Chapter 1
Mark's POV
I sigh quietly as my alarm goes off. "Great, another day at school with everybody avoiding me." I thought to myself. I groan as I get up, yawning as I stretch. I walk to my bathroom to take a quick shower getting dressed before I brushed my teeth and my blue hair. I threw the towel onto the door to dry as I walked back into my room. I grabbed my new phone, putting my shoes on as I put on my leather jacket, might as well look the part if nobody cares anyways. I grabbed my school crap and my beanie before I headed out the door. I decided to walk today because it was pretty nice out.
I breathed in the morning air, listening as the birds sang their songs. I sighed softly. I opened my eyes to only groan as I was met by the school doors. I growled under my breath as I made my way through the doors. The halls that were previously filled with noise was hushed to a quiet murmur as I walked by. I glanced from left to right, watching how everyone tried not to make eye-contact with me. Just like last year and the years before that, at least this is my second to last year at high school.
I've already memorized my schedule. I dump off all of my stuff into my locker except for my notebook and a pencil, my phone in my pocket of course. I head to first period class, Geometry, taking a seat in the back. The bell rings and everyone crowds in. They were talking about how their weekend went, plus the tiniest whisper that there was a new kid in the school that transferred from across the sea, until they went silent as the teacher walked in. As Mr. Jarver started teaching, I zoned out. Despite my appearance, I'm a straight A student. So I stared out the window until the bell rung.
Next was English, which has always been boring to me. But Mr. Ridson was a cool teacher, he seemed on the same level as us. He knew our limit, taught with a sense of humor that had already made this year better than the others. And the best part, he gives us candy. Think of it as my childhood showing.
I was actually kinda sad when the bell rung, but I went back to my usual self when I remembered that I had History next. And when it comes to history I know my shit. Mr. Hillington was pretty cool too. We hardly had any homework so that was a plus. I guess I zoned out again as I heard the bell ring.
Next was Chemistry. Chemistry was ok every once in awhile, but most of the time it got on my nerves. Ms. Lewson seemed ok. So far it's been better than the past years. I scribbled in my notebook until the bell rang again signaling for lunch. I put my stuff in my locker and decided to just walk around the halls, I didn't feel that hungry anyways.
It was maybe five to ten minutes after the bell rang. I was walking down a hallway when I heard something being slammed against the lockers, a thud following along with a whimper of pain. Curious, I turned the corner. I saw the group of school bullies picking on a kid. They were about to start kicking him until one of them saw me, got the leader's attention and looked back my way. I cracked my knuckles as I continued to watch them as I slowly prowled towards them. I saw the leader, James, gulp before he looked at the others and they scampered off. I've watched them hurt others. Nobody stepping up to help the person being bullied. I'm tired of it. So for the rest of the year, I'm putting a stop to it.
I walked up to the boy to see if he was ok. I squatted down beside him, shaking his shoulder slightly. He groaned before he opened his eyes and looked at me. He blinked for a few seconds before he weakly held his arms up in front of his face like he was shielding himself. I sighed loudly. "I'm not gonna hurt you." I said, my deep voice echoing quietly down the halls. He put his arms back down, looking up at me. "Do you need help up?" I asked quietly. He gave a slow nod of his head. I stood up, holding my hand out for him. He took it and I pulled him up. I was able to get a good look at him, I don't remember seeing him around here before. My guess is that he's the new student.
"So what's your name?" I ask as I start to walk again, slowing down my pace when I saw that he started to limp slightly. "A-Aaron." He said softly. He took a deep breath before he continued. "You?" He asked. "I'm Mark. Nice to meet you Aaron." I said as I fixed my beanie. "Are you ok?" I asked after a moment of silence. "I'm f-fine now. Thanks for, you know…" He said trailing off. "Yeah, and you're welcome." The bell was about to ring. "Are you sure you're ok? Or do you need to go to the nurse?" I asked. "I'll be ok, thanks anyways Mark." He said smiling, I was surprised to feel myself smiling back. The bell rang, "Well, I'll see ya around." I said, he slightly waved at me. I waved back in return.
I headed off to my locker, grabbing my notebook again. I headed to Computers class. Which to me that translates to computer games. I was bored out of my mind, so I just played Solitaire the whole period. When the bell rang, I sighed inwardly. "I can finally relax." I thought to myself as I headed to my class. I wasn't looking where I was going and pumped into somebody. Before they could hit the ground, I caught their arm and pulled them back up. It was Aaron. "Hey Ma'k." He said sounding slightly happier. "Hmm, he sounds British." I thought. "Hey, so where are you going?" I asked. He looked at his schedule. "Gym, you?" He asked looking up. "Study Hall. But it's right next to gym, you wanna walk together?" I asked him. "Sure." He said as we continued our way to class.
After Aaron was dropped off I strolled over to Study Hall. I just wrote in my notebook the whole time. The bell rang. So I headed back to gym to walk with Aaron. He limped out from the door. I growled under my breath. This is starting to piss me off, and I'm about to punch a bitch straight in the gappa. He attempted to smile at me. It looked forced and I could tell. "Aaron, what happened?" I asked as I gently forced him to seat on a bench just out of sight from everybody else. "No-nothing Mark. It's ok." He said trying to sound reassuring, it didn't work but I could tell if I argued about it that he would act stubborn. I sighed and said, "At least let me help you to your next class." I said standing up, holding out my hand to help him up. "Fine." He said as I pulled him to his feet. "I have Study Hall next. What about you?" He asked. "I actually have another Study Hall, the reason behind it is I didn't want to take another class." I said shrugging. Aaron and I walked to Study Hall. Ms. Westlingson was the kind of teacher that was very laid-back. We just talked quietly to each other. I learned that he was the new student, he's also a Junior and he transferred from England. I somehow convinced him to let me walk him to his house. So when the bell rang we headed our separate ways to our lockers. I told Aaron that I would meet him at his locker. I grabbed my bag, putting my Geometry and Chemistry book into it before I placed my notebook inside. I closed my locker slinging my bag casually over my shoulder, heading to Aaron's locker.
I turned the corner only to hear a chant coming from a crowd of students. "Fight! Fight! Fight!" Was all I could hear. "Son of a bitch… It better not be who I think it is" I said quietly to myself. It was easy for me to break through the crowd as everyone made a path, not wanting to get in my way. What I saw made my blood go to a boil. Aaron, on the ground with James calling him names and kicking him here and there. That's it. I walked up to James and punched him right in the face. He looked up about to hurt whoever attacked him until his eyes met mine. "You better hope to God that there is a place in Hell where I can't find you." I growled out quietly as I stood over Aaron, my teeth were clenched together and my knuckles turning white. I never showed that I was violent before, so seeing me like this probably scared the shit out of everybody. They all backed away, speed-walking out the doors. James was frozen in his spot.
I walked up to him, grabbing him by the collar of his shirt and brought him to be eye level with me. I tried to stay as calm as possible. "I'm sick and tired of you acting like you're such a big shot. So I'm stopping this right now…" I was about to put him down until I had another thought. "Oh… and I have one more question. Did you hurt him during gym?" I asked. "I- I don't know wha-" I shook him once. "Did. You. Hurt. Him. During. Gym. It's a simple yes or no question…" I said breathing deeply to keep my cool. "M-Ma'k?" I heard a weak voice speak up behind me. I turned my head, looking over my shoulder and saw Aaron flinch slightly. I felt my shoulders slump before I turned my head back towards James. "Don't ever hurt him or anybody else again. Do you understand?" I asked quietly. He rapidly nodded his head before I let go of his shirt and he ran off. I turned back towards Aaron. "Are you ok?" I asked softly and I kneeled down beside him. "Ye-yeah I'm fine Ma'k." Aaron said quietly. "Can you still walk or do you need help?" I asked. "I think I'll be ok." Aaron said as he stood back up.
"Ok, the reason I asked is because I walked to school today…" I said, kinda regretting that I did since Aaron will have to walk. "That's ok Ma'k." Aaron said smiling. I smiled back as we went through the doors.
Aaron's POV
I just hope my dad isn't home...