None the Worse ✓

36) 'Attacking Someone With Personal Issues' And Other Moments That Seem...

Theo looked about ready to stab Martin and Benjamin actually started to fear for his friend's life, but he just kept going.

"It's really sad that you think making fun of other people and beating them up helps. Why don't you start studying instead?"

All of a sudden, Theo let go of Pi and walked right up to Martin, stopping only a few inches away from him. For some reason, Martin didn't even look scared when the bully grabbed hold of the front of his shirt.

Benjamin scrambled towards them. Messiah and Heston followed, screaming. Theo stared at them, and Martin stared at them, and Pi stared at some point on the lockets. "Stop!" yelled Benjamin, "You nerdy n—"

"Benjamin, no!"

"Gay shit."

"Nooo!"

Heston collapsed onto the ground, slamming his fists against it like he had just been told he'd lost the presidency. "Guys?" asked Martin who, by the way, was still getting held on, "What're you doing here?"

Either he was a better actor than Benjamin would've thought or just stupid. He froze, thinking of something badass to say. "Saving you from this delinquent," he replied.

Out of all possible reactions, Martin frowned. "Delinquent? Like your boyfriend is any better."

"What."

"What."

"What."

"Whatever," Messiah said, "Could you please let Martin go? And Pi? I have a pamphlet in case you want healthier alternatives to coping with anger."

"Yeah, sure."

"Oh... really?"

Theo nodded.

Benjamin had only seen Messiah make that face when he came out of honors calculus. His own expression wasn't that far off. Heston was still on the floor, pounding his fists, and it took Pi, out of all people, kicking him to make him stop.

Messiah gave him the pamphlet. "Thank you," said Theo and put it into his pocket. Then he said, "Okay, bye," and left.

For a whole minute, they just stood there, confused and lost, staring into space.

"You're welcome," Martin said eventually.

"What the hell just happened?" Pi asked.

"I saved you."

"I didn't need saving."

"You clearly did. He was about to beat you into a pulp."

"Yeah, I guess you're right... Thanks."

Now, hopefully, this extreme gratitude would result in Pi reuniting with the squad. He nodded awkwardly and spun on his heels.

One, two, three steps.

"Okay we can keep talking but not now goodbye."

Good enough.

Pi hadn't been lying. When they went to class, he sat with his math friends, but he smiled at the squad, so they could finally say they were successful. Pi was back to being their friend. Or getting there, at least.

Benjamin stared at Martin with a newfound admiration. "How did you do that?"

"I'm just cool like that."

"You're not cool," said Heston.

"No, but seriously," Messiah interrupted before anyone could get an insult involving anyone's mom in. "How did you do that? How do you know so much about him?"