One word for my life.... Weird. It's so funny when you are very popular and you are also bullied at the same time. No, I wasn't popular because of good looks and brawny structure like most jocks had

if that's what you are thinking

. Infact, I was the exact opposite of that. I was just a slightly built seventeen year old who had large spectacles that always seemed like it would come off my face any second. It's not my fault that I'm extraordinarily brilliant

not being cocky about it

but I've always felt like it was curse for me since it actually led to the history of me being bullied. It all started when I corrected Fred in class...or tried to help Fred in class. We had just resumed school then, our history teacher had asked him a question and he got it wrong. I remember everyone laughing at him because his answer was very much different from what she had asked. It made it so obvious that he wasn't paying any attention to her teaching. So, I decided to help him out by saying the answer, unfortunately that didn't turn out well since the teacher quickly put me on the spotlight. Honestly, if I knew that would be the beginning of my suffering, I would have sealed my lips shut that day. Later that day, the final bell rang signaling the end of our last class so I packed my books quickly so I wouldn't miss the bus. I heard if you are not quick enough you might not see a perfect seat. I was in the process of leaving the class when two bulky boys grabbed me by the arms, sneering at me like I was their favourite on their butching table. They were the two guys that sat with Fred in the back. I think one of them was James or something.

"Well, well, looks like someone is in a hurry." Fred leered, exposing his white set of teeth."Maybe he doesn't want to miss his Mama's food. I was a little bit taller than him, at least a few inches and while my height was an advantage for me, I knew I wouldn't be able to beat him. He was what you could call muscular, besides he had his minions who wouldn't hesitate to break my arms if I tried anything funny. His dark eyes seem to dart about as if he couldn't take me in all at once.

"Please stop----"

"Take him to the bathroom."

"No please! I didn't do anything!"I screamed, the boy's vice grips tightening around mine as they dragged me to the bathroom. I didn't see anybody to shout for help during our trip to the bathroom. They dragged me inside one of the stalls and James tried to force my head into the toilet bowls. When I resisted, the other punched me in the stomach and before I knew it, my face was in toilet water while it was repeatedly flushed. I couldn't breathe, all what I knew was that water kept gushing into my mouth while I tried gasping for air. While all this was happening, I heard Fred raucous laughter behind me. I was still choking from the water when it was replaced by a loud cry, interrupting their play.

"Who did that?"he said, his hands gripping his head as he frantically scanned the bathroom.

"I guess it's me, Blockhead,"a voice answered as a figure stepped out of the stall opposite ours. By then, I had crawled out to see who my hero was. It was Simon from the next class. Admitted two weeks ago into the school, he had been rated as the top coolest guys in our set. He had the athletic body of a basketballer...I mean, he's the Captain of his former school's team after all

even heard he was going to try out this season

. And he was wearing his signature smirk now, a Coca-Cola can in his hand. That was when I noticed another spilled cola can near Fred. Simon must have thrown it at him to divert the attention from me.

"What did you just call me? Blockhead?"

Simon widened his smirk and answered,"Are you this dumb? Honestly, I heard the news but I didn't believe it myself until now."

"Oh, you just crossed the line! When I'm done with you, you wouldn't try that again!"

"That's if you can catch me first!"Simon said in a singsong voice before dashing out of the room.

"Don't you just stand there, get him!"Fred yelled at his friends who had been staring at the rundown since. Quickly they scurried out of bathroom. Fred also followed them but not before giving me a glare that could make someone shrivel up. I knew what he meant. I'm not done with you yet. When I was sure they had left, I finally heaved myself and dried my hands and face with a couple of paper towels. I was going to need more than a shower this evening, I thought as I cleaned my glasses. It was a miracle it didn't fall off during the whole ordeal. I wasn't smelling bad though since it was just water but I couldn't help thinking about my face stuck in water where people 'peed' and 'pooed' and did some other 'stuff'. I was about done when I heard a soft voice call my name.

"Tommy, are you okay?" I quickly spun around to see who it was and immediately, my heart beat increased it's tempo. It was Sarah from my class, the third hottest girl in the entire school

at least that's what they say

but for me she was the first on my list. She was adored by almost everyone in the school even though she just got admitted two weeks ago along side Simon and her best friend, Amanda. I mean what's not to love about her, she had this doe face that could bend you to your knees anytime. I for one had a massuve crush on her.

"Hello?"she tried again, still at the doorway.

"Huh?" It then occurred to me that I been staring at her for a while.

"Are you okay?"she said, stepping further into the bathroom. It didn't go unnoticed the way she scrunched up her nose as she studied the vulgar writings and drawings on the walls. What did she think she would find in here? Flowers and Pink?

"You shouldn't be here!" I half yelled, my voice croaky from series of screams and shout. Way to go Tom, your dream girl decides to talk to you after days of drooling from afar and this is what you do? I mentally face palmed myself at my outburst. It's not actually my fault, no guy would want any girl to talk to him especially if his head just got dunked in toilet water. She didn't say anything though, just stared at me like a cat studying it's prey.

After moments of silence with me internally squirming while I shuffled my feet like everything was cool, she finally asked,"Why?"

"Huh?"

"Why shouldn't I be here?" She leaned on the wall, shoving the sleeves of baby pink cardigan.

"Because you are in the boy's bathroom,"I explained. Wasn't it obvious enough.

.

.

Conrinue from next page