Ravi was practically having a panic attack.

If he was being accurate and honest, he would begrudgingly admit that technically he was not; but his body had frozen up and the air surrounding him seemed to dissipate from the room, where he stood doing a fabulous impression of a gaping fish. In actuality, he was not having a panic attack but he might as well have.

Mitch was there. That Mitch. The same one that seemed bent on making his life miserable at any given opportunity, seeking him out whenever possible. Yes, that one. He was there, actually there at the penthouse at that very moment; within close proximity to Ravi, whose brain short circuited momentarily at seeing him walk through the elevator doors, with Luke's voice echoing.

Time had gone still. It was as if Ravi's feet had glued themselves on where they stood and he stared stupidly at them, mouth agape. Luckily, he hadn't been down there at the time-as far as he was aware, Mitch didn't know he was there. Yet. He'd been at the top of the stairs, with intentions to fetch himself a snack so his stomach would stop hungrily growling, as it had been for the past few hours. But his movements were halted and he was no longer interested in food.

Luke hadn't joined him and Zuri on their walk home. He'd been alright with that and didn't ask too many questions. He figured, if anything, Jessie would bust him for not being where he should have been if he shouldn't have gone. It wasn't Ravi's responsibility to ensure that Luke did what he was supposed to do.

He and his sister made it to the penthouse in silence-the usual. She didn't willingly start any kind of conversation, so he didn't either. And he didn't wonder what it exactly was that his brother was doing. It was most likely best he didn't. Luke was probably with some friends, doing who knows what, who knows where.

Now it made sense.

In order not to be seen, Ravi ducked so he was laying on the floor on his stomach. It was a ridiculous position to be in, an impulsive decision that he was sure he was going to regret sometime soon. But he didn't want Mitch knowing where he was and perhaps he wouldn't; Luke wasn't going to mention him if he didn't have to. They would become consumed by whatever they ended up doing, which would give him ample time to either get down to the lobby or get back to his bedroom.

Do you know how dumb you sound?

I don't care

Obviously

You overreact to everything

I do not

You do too! He isn't going to kill you

He would, if he could

Again, you're being dramatic

How was Ravi the only one to see what a problem this was? No one else seemed to understand-or did they and they just ignored it because it wasn't their problem? That thought made him feel worse. He saw Mitch for what he really was, the bully that terrorized him.

If anyone else was being picked on, Jessie would do something about it in a heartbeat

But because it's you, she won't

She's just going to let you suffer

Because she doesn't care

Luke and Mitch emitted noises that only growing boys with enormous stomachs could make; they conversed with each other, which meant that they were still-thankfully-unaware of his presence. You mean so they don't see you spying. The two of them were sitting on the couch, although sprawled would have been more appropriate, curled into the corners of either side of the furniture. They drank their sodas and stuffed themselves to the brim with the mounds of snacks that had been placed on the table by Bertram (rather forcefully; the bowl of popcorn had been fairly full so some of it fallen to the floor when he slammed it down).

Ravi's nose wrinkled as he observed Mitch shove a handful-a very large handful-of chips into his mouth. It couldn't contain everything, but he tried, a few crumbs clinging to his lips. He clearly had no manners, which wasn't a total surprise, given his day-to-day behavior.

If he was smart, Ravi would have slithered back to the hallway, out of sight, which would have allowed him to stand up and retreat back to safety. But he wasn't smart. His brain was still frazzled by Mitch's abrupt appearance and he could do nothing but stay there helplessly.

His eyes shut. If anyone saw him..

He didn't want to imagine it. Not for a split second. Oh, the remarks they'd come up with. The devilish facial expression as they would come to realize what had been happening and school- it would spread around like wildfire, that was for sure. Rumors around there did that sort of thing. Nothing could be kept secret for long.

And even though it hadn't happened yet, he could feel his face burning. It was easy to picture; the whispers, the laughter, the taunting all aimed at him. It would make school even worse, which hardly seemed possible as it was already a nightmare. He also didn't want to have to explain himself to either his parents or Jessie.

He's rather die.

That wasn't just to say he felt that way only for these circumstances...

It was probably morbid to say aloud. Jessie wouldn't know how to respond. Normal people didn't think like that, they didn't talk like that. Normal people were happy; how could he be convincingly happy if he was thinking about that? He didn't know where to begin, how to explain. Sometimes he just...he just let his mind wander. When he was in bed in the dark, when he was at school or while watching TV. Sometimes it was easy to think about; death, his funeral, what the reaction would be if he suddenly passed away. Sometimes when having to make the walk to school, he would wonder what if he just threw himself in front of a moving vehicle. Or, if he was eating dinner and had to use a knife to cut something, what if he just stabbed himself right there.

And sometimes, the sheer magnitude of his poignant thoughts startled him.

Contrary to what others would believe, he didn't want to die. He may have thought about it, he may have let a hundred what ifs cross over his mind and he may have very well made some concerning internet searches.

But he didn't actually want to die.

It wasn't that death had come to be pleasing for him. It wasn't a feeling of utmost desire that he yearned for. But he just...

He liked to think about it.

He realized that was probably a confusing statement to make. How could he like thinking about it and insist he didn't actually want it? He wasn't even fully sure himself. But it had to be normal by some standards. Someone else besides him had to have those passing thoughts on occasion. Did they? Or was he merely trying to delude himself in order not to feel as alone and strange as he truly was?

He didn't even know anymore.

And maybe that was for the best.

Luke got up, stretching his arms above his head and twisting around to pop his back. Tony had used the intercom system to inform someone that there was a package downstairs that was dropped off. Luke had sighed rather dramatically, calling for Bertram to go get it, but their butler seemed to have mysteriously disappeared. Or locked himself in his bedroom with headphones in his ears to block out any unnecessary noise-unnecessary meaning them, mostly.

It became apparently that he was going to have to be the one to retrieve it. Luke grumbled, but to avoid a lecture by Jessie, eh was reigned to his fate and asked Mitch if he wanted to come along with him so he didn't have to be there alone.

Oh, I see

You can be polite and courteous to anyone else but not me

Typical

Mitch declined. Actually, it was more of a groan. He had clearly overstuffed himself with the other snacks he inhaled like some wild beast that hadn't eaten for months. He wasn't going to be moving for a while. Luke shrugged and went to go on his way. Ravi was thinking that he ought to get up right about now, his back was aching; a dull ache that was usually more of a pain than if it were throbbing.

"What are you doing?"

Ravi flinched. His heart dropped at the sight of his eyes, still not yet lifted, coming face-to-face with Zuri's noisy heeled boots. He glanced up and she was staring him down with raised eyebrows and a twitchy mouth that was surely trying to hold back her giggles.

His face did go red that time. He became aware of how awkward he was looking right about now, how utterly foolish it was to be like that in his own home. His mouth opened and closed twice before he was finally able to put together a coherent sentence. "Just, erm, checking the carpet." Zuri looked like she thought he'd gone insane. And maybe he had. He pretended to take a closer look at it. "Yep, all cleaned. Looks like Bertram did his job this time after all."

Ravi inwardly cringed. Because of his ultra lame lie and Bertram hadn't cleaned the carpets lately. It smelled faintly of odor and something he did not wish to know.

He had spoken in a hushed tone, eyes darting back over to his brother and Mitch to make sure that they hadn't overheard. Unfortunately, Zuri did not do her part.

"Really? Because it looks like you're spying to me," Zuri said at her normal volume, despite him waving his hands around to stop her.

Ravi's head whipped around, his heart sinking further. Mitch had heard-of course he had. Ravi was half-convinced that he was given canine hearing, based on the fact that it was near impossible to get around Mitch, even with the quietest movements.

He would known.

He'd tried.

"Who's spying?" At the bottom of the stairs, with hair tousled from how he'd been laying and a cheese stain near his mouth, Mitch was there. He was smirking, evidently pleased at having caught Ravi in the act.

Ravi groaned, dropping his face onto the floor. This was great. This was just fantastic. This was exactly what he needed at the moment. Just great, great, great.

"It's just Ravi," Zuri said, dismissively.

Thanks a lot

"Oh, yeah?" Mitch said, sardonically. "Well, that's not very nice, is it, Robby?"

My name is Ravi you piece of filth

"Didn't your mother ever teach you not to spy on people?" Mitch's hand flew up to his mouth in fake surprise. "Oh, wait..."

Ravi's hands curled into fists. It was one thing to mock him, but another to say a word about his mother. It didn't matter that it had been years since he'd seen or dealt with feelings of resentment and anger toward her himself for her abandonment. He could feel that way. Mitch had no right to anything.

"Go away," Ravi said as bravely as he could.

Mitch's expression turned wicked. He knew if he ran, they'd come after him like a predator chasing after its prey. He was feeling nauseous now.

Zuri seemed to be uninterested in all this. She stepped over Ravi, shaking her head at the two of them and pushing past Mitch as she went into the kitchen. She chose now not to be nosy and up in everyone's business. Now. When he was cornered by the very person he would've given anything for a piano to fall onto.

Ravi peeled himself off of the floor with shaky legs.

"What's the matter?" Mitch said in a condescending high pitched voice when Ravi didn't say anything in response. "Did I hurt little Robby's feelings?"

Count to ten

Take a breath

Ignore him

One

Two

Three

"Are you gonna cry? I heard you cry in the bathroom sometimes. Is little Robby a sissy? Are you? Is that why your mommy gave you up?"

Ignore him

His fists were starting to ache.

Not like you haven't been called that before

Don't be so sensitive

Others have it worse than you

Are you really gonna get upset over this?

No wonder you get picked on

"You know what I think?" Ravi's heart sped up when Mitch climbed the stairs and came closer. "I think you're a freak.

Ignore him

Ravi refused to engage with him and get pulled in with that cheap baiting technique. He was not about to get reeled in. He would not. When he didn't respond, Mitch's eyes narrowed and he barked out similar to a dog.

"Ross, I was talkin' to you!"

"I heard you," Ravi said, simply without stammering.

Mitch grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

"Then answer me!"

Ravi was in panic mode and he used his hands to push Mitch back, freeing himself. He almost sent the other boy flying off the stairs, but Mitch managed to grab the railing before that happened. It only riled him up even more, which was just Ravi's luck.

"You're gonna pay for that, Ross!" Mitch roared.

Ravi let out a rather unmanly squeak as he leaped, making a beeline for his bedroom. He just needed to get inside and lock the door. Even Mitch couldn't break it down. Or, so he hoped. That would be greatly more terrifying if he could.

I don't think it's too far fetched

What are his parents feeding him?

He's like a skyscraper building...with hair!

He was nearly there.

It happened like in a TV show. Slow motion, where he reached out with utmost hopefulness, certain that he was going to make and wham!

It was over instantaneously.

A cry escaped from Ravi's lips as he was slammed face-first onto the floor. Mitch had shoved him with his freakishly large hands, knowing the wind right out of Ravi. As soon as he hit the ground, pain began to radiate from various spots on his body; his face, his elbows, his knees. He'd been in that position before, usually in front of an audience where they mercilessly taunted him and laughed and laughed.

He oofed. Mitch was on top of him, pulling his arms back and twisting them in an excruciatingly painful way. Ravi cried out, writhing-as minimally as it was- beneath him so he could possibly escape. That tiny bubble of hope was popped rather quickly; Mitch's iron-like grip was going to leave a bruise-if he wasn't already beginning to form one.

"You gonna apologize?" Mitch snarled.

"Oof-gah...no!"

One of Mitch's hands stopped holding onto Ravi's arms-as he was able to hold both of them with just one-, holding onto the back of Ravi's head, pressing his face down further into the carpet. Now he really couldn't move as well.

"Get off of me!" Ravi howled, but it was muffled by half of his face still being pressed into the floor.

"Say you're sorry, little Robby. Like a good little boy."

Ravi said nothing, only continuing to -try-wiggle around.

"What's wrong?" Mitch said with oversaturated surprise, "oh, you can't speak?" he lifted Ravi's head up, yanking him harshly by his hair. "Is that better?"

I hate him

I hate him, I hate him, I hate him!

"Say it!" Mitch shook him around roughly, the kind that led him to feeling slightly disoriented and a head ache starting to come on. He couldn't have gotten the words out even if he had been going to oblige Mitch.

Why hadn't the commotion stirred anyone's interest? Were they really going to do nothing when this was going on?

And where was Luke? Surely it shouldn't be taking that long to grab one package.

Don't do it

Don't give him the satisfaction

He's trying to break you

Don't let him break you

Metaphorically or literally? Ravi thought, wryly. At this rate, one of his limbs was going to snap-his arms, by the look and feel of it.

"Are you deaf!" Mitch was fed up with his resistance. Clearly, such a thing didn't happen often, let alone by Ravi. It was easier to give in right away to avoid something worse. Mitch wasn't above violence-as one could see now. "What's the matter with you?"

You, for starters

Liar

You're a mess on your own

Don't blame him for it

"Leave me alone!" Ravi felt helpless. "Please! I am sorry for spying!"

The grip tightened. Ravi involuntary whimpered. It was pathetic.

"You're sorry?" Mitch said, mockingly. "Are you really sorry?"

"Yes!" Ravi cried.

"Too bad!" And Mitch's knee dug into his side, the bone felt pointed, like a sharp end that could've cut him. "Don't worry, little Robby, I'll teach you some manners."

Then, a voice that Ravi swore he despised ninety-nine percent of the time rang out.

"Mitch? Where'd you go?"

Mitch got off of him, a literal weight taken off of him. "Tell anyone about this and you're dead, Ross," he threatened before he retreated back to the living room. Ravi laid there sprawled on the floor, having flopped on his back. He heard Mitch give Luke some excuse that he used the bathroom and his brother believed that.

Ravi closed his eyes in defeat as a thought washed over him.

He wasn't even safe in his own home.

If he could consider the penthouse his home anymore.


Later, Ravi was on his back again but this time he was on his bed, resting his sore muscles. He had never been overly fit, let alone nowadays where he barely had the energy to get out of bed. All that use, it caused a huge strain and not to be dramatic, but Ravi thought he'd just die from the pain.

His door burst wide open, the light from the hallway contrasting with the complete darkness of his room. Luke came storming in, hovering above his bed; Ravi didn't have look at his brother to know he was probably peeved.

Mitch had clearly lied about earlier.

Somehow to put the blame on Ravi.

And it worked; Luke was ready to tear his head off. Not that it was particularly unusual from any other time his brother was in a mood and he was caught in the middle of it.

"What's the matter with you!" Luke yelled, ruining the tranquility that Ravi had been basking in.

You'll have to be more specific

There are a lot of things wrong with me, apparently

"What are you talking about?" Ravi mumbled, tiredly.

"Don't be stupid. You know what I'm talking about," Luke snapped. "Mitch told me everything."

And what is everything?

A twisted lie that you will believe over me

Ravi sat up, choosing his words carefully before he verbally replied. He stared at Luke, mentally reminding himself to maintain self-control. "And what did Mitch tell you?" he pretended to become invested in a piece of his blanket where the ends had come undone. Anything not to peer at Luke any longer.

Luke bypassed his question entirely. "I know you spied on us," he was huffing out air from his nose like a crazed animal. "Zuri told me."

"I was not spying!" Ravi immediately insisted otherwise, the blatant lie slipping off his tongue easily.

"Oh, yeah?" Luke challenged. "Why were you on the floor, then?"

"I...I-" Ravi's mouth parted, a few choking sounds escaping but nothing resembling a string of words. His brain had promptly malfunctioned, and this only confirmed to Luke what was, in fact, true.

"Mitch was right about you," Luke's face was scrunched up in disgust.

Because he hates you

He's said it before

He wishes you weren't adopted

And you wish that, too

Don't you?

"About what, exactly," Now Ravi was on his feet, from across the bed and staring at Luke defiantly.

"About you being a freak," Luke hissed. "Newsflash, dude: Normal people don't spy on others."

It was an invisible blow. He was right, much as Ravi detested to admit it. Normal people didn't act or think like he did. It just went to show he very much abnormal he was.

"Alright, what is going on?" Jessie cut in as she poked her head in. "My nanny senses are tingling."

Luke whirled around. "Ravi was spying on me and Mitch!"

Now intrigued, Jessie was in the room. "I'm sure Ravi wasn't spying."

"Oh, yeah," Luke scoffed, "Zuri told me he was. He was on the floor. Mitch saw him, too. He's a freak and he's gonna drive my friends away. Mitch isn't gonna wanna come over now."

"Luke, you shouldn't call-"

"I don't care!" Luke snapped, the sharpness of his tone echoing. "Ground me all you want but I'm not apologizing."

Luke stormed out of the room.