Beating

Norman

doesn't dare to leave Raven's side at school. He also wore a turtleneck T-shirt

in this hot weather just to hide those hickies. Every stare, every sneer pierces

into him like bullet. He tries so hard to hide himself from everyone. Jacob and

some other boys don't approach when Raven is with him. Cause Raven is somehow

Alex's favourite even though he shows hatred towards him. Also Raven's family

is powerful too. So Norman is in safe shell under Raven.

At the

locker room he sees Saffran and Jess. Even after all of this he can't keep his

eyes away from Saffran. He's looking really messy. His has dark circles under his

eyes. His hair is a mess. It seems like he didn't sleep properly at night.

Norman is worried. And he wanted to beat himself to death for being worried.

Saffran

looks at him suddenly. Their eyes meet and somehow Norman can't take his eyes

away from him. Saffran's eyes seems to soften after looking at him but he

quickly averts his eyes. Jess was pestering him bout something but he ignores

her. He quickly takes his books and goes to his class.

"Norm. Let's

go." Norman nods. Walking to the classroom he thinks of something important. As

he isn't able to move on from Saffran he has to find other ways. First he have

to cut ties with anything that includes him. The first thing that comes in his

mind is soccer. Norman only joined the soccer club cause Saffran was in it. He desperately

wanted to be close to Saffran. But now he wanna stay ad far away as possible

from Saffran. So he must leave soccer today.

He notices

Jeromy in his class. After getting too much tangled with Saffran he forgot his

soccer friend Jeromy. He feels guilty. Saffran made him drift away from his

usual life. He goes to him and taps on his shoulder. When Jeromy looks at him

he nervously says hi. But his face fall when his so called soccer friend's face

laces with disgust. "Don't f*ckin touch me. I never knew you were into that

shit. Disgusting." And the slight positivity he gained to spend the rest of the

day completely got destroyed.

Raven tugs

him from behind. "Norm. Whom are you talking to?" He tries to come forward but

Norman turns around and pushes him. "Let's sit. Teacher will come soon."

Norman can't

concentrate on the lecture. Even Jeromy hates him. Girls are often snickering

at him. He can't escape from the dread, from the humiliation. He wishes someone

could comfort him 24/7. Or this whole thing is just a dream.

Norman

doesn't want to go to the cafeteria. Knowing so many eyes will be on him today

he feels sick. So he tells Raven to eat at the rooftop today. When they are on the

way to the rooftop Raven tells him to wait and goes for the toilet. Norman is

alone in the corridor of abandoned classrooms as he waits for Raven here.

But the

peaceful atmosphere breaks when he hears Jacob's voice. Dread fills him

completely. Jacob is smirking and he's not alone. He is with

surprisingly.....Jeromy. Jeromy has a stoic face as he stands there with

crossed hands. "Helloooo femboi~. You don't know how much my fist was itching

to punch you." Jacob says with a sickly sweet tone which makes Norman wanna

puke. He tries to run but Jacob quickly catches him striding forward. Before he

can think anything Jacob fists on his hair and kicks his stomach hard that

Norman feels his internal organ breaking and falls on the floor. "Damn I

actually didn't care whether you were a fag or nah but to dress in some women's

nightdress? You're a pure slut! You're tryna seduce Saffran right? That pretty boy

has a pretty bitch himself. He don't need your f*ggot ass." Jacob keeps on

kicking his side and his head. His nose and lips were bleeding. Norman is

afraid what if his ribs get broken? He is feeling so much pain that he can't

move a finger.

Jeromy is

watching him bored. He doesn't lay a hand on him but he doesn't stop Jacob

either. At one point he stops him and leaves to the cafeteria.

Norman lays

there clutching onto his stomach and wailing. He doesn't know for how long he

stays like that. After what feels like eternity Raven runs to him screaming. He

holds Norman in his arms and almost cries seeing his state. Norman looks at him

painfully as his whole body is feeling like ripped apart. He also sees Alex and

Bryce looming over him with a concerned face. Raven helps him getting up but as

soon as Norman moves he screams out loud. "Is there a broken rib?" Alex says

calmly. Raven shrugs still holding Norman in his arm. "Let me see. Norman, tell

me if you feel any extreme pain where i touch." Norman doesn't say anything.

Alex starts to press on his chest area and Norman hiss. But he doesn't scream

like earlier.

When Alex is

done Norman speaks up. "J-Just mild pain." "Okay then. There's no broken rib.

Let's take him to the nurses office." Raven feels hesitant. "You guys go. I can

take him." Bryce gets angry. "You can't even carry him. For once just let your

shitty ego step aside!" Alex agrees. They carefully takes Norman to the nurse's

office.

After

getting pills and ice pack Norman is left alone with the three boys. They are

sitting in a circle on the bed in front of Norman. "So I assume Jacob did it?"

Alex speaks first. His voice is calm and smooth. Norman feels peaceful around

him. Bryce is usually hot headed. But he is keeping his composure. "Jacob and

Jeromy." All three of them looks at him surprised. "Wasn't Jeromy your friend?"

Bryce asks first. Norman chuckles. "A fake friend you can say."

"I'm gonna

tell my dad to expel them both from the school." Raven seethes. Norman doubts

his dad can do that. Jacob maybe poor but Jeromy's father is also powerful.

"You can't. Jeromy's dad is a politician. You won't be able to expel him." "He

didn't beat me though. He just watched. It seems like he saw me alone and

called Jacob." Norman says grimly. Raven feels pity for him. His own friend who

he considered close left him just for some photos.

A ding sound

is heard and Alex takes out his phone. He soon types something and quickly keep

it in.

"I guess

Jacob can beat you whenever you're alone now. Since he doesn't know Rave's

family background." Bryce says laying softly on Norman's thigh. Norman doesn't

mind. He likes physical closeness anyways. And Alex and Bryce always treats him

well. Evn though they are Saffran's friend.

"It's Raven

for you. And get off from him!" Raven barks and Alex hisses at him. "Chill the

f*ck down. Will ya?" Before Raven can protest Saffran barges in the nurses

office and slides the curtain. His eyes quickly go at Norman and he narrows his

eyes. "Who did it?" Norman doesn't answer. He gets ups and tugs Raven's shirt

indicating to leave. "We're going to class." Norman says meekly to the other

two boys but Saffran stops him. "You should rest-" "Shut up." Raven again barks

which makes Alex rub his temple. "He doesn't need your concern." With that he

starts to leave holding Norman's hand but Saffran instantly holds Norman's

other hand.

Upon

realizing who touched him he quickly jerks his hand back like he just touched

some hot iron. Norman looks at him with wide eyes. Fear, pain, betrayal visible

on his face. And to his utter surprise Saffran looks equally hurt. He doesn't

say anything as Raven drags him out of the nurses office.