Chapter 25: Chapter 25

Nate's POV

I shut the door as soon as Ethan steps out. Locking it, I go to my bed and collapse down, heaving a sigh. I hate Ethan. I hate him so much. I hate the fact that he looks like Alex.

I hate this school. I hate my previous school too. I hate every school. I don't want to study anymore.

No I take it back. I want to study. I just hate going to school. I should better do home schooling.

Lying on my bed, I involuntarily tear up. I can't bear this anymore. I don't have any idea what I should do. I'm scared to go to class. I'm scared seeing people. I'm so pathetic. I'm a loser. Tears run down my both cheeks one after another.

Suddenly my phone rings near my ear making me flinch. I grab it and look at the caller ID. It's my Mom calling. I quickly wipe away my tears and breathe in and out a few times, trying to calm myself down. Then I answer the call.

" Hello Mickey..", My Mom says enthusiastically from the other side of the line.

" Hello Mom.", I respond.

" What are you doing ? Did you come back from school ?", She asks.

" Yeah..I just came back.", I reply.

" How are classes ? Is it tough ?", Mom asks.

" Classes are g...good.", I say.

" Uhm..are you okay Mickey ? What happened to your sound ?", she asks confused at my hoarse sound and lack of response.

" Yeah..I- I'm okay.", I say.

" Okay..did you get new friends?", She asks.

" Uhm...y..yeah..I g..got to know a few people today.", I say.

"You aren't feeling lonely, right ? Everything's alright, hmm ?", she asks, not convinced at my earlier reply.

"Yeah everything's g..good Mom. No need to worry about me. I'm alright. Okay, I'll c..call you later. I was gonna sh..shower.", I say and I feel the tears spring to my eyes and run over.

" Oh..okay.", she says and I quickly end the call, breaking out into sobs.

I don't want to tell her that again people are bullying me here and this school is worse than my previous high school. Mom and Dad are really happy that I got to study for free in this highly reputed school. I don't want to worry my parents again. I'm already a big burden to them with my stupid stutter although they would never say that. I shouldn't worry them again. I'd somehow manage this.

I sit up on my bed and wipe my face, deciding to do the pending home works from yesterday. Yesterday after I somehow wobbled into here, I fell on bed and cried for a long time before I finally fell asleep.

I didn't do anything yesterday or today. I was on bed the whole time with my phone and laptop. And I have only eaten a packet of cookies and a packet of Doritos today. But I don't feel hungry or anything. I still have more packets of cookies.

I don't know how I'll get the notes of today's classes. Tomorrow I should go. I can't sit hiding inside this room forever. I'll now go, take a shower and then complete my homeworks. I terribly feel the need of a shower.

I slip out of my bed and walk to the bathroom. I look up at myself in the mirror above the washbasin. I look like a mess. My hair is all disarrayed and messy. My eyes are red and puffy with dark circles surrounding them, especially a very big dark mark under my right eye where they punched me.

My lip which is swollen is shivering painfully as I look at it in the mirror. It'd have been good if I could get some Ice. But here there's no way I could get Ice. So yesterday I just applied some ointment from my first aid box. Good that I brought the first aid box with me.

I strip out of my clothes and step into the shower, closing my eyes at the spray of cool water hitting my warm skin. Fifteen minutes later, I get out of the bathroom, get dressed and sit down at the table to complete my works.

When I finish all the works, it's only 7:30 Pm. I again lie back on my bed with my laptop, scrolling through Netflix to find some good movie to watch. Good that there's free Wi-Fi in dorm.

Suddenly a movie called ‘Painful Secrets’ catch my eyes and I click to see the info. Ironically, It's a movie about a teenage girl getting bullied. I instantly feel like watching the movie and I play it, lying back comfortably and placing a pillow over my stomach to raise the laptop a little more.

I can relate so much with the girl in the movie. My condition is similar to hers. But I'm horrified when she suddenly produces a razor blade out of nowhere and starts cutting her arm. I involuntarily squeeze my eyes tight at the sight of red blood oozing out of her hand.

When I open my eyes, the scene has ended. But it kind of scares me that I quickly close the movie. However I'm still thinking about the girl as I distractedly search for some other movie. What satisfaction does she get by cutting herself ? She is already in pain because of the bullies. Why cutting herself ? I'm confused.

I pick a high school romance movie and start watching it. Ten minutes into it, suddenly a knock is heard on my door. I instantly pause the movie, feeling nervous. Two more knocks are heard. Who is now knocking on my door ? Warden ? Or is it Ethan's friend ? I'm scared.

I place the laptop aside and slowly crawl out of my bed. Knocks continue to rein on the door as I hesitantly take steps towards it. I'm feeling more nervous now after watching that movie. I have a strong feeling that it's them and they are here to bully me