Not My Hero

When the bell rings, I gather my stuff, and before I’m done shoving it into my bag, the girl next to me is out of her chair and rushing up the aisle. Her shoulders are hunched forward, and her black hair hangs around her like a cloak she’s trying to hide behind. Her whole appearance screams at me to look away. To not notice her.

She reminds me so much of my brother, and knowing what happened to him when the pressure became too much, has me taking notice. Before Brady’s suicide, I probably wouldn’t have looked twice at her.

I get up, but then the parasite blocks my way. “That note was for Brie.” His posture is threatening.

There are four kinds of people in life. The parasites who feed off others, aka bullies who get off on the fear they spread. The sheep who just exist, going through the same shit every day. The deers who mind their own business but then either freeze or run whenever they’re threatened. And then there are the bears who are tolerant until you fuck with them.

I try my best to be the latter.

I don’t bother giving him any kind of reaction and just push by him. When I step out into the hallway, the parasite bumps into me. I stop walking and clench my jaw as I turn my head in his direction.

He steps into my personal space, puffing his chest out like a damn peacock. “Do you have any idea who I am?”

I used to think I was one of the most patient people on the planet, but it turns out I was eating shit like the rest of the sheep.

No more. Not since that night.

I drop my bag to the floor, and not caring who he is, I shove the parasite hard. He staggers back, slamming against the opposite wall with a dull thud. Surprise flashes over his face before he darts forward. The moment he takes a swing at me, I duck to the side, and he ends up slamming his fist into the wall.

“Michael!” One of the teachers snap. “Get to class. Now.”

I pick up my bag, and giving Michael-the-fucking-parasite a glare, I walk to my locker.

If he knew what I survived, he’d steer clear of me. I’ve dealt with much worse. My father makes the likes of Michael look like a joke.Thanks to the little show earlier with Michael, I’m the topic of discussion.

I walk toward an empty table with my lunch, and sitting down, I hear some of the students whisper.

‘I heard he’s psychotic. Like no emotion. That’s freaky weird.’

‘I saw the fight with Michael, and I shit you not, he was cold as ice.’

‘I think it’s hot.’

‘Yeah? So was Ted Bundy.’

I’m not here to make an impression and couldn’t be bothered with what the other students think of me. I’m here to finish school so I can get a job. Right now, we’re living off the money Mom gets from my father, and I don’t like it one bit. Once I start working, I’ll take care of us, and my father can shove his money up his ass.

That’s the only goal I have for this year. Just to get through it.

Taking a bite of the meatloaf, I let my gaze drift over the nearby tables until it stops on the one where the girl, Brie, is sitting.

Half the day has passed, and I haven’t seen her smile once.

I take another bite of the food while a frown forms on my forehead.

She’s the first person that has caught my attention since we moved to this town three months ago.

Maybe it’s because of the flash of fear I saw on her face when I caught her staring at me. I didn’t like that one bit. I know how erosive fear is, and I’ll be damned before making another person feel that way.

Maybe, just maybe, I can do for her what I couldn’t do for Brady.

Is it even possible to redeem myself?Chapter 2BRIESitting across from Aspen, I stare at the meatloaf that looks unappetizing. Aspen is the student body president and really a nice girl. She’s the closest thing I have to a friend. We spend our lunches together, eating in silence. It’s the way I prefer it.

Life has taught me that words are meaningless. Since I can remember, I’ve always been silenced, and the few times I tried to speak up for myself were disastrous.

So now I just keep quiet.

“How was your holiday break?” Aspen asks.

I keep my eyes on my plate as I lie, “Fine.”

The past three months were nothing short of hell. As much as I hate school, I’d rather face Sully, Michael, and all the other bullies than being stuck with my mother.

Aspen twirls her spaghetti around her fork, and it makes me wish I had opted for that instead of the meatloaf. Sully was behind me in line, so I grabbed the first thing I could to get away from him.