*Skips to the last term of the year.*

Same shit, every other day. It wasn’t great being one of the most hated kids in school. Try living with the looks, the names. That’s all that would happen. I’ve become very close friends with Tony and Pete. I feel that I relate to them all the time. Sarah, Patrick and Vic are the better ones, they talk to people and aren’t hated by everyone. Only by ‘the gang.’ It seemed to sit calling them that. Zack now has a slut of a girlfriend and makes my life a living hell, every day.
It’s like he consistently reminds me that I’m a loser and no one likes me. Zack has become one of the bigger members of the gang. He is now the leader with Jack and Jaime. Jaime is still with his slut of a girlfriend and still groans when he has to sit next to me. I don’t understand. What did I do? Nothing.

I was sitting in English, reading ‘The Giver’, which was one of the most boring books I’ve ever had to read in my entire life, when I heard a quiet sob from next to me. I turned my head slightly to the left to see Jaime, sitting there with his head in his hands. I placed my book down on the table and ripped a piece of paper out of my book. I grabbed a pen out my pencil case and wrote something on the paper.

Are you okay?

I slid the paper across to him and placed the pen under his face. I slightly tapped his shoulder when his head shot up. I pointed to the paper below him and he looked at it. I picked up my book again and began to read, until the paper was returned.

Uh no. I’m not okay. If I was okay, I wouldn’t be crying. But why would you care.

I sighed to myself and raised my hand. I saw the teacher nod so I stood up and walked over to him.

‘Sir, do you mind if I take Jaime out the class for a moment, he is feeling a bit unwell.’ I stated, hoping he’d fall for my little white lie. Again, the teacher nodded his head and I walked back to the table.

‘Jamie, grab your stuff, you are coming with me.’ I said picking up my books. Jamie looked at me through his lashes and slightly shrugged. I sighed and grabbed his books, placing them under one arm as my other arm, pulled Jamie from his seat to the door. I let go of him for a second, opened the door, than pulled him out the door. I closed the door and began to walk.

‘If you want your books, you better follow me.’ I said as I skipped up the hall, Jamie following, ever so slowly. I found the court yard and took a seat on one of the benches. I smiled as Jamie slowly approached and sat himself down in front of me.

‘So, Jaime. Are you okay?’ I questioned, hoping he’d talk.

‘Obviously not.’ He stated, rather rudely too.

‘Okay, would you like to explain to why you are not okay?’ I asked.

‘Umm, I don’t even know you. So why would you want me to tell you everything.’ Jaime said, looking at me for the first time. His eyes puffy, lips quivering and sadness was everywhere on his face.

‘That’s true. Well, my name is Stella. I’m 15 turning 16 in about 4 months. Umm, I like to play guitar and I like to sing a little too. Sports are the best and umm, yeah. Now you know a little about me.’ I said with a smile. I swear I saw him smile, ever so slightly.

‘Well, it’s nice to know your name now. I guess I should tell you something about myself?’ He asked. I nodded my head for him to continue.

‘Well, I’m Jaime, 16 turning 17 in about 6 months. I play guitar, bass and I can sing. I like sports also.’ Jaime said with a smile.

‘Well, now we know a little about each other, are you willing to share why you are a little down and a bit cryie.’ I stated while he looked down to his hands, which were playing with the hem of his shirt.

‘I just lost my mum and dad in a plane crash. It’s only me and my baby brother now. I tried talking to Jack about it but he kept telling me it was okay and everything and I know it isn’t okay. It isn’t going to be okay.’ Jaime said as the tears began to stream down his face once more. I jumped over the table, joining him on the same side as him. I pulled him into my chest and placed my arms around his body. One hand rubbing his back while the other played with his hair. His hands found their way around my torso and hugged me tight. His head in the crook of my neck, soaking the collar of my shirt.

‘Shhhh, Jaime. It’s okay now. I promise you that I’ll help you. Even if you don’t want it!’ I said as I continued to rub his back. He pulled his head back and looked at me.

‘Why are you being so nice to me? When I know for a fact, I’ve been a downright rude bastard to you for the past three terms.’ Jaime questioned.

‘Because, I’m a good person. I hate how you’re mean to me, and you seem like such an amazing person. You seem caring and so full of positive energy but you never show it! Why don’t you be yourself for once Jaime? See how it treats you.’ I said as I smiled to him and moved back, after realising him from the hug.

‘Because, me being the person I am, I’ll lose my popularity and friends and I’m afraid.’ He admitted.

‘You are afraid of what your friends think. Well do you wanna know what I think, if they can’t accept you for being outrageous and loud, crazy and happy. Nice and caring, then fuck them. Fuck ‘em all Jaime. Put your middle finger up and yell from the top of your lungs. And if you ever decide to make a change and do that, you are more than welcome to become a loser with me and we can fuck the world together! Who cares what people think, I don’t. And look how I turned out. Things may sting sometimes but you can’t help that. I know the things you guys say to me, hurts me to the point to where I can’t handle it. But this isn’t about me. This is aboutyou.I know that right now, you are going through grief and the fact that you have to look after your younger brother, but know that I am willing to always help you with anything. I’m your friend if you like it or not Jamie. Loser or what. I see you as a friend. I see everyone as I friend. So if you ever need someone to talk too, call or text me. Alright?’ I said taking out a piece of paper, writing my number on it, with my name above the number. I smiled placing the paper into his hands. Gripping onto both of them for reassurance.

‘You will get through this Jaime. I know you will.’ I said before letting go and grabbing my books. I stood up and smiled before I began to walk away.

‘Stella!’ Jaime yelled from behind me. I turned around with my books in my chest and smiled.

‘Thank you!’ He said as he dropped his head to hide his blush which was easily seen. I nodded my head and turned back to continue walking. I couldn’t get the smile off my face. I just helped someone who was feeling rather down and shit. I walked to my locker, grabbed out my food, then made way over to the other courtyard, where I would have met the others.

Sarah finally made her way over and she sat down. I smiled to her and she smiled back. Eventually, Vic, Tony, Pete and Patrick joined us and we were all talking about just nothings and anything’s.

‘Guys, so during English, I was reading the stupid book right, and well I heard quiet sobs coming from next to me. Jaime Preciado was crying. I am not going to say why and everything like that but I helped him. I helped one of the most popular guys in our year. I don’t even know how.’ I stated, smiling with pride. I saw Sarah's mouth drop and Vic looked shocked. We all sat quiet for a while until we heard distant yelling becoming closer. We all turned our head to the direction of yelling. We saw Jaime standing in front of Jack and Zack. Alex and Alan standing behind them.

‘Shut the fuck up Jack. You have no right to say that. She helped me more then you could. Ever! And Zack, have fun fucking my girlfriend. I already know. She’s yours, I can get a way better girl. I got some pretty fucking great advice today and I’m going to use it! Fuck you all! Why can’t you accept people for who they are? I’ve been blind for too many years now and it’s time for me to wake up. So fuck you! Fuck you and most defiantly you, Jack. Go fuck yourself. Goodbye.’ Jaime said before storming off. I couldn’t help but clap and cheer at what he did.

But that was a horrible idea. Jack and Zack were fuming and they looked over to me with hate. I looked over to Sarah and we both stood up. Vic, Tony, Pete and Patrick following soon after.

Slowly we began to walk backwards, not breaking the eye contact between the two groups. Every step we took backwards, was a step forward from them. We already planned what to do if we were ever in this position. We’d split up into three different groups. So pairs and run in totally different direction. I let out a light little cough on which we agreed on as the key word. Even though, it isn’t a word. Sarah and I ran towards the English block, hearing the voice of Jack and Zack behind us.

‘Sarah! This plan failed. They were meant to split up!’ I yelled while yelling.

‘No fucking shit! Quick, in here.’ Sarah said. We took a sharp corner left and ducked down. We were hid behind a wall which had a hole in it. So Sarah and I tried to keep our breathing under control while trying to be quiet.

‘Where the fuck did they go?’ Jack said sounding frustrated.

‘Who knows, but when I see them. Ooh they wish they hadn’t.’ Zack said. The footsteps they left behind began to fade. I moved my head around the corner to see if the coast was clear. Which it was. Sarah and I both smiled and got up. Still out of breath, we decided that going to class was not in the horizon. We walked to the oval and sat down. We were soon joined by the four guys. We found out that they were only chased by Alex and Alan. Alex going after Tony and Vic. Alan going after Pete and Patrick.

My eyes began to wonder the open area in front of me. I smiled when I saw the body shape of Jaime sitting over near the fence.

‘Guys, I’ll be back.’ I said getting up. I walked over to the slouched over body of a man who had just lost his family and fucking friends. When I got closer, he was talking to himself.

‘Do it. She said to call if you need anything. She’s you friend Jaime. Stella is a nice person.’ He said. I smiled down to him and sat myself down.

‘I am your friend Jaime. And you should just call. Stop arguing with yourself. You are going crazy!’ I said with a little laugh near the end. Jaime jumped and turned his head to look at me. I smiled to him and he let out a little laugh.

‘Hi.’ He breathed out.

‘So why did you want to call me?’ I questioned to him. He smiled and looked down.

‘Umm, well I told all my friends to go fuck themselves. And I feel so much better.’ He said smiling. Finally turning himself around so he faced me properly. I smiled back and nodded my head.

‘I know, I saw. I clapped and cheered after you left, but umm, Jack and Zack didn’t find that funny. So they ended up chasing Sarah and I.’ I said to Jaime, my smile slipping and the realisation setting in, that they were going to hurt Sarah and I.

‘Those fucking dicks.’ Jamie mumbled under his breath. ‘Ah, who is Sarah?’ Jamie questioned.

‘My best friend. Come meet my friends? We skipped class and probably will till the end of the day?’ I questioned. Jaime nodded his head and we both stood up and made our way back to the little group.

‘Guys, this is Jaime. Now don’t freak out. He’s not here to harass us or anything. He’s changed. And I know he has.’ I said approaching the group. Jaime shyly looked up to see the group looking at him. No emotion on their faces.

‘I’m sorry for everything I’ve ever done. I never meant to hurt you. But yes, I have changed and I’m not blinded anymore.’ Jaime said. Jaime smiled to Tony who looked relieved but scared at the same time. ‘Hi Tony.’ Jaime said towards Tony.

‘Hi Jaime.’ Tony said back, with a smile. Tony stood up and walked over to Jaime. They hugged each other like their lives depended on it. I just smiled at them. I brought a couple of good friends back together.

‘Jaime, this is Patrick, Vic, Pete and my best friend, Sarah.’ I said pointing them all out. Everyone seemed really calm about the whole situation. Vic and Jamie seemed to hit it off really well too. Everything was great. We lost a dickhead and gained one of the nicest guys ever.

Notes