Chapter 3- clouds

Matt

After a long, boring and kinda depressing day at school, all I need right now is to go and lay down in the middle of the basically abandoned road near my street and blast music. Then maybe draw, or go to the gym, whichever I was feeling. Having that plan makes me slightly happier and now I can’t wait to get back. I stare out the window for the last minute of class, the blue sky is enveloped by gray clouds and the wind barely tousles the trees, perfect weather. 

I practically run to my locker when the bell rings but stop when I hear sounds coming from around the corner where the drinking fountains are. No one’s usually here at this time, it’s basically forgotten. I can make out the disgusting voice of Mike barking insults and grunting along with other voices and crying. 

Jumping into action I walk around the corner to assess the situation; a bruised boy on the ground whimpering and pleading and Bruce, Mike and Robbie attacking with kicks and punches. 

Bruce notices me first.

“Get the fuck off that kid.” They all turn towards me looking like they’re going to challenge me to a death match. They probably are. 

Bruce stalks over to me and gets in my face. He smells like copper and sweat.

“What’re you gonna do about it gayboy? Beat us up?” he laughs in my face. 

My fist connects with the side of his face, leaving a satisfying sound. 

In a second they all surround me leaving the broken boy on the ground. I nod my head to the nearest exit and he scrambles away. The trio doesn’t care anymore, all their attention is on me. 

Mike swings a fist, I dodge it easily, coming back with my own to which he doesn’t dodge, getting hit straight in the jaw. I notice Robbie coming at me from the side and dig my elbow sharply into his gut, making him keel over. Bruce was the strongest out of all of them, I knee him where it hurts and then swing at his face again, knocking him to the ground.

“What is going on here!?” That's the principal's voice. Fuck. 

I come back to reality to see a crowd of students gathered around, some with their phones out. I freeze then look around to see the fight I had obviously won, all three on the floor and in pain. 

How can I explain this?

 The kid was gone and I’m notoriously known at school for being the “beat you up guy” the group of bullies were popular somehow.

I manage to lock eyes with a shocked Soren whose expression soon turns to rage then disappears from the crowd.

The first thing I did when I got home after being suspended for a week was dump all my shit and lay on the road, looking up at the sky where the clouds still hide the clear blue and sunshine behind dark swirls of gray. I don’t know how long I’ve been out here now but I haven’t been able to think properly or clear my head, it's all just a mess. 

I try to focus on breathing in the fresh, crisp air and the rough surface of the road digging into my back. 

I feel something wet, drop on my face, whether it was rain or a tear I couldn’t tell, I sigh and close my eyes again.

Soren

It was a good thing Matt got suspended. One less thing to worry about for a bit at least. Though it does leave me asking why he did it.

I asked the guys who all responded with ‘not knowing why and it came out of nowhere’, but that just seems… off, I mean I definitely won’t put it past him. I do know and trust my friends more than him obviously, so I should believe them. 

“Soren?” 

“Huh?” I look to the side to see Chris smile at me.

“You zoned out a bit there, whatcha thinking about?” 

“Oh, nothing.” I slide my arms down from holding my head up to rest on the white cafeteria table. He squints at me.

“Are you okay? Did you take your-”

“Yes.” I stop him from finishing his question, I know he’s just concerned and trying to look out for me but I'd rather not let everyone in on what medications I'm taking. Not that many heard, it’s not like we were loud and there were no other conversations that were happening. 

Cassidy slides into the chair next to me in class and looks me dead in the eye, intense stare on her face.

“Hi?” 

“Hello, good friend Soren.” she breaks out of it and exclaims loudly. I look at her questioningly wondering what the hell is going on. I mean she is kinda crazy but it’s kinda, different. She seems nervous.

“You good there?” she giggles then inhales like she’s about to deliver a big speech. 

“I have,” she announces loudly before leaning in to whisper.

“A crush.” I tilt my head.

“Okay… good for you I guess?” she deflates and looks at me.

“I need your help.” 

“Why” I am absolutely no good in the love department so why on earth is she asking me?!