The bell rings, has school started already? Ethan heads towards the main building, Gertrude follows a few paces behind him, she doesn't want him to be seen with her. Ethan enters the first class of the day, he doesn't know the subject, he doesn't care. There's a seat near the front, away from Gertrude, he takes it. He sits down, here it is again the sirens, the sweating, the shaking. "You've fucked it" he thinks to himself, "you've followed the crowd, you're hopeless, you cant stand up for shit. The devil? The same girl who can't even hold eye contact with someone? Yup sure shes definitely the devil, fuck you Ethan, you're a sheep.what,can't take a few hits to the stomach? Pussy. That poor girl Ethan, she's done nothing wrong and now you cant even sit near her, weakling, get rid of that fucking t-shirt, you're no shaolin monk you're a bully. Weak, weak,weak fucking weak. Look you're sweating now arent you, you didn't even notice her enter the room did you, she hates you, everybody hates you Ethan, look at how slowly shes walking Ethan, poor girl, youre going to break her Ethan, she cant take anymore, step, step, step…ooh shes taking the long way to her seat Ethan, shes gonna walk past you, what a punch to the gut that is isn't it, I suppose you're used to punches to the gut aren't you,you pussy, stop fucking shaking you pussy, look she's at your desk now, shes about to walk past so slow, how guilty will you feel after that happens? But she wanted this right? Hahahahahaha Ethan you prick you know she didn't want this, she asked for this she doesn't want it, she wants a fucking friend. Such a slow walk, just enough time for guilt…what's that? She's smiling, why is she smiling? You saw that Ethan, for a split second she smiled at you. Is she happy you're ignoring her? Fuck she's so broken Ethan, you really are ruthless…somebody who smiles at isolation…and you're treating her like shit? It doesn't even matter if you treat her like shit does it? You're still a freak lover. Ya put your head down, everyone's watching now, you're playing dead? No that's not it you feel fucking dead, here comes the waterworks, you know you can't cry in school, you're brand new school, do you want everyone to know how much of a fuck-up you are? You know what you have to do? You have to take it don't you? You know you'd rather the feeling of a hiding than the guilt of excluding this girl, you're used to it, it follows you, that's all you're good for, a punching bag. It's in your nature isn't it? Stand up for whats right, bullshit, that's why you're crying, you're such a revolutionary arent you Ethan, fucking prick. There's something else about her isn't there, something that goes beyond guilt, is it a little crush perhaps? No , it's something else, you can't even explain it, but you want her to be safe, ya nice going dickhead, you cant even go near her while people are around, how are you going to keep her safe? What's that noise? Is that the bell? You didn't even notice the class start let alone finish. You aren't ready are you? You're still trembling, you can't even breathe properly, how could you? You've been imprisoned by your mind for an hour, no breaks. You're exhausted aren't you? Nawww Poor baby, how does she feel, look at her…oh thats right you can't, you can't even raise your head. Get up, get the fuck up".
Ethan raises his head, still trembling. He looks around, the classroom is empty, well almost, the seat behind him is occupied by Gertrude, a slightly concerned look on her face, he can't see just how deep her finger nails are dug into her thighs. "That's weird" he thinks to himself "that's not where she was sat, was it?". She stands up and walks past his desk toward the door, she looks embarrassed. Ethan leaves the classroom shortly after, the big guy who punched him in the stomach is stood outside with two other guys, one of them being Kyle. Kyle puts his arm around Ethan and starts walking towards the canteen,"see guys i told you to give him a chance, he's not bad at all", the big guy follows on "ya sorry I hit you, you gotta understand how much of a freak lover you looked like", the group erupts into laughs, Ethan lets out a fake chuckle to fit in. "Come on Ethan, join us for lunch, I'll pay as an apology for James here" Kyle says, pointing his thumb at the big guy. "Oh ummm, no I'm ummm, I'm gonna head home for lunch, thanks for the offer though", Ethan responds. "Going on a little date with Gertrude are you?...nah im joking, just busting your balls ... well see you later Ethan" Kyle says, leading his group of merry morons to the canteen.