Good evening, faithful readers. Time for another chapter of No Class Ever. This is where things really start to go down, for both Russell and Rudy. As for what it is... well, you'll have to read and find out for yourself. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Chapter 7: Realization

After the failed lunch attempt, the gang tried to come up with more way to help Russell, and hopefully find a better way to deal with Rudy. Albert was currently thinking, while Bill did his best to comfort his little brother, cleaning up the cut on his cheek, "It's gonna be okay, Rus... you'll be okay..." He told him.

All Russell did was whimper softly, shaking slightly. Bill sighed as he put a band-aid on the wound, and gave his brother a hug, "There. All better."

"Thank you..." The child replied.

Albert walked over to the duo, "How's he doing?" He asked in concern.

"He's calmed down a bit..." Bill replied, "But what are we gonna do about Rudy? He's become a maniac."

The large boy couldn't help but agree to that. Rudy wasn't the cocky jerk with a heart of gold anymore. He was now a psychotic raging killing machine bent on seeking vengeance on those who wronged him. And although Albert didn't want to admit it, it was starting to scare him.

It was starting to scare all of them, Russell especially. And what happened moments ago only caused that fear to grow. And from what Albert could tell, the other boys were too afraid to step outside of their own homes without making sure that Rudy wasn't around. The fact that it's come to that, is sad really. And terrifying. Worst of all, Rudy was still bent on showing everyone his wrath...

When will it stop?

Somehow, we have to show Rudy that what he's been doing isn't doing anybody any favors. It isn't doing any favors to Russell mostly... He thought. I'll think of something, but for now... let's see if we can cheer Russell up."Hey, hey, hey. There's a Brown Hornet marathon coming on very soon. How about we all go in the clubhouse and get ready to watch?" He suggested.

Everyone heard what Albert and agreed... all except for Russell. For when he heard the mere mention of the clubhouse... he started to get flashbacks to what had happened not too long ago. Suddenly, the child began to see himself on the floor again, pinned by Rudy, trying his hardest to keep quiet as the older boy sliced his cheek with a knife.

It was all too much...

He couldn't go back into the clubhouse after that...

He wouldn't!

"NO! NO! I can't! I won't!" He exclaimed, clinging to Bill.

"What's wrong, Russell?" Bill asked.

"I don't wanna go back into the clubhouse..."

Albert gave him a look of reassurance, "It'll be okay, Russell. Rudy's not here. He won't hurt you..."

"I DON'T CARE!" Russell screamed, standing up and backing away, "I don't ever wanna go into the clubhouse again! I don't even wanna come here to the junkyard again! Not again! NEVER AGAIN!"

In a fit of tears, the little boy ran away as fast as he could, away from his brother and friends, and out of the junkyard. Bill began to call out for him, "Russell! Rus, come back! Wait!"

But he was ignored, as Russell continued to run. The older Cosby sighed in anger, "Dang that Rudy... he's ruined my brother..."

Albert frowned, "This is worse than I thought. We better go after him before anything happens."

The other boys agreed.

As for Russell himself, he continued to run, not once looking back at the junkyard. Tears streamed down his cheeks as he thought about everything. Rudy beating him down, haunting him in his nightmares, and constantly threatening him, his brother, and the rest of the gang. And after that stupid lunch, not even the clubhouse was safe. As far as he was concerned, he didn't care if he never steps foot in there again.

Why is all of this happenin' to me? The child thought sorrowfully, What did I do to deserve this? All I did was tell Rudy he has no class as usual. Why did he have to go and freak out the way he did? Now I can't go nowhere without worrying if he's following me or watching me... when will it end...? When will it end...?

Russell was so caught up in his thoughts, that he didn't realize that he had turned into an alleyway, and in doing so, bumped into something... or rather someone. The collision sent Russell to the ground, and when he looked up at who he bumped into, his blood ran cold.

"Why don't you watch where you're going, shrimp?"

The boy shook with fear as Rudy turned towards him with a death glare. He tried to get up and escape, but all he ended up with was Rudy's foot pinning him down. Russell began to beg, "Please don't kill me! I'm sorry..."

The rich teen rolled his eyes, "Please... I have much better things to do than kill you. I may be infuriated right now and I may have implied to kill you, but you know I'm not that kind of person..."

He then gave Russell a terrifying grin, "But that doesn't mean I can't still taunt and torture you. Because I think that's a much worse fate than death. Watching you flinch and whimper at the sight of me... giving you these injuries... heck, even hurting your brother has made you what you are now... a wimpy scared little shrimp... watching you like this is enough revenge for me... but I prefer to go further than that..."

The small boy felt more tears falling. This was just like his dream a few nights ago when he was in the hospital. And now... it was coming true. Rudy smirked when he saw the tears, "Poor, poor, Russell. The once brave sass master with a mouth bigger than his size... reduced to a sobbing cry baby. And from the looks of it... it's going to remain that way for a long time..." He taunted with an evil laugh.

Russell couldn't hold it in more. He threw his head back and sobbed away, now completely terrified. At this point, he didn't care if Rudy killed him right then and there. At least he wouldn't have to deal with him anymore.

As for Rudy, he chuckled at the pity the child was feeling, he couldn't help but reach down and punch him in the face. Enjoying that, he did it again, laughing maniacally, before leaving Russell with a red and bloody nose. But when Rudy stood back up and looked at the blood that had gotten on his hands... something about it... disturbed him.

The dapper boy then looked at a puddle of water next to Russell and noticed his reflection. Looking at that sadistic look on his face made his expression soften a bit, before looking at the blood on his hands again.

Was this... what he really has come to?

He then thought back to when Russell mentioned the lake incident. When he pulled a stupid joke that nearly caused both of them to drown. They both nearly died that day, but thanks to Albert, Janine, and the others, they were saved.

This also brought back another memory. When their dear friend, Fernando, got caught up with his brother Tito in a gang war, and the result left him shot and killed. Tito had learned that you don't solve conflicts by fighting.

Just like... he got mad over what Russell said to him... and nearly caused him to... die...

Am I... did I... what have I done...? There were now so many thoughts racing through his head.

Aw man. Mom was right. Russell was right. Everyone was right... I really do have no class. I let my anger get the best of me... and now look what happened. I made the whole gang afraid of me... I probably made my Mom shocked... and I traumatized Russell... I'm a monster.

Rudy frowned deeply, taking his foot off of Russell's stomach, before pulling him up and hugging him tightly, confusing the younger boy, "Rudy...?"

"Russell... I'm so... so... so... so... sorry for what I did..." He whispered, "I-"

Before he could finish his apology, they both heard a chuckle in the background, "Such remorse... makes me sick..."

From behind a dumpster in the alley, a teen about Rudy's age came out, advancing towards the two, twirling a knife in his hand. If Rudy had to guess, this guy was a thug, and he was trouble. He continued to hold Russell tightly, "What do you want, punk?" He asked defensively.

The tough-looking teen chuckled, "Nothing much. I'm looking for some cash. And if you guys decide to be easy and hand over all that you have, then I'll let ya'll be on your way. 'Kay?"

Russell whimpered and clung to Rudy tightly, "I-I-I d-d-don't h-have a-anything."

Rudy glared at the thug, "And I sure don't got nothing. So why don't you make like a rock and get outta here?"

The tough teen then started to glare, "So we're going the hard route then, huh? Fine by me. There's more than one way to skin a scat." He then grabbed Russell from Rudy's grip and threw him to the ground. From there, he raised his knife, ready to strike, "You first, squirt."

Russell gasped and shielded himself away, but he knew it would do no good. He just closed his eyes and waited for the knife to come down and stab him, ending his life for good.

But... it never came...

Instead, he felt something cover him, and someone scream.

The boy opened his eyes and gasped at what he saw. Rudy had shielded him with his body... but that came at a price. The tough teen chuckled, as he stared at the knife in Rudy's side. It didn't take long for Russell to realize what just happened.

Rudy just took the hit for him.

Rudy took a knife in the side for him.

But most importantly... Rudy saved his life.

And you won't see the aftermath of this until the next chapter. So Rudy FINALLY realizes what he's been doing, and has become remorseful. Sadly that was interrupted by this guy trying to rob him (think of the guy as the lead bully from the live action movie). And Rudy makes the ultimate sacrifice to keep Russell safe. Next time, we'll see if he survives this ordeal, and see how Russell feels about all of this. Until then, I'll see you guys later. And as always, don't forget to review, please. Thank you.