"What are you doing? Arthur stop it!" I cried out.
But he just wouldn't listen, and continued to kick. Till eventually he slipped and fell hard on the concrete.
Sitting back up, Arthur panted heavily as he brought his knees to his chest.
Kneeling down next to him I looked at him with concern.
"What's going on? Why are you acting like this?'
Arthur sighed, "My boss Hoyt gave me hell when I came in today. He dosen't believe that I was jumped and that those pinks broke the sign for the music shop...he says he'll have to take it out of my paycheck."
"Wow what an asshole' I said shaking my head in disbelief.
"He also called me..a..a.."
"A what?' I asked putting a hand on his knee.
"A freak, and that I make all the other guys uncomfortable."
Just hearing that horrible word made my heart sink. Who the hell did this Hoyt guy think he was?!
"You don't believe him do you?'
Arthur looked up at me with glossy eyes, and a quivering lip.
"He's right Jenna, I'm not like other people..there's something wrong with me. That's why when a freak like me gets jump nobody notices. I might as well just be invisible.'
With every word he spoke I could see the pain in his eyes. The hurt in his voice, the sarrow his body was consuming.
"Arthur you're not invisible! I'm right here and all I see is a good man who just wants to bring joy and laughter to other people. And if other assholes like your boss and co workers cant see that, their the freaks not you."
He looked at me in awe, almost as if he was geratful for my kind words.
I gasped as he brought me down to his level and held me.
He shook as he layed his head on my shoulder. To calm him down I rubbed his back and shushed him. Just like I would do with my cousins back home.
"Thank you Jenna, it's such a relief to know I have someone in my life who truly understands me.'
"Ofcourse I do, you're my best friend. Now lets get you home before you spend the rest of the day smelling like a dumpster."
Arthur chuckled and got back onto his feet.
We began walking hand in hand away from the alley way. But as we did I noticed something in the distance.
"Look Arthur, its the Farris Wheel' I said Pointing.
"Yeah..hasn't changed since we were kids...you wanna go back their when you have a day off from work?' He asked in a shy voice.
"I'd like that, now let's go home garbage boy.'