Chapter 17: A new foe

"Yo! New kid." I heard someone say. It turned back to see it was none other than Philip. He had a few boys behind him, probably his group of bullies I thought.

"Have you ever considered joining us? You will fit nicely in our group if you know what I mean." He began.

"Didn't we just meet yesterday? Besides I thought you had problems with me." I responded.

"Yeah. Yeah, whatever so the answer the question."

I didn't even answer and began to walk away just when someone yanked my hair.

"That isn't the best way to behave towards your senior you brat." One of his friends said scowling at me.

"Look at his stupid green hair." I struggled to be free and ran off not wanting to cause a scene. I broke free from his grip but now my hair was messed up.

My mind suddenly drifted to last night's discussion. Why did Dad decide to bring a human geezer who knows nothing about me to dictate my life? I was still mad about yesterday. I would have felt better pouring out all my anger on Philip but I'm a human in the eyes of everyone. Doing so would expose my true nature.

"So that is the boy you've been telling me about. He is so cute." A bunch of girls squealed while some boys gave me envious stares.

"Lucian," Enoch called out as he ran from behind. The hall became noisy. Was it strange to see two boys talking together? Soon, I saw Shelia and Gale next to him. I see why it became so noisy all of a sudden.

Classes had started and everything went smoothly. It was recess and everyone went to the cafeteria to get something to eat. The lunch ladies were nice and there were lots of seats to take. I sat with Enoch since he was my only friend.

Soon, it turned into a conversation as soon as we finished. We were about to leave till a shadow emerged and blocked our view. Guess who owns the shadow? If it was Philip you guessed right.

"You!" He grabbed me by the collar. All eyes in the cafe were on us then. The seniors had their recess after ours so we were technically seniors in this recess. Not a single voice was heard as everyone turned to our desks.

He pinned me to the wall while carrying me up.

"I told you that you'll rue what you did. I was thinking of letting you off the hook but no. You idiot." He glared at me angrily.

"Let him go, Philip. " Enoch said.

"And what are you gonna do about it?" Philip said as some of his friends punched Enoch in the gut.

"Hey! It's me you want. This doesn't have anything to do with him. " I said angrily. Philip grinned as he saw how angry I was.

"Hmmm... I think this should serve as a warning to you." Philip said about to punch me till someone spoke.

"You do know that the teachers will surround you here in the next 30 seconds after you hit him right? A fight would land you in suspension again." It was Gale.

Philip gritted his teeth and dropped me before saying to me" This is not over." He walked away.

"Are you alright?" I asked Enoch.

"I didn't know you had a soft side. Also, Gale stood up for you. That is a shocker." Enoch sneered. Why do I regret showing concern now?

"How's your head?"

"Fine, my gut still hits but... Wait stop changing the subject."

"We have to get to class Enoch," I said walking away.

"So why do I have this feeling that Gale enjoys your company? " I rolled my eyes."Do you like her?" I snickered inwardly. I barely even know her.

"No." I asserted.

Soon, School was over. Enoch and Shelia had their parents pick them up while I waited for the bus.

I realized that I forgot my notebook in my desk locker and agreed to quickly grab it before the bus arrives. As I opened the door, someone quivered on seeing me. Her face was drenched in tears as she sat in a corner breathing heavily with her body tied to a chair. I moved closer to her and untied her. She started to wheeze and began to point to something. It was a broken inhaler. I think the nurse was still around, so I escorted her to the nurse by carrying her since the asthmatic effect was starting to manifest. Thank God because the nurse was about to leave.

She was given a brand new inhaler and she breathed finally with ease.

"Thank you." She said shyly.

"Umm... You are welcome. Anyway, the bus will soon be here. Let's go."

We got into the bus and sat next to each other. She sat next to me.

"What happened?" I asked her. Curiosity found its way as I wondered how she had her inhaler broken.

"Well, it was Jesse and Philip. They broke my inhaler and tied me up with a rope they found in the gym." She explained. Wow! Two idiots plan to make her life miserable. How could they stoop so low? Humans are so cruel.

The next thing that happened surprised me. She hugged me. "Thank you." She mumbled before turning away. Enoch was right, this girl is shy.

"So how long have they been torturing you?" I asked.

"Philip only regards me as one who can do whatever he likes with me. He makes fun of me, toys with me, and makes use of me. Jesse has never had any severe grudge against me till you showed up. Although Enoch and Shelia are always there for me, they leave quite earlier than I do. " I felt so mad after hearing this.

We discussed other things. Finally, I said goodbye to her as I went home.

"I'm home," I said.

"Lucian. Welcome." Daffodil said. I miss the old Daffodil. This one is odd.