Chapter 19

It was lunch time on Monday when I saw the boys again. At a distance though, Kevin sat surrounded by a crowd of other popular students while George and his group of goons sat two tables away from my me.

Their loud, obnoxious voices barely drowned out by the usual bustling of the canteen. George's friend Tommy greenfield was waving his phone around, repeatedly watching the video of Jennifer from the party.

"She looks like a chicken" he choked out between his laughter. He was holding his phone to George, who looked bored out of his mind.

Tommy wasn't the only one talking about the video. It was trending. Everybody was laughing about it except for Jennifer, of course, who hadn't turned up today and probably won't for the rest of the month.

"God she looks like a fu***** mess" he laughed nudging George.

"Yeah dude she does. Stop hitting me."

"Look, look, that creepy girl is apparently her cousin" I flinched knowing that I was caught in the video helping her up, "no wonder... the whole family is filled psychos" he started snorting.

I wasn't facing the table, but I still found myself trying to make myself appear smaller. Please don't notice me. Please don't notice me. Please-

A loud bang startled me and I whipped my head towards it.

Tommy Greenfield was sprawled across the floor with blood flowing from his nose. Ouch... that wasn't going to do much good for his face.

"What the fu** man!" He screamed at George who had, from the looks of things, punched him. He jumped up and grabbed George by the collar, pulling his fist back to lay a painful blow only for it to be dodged.

I stood up unconsciously in unanticipated worry.

Tommy was grabbed and pushed to the ground. A crack echoed in the hallway signifying a possible broken bone. I flinched at the sound, my eyes drawn to George who approached Tommy. Tommy shuffled backwards pathetically unable to escape the wrath of the stronger boy.

I closed my eyes and sat back down as Tommy's screaming filled the hall. The blows to his face just as loud as his voice.

A slender hand was suddenly placed on my head as a familiar presence stood next to me. A sense of protection came over me and it suddenly felt it was okay to open my eyes.

I glanced at the blonde whose eyes were glued to the scene playing out before him. A satisfactory smile was on his face, like a customer who received outstanding service.

He patted my head and gave me a movie star smile while I stared back at him confused.

I'm pretty sure he said to ignore each other at school?

Tommy was helped up by a few friends after George was pulled back and held off by his goons. That was when our target came shouting in, red faced and shaking in anger.

"George Dame! Tommy Greenfield! Detention for the rest of this year!" He screamed at both of them.

I see... this was another ploy aggravate Mr Nathaniel who now bore 4 black bracelets. I shook my head. God I'm such an idiot thinking he got mad because of me.

Tommy was barely conscious for the scolding and George just grunted throughout most of it. Soon the canteen was back to the usual bustle, the video of Jennifer not being spoken about at all.

I carefully moved the bracelet free hand on my head away. It was getting annoying.

"Hm what the matter Elliot?" Kevin asked as he leaned down towards me continuing his head patting. Why is he treating me like a dog?

"Can you stop patting my head?" I asked failing to stop the irritation dripping from my words.

Kevin chuckled at that and finally withdrew his hand, he sat down on my table ignoring the stares of his curious peers.

"Weren't you the one who said not to talk to each other in school?" I asked, chin propped on my hand.

"Hmm?" He tilted his head in feigned ignorance.

A chair pulled up in front of us and a grumpy George sat on the table.

"You mind Hamper?" He asked to my inquisitive face.

I shook my head not even bothering to ask.

"So I guess you guys schemed this up?" I asked as I bit into my half eaten apply.

George coughed.

"No... you think I take orders from Wright?" He scoffed.

I glanced at Kevin who smiled at me and once again ruffled my hair as if I was a kid. Why was he doing this?

"It seems our George just had pent up frustrations, was it the lack of help with that from Angela?" The smirk on Kevin's face could only be described as cheeky. I myself stared at him oblivious.

What pent up frustrations? I thought Angela was his?... ohhh

I finally understood why George looked ready to punch Kevin and my face slightly burned. I fanned it trying urgently to cool it down before Kevin noticed. But he did anyway and laughed.

"Elliot's gone all red" he smiled at me and leaned forward towards me, "why? Is it the lack of experience?" He whispered in my ear and suddenly I forgot how to breath. My face felt even hotter than before as tears of embarrassment stained my upper cheeks.

"Oh my god please move!" Before I could push him away he pulled back with a grin.

"Your too innocent Elliot. That's no good" he chuckled.

"Leave Hamper alone Wright. It isn't like we'll no each other for long anyway..." George muttered. He suddenly glared at the apple in my hand, "don't you get sick of always eating apples?" He snapped at me.

"No? Apples are tasty!" I was glad he changed the subject. If he hadn't I probably would've been the same shade of this apple.

He grabbed the half eaten apple out from my clutches and bit into it. His face twisted into a look of disgust.

"It's stale!" He spat out what was once my lunch and glared at me.

"Oh? Is it?" I reached to grab the apple only for it to be pulled out of my reach, "let me check at least!" I cried, although I was just planning on finishing it.

"No way! You think all my training will go to use with a shit diet like this!? How much calories do you even consume daily?!" His voice raised with each word as he glared at my now trembling body,

"I agree with George, Elliot this isn't food." Kevin frowned at the apple as if the idea of a rotten apple was foreign to him.

"Grab something more nutritious!" George stood up and walked out of the canteen. He looked even madder than when he was beating up Thomas. A shiver ran down my spine.

I frowned at the apple that lay on the table. Other students stared at us whispering between themselves about the ordeal. Kevin also stood up and walked off while I stared at the rotten apple.

Last night I lost whatever on hand cash I had. Uncle Bernard and Aunt Clair had returned from their trip to their daughter in tears and decided to buy her some designers to cheer her up. So I resorted to asking the dinner lady if she had anything that was supposed to be thrown out. I frowned deeper at yellow whites of the apple. It didn't taste good but I was hungry.

A full tray filled with a juicy hamburger, a side of fries, three dips and coke was suddenly thrusted in front of me.