"Okay class, today we will be starting to talk about health and safety so who can tell me what CPR stands for and its benefits?" Mr. Gardiner asks.
Rubbing his eyes, Kyle raises his hand.
"Yes, Kyle?"
"It stands for cardiopulmonary resuscitation and it's a lifesaving technique that is used to save people's lives, for instance: if someone has drowned," Kyle says.
"Correct Kyle," Mr. Gardiner praises, before looking down at his textbook.
As soon as Mr. Gardiner turns his attention away from his class, Kyle gets hit in the back of the head with a paper ball.
Picking it up he unscrews it and sees the word nerd written in big black letters. He turns around to look at Aiden, Wesley, and Grant and sees all of them smirking at him and he pitifully looks back at the front, not understanding why these guys were so relentless and adamant to pick on him.
"Okay class next question: true or false, isometric muscles generate force by changing the length of the muscle?" Mr. Gardiner asks; this time both Kyle and Aiden raise their hands.
"Aiden?" Mr. Gardiner asks.
"True," Aiden says, causing Mr. Gardiner to shake his head.
"I'm sorry Aiden, but unfortunately that's incorrect," he says before turning to Kyle, "Kyle, did you have a different answer?"
Kyle slowly nods.
"Isotonic contractions generate force by changing the length of the muscle and can be concentric contractions or eccentric contractions. A concentric contraction causes muscles to shorten, thereby generating force, however isometric contractions generate force without changing the length of the muscle," Kyle explains, and yawns slightly, while Mr. Gardiner smiles.
"Thank you, Kyle, that was very informative," he says with praise, as he then looks down at the textbook ready to ask the next question.
Kyle is once again hit in the back of the head with a paper ball, but it doesn't shock him, as he can have a minimum of twenty paper balls chucked at him a day while he's in PE, as Aiden, Wesley, and Grant always love to send him threatening notes in class, and even sometimes other kids also join in.
He opens up the paper ball and gulps when he reads it.
You wanna embarrass me geek! Then I'll embarrass you right back! Then we'll see who's laughing! Nerd!
He looks up in fear to see them all glaring at him. He turns back to the front and tries to focus and listen to Mr. Gardiner's questions.
At the end of class, Casey approaches him, having been seated separately from his brother for talking too much.
"How many balls did you get hit with? I didn't see, from where I had to sit today," he comments as he stands in front of his brother.
Edith sneaks past giving a small smile to Kyle on her way out.
"Thirty-two. Twenty-five were from Aiden, Wesley and Grant, four were from Grace and three were from Gavin," Kyle huffs as he swings his backpack on.
"What did they say?" Ryder asks, as he and Casey walk with Kyle to see if he's okay before he goes off to one of his advanced classes.
"What do you think? The usual! I got called names and threatened with wedgies, swirlies and the rest," Kyle mumbles, as he picks up the pace trying to avoid this conversation and somehow manages to trip over his own feet, causing Gavin, who is passing, to chuckle.
"Such a geek," he says.
Kyle rolls his eyes and pushes himself up before continuing on his way to class.
"See you guys again at morning break."
"Bye!" Casey and Ryder both farewell, before heading off to their next classes
Kyle slumps to his History class and plummets into his seat next to Dex.
"Waking up yet?" Dex asks, as Kyle groans and rests his head on his arm.
"I'm so tired!" moans Kyle.
He wishes he had the guts to have a go at Heath for his incident, but then he just knows that he would just end up being beaten up.
"Why haven't you been sleeping well?" Dex inquires.
Kyle looks up and behind him to make sure that other kids weren't paying attention.
"Because of Heath; he pulled another prank. He hid under my bed dressed as a zombie and scared me. I've been having nightmares ever since," Kyle explains, feeling embarrassed.
"Man, I'm so glad Heath's not my brother. He just doesn't give you and Casey a break," Dex says, "When will he stop?"
"Probably never. I bet when he's sixty-four, he will still be wedging me and shoving my face in his armpit," Kyle mumbles.
"I'm sure he will let up eventually. I mean surely he will get tired of picking on you at some point?" Dex says.
Kyle shakes his head.
"I don't think so, he's been picking on us since we were three, it started off small with just tickling until we peed but then it just escalated, and it continues to escalate." Kyle says just as Zeke walks past and swipes Kyle's books off the desk, he then turns back to Haley and laughs. Rolling his eyes Kyle picks up his book and then turns back to Dex. "It's just something Case and I have to get used to."
Dex looks back at Zeke and Haley then back to his best friend.
"Why do you let them walk all over you?" he asks Kyle.
Kyle sighs miserably and looks down at the table as he rubs his eyes.
"The same reason why I let Aiden, Wesley, Grant, Heath, Casey and pretty much every one walk all over me; they're bigger than me," Kyle mumbles.
"But you stood up to them when they were picking on Casey, why's this different?" Dex asks.
"It's easier sticking up for Casey than sticking up for myself. I have to protect him because he's my little brother," Kyle mumbles.
Dex doesn't get time to reply because it's the start of class, but he makes sure to keep an eye on his friend, who looks as though he could fall to sleep any minute.
After history Kyle and Dex make their way to the field to meet up with their friends.
"Ky! Man, you still look tired!" Romeo says shocked.
"Yep, and I highly doubt that I'll make it through the day, all I want to do is sleep," Kyle mumbles sadly, as he opens his lunchbox and grabs his Pringles, and starts to slowly eat them.
"We've got to get Heath back," Casey declares, causing Kyle to shake his head.
"Not interested. Do I need to remind you what happened when we teased him? Besides he makes our lives hard enough without adding fuel to the fire," Kyle mumbles, as he rests his head on his arm.
"He's out of control and Brax does nothing about it," Casey says rolling his eyes.
"Can we change the subject?" Kyle weakly asks, he has no energy for this conversation.
"Hey Kyle: what's the cube root of sixty-four?" Liam asks his friend.
"Four," Kyle says yawning.
Usually, he helps Liam figure it out but he's too tired for that at the moment.
"What's the cube root of one hundred and twenty-five?" Liam asks.
"Five," Kyle says, he is actually happy to answer Liam's questions as it's stopping him from falling to sleep and despite his tiredness is still quick enough to answer.
"What about…" Liam starts but is interrupted by Romeo.
"I think he's too tired man," he says, laughing, causing Kyle to lift his head.
"Thanks Romeo, but I'm okay, it's actually helping keep me awake. Here let me do it," Kyle says yawning and holds out his hand.
"Na, your hand-writing is way too neat," Liam says.
He looks down and screws up his face.
"I'm going to try do them myself," he says.
"Okay, if you need my help just yell out," Kyle says yawning and rubbing his eyes.
Kyle blocks out the rest of the conversation and just stares at his hands feeling his eyes getting heavier and heavier. Suddenly the bell rings and he startles in fright.
The six friends gather up all of their bags and make their way to their classrooms.
"Let's go man," Dex says as he and Kyle slowly make their way to Science.
"Are you sure you shouldn't go to the sick bay to sleep?" Dex says.
Kyle shakes his head.
"Brax was mad when he dropped me off, he wouldn't like me to skip class to sleep. He didn't mind it last time, but I won't get away with it again. I don't want him to get mad," Kyle mumbles, while Dex sighs in response.
"He won't. Look man, you're exhausted; I'm sure Brax will understand," Dex says and Kyle turns to look at him.
"It's not worth the risk," he mumbles, "He went mental at Casey when he found out that he feels asleep in PE. I don't want him to be mad at me. I'll find a way to keep myself awake," Kyle repeats, then let's out a big yawn.
"Now let's go, we don't want to be late."
Kyle and Dex walk into their Science class and Kyle immediately takes notice of how warm it is in the classroom.
"Okay class, please take your seats," Mr. Lambert says, and Dex and Kyle quickly sit down next to each other.
Kyle just about misses his seat in exhaustion.
"Dork!" Zeke coughs behind him causing him, Haley, and Damien to laugh.
"Leave him alone, do you honestly have nothing better to do than pick on him?" Dex asks, causing Kyle to blush. He's grateful that his best friend is standing up for him but he's worried that it will only lead to more teasing for himself and for Dex.
"I mean sure, but picking on him is just an added bonus," Haley says and high fives Zeke.
"Yea, besides just count yourself lucky that we aren't picking on you, geek!" Zeke says.
Dex rolls his eyes at the kids and turns back to face the front.
"Oi: loser," Zeke says and he reaches over to flick Kyle's ear.
"Why do you need your dorky bodyguard; too much of a loser to stand up for yourself? You had a lot to say when you were protecting your dumb brother. What's changed?" he asks and flicks Kyle's ear again.
"I know why, Zeke: the loser knows he deserves to be picked on, he knows he is a little wimp!" Damien says and he gives Kyle a quick whack around the head while Mr. Lambert is looking down at the textbook.
"Okay class: listen up!" Mr. Lambert says, causing Zeke to stop flicking Kyle's ear.
Kyle rests his head on his hands and listens to Mr. Lambert forcing his eyes to stay open as he does so.
It's halfway through Science class and Kyle's feeling even more sleepy; the heat in the classroom is getting to him.
"Okay class, I will now be asking you some questions that may be included in our test next term," Mr. Lambert says as he sees Kyle nearly falling asleep.
"Kyle," he calls, causing Kyle to lift his head.
"Yes, Mr. Lambert," he replies politely, rubbing his tired eyes.
He keeps half an eye on Kyle. Making a mental note to himself to talk to Miss. Scott about Kyle's tiredness, well aware, like other teachers, that she was dating Kyle's older brother.
"What are isotopes?"
"Umm, isotopes are atoms which have the same number of Protons, but they have a different number of Neutrons," Kyle explains.
"Thank you, Kyle. Now who can tell me what an element is?" Mr. Lambert asks, and Zeke raises his hand.
"Yes Zeke." Mr. Lambert asks.
"An element is a pure substance consisting only of atoms that all have the same number of Protons in their Nuclei. Unlike chemical compounds, chemical elements cannot be broken down into simpler substances by a chemical reaction," Zeke answers smugly knowing that he has the answer right.
He then leans over to whisper in Kyle's ear.
"I beat you to that one loser!" he laughs and then leans back and smirks.
Dex turns back and glares at the bullies, but Kyle nudges him and he turns back to face the front.
The class continues and by the end of it, Kyle's not paying attention to a word that anyone is saying; completely exhausted.
When the bell rings Kyle gets a massive fright again and he jumps in his seat causing all three of his tormentors to laugh at him.
"Such a dork," Zeke says as they all gather up their books.
"You have music class next; don't you?" Dex asks as the two of them grab all of their stuff and put it in their bags.
"Yeah," Kyle says yawning and rubbing his eyes; he's looking forward going to the one class where none of his bullies are there to torment him.
"You want me to walk you?" Dex asks as he sees Zeke, Haley, and Damien standing by the doorway.
Kyle turns to look at what Dex is looking at.
"Nah, it's fine, look on the bright side. If I'm bullied, then I'll get to go home," Kyle says.
Dex looks at his friend worried.
"Dude," he exclaims.
Kyle looks at his friend and gives him a small smile.
"I'll be fine, I'll see you at lunch," Kyle says, and slumps out of the class.
Zeke, Haley and Damien race up to Kyle.
Dex watches on helplessly as he sees them whispering stuff in Kyle's ear, shaking his head on why people had to pick on his best friend, the kid wouldn't hurt a fly.
Kyle is so thankful when the three bullies turn the opposite way to him to go to their classroom and all he has to do now is avoid Aiden, Wesley, and Grant.
When he's about ten metres from his class, he sees them standing at the end of the hallway. He quickly rushes over and enters his classroom and quickly takes a seat a breathes a sigh of relief and runs his hands over his face.
Before Kyle knew it class was over, he grabs all of his stuff and makes his way to lunch, on the way he meets up with Romeo and Ryder.
"Hey guys," he says yawning.
"Hey man," Ryder says, as he punches Kyle's arm lightly.
"Dude! You still look so exhausted," Romeo comments.
"Yeah, I'm planning on having a massive nap when I get home," Kyle says.
The three friends sit down at a table with their friends and get out their lunch. Five of the friends are happily eating their lunch, Kyle however is resting his head on his arm, and before he knows it, he's asleep.
Kyle is jolted awake when a basketball hits him in the head.
"What a loser!" Wesley howls with laughter and high fives Aiden.
Grant and a bunch of other boys that they are obviously playing basketball with laugh.
"Does the poor baby want a blanket and a pillow?" Aiden says in a babyish voice.
"Yeah, maybe instead of all his nerd classes he should have a nap time," Grant teases as he shows the kids the picture, he just took of Kyle sleeping.
"Do you losers seriously have nothing better to do?" Casey asks as he stands up.
"Fine, we'll go, but we'll see you soon. Sleeping dorky!" Grant lamely says and all the bullies walk off.
"Thanks Case," Kyle smiles grateful that his brother got his bullies to leave but since they have a photo Kyle knows that it won't be the last time him falling asleep at lunch is mentioned.
Mr. Lambert knocks on Miss. Scott's door.
"Hello William, how can I help you?" Bianca asks.
"I just know that you are dating the Braxton brother's older brother and I just wanted to talk to you about Kyle, on a personal level," Mr. Lambert says.
"Ahh yes, is there something wrong?" Bianca asks.
"Kyle is a spectacular student; one of my top, in fact. He always answers questions and helps out other students if they do struggle, but today it looked as though he couldn't keep his eyes open, I'm worried he may be sick," Mr. Lambert says with concern.
Bianca frowns lightly, nearly falling asleep in class was more Casey's thing not Kyle's.
"Well thank you, William. I will let his brother know."
Mr. Lambert leaves the room and Bianca dials Brax's number.
"Hey Brax," she greets.
"There may be a little problem."
School is finally finished, and Kyle and Casey are walking home.
Kyle's feeling extremely upset that he hasn't woken up at all throughout the day, even his unintentional nap at lunch didn't help.
They walk into the house and see Brax getting their afternoon snack ready.
"Hey boys, how was school?" Brax asks.
"Yeah, it was okay," Casey says as he watches Kyle plummet onto the couch and snuggle up with a pillow.
"Ky?" Brax asks as he kneels down next to his brother and runs his hand through his hair.
Kyle opens his eyes and stares back at his brother giving him a small smile.
"You okay, little man?" he asks.
Kyle shakes his head; he's not okay.
"Bianca called me, said that your Science teacher was worried about you, thought maybe you might be sick," Brax says.
Kyle shakes his head lightly.
"Just tired," he yawns.
"I'll trust you on that, but if you feel sick at all you let me know," Brax says with a sigh, to which Kyle nods in response and sleepily starts to shut his eyes.
"Don't go to sleep yet, Kiddo. I'll tell you what: how about you have a quick snack, then you can go have a nap before dinner," Brax suggests and moves Kyle's hair out of his eyes.
Kyle nods his head lightly.
The two boys sit at the table and Brax places their snacks in front of them.
Kyle gets a bagel with cream cheese and pesto and Casey gets a bagel with cream cheese and pesto and a Vegemite sandwich.
Casey immediately starts to scoff his bagel, putting the two halves' together and eating a humongous bite.
Kyle however is more polite about it and picks up one of the halves of his bagel and takes a small bite. He chews and rests his head on his hands as he does so.
Casey scoffs the rest of his bagel and then starts to scoff his sandwich; he is so hungry; well he's always hungry.
Kyle takes another small bite just as Brax places a glass of apple juice in front of each boy.
"Casey slow down, you're eating like a pig," Brax says rolling his eyes.
"But I'm hungry, why do you never criticise the way Kyle eats?" Casey asks with his mouthful of food.
Brax looks at Casey, then at Kyle who is slowly chewing on another bite of food, and then drinks some juice then back to Casey again.
"You're kidding me right? You just talked with your mouth full of food, and Kyle eats politely and you're asking me why I don't criticise the way he eats," Brax says with disbelief and a chuckle.
"Brax," Kyle says, causing his brother to look at him.
"Yeah, Ky?" Brax asks.
"I'm too tired to eat anymore. Can I please just go have a nap?" Kyle asks and Brax looks down to see Kyle still has most of his bagel on the plate, he takes the untouched half and puts it on Casey's plate, and he leaves the last little bit of the eaten one on Kyle's plate.
"Just eat that little bit kiddo and drink your juice," Brax says and ruffles up Kyle's hair as he takes another small bite.
Casey, happy that he gets more food takes another huge bite.
Brax rolls his eyes, concluding sometimes it isn't worth the argument with the youngest over food.
Soon enough Kyle finishes his bagel and his juice, and he walks up to the kitchen to put his plate in the sink and begins to hand wash it. Brax comes up behind him and rests his hands on his shoulders.
"Don't worry about it, Trooper; just go to bed. I'll wake you up for dinner later," Brax says and ruffles up Kyle's hair.
Kyle slumps off to his room and Casey dumps his plate in the sink and attempts to go and sit on the couch, but Brax stops him.
"Casey: dishes, I let Kyle go because he's really tired," Brax says.
"So am I," Casey replies and fakes a yawn and rubs his eyes, "I'm going to sleep as well."
"You get back here. I know you're not tired, but after you clean your dishes, you can play Xbox," Brax instructs and ruffles up Casey's hair.
It's a little later and Brax goes into his little brother's room and walks over to Kyle's bed, he can't help but smile as he sees his brother in his pyjamas with his penguin oodie on and snuggled up with his monkey.
"Hey Ky; time for dinner," he informs, as he removes the hood of the oodie off Kyle's head and runs his hands through his hair.
Kyle's eyes slowly open.
"Can't I just sleep?" Kyle asks, having an amazing sleep without any nightmares.
"Sorry Ky, but then you'll wake up early in the morning hungry," Brax says.
"No, I won't," Kyle whines and tries to hide under his blanket, but Brax stops him.
"Come on, up you get," Brax orders and picks up his brother in a fireman carry and takes him out to the lounge.
"Brax! Please put me down!" Kyle begs but Brax doesn't listen and just continues to carry him out.
He eventually puts him down but in a seat at the table.
"Hey Squirt; what's with the grand entrance?" Heath chuckles.
Casey frowns over at his older and annoying brother, wondering why he had to be there for dinner yet again.
Kyle looks sadly at the table; all he wants to do is sleep.
Brax places dinner in front of all three of his brothers. Kyle's eyes bulge at the sight of his bowl; there's way too much food for him.
"Brax, that's too much," Kyle complains as he looks up at his brother.
"Kyle, you didn't eat much after school and you love Macaroni Cheese," Brax says, "Just try and eat as much as you can, kiddo."
"Okay," Kyle replies and takes a small mouthful of food.
"Yum!" Casey exclaims and takes a large gulp of food.
Brax looks around the table to see both Casey and Heath finished eating but Kyle's still got a fair bit left on his plate.
"Come on, Kyle, eat, then you can clean your teeth and go straight to bed afterwards but first I want you to eat more," Brax informs, as he starts to do the dishes.
"I can eat what-ever Kyle doesn't want," Casey offers, loving Macaroni and Cheese so much he could eat bowlfuls.
"No Casey, Kyle need to eat what he's given," Brax says.
Rolling his eyes, Kyle decides to just get it over and done with, so he picks up the pace a bit and finishes his bowl in about ten minutes, not exactly fast, but faster than he usually eats, especially when he's tired.
"Here I'm done," he says yawning, placing his bowl on the bench.
He starts to walk away when he's stopped by Brax.
"Come here, Kyle," he orders, and Kyle turns back around and approaches Brax.
Brax pulls him into a hug and lifts him off the floor as he does so.
"Night Kyle; have a good sleep."
He places him back down and ruffles his hair. Kyle's too tired to even be embarrassed that his brother can lift him up.
"Goodnight little bro!" Heath calls out, following it up with a chuckle.
Kyle quickly goes and cleans his teeth and then goes back to bed, he's asleep again seconds after his head hits the pillow.