AUTHOR'S NOTE:
"could it be that not really sonic , he's just scourge being a bully. you scourge skin color was blue before he tried to steal the master emerald and turning green because I can't believe that sonic would bully someone" -kaoutarbz
Unfortunately, I intend to keep supernatural elements away from this AU (such as superpowers, Chaos Emeralds & the Master Emerald, etc.) which might be boring to a lot of you, but… it's just my preference. I'm very sorry. Also, your guess sounds reasonable, but it's far from what I have in store for later chapters, so stay tuned.
Also, writing that got me thinking that I've interacted very little with my reviewers (and all my readers in general), so I wanna use this opportunity to say thank you for all the views, reviews, favorites, and follows you guys have given to my stories so far and not just this one. I hope I could continue to improve my writing skills and fulfill your expectations.
AUTHOR'S NOTE v.2.0.: I'm writing this part of the a/n halfway through writing this chapter and I gotta say: this has to be one of the most screwed-up chapters I've ever written. It's lowkey torture. Just… be warned. No, it doesn't involve blood or anything gruesome, but it does involve toilets.
Chapter 6: An Act So Revolting and Inhumane
It's been around three weeks since the whole "lockered and binned" incident happened. On the bright side of things, I've been getting a lot closer with my new friends. Guess I finally found the perfect social circle after years of being excluded from any. In this circle there's Charmy, Cream, Blaze, and Silver. Speaking of Charmy and Cream, I got them to join the tech club as pseudo-members. Luckily, none of their afterschool clubs and activities clashed with the tech club's gathering, so they often come by to just hang out, listen to Silver talk about computers and technology, or even do homework on the side (since we gather in the library which is, as you know, the perfect place for that kinda stuff). I swear, Silver's never been happier ever since those two volunteered to be put as pseudo-members. He finally got his dream of managing a legit club of his own interests and I'm glad for him. I'm sure Blaze is glad for him too.
Although lately, I've a feeling the tech club has become more of a… "close friends club" (if that makes sense) rather than an actual tech club. Don't get me wrong, I mean Silver still likes to talk about computers now and then, —he even showed us his stack of computer catalogs that he's been collecting on our last gathering—but at other times, tech club gatherings were basically just… casual hangouts. We'd have small chats about life, school, whatever worries we had on our minds, and just try to help each other the best we could. The guys have also been a great help with me trying to move on from Sonic.
Ah, speaking of the guy though… on the darker side of things, those bullies just won't stop bothering me and my friends. As more time passed by, they got a lot more aggressive. I mean, just two weeks ago, I was given a wedgie, given an Indian burn on my right arm that lasted for nearly a day, had itching powder put into the back of my shirt when I was having lunch in the cafeteria, and had a stink bomb put into my gym shoes (how they even managed to break into my locker to put them in, I had no idea). Imagine, all of that. In just one week. Bunch of psychopaths.
And yet despite all of that, they still have the nerve to come to me for help with their homework. Can you believe it? Just how shameless can a person be? Just last week, they gave me the very kinda homework that I feared: English essays. I mean, I can tolerate doing math, physics, and other hard science homework, but English? Especially essays? Do they not realize the amount of effort I've to put into this one? How I have to make each essay unique from the other so that the teachers won't suspect a thing? The number of stories, proses, and what not that I've to make up because I'm just not that good in English? Besides, the only reason I've been helping them is because they use violence to threaten me into doing it.
But… anyway, it's the start of another day as I slowly come back into my senses after last night's sleep. But, that's strange… my alarm didn't make a sound at all. Either I woke up too early, or… oh no. Hopefully it's not the latter. I slowly peeled my eyes open and… aww crap, class starts half an hour from now! That's exactly how long it takes for me to go from my house to school! So, I immediately jumped outta bed, panicking, brushed my teeth and washed my face, skipping shower (but never skipping deodorant) and breakfast, got dressed, grabbed my bag, and ran frantically downstairs to get on my bike.
I pedaled like a madman to school, quickly parked and got off the bike, and with whatever stamina I had left, ran inside the school. The hallways were empty because everyone's already in their classes. And when I finally got to the front of my class' door, I could hear the teacher's voice already in there. Great. I'm screwed. This is gonna look really bad for me since I very rarely come late to school. But, then again, what other choice do I have? Skip class? No way, I couldn't bring myself to do that. So, fearing for what might happen next, I open the door looking like an absolute mess, out of breath, and covered in sweat. And then immediately everyone, especially the teacher, started to look at me. It's the worst feeling ever.
But thankfully, the teacher just let it slide and told me to take a seat. Seriously, you have no idea how relieved I felt hearing that. So, I did what they told me and picked up where they left off. But remember how I told you I skipped breakfast? Add that to the fact that I also slept late last night because I was doing the bullies' English essays, and you've got the perfect ingredients for class fatigue. I tried my best to keep up with the teacher's explanation and look like I'm paying attention, but my eyelids felt pretty heavy, especially after all the pedaling and running I did earlier. Not to mention all the teacher's words felt like they came in through my left ear before exiting again through my right ear. And that meant I could barely take note of anything. The only thing I could write on my book was the date and that's it.
Eventually, second period came and by then, my fatigue got even worse. I was losing the battle against my own eyelids, badly, and at this point I couldn't even bother to listen to whatever the teacher was explaining. My only priority was to look like I'm awake, and even then I did a terrible job at it. In the end, I gave up and rested my head on the desk, letting my eyelids do whatever the hell it wanted to. But of course, it was a very stupid decision because I was at the front row which meant the teacher could easily see me snoozing. They then knocked on my desk, waking me up to the amusement of all my classmates, and told me to go to the bathroom to wash my face. So, I got up and left for the bathroom.
While walking there, a dreaded thought came to me: the bathroom is where they often hang out. That made me kinda reluctant to go there, knowing what kinda nasty stuff they could do to me in there. And then another dreaded thought came to me, even worse than the last one:
I forgot to bring their essays.
I stopped walking right there and then, panicking while at the same time being frozen stiff, chills running down my spine. But thankfully, I immediately came up with an idea to look for a payphone nearby and call my mom so she can- oh wait no, Dad's using the car. Scratch that. Well… I guess I've no other choice but to cycle back home to get them. It'll take me nearly an hour to go back and forth, but- oh come on! Really!? Right now!? Ugh, I guess it can't be helped…
Nature had picked the absolute worst timing to call, so I had no choice but to go to the bathroom and take whatever chances there are of them not being there. I opened the bathroom door and was immediately greeted by the typical, foul bathroom scent with the slight hint of cigarette aroma. But the worst part is that they were there, and they immediately noticed me coming in.
"'Ey, kiddo! Fancy seein' ya here. Got our homework?" Knuckles said.
"Y-yeah, yeah… just lemme finish my business first."
"A'ight, just make it quick tho, English is comin' up after lunch." Pfft. As if he even cared about the subject in the first place.
Anyway, I did my thing (with their uncomfortable staring) and he asked me again. "So, ya got it?"
Okay, I need to find a way to get the hell outta here right now. Good thing I got an idea. "Yeah, it's… umm… oh, in my locker! Y-yeah, hehe… I'll… I'll go get it."
"Cool. We'll come with ya."
Oh crap. He just had to bring that up, didn't he? Come on… think… what else can I say?
"Uhh, t-that's… fine, y-you don't have to…"
"Huh? Why? Ya tellin me what to do!?" His voice sounded like it's getting angrier and that put me off focus a lot.
"N-n-no, no! N-not that! I-it's just that…"
"You forgot, didn't you?" Jet hit the nail on the head; my head too. And… I've completely lost it.
"H-huh!? N-n-no! I-I'd never-"
"Yeah, you did! Why you stutterin' like a retard if you didn't forget, huh genius?"
"You WHAT!? You little punk, deadline's today! The hell am I supposed to tell 'em now!? That some dork was too stupid to bring it!?" Knuckles shouted at my face.
I stayed silent because what could I say? That I forgot to bring them because I overslept and make this even worse!? I'm as good as dead! They got me cornered with nowhere left to go!
"Man, we oughtta teach this barfbag a lesson," Vector said.
"Y'know what? You're right. But lemme get this straight: if you make any noise, if you even dare try screamin' for help, I'm gonna kill ya. Get it?" Knuckles said while staring down at me. I just nodded outta fear.
"Good. Now get in the stall."
Oh God.
No.
Please don't.
"The WHAT!? No, not that! Anything but that! Please, I'm begging you!"
"'Ey I told ya to shut up, didn't I!? Now get your ass in there!"
He forcefully shoved me into the stall. He then came in and locked the door.
"Now face the toilet and get on your knees."
"N-no! Come on! You can't do this to me! It's not- ARGH!"
He punched me in the face and I fell.
"Are you deaf, stupid, or both, huh!? I said face the goddamn toilet!"
I… I've no other choice. I did as he said and he opened it to reveal… yellow. Just yellow.
"Man, I knew all the time we spent not flushin' was worth it. Just be glad it's still just piss and ain't chocolate, yet."
He painfully grabbed the back of my head and shoved it down the bowl. I closed my eyes and held my breath, doing my best to not let any of it get in.
"Come on, don'tcha wanna breathe!? Come on, fox boy! Breathe! BREATHE!"
No. No… I can't… I won't… gotta… keep…
*gurgle* *gurgle* *flush* *cough* *cough*
AAAH! OH GOD, NO! IT WENT IN! IT WENT IN! IT GOT INTO MY NOSTRILS AND MOUTH! Oh God, I'm gonna be sick…
"Yeah, haha… savor that stuff. It's good for ya, ya little scum. Now stay put while we take turns. At least this next one ain't gonna be so bad."
Knuckles got out and came in Vector. Same as before.
*gurgle* *gurgle* *flush* *cough* *cough*
And then Jet.
*gurgle* *gurgle* *flush* *cough* *cough*
I'd expected Sonic to immediately come in afterwards, but they talked for a while outside the stall. I couldn't make much of it.
"Didn't we tell ya not to be a dorkwad defender already!? Just get in there and do it!" The stall door slammed shut.
I turned around to look up at him standing tall, staring down at me like some sort of executioner.
"N-no… come on… don't do this…"
"…"
"I was your friend! Don't you remember!?"
"…"
"PLEASE! I'm begging you!"
"…I'm sorry."
He grabbed my head and shoved it back in the bowl, only this time it felt ten times worse than the last three.
*gurgle* *gurgle* *flush* *cough* *cough*
It's over. It's finally over. Everyone outside cheered while Sonic walked out.
"I… I gotta go."
"Aww come on! Where ya goin'!?" And they were all finally gone.
…why? Just… WHY!? Why do things like this always happen to me!? What did I ever do to deserve all of this!? How could Sonic even do something as evil as this to me!? Of all people!? It's just not fair, it's just… why…? I- can't… *sob* oh God, this is the worst day of my life… *sob*
I sat on the floor, buried my face in my elbows and just… let it all out. I couldn't contain it anymore. I don't care if anybody sees me crying like this. I'm already at my lowest point, anyway. It couldn't get any worse, how could anything be worse than that!? What kinda sad sicko even thought of that in the first place!?
Oh no, footsteps. Great. Whoever that is is gonna look at me and either laugh or do nothing at all.
"Tails!? What happened? Who did… oh no, did they…!? They actually gave you a swirly!?"
Oh, it's just Charmy. Still, I couldn't look up to him or say anything to him. I'm too embarrassed for any of that.
"Uhh… wait here, I'll get my facewash."
Minutes later, he came back. I was still on the floor, crying.
"Here. Use this."
"…"
"Come on, Tails… you have to get up… before anybody sees you…"
"SO BE IT, THEN! I don't care anymore! I just… *sniff* I just wanna disappear…"
I cried even harder than before. I don't think I've ever cried this hard since the day Sonic left. Oh, Sonic… what happened to you?
But then I felt Charmy's hands rubbing me on the back. He actually kneeled down to comfort me. I… guess it made me feel kinda better, but… I don't know…
"I'm sorry, Tails. I know it's hard, but you gotta get up now. This isn't the place to cry. You can let it all out again at lunch, with me. Come on. Let's get you up and cleaned."
Guess he's right. At least it's better than sitting on the dirty, bathroom floor. He offered me his hand to pull me up, and then I went to the sink to use Charmy's facewash. Sure, it washed away the smell, but not the shame from that… thing. I don't think I could ever forget this.
The lunch bell rang. I wasn't in the mood to eat. I know I skipped breakfast too, but I don't care. I just don't wanna eat. I just… need some time to pull myself together after that nasty incident. I sat with Charmy and Cream again, but I barely touched my food. I could tell they were both looking at me uncomfortably as if they're not sure what to say to me. That's fine. I didn't feel like talking, anyway. I just wanna be left alone.
Lunch ended without me taking a single bite. I begrudgingly went into third period without the desire to learn anything. I mean, how could I? I just got humiliated in the worst and most inhumane way possible. So, I didn't bother listening to whatever nonsense the teacher spewed outta their mouth. As time went on, the sadness went away and left a gap in me. That gap was immediately filled by anger. I hated those asswipes. I wanted to kill them. I pondered every possible way of doing it, but… my better conscience reminded me that I live in a world of consequences, and the consequence of me doing that is juvie. But… then again, if anybody deserves to go to juvie in the first place, it's those psychopaths. Not me. Hell, death would be a much more deserved punishment than juvie for those pricks. It's just that… argh, dammit. Forget it. I'm getting nowhere with that thought.
I passed through third and fourth period without bothering to take any notes. As soon as the end-of-school bell rang, the first and only thing that popped into my mind is "Go home before they see you again." I packed my stuff and headed for the entrance without any further delay. But… of course, the world just had to take a massive dump on my head for the second time today by putting them there. Oddly enough though, Sonic wasn't there, but who cares? He can jump off a cliff for all I care, and so can the rest of these idiots.
I tried walking past them, hoping they wouldn't open their stupid mouths, but, as you already know, walking past them without saying anything never works, apparently.
"Had a good time in the toilet today, eh freak boy?" Knuckles jeered, much to the amusement of the other two.
Honestly, hearing his stupid voice made me wanna stomp his numb skull on the pavement with my own two shoes. But obviously, that's never gonna happen, so I just picked up my walking pace before I get pissed off even more.
"Ya still owe us our homework! Don'tcha forget that!" He shouted from afar.
I nearly lost it again back there. Good thing this time I could hold back the tears from running down again. He wants his homework, huh? Well, too bad he's never gonna get it, not after the way he treated me. So, I took my bike home, went into my room, grabbed their books, went downstairs and got on my bike again. I pedaled my way to the pier by the beach and once there, I took out the books and threw them into the sea one by one. Knuckles', Vector's, Jet's, and… Sonic's. For some reason, I was a bit hesitant with this one, but… bah, screw it. Too late to stop now. So, I tossed that one too so it could join the rest.
Was this a terrible decision? Most likely. Do I care? No. If anything, this should teach them a lesson not to bite the hand that feeds. I've been sucking up to those bastards way too long and I'm not gonna take it anymore. They get bad grades because they didn't submit their homework? Good for them. I get beat up? No problem, as long as I could at least fight back before that happens.