Separate But Not Equal

Chapter X

"What?" She laughs.

"Did I not make it clear, no, N-O, as in NO!" He says, the impatience in his voice growing.

"You're joking right?" She starts smirking, raising her eyebrow. "You would rather stay here with this nigg-"

"I'm not asking you anymore Lauren, shut up and leave. Now." He snaps.

"Oh, Christopher, sweetheart" He instantly flinches at Lauren's new name for him. "You're confused, I don't know what or who you think she is but trust me she's not. You're making a big mistake. We're trying to help you."

We're.

As in plural we are

"Christopher, long time no see" exclaims a song singy voice, which I can only recognise as belonging to Charles Bakers.

Or more so recall.

From a young age, hearing that voice ridiculing and jeering his friends on to all take turns making me absolutely miserable.

I don't think the bullying ever really started from anywhere, it just became a part of my life and I found that I couldn't really trace it. It's as if the abuse, physical and verbal, has been going on for so long, that I can't remember a time when it wasn't happening.

Since I was six. I recall going home with bloody knees and cut elbows leading to scars that you can still see to this day.

"And, Oh... Ivory, right?" I open my mouth, slightly. "Don't answer, I don't care." His eyes flash for a fraction of a second before going back to angry.

Christopher, if possible, pulls me even closer to his large back.

"I thought David told you to watch yourself more often," He smiles. "Looks like you never really learn your lesson, Do you Ivy?"

After hearing his knuckles crack, I lift my hands over my face in protection a habit I've gained over the years with which I have become more and more accompanied to the feelings of the brutal beatings of the males at Birmingham high.

Yet I become slightly curious whether there is some sort of delay, when the hit takes longer than expected to reach me.

It takes much longer than expected,actually.

I peek through my fingers, gingerly, seeing nothing but a tilted tree, turning my attention to the left side of my line of sight.

Christopher and Charles stand there, glaring each other silently, just a pair of intimidating eyes attempting to stare each other down Christopher seems to be winning, as his height gives him an advantage causing him to look down at Charles.

Lauren, Laura and Leah stood excitedly watching the events unravel, smug looks on their faces.

"What are you doing, Christopher? You used to be fun, now you've gone soft. All this over one of them." Charles pushes him, trying to provoke some sort of a reaction.

He pushes him again, as I step out of the way.

One more.