Conner's Pov
I put my earbuds in, starting my music.
Joel was already asleep somehow. I bet he's glad to be leaving this camp.
I don't fully believe what he said was true, but that didn't change the fact he was genuinely freaked out about something.
Ken and Adrian sat near the front of the bus. I don't really think anything of it.
Joel wakes up. He looked like he just saw a ghost.
I didn't say anything to him, and he said nothing to me.
The bus ride went by fast. We made it back to the school and all met up to say bye to each other.
Adrian makes a comment about only coming to school if he feels like it.
We all part ways and go home.
My mom asked questions about camp on the drive home. Basic things like if I had fun or not.
I told her I did, and that was about it for the conversation.
When I got home, I get inside, make myself some dinner, and bring it to my room. I sit down on my bed and turn my TV on to watch while I eat.
I watch TV for a couple hours, then I leave my room to go wash my dishes from dinner.
Once I finish, I head back into my room and to the bathroom. I turn the shower on and let it warm up.
I stand there for a moment before getting in the shower.
The water was very hot, letting off steam.
I stand there looking at the ground, letting the water run down my head.
I turn the water off and get out.
My bathroom mirror was completely fogged up from the steam. I wipe it off, then grab a towel to dry off.
Once I was dry, I get ready for bed and lay down.
I don't remember falling asleep.
I woke up the next morning feeling surprisingly rested. I slept really well, which isn't normal.
I get up and get ready for school.
I head downstairs. My parents had already left for work.
I put my shoes on, then walk out to my car and drive to school.
I sit in my car for a few minutes in the parking lot, looking to see if I can spot any of my friends.
After not seeing them, I decide to head inside without them.
I walk down the hallway and turn the corner.
"What's up, loser?"
I hear someone standing there around the corner.
"Bryan. What do you want this time?" I said.
He steps closer.
"Empty your pockets," he says.
"No," I reply.
He grabs me by the shirt.
"What did you just say to me?" he said.
"I said no."
He grips tighter, pulling me closer.
"You know what happens when you try to stand up for yourself."
He slams me into the lockers hard, one of the dials jamming into my shoulder, sending a sharp pain throughout my entire shoulder.
"You're lucky class is about to start," he said before he lets go, then walks off.
My friends come around the corner.
"You good, dude?" Joel asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I said.
Ken looked over at Bryan.
"Who was that?" he asked.
"It was no one."
I step forward off the locker and start heading to class.
"We're gonna be late," I said, holding my shoulder most of the way there.
My friends follow behind me.
We make it to class and sit down.
I tried to pay attention, but my shoulder kept hurting throughout most of the class.
Eventually it stopped, but at that point class was already over.
I grab my bag and head to the cafeteria.
I was walking through the hallway when I kick something and fall over, landing hard on the ground.
"Agh, what the heck?" I say as I roll over to pick myself up.
Bryan was standing there laughing.
People walked past, not paying any mind to either of us.
"Loser," he said before walking off.
I pick my bag off the floor, then make my way to the cafeteria again.
I get my food and sit with my friends.
Joel was the last one to meet with us. He said he got stopped by Clover, which was weird.
He then tells us about a magician that went missing. He thinks somehow it's connected to what he says happened at camp, but we all think he's just turning it into something it's not.
Layla walks into the cafeteria, and Joel suddenly stops talking.
He looks like he just saw a ghost.
His eyes opened wide.
Eventually, we finish eating and make our way to our next class.
"You sure you're okay?" Ken said. "Did that guy push you into that locker?"
"No, I'm fine. Don't worry about it," I said.
I look over at Joel. He was completely zoned out, not paying attention to anything we were saying.
Adrian just didn't care, so he didn't ask any questions.
We make it to our next class.
It went by fast.
The rest of the day was uneventful.
The school day had come to an end, so I pack up my bag and start to head out.
I tell Ken and Adrian bye.
Joel wasn't around, so I assumed he had already left, which was weird of him.
Ken and Adrian head home.
I started to leave too, but right before I could, I heard a voice.
"Hey!"
I turn around.
It was Bryan.
"What do you want?" I said.
"Same thing I wanted earlier. Empty your pockets, loser," he said.
"No," I said.
His expression changed.
He was growing impatient.
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
He steps closer.
"Are you trying to stand up for yourself?" he says. "What does a no-life like you think he's gonna do?"
My breathing grows heavier.
"Oh, he's getting mad now," he says mockingly. "Now empty your pockets."
"No," I say again.
"We both know you're not someone who can fight. If you could, maybe your uncle would still be here."
Hearing those words triggered something inside of me.
He was right.
I wasn't a violent person, but in that moment, that didn't matter.
I threw my arm forward, my fist connecting with the side of his face.
He stumbled back without making a sound, blood starting to run down his nose.
"You're so dead," he said.
Instantly, I turn around and run out the door, him chasing behind me.
"Get back here, you coward!" he shouts from behind me.
He was catching up, my heavy bag slowing me down.
I make it to my car and open the door.
He grabs the back of my shirt, pulling me to the ground.
"Get off me!" I shout as he pulls.
"I'm gonna kill you," he says as he pulls me further from my car.
I try to break free, the ground scraping at me.
I keep kicking until finally I hit him and break free.
I stumble as I get up, then run to my car and slam the door closed.
He slams on the car door moments after it's shut.
"OPEN THE DOOR!" he shouts.
"NO!" I say.
I start to pull out.
"LOOK AT YOU RUNNING AWAY AGAIN JUST LIKE BEFORE! YOU'RE THE REASON HE'S DEAD, YOU WEAK LOSER!" he shouts as I drive off.