Chapter 2 — The Worst Day
966 Words
Alex Vale woke up to the sound of his alarm.
He opened one eye.
Then closed it again.
“Five more minutes.”
The alarm continued ringing.
Alex reached out from under the blanket and slapped the phone.
Silence.
He smiled.
Then he turned toward the clock on the wall.
7:42 a.m.
Alex's eyes widened.
“Oh, crap!”
He jumped out of bed.
School started at eight.
He grabbed his uniform from the chair and rushed to put it on. One sock was missing, his shirt was inside out, and his hair looked like he had spent the night fighting with his pillow.
He didn't care.
He grabbed his backpack and ran downstairs.
Aunt Rose was sitting at the dining table with a cup of tea.
She looked at him.
Then at the clock.
“You're late.”
“I know.”
“You knew you were late yesterday too.”
Alex stopped near the door.
“I'm sorry.”
Rose sighed.
“Alex, you're sixteen. You're old enough to start taking responsibility for yourself.”
He swallowed his irritation.
“I said I'm sorry.”
He opened the door.
“Alex.”
He stopped.
“Don't forget your lunch.”
He looked back.
His lunch was sitting on the table.
He grabbed it.
“Thanks.”
Rose nodded and returned to her tea.
Alex stepped outside.
The morning air was cool, but he barely noticed.
He started running.
He had already been late twice that week.
Today wasn't going to make it three.
At least, that was what he thought.
---
Alex was halfway to school when someone stepped into his path.
He stopped immediately.
Jake.
Alex's stomach tightened.
Jake stood there with his two friends, Ryan and Ben.
They were all students from his class.
Jake smiled.
“Well, well. Look who finally decided to show up.”
Alex looked at his watch.
7:56.
“Move.”
Ryan laughed.
“Listen to him.”
Jake stepped closer.
“What's the rush?”
“School.”
“You're already late.”
“I know.”
“Then what's another few minutes?”
Alex tried walking around them.
Jake moved with him.
Alex stopped.
“Just leave me alone.”
Jake stared at him.
Then he shoved him.
Alex stumbled backward.
His backpack fell from his shoulder.
“Give it back,” Alex said.
Jake picked it up.
“Come take it.”
Ryan laughed.
Ben joined in.
Alex knew where this was going.
He stepped forward.
“Jake, seriously.”
Jake threw the backpack onto the ground.
“What's wrong, Vale?”
Alex clenched his fists.
“Nothing.”
“Then why do you always look scared?”
“I don't.”
Jake shoved him again.
This time Alex pushed back.
For a second, nobody moved.
Then Jake's smile disappeared.
Ryan grabbed Alex from behind.
Ben moved in front of him.
Alex struggled to break free.
“Let me go!”
Jake punched him.
Alex stumbled.
Another shove sent him against the wall.
The three boys continued for another few moments before finally backing away.
Jake picked up Alex's backpack and dropped it at his feet.
“See you at school.”
They walked away laughing.
Alex remained there for a moment.
His breathing was heavy.
His uniform was dirty.
His cheek hurt.
He picked up his backpack.
Then he looked at the time.
8:12.
He was definitely late now.
“Perfect.”
---
When Alex finally entered the classroom, everyone was already seated.
The teacher stopped writing.
“Mr. Vale.”
Alex stood at the doorway.
“Yes, sir.”
“Do you know what time school begins?”
“Yes, sir.”
“And what time is it now?”
Alex glanced at the clock.
8:17.
“Late.”
A few students laughed.
The teacher didn't.
“Take your seat.”
Alex walked quietly to his desk.
He didn't bother explaining.
What would he say?
That three boys had stopped him?
That they had beaten him?
Nobody would care.
At least, that's what he thought.
During break, Tom found him sitting alone behind the school building.
Tom was carrying two books under his arm.
He stopped when he saw Alex.
“Whoa.”
Alex looked up.
“What?”
“What happened to your face?”
“Nothing.”
Tom sat beside him.
“That doesn't look like nothing.”
Alex looked away.
“Jake.”
Tom's expression changed.
“Again?”
Alex nodded.
Before Tom could say anything else, Mia appeared.
She took one look at Alex.
Her eyes widened.
“Alex.”
“I'm fine.”
“No, you're not.”
“I'm okay.”
Mia sat beside him.
“Was it Jake?”
Alex sighed.
“Yes.”
Mia's hands tightened.
“I'm going to talk to him.”
Alex immediately shook his head.
“Don't.”
“Why?”
“Because it'll make things worse.”
Mia looked frustrated.
“So we just let him keep doing this?”
Tom adjusted the books in his arms.
“We should tell a teacher.”
Alex laughed quietly.
“And say what?”
“The truth.”
Alex looked at him.
“And what happens after that?”
Tom didn't answer.
Alex looked down at his hands.
He was tired.
Tired of being the weak kid.
Tired of being ignored.
Tired of coming home to a place that never really felt like home.
He wanted something to change.
He just didn't know what.
The rest of the school day dragged on.
By the time the final bell rang, Alex couldn't wait to leave.
He packed his bag and walked home alone.
He didn't know it yet, but that day was going to be the last ordinary day of his life.
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