Falling for my Best Friend’s Bully

"He is looking at you again."

My best friend Noah stiffened at my words, his shoulders tensing up.

"Aiden?"

"Aiden."

That was the only warning I managed to get across before a hand came slamming down on Noah's desk. The fingers were splayed open and the black skull rings on the middle and pinky fingers contrasted heavily with the porcelain white skin.

Aiden's hand.

That son of a bitch.

"Heyyyy Noah, how's it going?" Aiden was grinning, lapping up the attention of the entire class. We all knew what would happen next, Noah and I most of all.

I tried to swallow the fear in my throat as much as possible and talk. "N-Noah isn't feeling too fine today so if you cou-"

The words dried in my throat as Aiden turned his piercing blue eyes away from Noah and to me. The smile had dropped instantly and his entire face was a mask of intimidation and power.

"Shut up orphan."

I promptly did just that because this was Aiden's school. Whatever he told you to do, you did it unless you wanted to regret being born. The sadistic guy loved the taste of stubbornness from those who he could easily crush. He wanted you to defy him.

It made breaking you apart much more enjoyable.

I lowered my eyes and reached for Noah's hand under his desk. He was trembling. My heart felt heavy with hate.

"So Noah, buddy. Last day of ninth grade right? You must be excited? I am too though I'll kinda miss seeing your ugly mug every week day."

The whole class laughed and guffawed on cue.

Aiden smirked and ran a hand through his curly black hair. I watched the short curls bounce back into place as I dreaded the next words I knew would fall from his lips.

"Come over here, let's say a proper goodbye."

The entire class was silent as Noah stood up slowly from his desk, head lowered so that his long bangs practically covered half his face. He was visibly shaking but when he spoke, his voice was calm.

"Let go, Ellie."

I looked at our still intertwined hands and then at Aiden. He watched, his face expressionless as I squeezed for a long moment then let go.

I watched my best friend walk towards Aiden and stand before him.

I watched my best friend's bully draw back his left arm with a wicked grin on his face.

I watched Aiden's fist connect with Noah's face with a sickening crack.

I watched Noah stagger.

And I watched Aiden do it over and over and over again, the entire class watching uselessly.

I watching uselessly.

My body felt hot with anger as I watched Noah fall to the floor with a thud.

Aiden nodded. "Well it definitely takes more punches to knock you down now. You been working out?"

Noah groaned in response.

Aiden turned towards me and I gripped the sides of my chair in a panic. As always his face was devoid of emotion whenever he looked at me. If it wasn't a look of intimidation or disdain then it was nothing.

I knew what that meant, I wasn't on his radar.

None of us were, except Noah. And nobody knew why.

Aiden turned away and went back to his desk. He sat down just as the door opened and Mr. Mesh entered.

"What was all that ruckus I heard in here?" The fat man wiped his face with a dirty handkerchief. "You damn kids disturbing the entire school, I'm so glad I will be rid of you all after today. The worst ninth grade set I've ever taught my God."

I watched our form teacher ramble as he avoided looking in Aiden's or Noah's direction. His eyes twitched as he struggled to do something near the bare minimum as a teacher.

However, maybe because today was the last day he would ever teach us but for the first time he spoke directly to Aiden.

"You will regret all these one day Aiden Hartley."

Aiden rocked his chair back, long legs on his desk as he studied his nails.

"You've got no right to talk to me cowardly hippo. You're just as bad if not worse. I know I'm a bully but if anyone ever makes me regret being one, it sure won't be any of you."

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. I thought. I would make Aiden regret what he did to Noah one day. I didn't know how or when but he would regret ever choosing my best and only friend as an outlet for his ugly emotions.

"I swear I will ruin you Aiden Hartley," I whispered.

As if he had heard me, Aiden looked up from his nails and stared at me from the other side of the class. A ghost of a smirk appeared on his face before he looked away.

That son of a bitch.