Deon

It was a sunny afternoon, and I was out, walking in the hallways when I heard boisterous laughter coming from the classroom. I look at our lockers lined up, and saw that the front of my locker was trashed horribly.

Homo. Nerd. Loser. Tree. Freak. Pervert.

My locker looked like someone had used it as a punching bag. The first thing I saw as I entered the classroom was my bag hanging from a ceiling fan, looking like it was slashed up with a knife. All of my stuff were scattered around what looked like a magic circle soaked in blood. At the center of the circle was a picture of me on top my vandalized chair. The picture itself was burning. At the back rest of the chair, carved on to it wrote:

“DIE ALONE”

My knees lost all strength to keep me up. I look at all of my classmates, the friends I grew up with, laughing boisterously. My attention went to the center of the mess. Sarah sat on the computer desk, looking at me like I was the lowest form of trash.

My heart felt crushed. I never thought that I would become the new Vivian.

Tears started falling from my eyes. To think that these people I genuinely love like family would do this to me.

I woke up.

Everything that just happened felt so damn real and it hurt my chest to be a part of that nightmare. My body had no strength to move. It stung so much to see the girl I like looking at me like that. The time we spent together working on our student council duties only made things harder for me since my feelings for her only grew stronger as the days go by. I’ve liked her since we were in 6th grade.

She never paid much attention to me because I was the quiet kid. Until one evening in 6th grade while waiting for our parents to pick us up. Sarah and I were able to bond a bit.

There was no such thing as the social queen yet. It was a simple time. Sarah and I talked from afternoon till evening. I found out that she’s also interested in things like reading novels. She hated cheesy romances, candy magazines and things like that. That girl has a fascination for her father’s collection of guns and wants to learn how to use them. Of course, she would never tell her friends about it. During that time we had together, she told me that I was cool, that she wanted to hang out with me more.

It made me happy.

That was the first time a girl told me I was cool, and that's where my crush on her first developed.

Trying to regain my strength, I slowly and groggily got up from the floor. The nightmare bothered me so much that I fell off the bed. Who wouldn’t though? The look that Sarah gave me was haunting.

My mother always told me that love was a decision. That one day, I’ll find a girl who’ll catch my attention, and then I will decide to love. That wasn’t the case for me. This girl was a magnet. Although it’s too soon for me to call it love, if I don’t keep these feelings in check, it might as well be that. I’ll only be hurt if I fell for a girl who sees me as nothing.

Who knows if that was going to be my today? I take the shower and continued my thoughts there. I barely slept the night after that long day.

My parents were already at the breakfast table. My father was helping my mother out by setting the table. It seems like my mother had already prepared my father’s coffee. His coffee is mine now.

“Thanks, dad.”

My dad looked at me with a pout. “That was the coffee your mom made for me.”

“Well, it’s mine now.” I gave him a playful grin.

“Awee my baby boy is all grown up now. Drinking coffee and all.” My mom says affectionately as she pinches my cheek.

“Dear, please make me some more coffee.” Dad asked in defeat.

My mom smiles as she complied to his request. She makes the best coffee in the entire city. It’s a refreshing sight to see them so full of love so early in the morning. It would be nice if it could be morning forever.

“Deon, baby… You don't seem so energetic this morning. You also didn’t eat the dinner I left you. Are you okay?”

“Yeah mom. My friend invited me over for dinner. That's why I didn’t eat here last night.”

“I see. That’s nice, dear.”

After breakfast, my mother took me to school. During our trip, I mentally prepared myself for what’s to come. I wasn’t preparing myself for the right thing. Oh fuck no.

Vivian

My dad didn’t come home that night. I’m not sure if he had to work overnight… or if he was doing the sinful tango with his mistress. Either ways, my mom seemed oblivious to this.

I sighed, shaking my head to dismiss the thought. Finally, the school bus arrives. Quietly, I sat by the window.

Deon’s situation worried me. It hurt that everyone in class betrayed me like that, but it would sting even harder for him. He grew up with all of them, and they were very close friends. I can’t believe Sarah would do that to him.

When I arrived at school, a rare sight was positioned at the parking lot. The mayor Bravura’s onvoy. As I passed by the principal’s office, I saw Deon and Sarah inside. Usually, the two of them stood a bit close to each other. This time, there seems to be some distance between them. It seems too early for this. Oh my god. I see Mr. Bravura inside with them. It seems like the vandalism that happened to Sarah was enough to alarm the city Mayor. I’m surprised that they dragged Deon into this mess, but surely he’s innocent.

This isn’t my problem. I had nothing to do with this. I continue towards the classroom slowly, limping a bit due to my injuries from yesterday. I wish this year was over.

I enter the classroom and take my seat quietly. Michelle stood in front of me.

“You’ve got some guts doing that to Sarah’s bag.” She said, her voice sounded angry.

“I didn’t do anything to her.”

“Oh please Vivian. We know you did it.” Claire stood to my right.

Maisie joined at her left. “Just admit it. We won't go hard on you if you confess.”

“I had nothing to do with it!” I defend myself firmly.

Michelle stepped on my foot. I winced in pain.

The teacher comes in and the girls immediately relax their position and giggle amongst themselves, making it look like we were having a friendly conversation. Michelle continues to crush my foot under hers.

“Alright. Class, sit down.” the teacher instructs everyone.

“We’ll continue this later.” Michelle eyed me as she went back to her seat.

Deon and Sarah were not back yet.

What happened to them?

After missing half of the first period, I see them enter the classroom. Deon wasn’t looking happy. He was walking paces behind Sarah.

She looked at him before heading to her seat. I feel some tension between them.

I feel bad for Deon.