Short Stories

Lachlan

Lachlan

(Shy)

"Lachlan, the answer?" I jerk my attention back to my teacher. He points to the board.

I couldn't bring myself to say it. One simple number. Negative nine, I tried to say. Nothing comes out but the "n" sound.

I hated when teachers did this. I try to answer again, but instead, I shrug and he calls on someone else.

People laughed and I push myself down so my head isn't seen because the desk is in the way.
-------
Later that day I rush to my best friend, vikk. He has been my best friend since forever and he doesn't mind my lack of talking. I guess it was kind of perfect, after all, he talked a bunch and I didn't have to say a word.

This morning there was something wrong with him. He barely talked. His head was always down. And he wore baggy clothes.

"Vikk?" I ask. It was hard to say but I got it out. His head instantly goes up and his eyes meet mine.

That's when I saw it. It's when I realized why his head was down. He was hiding the enormous bruise on his face.

He knew I wouldn't ask. He started to pour his feelings out. How his parents abuse him. It hurt me a lot, but not as much as it would hurt him. My best friend is being abused, and there's nothing I can do.