys' eyes.

'Oh sorry, did your boyfriend shove his cock up your arse instead?' I hear laughter.

'I'm not gay' the boy says tiredly. 'I've told you that; do you not pay attention?'

All three boys stand up then and my heart begins to race, wondering what they're going to do.

I hear a cry of pain and I have to stop myself from running away. I force myself to look back and I see the three boys kicking the brown haired boy, Dan, I think.

Dan curls himself up tighter. I see one boy lift his foot and aim it at Dan's face. I can't bear to watch. But I can still hear. I hear the sickening crunch of bones and I feel like I'm about to throw up.

'Leave the faggot now guys, we're gonna be late' one says a few moments later. They give him one final, violent kick in the stomach and turn away.

I stand in shock, rooted to the ground. Trying to comprehend what I've just witnessed. I look back towards the boy, lying motionless on the ground. I walk ever so slightly closer. I can see his chest rise and fall, but apart from that, he's not moving. I look at his face. His lips are swollen and blood is running from his nose. His eyes are closed, his eyebrows knitted together. His clothes are covered in mud, and there are a few drops of blood on the collar of his white shirt.

The wind rushes around me, the tree's leaves rustling. It's completely silent apart from that. I look at my watch on my wrist; I have only one minute to get to maths.

I hitch my bag up higher on my shoulder and begin to proceed walking. I hear a quiet sob come from behind me and I know it's from the boy. I stop and turn back to look at him. His eyes are now open and are bloodshot. Half of his face is covered in mud and his dark hair is hanging in his red eyes. The tears on his face begin to mix in with the blood from his nose. His eyes, although bloodshot, seem different than previously.

I'm sorry I want to shout but the words stay unspoken.

I force myself to walk on, leaving the boy behind me. But his brown eyes are now ingrained in my mind. Then it comes to me.

Pain.

Sadness.

I don't look back. I can't look back. I don't want to look back.

I want to forget.

But I don't think I can.