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Heather had respect in this school. She could influence most students, being able to say and really whatever she wants. Heather was popular.
And also; a bitch. - Not exactly by choice, highschool students are certainly not nice.
Being aggressive is one of the only ways to fit in when the environment around you calls for it.
Not everybody gets that memo. Like the kids who sit in the front of the class, with large smiles and loud voices.
Specifically; one named Harold.
Harold was a nerdy looking boy. Orange hair, cut into a mullet with green glasses covering his eyes and a somewhat nasally voice. The perfect target.
-
Walking through the halls, Heather was having a conversation with DJ. Despite their conflicting personalities, they seem to get along well enough.
“So, normally I’m not one to gossip—“ DJ started, being cut off by an almost immediate gasp by Heather.
“DJ!- Are you about to talk shit? about who? I didn’t know you disliked anyone.” Heather commented, waving to someone as they walked by.
“Not quite. I was gonna ask you about Alejandro.” Heather rolled her eyes at this, crossing her arms.
“What about him? If you ask if we’re dating, I'm going to slap you.” She half-jokes, preparing to shut down more rumors that had been started.
DJ shook his head. “No!- I mean..about how he treats Harold.”
This piqued Heather’s interest. Contrary to what most would think, Heather has some amount of respect for Harold. They have vaguely similar interests, and ignoring Harold’s cringey behavior sometimes, makes good conversation.
“And..what exactly about how he treats Harold?” She prompted, egging him to get to the point already.
DJ paused, looking at Heather incredulously. “You seriously haven’t noticed? Alejandro and his friends keep messing with him. Frankly, being assholes.”
Heather almost choked, that sentiment is not one DJ will say freely often.
“I..really haven’t been paying much attention to what they do. What, is it that bad? Everyone pushes that kid around.” Heather counters, looking down at her phone.
DJ groaned. “In class yesterday, right, he was sitting there. I was next to him, so I saw this all happen, so don’t think that—“
Heather looked at him. “Okay, I get it, you were next to Harold in class. What happened?” she snapped. If this was something she should actually care about, knowing the story would be nice.
“Yep. And they’re throwing things at him, Alejandro was..saying something, I couldn’t really tell, since I wasn’t listening that much. But...Harold was getting upset. He took off his glasses at some point, and he was crying. I don’t see him cry often, do you?” DJ asked, somewhat rhetorically.
“..No.” Heather said with a sigh. “Is this that big of a deal? I mean, I can talk to Alejandro about it if you want?”
DJ shrugged. “I don’t know, I thought maybe you’d know what they’re doing.”
She shook her head, opening her mouth to say something before her phone rang. “Oh. Speak of the devil, it’s Harold.. I'll see you later.” She said, and quickly vanished out of the building, into the back of the school.
-
Heather paced, the conversation the two were having becoming increasingly more serious.
“So, you’re telling me you weren’t at school today..because you got jumped?” Heather asked, pushing her hair behind her ears.
Heather groaned. “I’ll come around to your place soon. School’s out in..well, I don’t know how long. I’m not a nerd like you, who keeps track of that.” She internally winced at the poor timing of her insult.
“Bye.” She hung up, checking the time.
She could probably live if she missed the last period, right? plus, who said that Physical Education was that important?
-
Heather hopped off the bus, beginning to make the walk to Harold’s home. This makes her grateful she decided to go to one of his stupid events with Alejandro, saves her the time of needing to figure out where he lives now.
But she wouldn’t have to know if Alejandro didn’t pull some stupid shit like this.
She sighed, trying to think back in her mind to anything she remembers either of them saying that would warrant this. She doubts that Alejandro himself did the deed, but based on what Harold was saying, she wouldn’t be surprised if he organized it.
-
Knock, knock.
The door opened cautiously, Heather’s eyes widening slightly at the state of Harold.
“Jesus, Harold. Did you even try to clean yourself up?” she remarked, stepping inside the house.
“Where’s your mom?” Heather questioned as she took off her bag.
Harold shrugged. “Work. And, thank you, Heather, I was too busy crying. Gosh.” He gestured to the tear tracks running down his face, despite them being mixed with blood.
Heather stared blankly. Way to make her feel bad.
“Just..- Whatever. Do you have any paper towels?” She asked, looking around the room.
“..In the entryway? no. Kitchen, yes.” Harold said, leading the way.
“Okay, smartass. You knew what I meant.” She laughed quietly, wetting some paper towel and gesturing for Harold to sit.
“Yeah, that totally explains why you were looking around.” He nodded, sitting down and wiping at his face, wincing at the unnecessary pressure he applied while doing so.
“Jesus, do you want me to help you or not? Let me do it. You wouldn’t be able to do anything to help yourself.” She said, ignoring the way he sighed.
“Gosh.” Harold said quietly, causing Heather to roll her eyes.
“So. What happened? Why’d you get jumped?” She interrogated as she began to wipe up his face.
Harold took off his glasses as he began to speak. “I couldn’t tell you. I mean, I was going to school late today, I woke up during our first period. I was basically there, then I heard Alejandro shout something.”
Heather furrowed her brows. “Why wasn’t he in class..?-“ she wondered to herself.
He shrugged. “Anyway, I turned around to see what he wanted, and suddenly!- I got punched. And stuff like that.”
“..By Alejandro?” She prompted.
“Nope. Some other guy. I don't know his name.”
Heather groaned. “Of course you don’t!” She threw the first few paper towels in the bin.
“Okay. Blood is gone, but you've got a pretty massive black eye.” She listed, giving him his glasses back.
“Eh, whatever.” Harold responded, getting up from his seat.
“..Whatever? You don’t care at all?” She questioned, tilting her head slightly while she washed her hands.
“Nope. Wouldn’t be the first time something like this has happened.—“
“What?-“ Heather cut him off, spinning around. “What do you mean?”
Harold blinked. “Like..- You know I get bullied, right?”
Heather scoffed. “I mean, yeah! Of course I know that.”
“Then..why are you surprised I've been punched before?”
“It’s not often people get physical with that kind of stuff here. Do you want me to talk to Alejandro?” She asked, picking up her bag again.
“I don’t think you need to do that, but I..really can’t stop you, can I?” Harold said, crossing his arms.
“..Yeah, no. I’m going to talk to Alejandro.” She opened his front door.
“I— right now?-“ Harold questioned.
Heather nodded. “School just ended, I’ll be able to get back in time. Bye.” And with that, she left just as quickly as she came.
And if Harold was suddenly a lot more liked after that day, and Heather happened to decide she wanted to be closer friends with him?
Maybe he just got lucky.