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Jaime sighed, slamming his locker shut. A three-week break from school was great and he had hoped it would have continued, but Aunt Sophia made his Dad send him back to school as soon as all five of them were cleared from police records.
It was also Maxwell’s first day back. He really hoped he didn’t run into his pseudo-uncle in the halls. He planned on avoiding that hallway, anyway. He didn’t have history today, a study hall instead, which Jaime greatly appreciated.
The only thing Jaime had been looking forward to was seeing Rory, one of his best friends, again. He hadn’t seen them for over a month. Cal had taken Rory to his lake house for a week, which caused them to miss the Police at the School Incident, as his dad had taken to call it. Cal hadn’t invited him. Jaime was still a bit bitter about it, but he would have missed meeting his dad, so it was more the principle of not getting invited.
“Look! Jaime’s back!”
“Don’t sound so happy about it Todd.”
“Shut up, orphan!”
“Do you think you’re being funny?” The two jocks were furious at this point, glaring at Jaime.
“Leave me alone, Wilson, you too Todd.”
“I think he needs to be taught a lesson,” said Wilson, cracking his knuckles.
“I’m so scared,” Jaime deadpanned.
“Orphan!” some girl in the crowd that was forming around the four boys jeered.
“Orphan, orphan!” the crowd screamed with laughter.
“His parents didn’t even want him!” another girl yelled.
“Dumb little orphan!” yelled a boy.
“Raised by his aunt!” screeched a girl.
"Piss monster!" screamed several kids.
Jaime’s hand itched for his raygun that was currently hidden in his backpack. His dad had given it to him, even though Aunt Sophia had said no.
“Doesn’t even have a last name!”
“Loser! Loser! Orphan! Orphan! Piss monster!” the crowd screamed, laughing.
Jaime’s hand found the raygun in his backpack. Todd and Wilson continued to orchestrate the chants. A quick glance around the crowd showed Jason and Liam, the two boys Aunt Sophia had threatened with her raygun, were nowhere to be found. That caused him to grin, which was a mistake.
“I think the Loser’s happy with all the attention he’s getting!” Wilson smirked.
“What? Not receiving enough attention at home, Jam-Jam?”
Jaime saw red. Lurching forward, ready to throw a punch, he was suddenly pulled back.
“Jaime, no!” Rory yelled.
The taunts changed when Rory showed up. “Jam-Jam needed his boyfriend to save him!” Everyone laughed.
“Come on,” Rory muttered under his breath. “Let’s go.”
Rory grabbed Jaime’s hand and led him down the hallway and out the front door. It was raining. The rain was crisp, giving off a comforting aura. It felt like a warm orange or red looked.
Rory grabbed his hand and ran out into the falling water, laughing. Jaime screeched before laughing too, both of them soaked.
Pulling them under an overhang Rory gave him a hug. “You’re not a loser, Jaime, and there’s nothing wrong with being an orphan. And your aunt is awesome!”
“Thanks, Rory, and I know there’s nothing wrong with being an orphan! But I kind of-” Jaime paused, looking down. “I met my dad.”
“Oh my god!” Rory shrieked. “How?”
“It’s complicated,” Jaime smiled softly. “But I found him,” he reached forward and shook Rory’s hand. “Hi, I’m Jaime Milligram.”