TW depictions of bullying and homophobia

Albion walked away from the house, covering his eyes with his hands, blushing profusely. He’d had friends before, but after he came out as gay a few years ago, most of them distanced themselves from him, because of the bullying. They were only thinking of themselves, and worried that if they hung out with him, they’d be the next to be the targets of harassment.

His newfound friendship with Fenner made him happy, although he was aware he was on the verge of having a crush on him, he decided to push those feelings down, in order to just enjoy their friendship. It had taken a lot of effort to get Fenner to open up to him slightly, he didn’t want to ruin that.

His phone vibrated in his pocket; his mother was calling. “Hey sweetie, are you coming home?”

“Yep, just on my way now.”

“Alright my love, your sister is already home, I’ll be back shortly too.”

Albion lived with his little sister and mother, after his father passed away when he was a child. His family was happy though, his mother was a very successful chiropractor, and the family got by alright. “Coolio. What time is my appointment tomorrow morning?”

“10 am. I’ll be right there with you, so don’t worry, ok?”

Albion swallowed, biting his lip. “Thanks, mum. I’ll be fine I’m sure.”

—————

“Alright Albion, close your right eye, and tell me how much you can see through your left eye.” The doctor tapped on his keyboard before turning to Albion and his mother. “Um ok.” He did as instructed, gripping his hands together.

Nothing.

“It’s still the same as last time. I can’t see anything. Not even faint outlines.” Albion bit back the tears, crying wasn’t going to bring back the sight in his left eye. The doctor saw the pained expression on the boy’s face, and patted his knee reassuringly. “Don’t worry, the tissue will still be repairing itself. We just need to give it more time.”

Albion opened his good eye, wiping a tear away quickly. His mother gripped his hand. “How long will it take to repair? It’s already been months, they said the surgery was successful, and that there was a high chance he’d regain some vision in it!”

The doctor continued typing, then turned back to the pair. “The glass was removed, but the damage had already been done. His vision will never completely return, however, it is likely that with time, he’ll at the very least, be able to see the outlines of things such as people. Just give it more time.”

Albion released his grip from his hands, the blood returning to his knuckles. “There’s still a chance right?” He turned to his mum, hugging her as she cried silently. “Mum, I’ll be fine, we just have to give it a while.”

—————

Albion climbed in to bed, turned off his light and faced the wall. He hated going for check-ups, the result was always the same, and his mum always ended up in tears. He gripped his duvet; hot, angry tears spilling from his eyes as the memories overwhelmed him.

“Can’t believe I was in the same class as a fag all these years, fuckin disgusting,” a boy says, spitting on the ground as he kicks Albion in the stomach. He curls up in pain, his lip still busted from the beating he received at the boy’s hands yesterday.

What did I even do to deserve this? Albion wonders as he protects his head with his arms; the boys surrounding him continue their attack.

He couldn’t tell his mum, if she got involved she’d eventually find out he was gay, and he doesn’t want that. He only told one person, he had no idea their conversation was overheard. He just wants this to stop.

Albion grew used to the other boys hiding his things, destroying his books, and beating him up. He grew used to being alone; either being completely ignored or bullied. Soon, it became normal for him. When his mum asked what happened to his books, or where he got the bruises from, he’d say he lost his books and tripped and fell.

Albion never lied to his mother.

But she knew he was lying, and didn’t know how to bring up something he didn’t want to talk about. Now, she blames herself. She did nothing until it was too late.

After several months of bullying, it got worse. The main bully, Jared, was kicked off the sports team for being too aggressive and violent on the field. So he took his anger, and directed it at Albion.

After school, Jared and his friends stop him, pulling him behind the school. When he tries to get past them, Jared shoves him against the wall, hitting him.

Albion had a pretty great pain tolerance, being accustomed to being beaten up weekly. Doesn’t stop it from hurting like hell though, Albion thought. There is a loud crack as Jared’s knuckles connect with Albion’s cheekbones.

“I could fucking kill you right now,” he sneers, grabbing Albion by the collar of his shirt. “And God knows I’d love to.” Albion doesn’t remember things clearly after that, just glimpses.

A glass bottle shatters against Albion’s head, glass shards falling like razor snowflakes around him. And then he’s screaming, a heart-wrenching, guttural sound.

The pain is like someone ripping his eye apart, he desperately clutches his eye, but the blood keeps flowing around his hand. Albion falls to the ground, shaking in pain and adrenaline.

Shocked faces of the boys in front of him, and then more faces join them. The screams summoned students and teachers with them; then an ambulance’s cries can be heard above Albion’s screams.

Albion woke up, trembling and sweating. He gently touched his eye; no blood. He sighed in relief, then glanced at his clock. It was 4pm.

“Fuck on a bicycle,” he breathed. He was late to see Fenner.