When Harry left the bathroom, I locked myself in one of the cabins and cried uncontrollably. I stayed there until I heard the bell ring. Once I got to form, I sat down next to Charlie and I could see that he instantly noticed I had been crying.
C - Hey, Nick, what's wrong? Your eyes are bright red and your hands are shaking.
N - It's fine. I'm just dealing with all the homophobes.
I let out a little laugh to clear the air. Charlie didn't have to know everything that was happening. He already had so much on his shoulders that I didn't want him to deal with me either. So, I preferred not to tell him anything.
After class, Charlie let me know that he was spending some time with Tao that night. I wished him a good evening and walked towards the exit of the school.
H - Yo Nick!
I turned around and saw Harry with his squad. I really didn't feel like dealing with him again so I turned around and ignored him.
H - Yo I'm talking to you, fag.
The sound of that word specifically made me want to punch something, or in that case, him. I still ignored him thinking about what Charlie had told me earlier. I suddenly feel a hand on my shoulder, turning me around. The next thing I knew was that I was on the ground, my head spinning, and my ribs being kicked by what felt like at least 3 people at the same time. I didn't even try to fight back as I felt every muscle in my body give up on me. I then heard a voice from afar.
Mr. Ajayi - Harry, Simon, and Thomas! The principal's office. Now!
The kicking stopped as I heard them walk away. I then saw Mr. Ajayi approaching me and bending down.
Mr. Ajayi - Omg Nicholas. Are you okay? Don't move too fast. It's gonna be alright.
He helped me get up but my whole upper body was extremely painful. I could also feel my eye swell up.
Mr. Ajayi - Come on, I'll get you to the nurse.
We slowly walked to nurse's office and sat down on the chairs next to the door.
Mr. Ajayi - How are you doing sweetheart?
N - It just... hurts.
I was trying to catch by breath but it was still pretty difficult. He looked at me worried.
Mr. Ajayi - Oh, Nick. Nothing in this world can prepare you for the nasty homophobic people that still, unfortunately, exist.
I silently cried.
Mr. Ajayi - You should probably talk about it with Charlie. I'm sure he would-
N - No. He can't know about this. I don't want him to have to deal with this too. He's already going through so much stuff... I don't want him to know about this...
Mr. Ajayi - Oh, sweetheart, you can try hiding it all you want but I'm pretty sure that the bruise around your eye is gonna give it away.
I quickly got my phone out and looked at my reflexion. My eye was slowly turning blue.
N - Fuck.
Mr. Ajayi - Anyways, Harry and the 2 others that hit you are in the principal's office right now. They're probably gonna get suspended so don't worry about them, okay?
N - Okay...
Mr. Ajayi left the nurse's office and I got checked out. I didn't have anything broken but everything was still very swollen. All I ended up getting was ice, as always.
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When I got back home, Charlie was already back from Tao' place, waiting for me in my room. As soon as I entered, his jaw dropped.
C - OMG! Baby, what the hell happened? Are you okay?
He stood up right away and hugged me a bit too tight. I flinched.
N - Ouch, fuck! Sorry.
I put a hand to my ribs. He looked at me worried, lifting my shirt up slowly, revealing a giant purple bruise.
C - Nick what the fuck happened? Who did this to you?
N - Charlie, it's nothing... I'm fine.
He grabbed my waist and I flinched again.
C - You're clearly not okay Nick.
He sat me down on my bed and rushed downstairs to get more ice. He got back to my room with 2 towels filled with ice. He gave me one to put on my eye and delicately put the other one on my ribs.
C - Does this hurt?
N - It hurts like hell.
Tears rushed down my face.
C - Tell me what happened.
N - It's fine. You don't have to deal with this. I'll handle it.
C - Nick...
As much as I was trying to make them stop, more tears fell down my face.
