Work in Progress

Chapter 8: The boys can handle it

*SAM'S POV*

    It's been a few weeks since the new girl arrived and we've been letting the boys rough her up. As childish as their pranks are they were still amusing and sometimes I'd catch sight of Eli being flustered. But she was always quick to change this into a bored look and a few times she'd even taunt the boys to up their game. I swear, I think she's enjoying this.

    While they handled the newbie, the girls and I weren't slacking on our own intimidation. To be on top you have to show the others they belong below. Mind games and tricks are the way to go but that doesn't mean we passed on the occasional petty tripping, dumping lunch trays, tearing homeworks, cornering, and the likes. The people here are simple after all. A little public humiliation does its work but making a person doubt themselves? Maaan, that sticks with you. I should know.

    "So when are we gonna make our move on Dodgeball?" Jane asks as we make our way to school. We usually just carpool together since we don't really share much classes and only meet during lunch break and cheer practice.

    "That's a stupid nickname," Kate says popping in between the driver's and passenger's seat. "How about Sonic since she runs faster than you can say dodgeball?"

    "You're both bad at making nicknames. Actually, we all are so let's just avoid the creative name-calling and stick with the usual nerd, freak, whatever. As per making our move, we'll do it soon enough. And if you guys could come up with something juicy we can even do it sooner," I say that last part trying to sound convincing. I honestly don't know why I'm not making more effort on this. Maybe because she annoys you back differently, a voice at the back of my head says.

"She's just sooo cute! You know I can't hate anyone cute," Kate complains, throwing herself in the back seat.

Jane suddenly gasps, "Then annoy her by being clingy!"

Kate also gasps, "YESS! And if she falls for me that's even better!"

"I doubt she'll fall for you," Jane chuckles.

I just watch them go on with their little banter thinking to myself I can't let this one girl ruin my reputation.

***

    I'm on my way to meet the girls for lunch when a small figure catches my eye. She has her hair tied up in ponytails and carrying a huge backpack behind her. This girl's just asking for it. I make my way towards her silently.

    "Where do you think you're going?" I say surprising her.

    She turns around to look at me, her eyes darting between me and the exit to the yard. "Please, I'm just going to eat lunch," she whispers, her voice trembling.

    "You better speak up, little Mia. You know I hate it when I can't hear you. It's like you're not even making an effort to talk to me. Do you think I'm not worth talking to?" I put my face closer to hers, acting sad. Then I sneer, "Oh but that can't be right. You're not worth talking to. You're just little Mia who nobody sees and nobody cares about." I jab a finger at her chest and back her towards the door. "You should be happy that I'm even paying you the slightest attention. Aren't you happy?" I cock my head to the side.

    She slowly lifts her head, knowing that I won't leave her unless I hear an answer. Her eyes are already brimming with tears when she meets mine then suddenly shifts to something behind me.

    Someone taps on my shoulder, "Excuse me, you're blocking the way." Eli. Great.

    I turn around putting a smile on my face. I was about to tell her to leave and mind her own business when what I saw shocked me. She was looking at me with the most furious eyes I've ever seen. But there was also something else. Disappointment.

    She walks around me, takes a look at Mia who was crying by now, puts an arm around her, and walks out to the yard with her. And I just stood there thinking why that look affected me so much. The last time someone looked at me like that was when--

    Flashback to eighth grade. I was the only one left in the classroom. We had just finished checking finals and to my surprise I got the highest score in the class. I never really gave much thought to my grades and always just did the bare minimum but now that I know what it feels like to ace a test, I think I might try it some more.

    I got up to leave ready to tell my parents about my results when I was blocked by Sophie. She was the smartest in school, kept herself busy with studying, but she was always friendly enough to lend a hand when someone asked for help. I thought she was going to congratulate me but what she said next shocked me.

    "Oh dear, you look so happy. First time acing a test? Well, this will be the last. Just because you suddenly decided to put your brain into more work than it's used to doesn't mean you can do it again. Your brain can't handle it. You're just too weak and small. You're nobody." She says this so sweetly but she also looked at me like I was a disappointment. Like I could never be who she was.

    Sophie didn't come back the next year. Apparently, she was offered a scholarship at a prestigious school for smart kids. You would think that after what she said I would be even more determined to prove her wrong. Well, I was. Just not the way you'd expect. I didn't want to be like her. I wanted to be better. No one can be disappointed in you if they think you're better than them. I don't need to ace my tests to do that. I just need to make them think they'll never be better no matter what they do.

    I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard a bunch of rowdy boys coming nearer. I quickly pulled myself together and went to meet my friends. I was quiet the whole of lunch and they knew better than to ask. When the bell signaled for class I felt my stomach drop. What if she's still angry at me? Was she really dis--? No. Why would she be? I push these thoughts away and head to class, taking my usual seat. I look at the doorway. What if she doesn't come? What if she starts to avoid me? Wait. Why do I care?

    Before I could continue my mental battle a familiar bespectacled girl enters. She doesn't look at me but instead goes straight to her seat. I couldn't help but feel relieved that she would still sit next to me. But the image of her brown eyes almost turning black pops up in my head and I couldn't help but feel a certain coldness coming from her instead of the usual indifference.

A/N:

So I've been finding it hard to write about bullying since I don't really have much experience with it. At least not the kind you see in movies. Or maybe I was just too oblivious and in my own world. But I have witnessed some form of it. I hope you guys don't find this too triggering. Don't worry it's just in the beginning and I'll definitely add in some wisdom on this that I hope helps.

Anyways, thanks for reading! Vote and follow :)

Eli's thoughts on these events will be tomorrow.