I close my eyes.
When I open them again, I'm still being held up against the wall. I was still face to face with the school bully, the collar of my shirt wrapped around his fist as he held me firmly in place against the wall. His other clenched fist was raised and suspended in mid air, half pulled back and ready to be dispensed.
Looking closely, I could see his eyebrows furrowed downward, a thin layer of sweat on his brow. I could see the bandaid on his face that was badly placed, barely even covering the scratch on his cheek now that it was slowly peeling down ward.
No one was going to say anything.
I wasn't worth anyone's time, so even wishing for someone to help me would be the stupidest thing conceivable. I was just happy that the bullies at this school had the time of day for me; they would hurt me enough so that I wouldn't have to hurt myself.
And I deserved all of it.
And as my eyes frisked from right to left, the less people came by. No one would ever spare a glance in my direction.
Worthless.
I suddenly caught a glimpse of a beautiful pair of eyes, focused right on mine. Eyes darting over to the left, I noticed a girl staring straight at me. It was almost as if the galaxies had been spelled out in her eyes, and for a split second, it was almost like she was the one holding me instead. She was the most beautiful girl I'd ever laid eyes on.
My eyes darted down to her mouth, it was slightly open. Her lips quivered for a second, almost like there were words hidden in her mouth and burning on her tongue, eager to be heard. Something was holding her back through, no words came out. When my gaze snapped back up, her green eyes scrunched up quickly, tears pooling at the edges.
She wasn't quite strong enough to do something.
My view quickly became the jet black hair billowing out along her back. She had walked straight past the situation. While this stranger had only stared into my eyes for a half a second, a barely thought through glance thrown my way, it felt like we'd known each other for an eternity.
But I am pulled back into reality. This stranger and I do not know each other, there is no reason for her to help me.
I watch her back as she walks away and the fist is finally driven into my stomach.
And it was blatantly obvious which one hurt more.