Episode 7

The day that I couldn't save him began like any other. I woke up at about five in the morning and headed downstairs to eat the breakfast my father prepared.

"Morning, Jack," my mother and father said in unison.

"Good morning, guys," I said in my usual morning tone.

"Um," my mother paused

"Your father and I heard you on the phone last night talking to your friends, and we just wanted to know if anyone is bothering you at school."

Tell them, Jack; tell them about the pain you've been going through for the last couple of months.

But nothing came out.

"Oh, it was nothing; we were just talking and playing video games like we always do."

"Alright." My mother said in a doubtful tone.

"Plus, if there were anything wrong, I'd tell you," I said in a reassuring tone.

"Alrighty, son, go get ready for school; you can't waste the day talking to us." My father said with a chuckle.

I went upstairs to the bathroom and began putting on my lotion and brushing my teeth. I didn't need to shower, as I usually do that at night before bed. I was almost done getting ready, and in my haste, I overheard my parents talking from the kitchen.

"Do you think he's lying to us?" my mother asked.

"Why would Jack lie to us?" my father said reassuringly.

"He's a good kid and stays out of trouble. Why would anyone want to bother him? And on top of that, he keeps to himself and his small circle."

"Well, ok, I'm just worried for our son."

"And I understand that, but please don't stress yourself out."

"Okay, I'll try not to."

They're worried about me.

I can't blame them.

I'm a loser who gets beaten up almost every day; I'd be ashamed if I were them. I have a small circle, but they get picked on as well just for hanging out with me.

I'm just a plague.

My thoughts were interrupted by my mother calling from the kitchen.

"Jack, are you ready? I don't want you to be late for school."

"Yeah, I'll be out of the house in a second."

I finished getting ready and quickly rushed down the stairs.

"Bye, Jack, have a good day, and we love you," my mother said.

"You too," I replied, rushing out of the door.

I have to hurry so I can meet up with Kevin.

I sped past all the houses and streetlights; the sun was just beginning to come out. I would always walk to school when it was a bit dark out; my parents worried, but I was able to reassure them that the area was relatively nice, so nothing bad would happen.

I remember my father saying that if anyone were to offer me a ride, I should run in the opposite direction. I thought he was just being his usual silly self, so I just shrugged it off.

Seriously, what bad would happen in a town like this?

Parental warnings aside, I would always take a slight detour to see Kevin and walk with him in the morning. I'd always make it to his house around 6:45 AM. And when I reached his house, I'd give the door a calm knock, and he'd come out; I'd talk to his mother for a bit, and we would be on our way.

And this morning was no different; after meeting with Kevin, he began to speak, but something about it was more serious than ever.

"Jack?"

"Yeah, Kev."

"We need to tell someone about what's been going on with Mark and Thomas."

Why would he bring this up so suddenly? He's never talked about telling anyone or getting adults involved.

"Why do we need to? I thought we'd gained enough endurance to withstand the beatings they give us."

"We have, and that's the problem. Who knows when they're going to realize that we're used to this? How long until they inflict even worse pains on us and make us truly feel every hit?"

"What do you mean, Kev? "

"Jack, you saw the look in their eyes when they were beating us yesterday; it was a look that gave the impression that they weren't doing this out of spite or malice but because it was fun."

I guess I never noticed that look; Kevin always took the brunt of the beatings because he weighed more than I did, to lessen the load on me.

"Oh, come on, please tell me you noticed."

"I haven't noticed Kevin; I just thought if we endured the beatings for long enough, they'd get bored and stop, and I haven't told anyone because I thought they'd just end up coming at us harder if we did."

"Jack, I understand where you're coming from, but please, something has to be done."

"Okay, Kevin, could we meet in the middle? If they beat us again today, then we take it to the school, okay?"

"Alright, Jack, I don't know what makes you think they will not beat us up today like the past few months, but I'll compromise with you."

"Alright," I said, flashing him a smile as we walked into the building.

I didn't have class with Mark or Thomas until fourth period, so things were quite peaceful at the beginning of the day, like always.

Lunch came around too, and it was normal as could be. I ate with my friends; we told jokes and talked about the oddness of the day so far.

"It's not like her to not pick on me every day." Said Gertrude, the girl sitting at the desk across from me, referring to Mark's girlfriend, Laura.

My school didn't have a traditional sit-in-and-eat cafeteria; instead, students would eat in various classrooms with their friends. My friends and I usually ate in Mr. Potter's room, who is also our second-period philosophy teacher. We all did decently in his class, so his letting us eat in there along with his regular classroom was a no-brainer.

"Yeah, come to think of it, things have been quite strange. I had first period with Mark and Thomas, and I didn't get the usual rude remarks or threats; they actually didn't speak to me at all." Kevin added

"Well, guys, let's think of it as a sign of good things to come. I mean, doesn't it feel good not to worry about how they're going to humiliate us next? I said, smiling.

Yes, finally a normal school day, free of issues and troubles. I haven't had one of these since the first month of school.

"Yeah, maybe Jack's right," replied Gertrude, as Kevin nodded in agreement.

My last class of the day, the dreaded fourth period, was surprisingly normal too. Kevin and I talked and did our work just like everyone else in the classroom.

When it was time to finally leave and walk home, I thought to myself, "Is this what it's like to have a normal school day?" I didn't know yet, but my day would end up being worse than all of the other days of turmoil combined.