Literary studies gave me no trouble, the class I usually dreaded was my arts class; there was this group of kids that always picked on me. I was lucky that last week they skipped most of the classes, but this time was torture.  

“Hi Hys!” one nudged me harshly as I walked to my seat.  

“What you got there?” another, Jonny, grabbed my rolled-up project. “Gods your art sucks!” he stared at it.  

“Boys, play nice.” Mrs. Orion hissed, walking up to us. “Mr. Hys, I need you to run an errand for me, dear.” 

“Yes, ma’am?” I took my poster back. 

“This up-coming project needs some of the old magazines from the library, do you think you could grab them before class ends?” she smiled warmly. 

“Sure,” I nodded.  

“Errand boy~!” Jonny pushed past me harshly. “Orion, come grade my assignment!” 

I settled in, continuing my self-paced project, planning out where I'd paint the things that made me me. I started on the books, which was very self-explanatory, then moved to glass jars. 

“Mr. Hys, those magazines, please.” Mrs. Orion called. 

“Alright ma’am.” I put away all my things, pulling my bag over my shoulder, walking out; the library was across the large courtyard, so I cut through it, and was immediately greeted with a large box of tattered magazines with Mrs. Orion’s name on it.  

I took the heavy box back across campus to her room, and then was able to leave for home. 

“Thanks Mr. Hys!” Mrs. Orion smiled. “Oh- I talked to Mr. Parks and his friends for you.”  

“Thank you, ma’am.” I nodded once, gritting my teeth slightly.  

I walked through the empty halls, passing the library as it was one my way home; there was this small alleyway that led to the main street I always took, it wrapped around the side and back of the school library. I was digging in my bag, looking for my headphones as I hated the silence; as I was distracted, I bumped into someone. 

“Sorry-” I backed up, hitting someone again. “Ah-?” 

“Hi Hys~!” Brit, Jonny’s girlfriend, grinned down at me. “Gods that bitch really loves you.” she reached for me. 

“If it’s all the same to you, school hours are done, I believe we can leave now.” I gripped the strap to my bag. 

“Oh, yeah, we’re off the clock for school~!” Brit announced. “So technically we can’t get in trouble for this!”