Behind bars

The begining

Peter trudged along the corridor heading towards his next class, maths... ugh. I pulled open the door and walked over to my seat, pulling out my chair then swinging my bag onto the floor. I quickly grabbed all my stuff and waited for the class to begin. In the corner of my eyes I spotted a student hanging around in the corner of the room, must be new, Staring at him I realized that he won't have a seat! I quickly grabbed my bag a plonked in into the seat next me, if that won't stop him then I don't know what-... Jaycee! I moved my bag off the seat as she walked closer to me. "Peter!" She exclaimed,
"It's been like what? Ages!".
"Yeah!" I smiled, ah- that sounded to happy, ugh I'm stupid! I cleared my throat, "I mean yeah."
She smirked and sat down next to me, obviously trying to catch my eye.
"What? Oh, did you miss me?" I raised and eyebrow.
"Hm! You wish!" She said swishing her hair over her shoulder and I let out a small chuckle.
"Anyway, who's the new kid over there? He's kinda cute." She asked clearly changing the subject.
"I dunno I think I heard some of the guys talking about some new kid the other day, he can't talk- something like that" I replied cooly.
"Oh, how come?"
"Selective mutism, that's what I heard at least" I said shrugging my shoulders.
"What's his name though?"
"Uhh... Dylan? No... Daniel? No... uhh d.... K?" I replied, thinking hard.
"D? K? What is it?!" She asked sounding a bit irritated now.
"D... d... k... wait... oh! That's it! Derik!-" just as I spoke the teacher walked in.
"Oh great!" I muttered.

...

As I wandered down the corridor heading towards the field I noticed a group of kids crowding around. Eager to find out what was happening I sped up. Leaning over shoulders I saw what was happening and outraged I listened.
"Are you even listening to us?" One kid shouted
"Hey! Speak!"
"Ugh! I bet his voice is ugly"
"Yeah that's probably why he won't talk!"
Another kid pushed through the crowd and came up to the kid and pushed him against the wall
"Freak! You have no reason not to talk so speak you weirdo!"
My eyes widened, this isn't right? Surely. I clenched my fists and thrust way way forward.
"Hey! Back off!" I screamed
The kid who pushed Derik, I quickly recognized, Kai.
"Why should I?" He stared dead into my eyes.
"This isn't right! Back off to your not cool by doing thi-" I retorted
"Not cool ay? Well last time I check you were just like this y'know! Don't pretend you didn't use to treat kids like this too!" Kai snapped
"I Amit it I was like that, I've changed though and you should to..." I mumbled irritably.
The kids crowding stepped back a bit, shocked.
I returned Kai's cold gaze, burning into my skull.
"Leave him alone. It's none of your business why he doesn't talk now is it?" I inquired
Kai grunted and whipped around
"Whatever" he walked off, his friends trailed behind him, confused.
I sighed and turned to Derik.
"You okay?" I asked
He nodded in response.
"Good" I smirked and ruffled derik's hair,
"Stay away from those kids" I then turned and treaded down the corridor.

...

"Hey! Your late, what took you so long?" Jaycee pressed as I approached.
"Oh nothing, just some kids picking on the new kid" I grunted, settling down beside Jaycee on the bench.
"Oh" she blinked.
"It's fine though" I assured her.
She smiled and kissed me, "oh no, I have to go now, I have to go meet my sister, it's already 4:30!" She waved and then began to head off.
"I'll be quicker next time!" I called, she turned her head and nodded in acknowledgment as she walked off.
Ugh I better be going home now too.
Sighing I hauled myself onto my feet and began to walk home.

...

Wearily I opened the door to my house. When I walked in I could see my mother in the living room with my younger brother and sister who are twins, their names are Jasper and Fay. My mother turned her head towards me, I dumped my bag on the floor and took my shoes off. I walked towards her but stopped in the doorway.
"Where's dad?" I questioned
"Oh he's got work late, he won't be home till tomorrow"
I nodded, relief flooding through my bones. He's never really done anything that bad but something about him has always made me feel so... nervous. Oh well, it's probably nothing.
"I left some food on the counter for you, if you want it" she nodded to where the plate was.
"No that's okay, I'll probably just make myself some toast later on, let Jasper and Fay share it"
I smiled, grabbed my bag then stumbled off upstairs to my room.
I lay down on my bed staring at the ceiling. Thoughts kept pouring into my head. I need to do my homework, I need to eat, have I drunk today? I should tidy my room, I need to finish making my art project it's due soon, I have work tomorrow, no I don't think I have drunk today, I should go get something, I ate earlier why am I still hungry? I sighed. I can't be bothered.
Forcing myself upwards i decided I'd try and do something with the little energy I had left. Art project? No I need to have a drink, but I'm so hungry and I've got homework due tomorrow-! UGH! I can't do this. Steadying myself I went back downstairs, made myself some toast and got some water. I quickly gulped it all down and went back upstairs. I yawned, wasn't so bad I guess. Homework? Okay, okay what do I have? Maths... History, the art project, English and Science. Okay, okay, I got this, I can do this. I wish I wasn't like this! I let out deep breath. Alright I can do this.

...

Drowsily I checked the time,
"It's already 2:34-! God!" I screeched, slamming my head onto my knees.
I've done my Maths, Science, History and English I only have art left but I can talk my way out of that one surely? I need to sleep.
I flopped onto my bed. Tiredness surrounded me but sleep was hard to come, it's always hard to come. I haven't slept in days, god why?!
I don't understand.
Eventually sleep did come but it was soon ruined when I could feel myself becoming stressed and sweaty. I couldn't move. No! Images flashed through my mind, falling, drowning, running, hiding but nothing was completely clear, it never has been. Then I could feel myself shaking uncontrollably. Let me out!
Suddenly I gasped awake, I sat up immediately but instantly regretted it as a rush of pain went through my head. Curling up I began to cry.
This isn't fair!