Chapter 4
Jonathan quickly walked to his car, holding his head down and trying to avoid any eye contact. He felt that if anyone looked him in the eyes now, they'd know what had just happened to him. So far he had managed to avoid everyone. Just a few more steps.
'Hey Byers, wait up!'' Jonathan froze. In a split second he considered running to his car and driving off, but decided he wouldn't make it.
Steve had caught up to him. ''What the hell is wrong with you?''
Jonathan turned around. Whatever he had expected to hear, it wasn't that.
''What is wrong with me? How do you mean what's wrong with me?''
Steve sounded angry: ''Why don't you stand up for yourself? Every day you are targeted and every day you just let it happen. It's pathetic really.''
Jonathan felt resentment welling up inside him.
''Since when do you care about what happens to me? As long as you and your friends can play your little games with me, why should you care how I act?''
Steve was taken aback by this sudden fierceness. ''I don't care what happens to you'', he quickly recovered. ''It just makes me sick to watch it. Just fight back, man. Fucking man up.''
Jonathan scoffed. ''Thanks for the great advice. What would I do without it?'' He got in his car and drove off.
Dumbfounded, Steve watched the car as it got further and further away. He had no idea what reaction he had expected. After the events in the locker room, he had suddenly had the urge to confront him. To talk some sense into him. That stuff with the towel; Billy had just been testing the waters. If Jonathan was going to just let these things happen, Billy was only going to take it further and further. He had to start protecting himself. But Jonathan was right, Steve thought. Why did he suddenly care? He'd tormented him for years. Why was it a problem now that Billy was doing it? Steve quickly brushed his thoughts off. He didn't care about Jonathan, he was just trying to do a good deed for once. Reassured, he walked to his car.