Annabelle
I didn't believe Hunter about Bryan. I knew how he was, always determined to get his way. What he wanted right then was to make my life miserable, so miserable until I bended to joining his stupid girlfriend's minion group. He has been trying to that since the start of the year, the start of my high school years.
After we had finished are drinks, we left the cafe. Hunter insisted on walking me to my house, I agreed.
“School is almost over; in a month, our freshman year will be over with.” Hunter said as we walked.
“Yeah, it feels like the year should only be half way over, not full,” I sighed.
Hunter laughed, “It does seem like the time flew by.”
“We’ll be sophomores next year, new teachers, new things to learn,” I said.556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsEiQAWcsWW
“It still is the same in some cases,” Hunter stated.
“What do you mean?” I asked, pausing underneath an old sycamore tree.
Hunter paused too but had his back to me, “You really just asked that question?” He mumbled.
I walked in front of him, “Hunter, what do you mean?”
He arched a brow, “Bryan bullying you, forcing you to do his homework, beating you just for it.” He explained.
I narrowed my eyes. “Hunter,” I warned.
His blue eyes turned stormy gray, “Lydia and her pals cheating off of your tests. I can assure you that they won’t bother you this year, but I don’t know about next year, but what about the years after, Ann? What about your junior and senior year?” I could have sworn that there was a storm happening in his eyes right then.
I turned around and crossed my arms, “I know, I’ll just put up with it.” I stated, but even I could hear the exhaustion in my voice.
“And what happen when you break down?” He asked softly.
I sighed, “Hopefully it won’t come down to that.”
“Annie,” he said, “you can’t hold out that long, nobody in your position can do that.” My wall crashed, I felt emotions pouring into me. Tears welled at the corner of my eyes and a strangled sob came through.
I closed my eyes, “Why did you use that name?” It was the nickname Zeke and Hunter called me when Zeke was still alive. Hunter and I have never used it since the funeral.
“Two reasons,” he mumbled. “One, I knew it would remind you of Zeke and two, I knew it would break through the barriers that held your emotions back. Over the year, I watched that barrier form, I watched you close off from those emotions.”
I tried to laugh, but it turned into a half sob, half laugh, “Well, you broke it.”
“Annie, I don’t want you to end up like Zeke. I don’t want to see that happen to you, like I said. But that can only happen if you tell someone,” Hunter said.
“But I can’t, everyone will be disappointed of me,” I whispered. “Bryan said that Lydia’s group would gladly welcome me in to their group and it will stop, but I can’t do that either.”
“He’s trying to get you to join Lydia’s group?” He asked softly.
I nodded, “He said that I’m like them.”
“You’re nothing like them,” Hunter said. “Lydia and her gang are just girls that think there more than anyone else, they think that they can do anything just because they’re cheerleaders and that they are going out with football players. You are the exact opposite.”
“I know, that’s why I’ll never bend to what he wants. But I can’t just go tell the teacher because I don’t want it to look like that I was about to break, then he’ll just push more.” I said. I started walking again, trying to get away from the conversation. Hunter sighed and jogged to catch up with me.
“Annie, I don’t want to fight with you, I just want you to get it stop. He’ll only afraid of me for a while, not forever.” He sighed.
“I know, but I can’t,” I replied, not looking at him. “I can handle him, don’t worry about me.”
He groaned, “Annie.”
“Please stop using that name,” I whispered.
I walked faster; sadly Hunter could easily catch up to me due to his long legs. “You’re just afraid what he’ll do to you, or the other consequences.” Hunter finally stated as we rounded the corner to my house.
“Of course I’m afraid of that and I’m afraid that whoever I tell, they won’t believe me.” I said.
“Just because Bryan’s a football star, he doesn’t have a good reputation at honesty like you.” Hunter stated.
“I’ll see you later Hunter,” I said and ran inside my house.
**Hunter**
I groaned and ran a hand through my hair as I stood in front of Ann’s house. I turned on my heel and headed to my house, about two streets over. Every time I bring it up, she immediately shuts down, unless I get lucky.
About the time I got to the street sign, I felt my phone buzz. I dug it out of my pocket and hit the call button. “Hello,” I greeted.
“Hey dude,” Luke said.
“What do you want,” I groaned. I really didn’t need to get annoyed by Luke right then.
“Whoa, someone’s grumpy,” he said.
“I’m really not in the mood,” I grumbled.
“Huh, you and Annabelle both,” he sighed into the phone.
“Wait, what?” I asked.
“She seems… different. Not her peppy little self, more quiet,” he stated.
So the others have noticed it, “You can that again, buddy.” I said.
“What’s going on with her?” He asked
“I’m not sure I can tell you,” I admitted.
“Dude, come on, I have known her for more than ten years,” he begged.
“Fine, I’m only telling you because you have noticed it. Ann is getting bullied.” I confessed.
Luke stayed quiet for a few moments before talking again, his voice went soft. “How long has this been happening?”
“As far as I know, sometime before fall break, but I suspect the start of the school year,” I stated.
“And she didn’t tell us? Wait, did she tell you?” He asked.
“More like I accidentally stumbled upon it,” I admitted.
“How?” He questioned.
“I ran into her one day at school, she was limping because she just went through one of Bryan’s constant beatings and she was trying to zip up her backpack. I offered to help but she quickly said no and I got suspicious, and then a Chemistry II textbook fell out of it…” I said.
“But you don’t take that class until your sophomore year, and even then you would have to choose to take Chemistry II or Biology II, but you have to finish Chemistry I to even take the class.” Luke interrupted.
“Yeah, and that’s what I told her. She tried to lie that she was taking the class a year ahead of schedule. I told her I knew that she was lying and she finally confessed.” I finished.
“She must be weighed down with all that work,” Luke mumbled.
“No kidding, and now I figured out that she was doing Geometry too.”
I heard Luke suck in a breath, “No way, you got to be kidding me. There is no way she could have handled both Chemisry II and Geometry on top of her own classes.” He said.
I shrugged, even though he couldn't see it, “She some how did it. On top of all of that she got the constant beatings from Bryan like I told you, also she gets bullied by Lydia and her crew.”
“And she never told me or the others, and you only know because you accidentally ran into it.” Luke grumbled.
“I told her that one of you guys would notice that something was off, the constant flinching, sometimes limping, tear stains, or maybe the textbook would fall out like it did. She keeps on going through it, refusing to do anything about it, that's actually why I'm in a bad mood. I brought it up and she completely shut off.” I explained.
“Maybe she'll do something, now that I figured it out with some help,” he suggested.
“I highly doubt it,” I said.
“We got to figure out something, I can't let her keep going through this,” Luke stated.
“Me neither, bro, I'm afraid it will go on like Zeke,” I confessed.
“I hope it doesn't, she's my best friend.” He said.
“I hope so to,” I replied. I stood there, with my phone pressed up against my ear as I thought about something. “Luke, maybe we can do something.”
“What do you mean?” He asked.
“What if we show her tell how it's affecting her, about how she's quiet, how she's closed off, that stuff.” I suggested.
“Hmm, maybe that will work,” Luke replied.“We could try messaging her,” he suggested.
“Hm, that may work. Let's try it.” I said.
“Okay, I'll message her first then I'll pull you into it.” He said.
“Sounds like a plan.” I replied.
**Annabelle**
When I was booting up my website, my in-box beeped and said I received a message from Cool Kat. I clicked the open button.
Cool Kat: Hey, what's up?
Computer Nerd: Nothing, was about to work on my website. I replied to Katy.
Cool Kat: Borrriiing, want to do something fun? ;)
Computer Nerd: Your definition of fun is in a whole other category then mine.
Cool Kat: That's because my fun is actually FUN. Your is just sitting down reading books.
Computer Nerd: That's because I know it's legal, sometimes I don't know yours is.
Cool Kat: YOLO
Computer Nerd: What does that mean?
Cool Kat: You only live once, now you better live it.
Computer Nerd: That's more letters then you put.
Cool Kat: I added them, duh. Now come and have some F-U-N!!
Computer Nerd: I'll rather stay here and work on my site. See you later.
Cool Kat: Alright, ttyl. I guess your YOLO is reading and working, again boring.
Right when I was about to close out of my in-box, it beeped this time from Lighting L.
Lighting L: Why didn't you tell me?
Computer Nerd: What do you mean?
Lighting L: (sighing) You being bullied.
Computer Nerd: WHAT?! How do you know?!
Lighting L: Figured it out.
Computer Nerd: How?
Lighting L: I seen you limp when you walk before, I seen your backpack weigh you down unlike Hunter (who's taking the same classes as you), I seen you abort your gaze from Bryan and Lydia.
Computer Nerd: It's not a big deal.
Lighting L: It is to your friends. Who else knows?
Computer Nerd: You and Hunter, nobody else except the ones that do it.
Lighting L: I knew Hunter.
Computer Nerd: And how do you know that? Wait, did Hunter tell you and your just not telling me that?556Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9heRimkQSE
Lighting L: No, well partly. I had my suspicions, I just ran them through with Hunter, 'cause he seems to know everything. He told me about it, and how he came to know it. So in the end, I already knew before I asked him.
Computer Nerd: He just came by at the darn right time, he was one of the ones I didn't want to know about. That also includes my brother, mother, you, and the others. Now two people know, this is just great.
Lighting L: Well, good to know I was on your DO NOT TELL AT ALL list.
Computer Nerd: I just knew you would try to get me to stop it. In all reality, I'm fine.
Lighting L: I so believe that. I'm going to get Hunter into this conversation.
Computer Nerd: You better not! Then it will be two against one, I really don't want to deal with this right now.
Lighting L: Too late, p.s just so you know I'm not sorry, it was my intention to pull him into this.
Computer Nerd: Great.
My computer beeped and said that Midnight H was joining in the conversation.
Midnight H: Yo.
Lighting L: Hey Hunter, help me.
Computer Nerd: Don't you dare!!
Midnight H: Bullying topic?
Lighting L: Yep, exact one.
Midnight H: So glad someone is finally on my side.
Lighting L: Side of concern friends.
Computer Nerd: Well this friend is saying that she can handle it.
Lighting L and Midnight H: No you can't.
Midnight H: This thing is going to end up like Zeke, I can't go through that again, especially if it's you.
Lighting L: Ditto.
Computer Nerd: It won't end up like that.
Midnight H: Haven't we heard that before? Oh yeah, Zeke said that also. And he also promise he wouldn't commit suicide.
Lighting L: Come on, Ann, please do something about it.
Computer Nerd: I have to go now, please just drop it for right now.
Right as it said that the post had been seen, Hunter logged off. I sighed and sat back in my chair, I really hope he wasn't mad at me.
Computer Nerd: Luke, can you make sure Hunter isn't mad at me. I just can't do it right now.
Lighting L: I'll see what I can do. And Ann, he's just worried about you, he really doesn't want you to follow the same path Zeke went down.
Computer Nerd: Hopefully it won't.
With that I logged off of my chat box. Sometimes that thing can just be a pain in the butt. I sighed again and opened the internet up to my website. I was surprise to see my site get over ten thousand views in the last week. I check the comment box, seeing that most them were asking about my identity because I go by a screen name of Rosalyn Question, others said how much they enjoyed the sight. I decided to put something into the Life section.
***Rosalyn Question,
Last time I wrote a section in Life was probably a few months ago when I wrote about my birthday. Well this time I'm on another topic which you might be confuse you, but don't worry if you are. The topic of this section is Bullying.
I have this friend, she is a smart, quiet, and kind friend and student. Now, she's getting bullied, but she says that everything is fine and dandy, but it seems like everything isn't. I seen her limp when she moves sometime, flinch when she accidentally hits something, and inch away from the people that are hurting her. Bullying is a common thing in my school, some years ago a boy committed suicide because of it. I really don't want that to happen to her.
Well that's it for the moment, tell me what you think about. What should my friend do, what should I do.***
I hit the post button and look over what I typed. I basically converted the conversation into where I'm the one watching it, just like Luke and Hunter, unlike where in real life I'm the one being bullied. I was really curious of what they would say, but decided to check it tomorrow. I shut down my computer and plopped on my bed, closing my eyes while I did so.
I must have fallen asleep, for the next time I awoke was to a knock on my bedroom door. I sat up, rubbed my eyes and yelled, “Come in, the door is unlock!” The door opened and my brother walked in.
He had on one of his many blank, white t-shirts on and a pair a blue jean shorts. His brown curly hair was messy and fell in front of his meadow green eyes. “You okay sis?” He asked as he walked over and sat beside me.
“Yeah, I'm fine,” I replied.
He frowned, “Yeah right, you're lying.”
I groaned, “Can't get away from anything, huh?”
“Nope, I know you to well for that.” He brushed a clump of hair off my face and tucked it behind my ear. “But seriously, what's the matter?”
I closed my eyes and leaned heavily on his shoulder, “Nothing for you to worry about.”
He rubbed my back, “That means it something I do need to worry about.”
“Devin, I'm just tierd and my friends aren't helping,” I said.
“Hmm, which friends are this?” He asked.
“Luke and Hunter.” I answered.
“Hopefully it's not what I think it is,” he said, I felt his hand clutch in a fist.
“No, it's not, I promise,” I assured.
His hand relaxed and went back to rubbing my back, “Knowing Luke, I would ask about what he did this time, he's always the prankster. But because you also said Hunter, well the tables turn on that. Knowing Hunter, I would guess he's trying to help you or comfort you.” He thought aloud.
I nodded, “Things turn when Hunter is involved in things.”
“So, who started the conversation? Hunter or Luke?” He asked.
“Hunter,” I mumbled.
“What's going on, then?” He turned where he was facing me, his green eyes changed a shade darker. “What happened?”
I swallowed, “Devin, it's not that big of a deal.”
His eyes darkened again, “You're avoiding the question, something is going on.”
I shifted where my back was to him, “Really it's nothing.”
He grabbed my upper arms and turned me around where I had to face him, “Annabelle Lee, you better to tell me what's going on.” He demanded.
I pinched my lips.
“There is other ways to know what's going on,” he stated while getting up and walking over to the door.
“And what is that?” I asked, an eyebrow rose.
He got up, “Contact Hunter, he'll tell me,” he clarified.
“Devin,” I warned. I got up and walked over to him. He crossed his arms across his wide chest, his eyes glaring at me, “You're over reacting, it's not that big of a deal.”
“Not a big deal? Ann, this is the first time you have kept something from me. And by what I can guess putting together what you have said thus far, then this thingis bigger then you're letting on.” He gently put his hands on my shoulders, “I'm just trying to look after you, doing what a older brother is suppose to do, and right now I have no idea if I should do something or not.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead, “I just want to know what's going on.” With that he left, I watched him go down the hallway and enter his bedroom, which was right next to mom's room.
I sighed and closed my door, no doubt that he would be back as soon as he figured out about what's going on. I really wish that he didn't come in right then, I should have told him to wait while I put on my neutral face and not my tierd one. I fell back on my bed and waited until I heard his footsteps. They didn't come, what did was a beep from my computer. I got up and checked my in-box, a new message from Midnight H.
Midnight H: Your brother called me a few moments ago.
Computer Nerd: Yeah, I know. p.s You probably can't tell but I flinched.
Midnight H: Very funny, why didn't you tell your brother.
Computer Nerd: You know why.
Midnight H: He's just concern about you, you're his baby sister.
Computer Nerd: I know, but I don't want him to be one of thoes protective ones.
Midnight H: I told him about Lydia and her friends.
Computer Nerd: And Bryan's bullying.
Midnight H: No.
Computer Nerd: What?
Midnight H: I didn't tell him about Bryan, just Lydia and her friends.
Computer Nerd: Really??
Midnight H: (rolling eyes) Yes, but I did it so you can to tell him that.
Computer Nerd: Why?
Midnight H: You need to tell him about you being bullied, he's your brother.
Computer Nerd: I know.
Midnight H: So are you?
Computer Nerd: Idk.
Midnight H: Annie.
Computer Nerd: I can handle the bullying.
Midnight H: Yeah right.
With that, Hunter logged off and I slouched back in my chair. I bit my lip as I mulled over his last message, have I really handled it? Yeah, I made sure my friends couldn't see that I was, but they saw the evidence of it. I sighed and powered down my computer, and laid back down on my bed. What am I going to do now that my brother knows half of it and if he asked again then I'll probably blurt it out. I closed my eyes and let myself drift into sleep.
I dreamt of Zeke.
It wasn't the first time I dreamed of him, at the start of my freshman year, the start of my bullying, my dreams were of him. Over the year, I had dreamed of him at least once a month.
In this dream, I was sitting down on the grass underneath the shade of an old redwood tree. It's limbs stretched out and covered me in their coolness. Zeke was sitting next to me, wearing the same clothes as the time where he first began his freshman year. He had on a simple blue shirt on with a pair of khaki jeans. His night-sky black hair was messed up against his light caramel skin, but the kind of mess up that was cute. He had his eyes close and his head was tipped up like he was listening to the sound of the wind that blew through the leaves.
He opened his eyes and turned his head where he could see me. He smile his crooked smile, his ocean blue eyes were shining. “Hey, Annie.”
This was the only time, beside today, when I heard that name, I smiled, “Hey.”
He tipped his head to the side, “What's the matter?”
I closed my eyes, “My brother found out about it.”
“Oh.” He said, “Well, he was bound to find out sooner or later.”
“Yeah, he saw that something was up and when he asked, I kinda didn't tell him,” I started.
“How did he find out, then? Wait, it was my brother, wasn't it?” He asked.
I nodded, “When he knew I wasn't going to say anything more, he left and called him. The only way I knew that Hunter told him was that Hunter message me about it. But sadly, he left the Bryan part out so I could take care of it.”
He chucked, “That does sound like him.” He furrowed his brow, “How is he, he isn't mad at me is he?”
I shook my head, “He isn't, and he's just... protective now a days.”
He nodded his head, “Of course, he's probably afraid history will repeat itself, this time it will be you.” He affirmed quietly.
“He misses you to, a lot.” I added softly.
“I know, sometimes I doubt what I did was for the best,” he sighed.
“Why did you do it?” I asked. I knew that it really didn't matter, this was my imagination, but it still help to know something.
He sighed, “I thought it was better for him. I knew that people saw me as a petite kid, and they saw Hunter as the poor little brother that went through the torture of me.”
“But you didn't torment him, it was the exact opposite you hid it.” I argued.
He shrugged, “That's just what people guessed, thinking I hurt him because others hurt me. I didn't want my baby brother to go through that, so I decided to end it.”
“Without telling anyone,” I whispered.
He must have heard me, for reached over and took my hand in his, “I'm sorry I didn't tell any of you guys, I should have at least told you and Hunter, you two would always ask why about it.”
A single tear escaped, “Hunter and I, we were...,” I swallowed, “we were devastated when we heard what had happened.”
He wrapped his arms around me and pulled me against his chest, “I'm so sorry, Annie. So sorry.” He whispered.
I hiccuped, “It was such a surprise. Hunter and I were at the park, we decided to go there and spend some time there. Your father was the one that came and got us, his eyes were red-rimmed and his hair was tousled. He said he wanted to speak to Hunter privately, but Hunter insisted that I would stay, he told us about you. We both broke down crying, it felt like hours, days, until we stopped crying long enough to get into the car.” I took a deep breath, “At the funeral, I sat next to Hunter. We held hands the whole time.”
At that, I finally started bawling. Tears kept on coming and coming. Zeke held me close, gently rubbing my shaking back and murmured apologies and soothing words. Once I stopped, I buried my face into his neck, memorizing the smell of him. He didn't mind.
“I'm so sorry Annie, I didn't think it would hurt you and Hunter that much,” he whispered.
I hiccuped again, “I just wish you said bye.” I admitted.
He pulled away just enough so he could cupped my cheeks with his hand, his thumb brushed away a few stray tears. He leaned down and rested his forehead against mine. His breezy blue eyes showed sadness, “I know,” he whispered, “I regretted it too, not seeing my baby brother, not seeing him smile one last time.” His eyes grew distant, but then he surprised me by flashing his crooked smile.
“What is it?” I asked, smiling.
His brushed my cheek again, “After all this time, you never asked about it 'til now,” he clarified.
I shrugged, “Just never thought about it.”
“Or never wanted to think about it,” he added. I shrugged again. After a moment, he let go of my face, and leaned back on them. “So, how is the bullying? Has it lightened up or toughened up?” He asked.
“It's been OK,” I said.
“And which definition would that be?” He asked.
I sighed, “Lydia and her gang are still being themselves, the groupies copying me on tests and Lydia being plain mean to me because I insulted her stupid boyfriend.”
He smiled, “But their bark is worst then their bite,” he said.
I grinned, “Isn't that true.” I replied.
His smile turned into a frown, “And what about the other half, Bryan and his group?” He questioned.
“Bryan has... I guess you can say he has became more irritated. Frustrated that I had not yet bended to his will,” I winced, unconsciously placing a hand on my side, “and the beatings are... bearable.”
His eyes glistened with concern, his hand rested on mine that was at my side. “How bad is bearable, 1 to 10.” He asked.
“4 or 5, nothing more,” I answered.
“Looks like a 6 to me,” he replied.
“Maybe,” I said.
His eyes stayed on my side, “Almost getting bad as mine,” he muttered to himself. He sighed and looked up, “He's getting desperate, sooner or later the beatings will get worse, where you'll be limping or at least flinching when you put weight on whichever side that he attacks.”
I swallowed, “Did it happen like that to you?”
He shrugged, “Not really, they were always cruel to me in their own ways. After a series of harsh words they moved to ambushing me when I wasn't expecting it.” He furrowed his brow, “You still walk to school don't you?”
I nodded, “I refuse to ride thoes stinky, icky buses.”
He smiled which faded to a frown, “Does he still live on your street?”
I nodded again, “Yeah, ever since fifth grade.”
“Annie, just as a precaution, please start riding with your brother. Desperate men do stupid things.” He pleaded.
I looked away and bit my lip, “OK, I'll ask Devin,” I replied.
He moved his hand from my side and gently cupped my chin in his palm, “Annie, I need to hear you promise me that while you look at me in the eyes. You lie when you don't look into someone's eyes.”
“I promise, Zeke, I'll ride with my brother for now on.” I promised.
He let go of my chin and nodded, “Good, if you aren't careful, Bryan will try to ambush you like my bullies did to me.”
I leaned back against his chest, he wrapped his arms around me. “Thanks for looking out for me,” I whispered to Zeke as I closed my eyes.
He stroked my cheek, “No problem, I been through it, I know how it feels.”
“Mm,” I murmured.
I felt his lips gently brush over my forehead, “Goodnight Annie.” He whispered, just before darkness swept over my vision.
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