The hallway is crowded, but I push my way through it. I haven't seen any of my friends today, which is weird, but on the other hand I am also glad. I won't have to pretended to be something I'm not. And it's not embarrassing to sit alone on the pauses either, since people know I have friends. I'm just alone for now.

Anyways, it's getting a little boring again. I already have revised to the exam that's held later today, I've already wandered around the yard and I've already thought about everything worth thinking about. So I kinda want my friends here already, even though I'm okay without seeing them today.

Suddenly a pair of hands slam down to my shoulders, and I jump, spinning around. I meet Jonah's eyes as he starts to laugh.

"Yeah, very funny", I mumble. "Where are the others?"

"I, they-" Jonah tries to start his sentence, but he's laughing too much to answer. "You should've seen your face!"

I roll my eyes. I see nothing funny in scaring people - well, I do, when I scare someone (usually Dean), but I don't like being scared by people, supernatural things are enough for me.

Another wave of laughter and he's holding his stomach.

Jonah is the one of our group whom I like the most. He's funny, even if a little stupid sometimes, and is usually pretty cheerful. I've never been bored in his company: either I'm laughing with him or at him for doing something brainless. He also doesn't give a rat's ass of what someone thinks about him. He talks back to the teachers and the students, and is always in trouble. I've heard that he has pretty good family as well, a rich dad and a mom who bakes stuff and smells like food. He has an older sister who is now working as a nurse in a hospital. Still, somehow I'm not jealous.

His laughter calms a bit and he takes a deep breath in. "Alright", he says, shaking his head. "Peter sent me to look for you."

I raise my other eyebrow in surprise. "Why? What do you need me for?" If they need me to meet the kid -what was his name again, Thomas?- I'm going to say no and go away. I'm not a bully.

Jonah shrugs and looks at me with his big green eyes that remind me of Dean's eyes. "How could I know? You know Peter, he's not the talking type. I guess you'll see when we get to them."

He starts to turn away but I grab his hand. "Wait, Jonah", I say, and he turns back to me. "Does it have something to do with that kid we mocked yesterday?"

As far as I know, Jonah doesn't like to hurt people either. He isn't interested in other people's opinions but he does care for other people. I feel like I can trust him with this.. insecurity. But should I?

Jonah takes a heartbeat to think. "I, umm.. I don't think so. Why do you ask?" He looks somewhat concerned. A bit guilty, maybe. It's odd to see him so serious.

"It's nothing. I just-"
"Sam, you know what? If the next thing that comes out of your mouth is that you liked calling him names and making him feel bad, I will punch you."

I feel like my mouth is hanging open of surprise. Really? Has Jonah lost his mind? How could I ever say so? He should know better. But maybe that's why he said that. He knows I don't enjoy it. I'm genuinely confused. What?

"I- no! That's not what I was saying. God, no!"

Jonah's face softens and I let go of his arm. "Good. Because I could see you didn't enjoy it, and it's good. It's abnormal to like that kind of.. messed up thing."
"You did it", I say carefully, trying to read his face. He shrugs again.
"I don't really have any other friends. If I don't do what Peter and James do, I'm soon one of the bullied ones."

It's my time to shrug. "Who knows, really. Maybe they are smart enough to stop. And you're their friend."

Jonah lets out a dry laugh. "I wouldn't be their friend if I stood up for the kid. Thomas. You haven't known Peter or James for long like I have. Aiden wouldn't hurt me, I know that, but those two.. being bullied is horrible. But you are tall and handsome, you don't know what it's like."

It's funny how little these people know about me. Only Aiden knows that my mother is dead, but everybody else knows pretty much nothing. Maybe I should lighten Jonah up a little bit, but I decide not to. We'll be staying in this town for maybe two weeks at tops, and after that these people will never see me again. So what's the point of revealing my life to them?

"You're right, I don't know what it feels like. But saying things like that.. it's not me", I tell him. "And if the reason they need me has something to do with hurting someone, I'm out."

I know my words are empty threats, but I can't help it. I've never had something like this - friends that care for me. I don't want to lose this.

Jonah grins, nodding. "Do what you have to do. But don't argue with Peter or James. Peter might look calm but you don't want to see him when he gets mad. One guy once had a fight with Peter, and the next day, the guy came to school with a bit lip and a black eye. Peter himself had no scratches on him."

"I'm not scared of them", I sigh. And that's the truth.

Jonah says something unimportant as a reply and then we head to the direction where Jonah came from. Behind the bushes in the middle of our school's yard stands the others. All expect James.

"Hi", I say and flash a smile to Aiden, who grins at me. "So, what do you need me for?"

Peter shrugs, lifting his head up so he could look at me. "You'll see soon enough, when James returns."

"It'd be nice to know, I agree", Aiden mutters, ducking his head. "But soon enough does the trick for me."

Jonah and Aiden are best friends. They have always known each other and grown to be more like brothers than friends. They share almost their every moment together - they have traveled together, they have spent holidays together, they are practically always together. Where is Jonah, there is Aiden, and vice versa. Aiden isn't as brainless as Jonah, but together they do some pretty random things. I've heard that once they stole a tree -yeah, a tree. I couldn't believe it the first time I heard it, but they showed me some photos of them digging up a small apple tree. After digging it up they transported it to the local garden and dug a hole for it. I don't know if the tree ever returned to its owner.

Anyways, they are a good couple. They have their own inside jokes that I never, ever understand, but that's the point. If I had to choose my friends, I'd pick those two. Sadly, with those two come Peter and James as well.

"If you are tired of waiting, you can always exit", Peter says, his voice ice-cold. It's clear that it's not a permission - it's a dare.

Aiden shakes his head and laughs. His laugh is nervous and faked, but it's a laugh. "Why would I do that? I'm alright. James will be here soon, I believe."

I groan silently, and Jonah sends an angry glare at me. I meet his gaze and roll my eyes, receiving a kick to my ankle. By instinct I flinch, while Aiden chuckles next to us.

Silence falls over us for a few minutes, and finally James comes back. I'm happy to see him - I hate silence like that. It's awkward and frustrating.

My joy quickly turns to anger as I see James dragging Thomas behind him. Peter huffs happily and James is smiling widely. I feel like hitting them both, but I control myself. Jonah just warned me about starting a fight with Peter.

"He's here", Peter informs.
"I.. can see that, yeah", I reply, taking a small step backwards. "Why is he here?"

I can feel Aiden looking at me, but I don't take my eyes off of Thomas' eyes. He looks scared and worried, and the way he meets my glare, breaks my heart. I can see the pain in his eyes, James' grip of Thomas' arm is maybe a bit too tight.

"Why do you think? We're not still ready with him", James laughs, shoving the kid so he has to take a few steps in order to stay on his feet. He now stands in the middle of our circle, looking horrified.

"Don't touch me", he hisses as he flinches away from Peter's touching attempt. I feel my heart sinking to my belly. This shouldn't be happening.

"Oh, I wouldn't touch you, even if I was paid to", Peter says, rolling his eyes. "Aiden, would you hold him in place?"
"Well, if you need me to", Aiden replies, sounding unsure but does what he is told to do. He grabs Thomas as gently as he can, but hard enough not to hurt him. Just tight enough to hold him in place.

"Winchester, you wanna start?" James asks, eyeing me. Naturally I shake my head.
"No. I don't.. I don't want to be part of this."

Peter's eyes meet mine and for the first time in this school, I'm actually afraid. "Too bad", he simply says.

"I won't do it", I say again, crossing my arms in front of me. "You cannot force me."
"Oh, I can", Peter says. From the corner of my eye I can see Jonah looking terrified for my actions. Aiden's shoulders have tensed up as well. James just looks like he doesn't want to wait anymore. "Because it's either him.. or you. What's it going to be?"


I regret the decision of skipping the rest of the day. I just couldn't help it.

They forced me to do it! They made me do it! I hurt the kid, I hurt Thomas, even though I strictly said I wouldn't. And now he has bruises because of me. He cried because of me and my actions and my hurtful words.

I should know better than that. I've been bullied in almost every other school. Why spread the plague? Why make others feel as worthless as I felt?

Tears travel down my cheeks even though I didn't mean to cry. It's hard to cry and run at the same time, but I just can't stop. I want to run as far as I can, so then maybe the image of Thomas on the ground, crying, disappears from my mind.

I saw Thomas leaving, too. The school nurse sent him home. I wish I could find him now and apologize. Not only because of his sake, but my own peace of mind, as well. I'm don't want to hurt people.

After a while, I'm forced to sit down. My knees feel weak and my heart is pounding like never before. So I sit down on a bench in this lonely park, where thick trees make the sun impossible to see and wind hard to feel. But it's a perfectly cool place for me to sit for a while.

When I leave after twenty minutes or so, I head to the town. I have a little money, so I probably should buy a lemonade or something to eat.

But sometimes, fate steps in.

I am just crossing this street, when I feel a hand and a piece of clothing slamming over my mouth. This strong, stinging smell enters my nose and mouth and the world starts to spin around me. I fight with all my power -which, to be honest, is a weak power in that situation- but it is no use. Dark dots take over my vision and my body falls limp on someone's hands.


Any ideas of how to continue? Review and tell me :)