I took to pacing a while ago. Dad isn't answering his phone, and it's too cold now to walk home. I know Mom isn't home yet from her job at the hospital, and Lina doesn't even have a car yet, so I'm stuck waiting for Dad to remember his only son.
The project went well, and now I'm just looking forward to the upcoming weekend tomorrow.
Tai left because his moms would've called the police or drove over to the school themselves if he waited any longer, so now I'm alone.
I'm regretting not bringing my thicker hoodie as the halls slowly fill with the outside evening chill when someone speaks.
"Hey, fag."
I whip around to see William leaning against the wall a few feet away from me. He kicks off and approaches me.
I shrink back. William is a couple inches taller than me, and he's also stronger than me, so I'm nervous. He could be about to do anything.
It wouldn't be the first time someone like me had gotten jumped for existing.
"What do you want?" I say warily, taking a step back.
"Oh, I just wanna test something out," He shrugs, taking a step forward. "Cuz you're gay, right?"
"What about it?" I back up again. I'm scared if I take my eyes off him, he'll do something, but I know that I only have another foot or so before I hit the vending machine behind me.
"Come on, I'm not gonna kill you or anything," He smiles, but it makes my stomach twist.
Suddenly my back is slammed against the vending machine, and he has my face in one hand and my arms pinned above me. I writhe under his grip, trying to get free, but we both know nothing I do is going to work.
Fear swells up inside me.
"Just hold still, will you?" He snarls. He brings his face closer to mine, holding me tightly so I can't move.
"Stop!" I grunt, trying to wriggle my hands free or turn my head away, but to no avail. "Let me go!"
He's probably about a half inch away from me when I hear someone shout,
"Hey!"
William pauses.
"Get off him," This time I recognize the voice. Timothy? What's he doing here so late?
William growls and shoves me away roughly, into Timothy, who catches me and holds me gently.
"You okay?" Tim whispers.
I nod, mouth suddenly dry.
"Liam," Tim says slowly. "What the fuck? What's wrong with you?"
William shrugs and grumbles something under his breath. Probably a slur.
"Get out of my sight before I make you," I can feel rage flowing from Tim in waves. Liam winces.
Tim is easily taller or of equal height, and is definitely stronger. For once, I don't feel slightly intimidated by his strength and size, since all his anger is directed towards William, who mutters under his breath and starts jogging away.
As soon as William kicks open the doors and disappears, Tim spins me around and searches my expression.
"Are you okay?" He repeats, and I nod, but when he's staring so earnestly into my eyes, I feel my own fill with uninvited tears.
"I-I'm sorry," I sniff, lifting an arm to wipe my face with my sleeve. I'm such a wimp.
"Don't apologize," He shakes his head and takes my trembling hands in his own. He pulls me close and hugs me tightly. "It's not your fault."
"William's a jerk," I mumble into his shoulder, and feel him laugh bitterly.
"Yeah."
We stay that way for a long time, my arms gripping the back of his hoodie like a lifeline, Tim staying quiet and letting my tears stain the sleeve of his shoulder.
He pulls away after a moment without me crying. "Want me to walk you home?"
"You don't have to-" I begin to protest, but he shakes his head.
"It's on my way," He smiles. "And I told my mom I'd be home a bit later today, so it's fine."
I swallow thickly and nod. "Then yeah. I'd like that."