It's Okay

Ok, here's a tiny bonus story; One day, my english teacher said that we were going to do a project. That project was to write a short story. Exactly One week later, at 2am the day it was due, I sat down on my laptop and typed this up ^^ I handed it in as is. The teacher was impressed ^u^

Now, I want you guys to read it as wel, and tell me what you think ^u^ (I already know the tenses might be mixed up ^^'' lo siento ^^'') I hope you atleast enjoy this ^u^

                                                                              It's Okay

           Alex

It was your run of the mill three-minutes-before-class class room. Those already seated and situated were talking to friends close and from across the room, while the late students were silently cursing the spot they were stuck with, either at the front of the class or by an undesirable person. Last minute home work being copied or finished, gossip, a small band of big shot guys in the back giving each other noogies and calling each other gay. Chaotic, but that’s high school for you.

I was just coming in (Only slightly late) when most the other kids were there. I sat next to the window, in between the middle and back. A nice seat really, and some small part of me wondered why such a good seat hadn’t been taken. Then I realized; I was sitting next to Iris.

I don’t really know her, even if she is in most of my classes, but I did know one thing. Iris was diffrent. That’s the best suited word; different.

Currently, she was drawing in her notebook, periodically looking at one of her many picture books (They’re Japanese, I think… Manga? Is that what it’s called?) and comparing it to her drawing. The look in her eyes was one of playful determination and slight pleasure. Whatever she was drawing, it was coming out like she wanted.

I was just about to try to get a better look at it when Derek and some of his posse came up to her desk, grinning like hyenas.

Derek slammed his hand on her drawing, and leaned in on Iris “Whatcha drawing Iris? Is it good?”

A look of what can only be described of emptiness glazed over her eyes as she stared at the now covered drawing. She stayed silent.

“What’s the matter Iris? Nothing to say?” Derek said laughing, bringing his other hand to her shoulder.

“Don’t touch me.” She stared at her drawing as she violently shook him off.

“Oh, Iris, come on, I was just teasing. Don’t act like that.” He was still smiling, almost cruelly. He grabbed up one of her (Manga?) books and started randomly flipping through pages “Maybe you can make it up to me by letting me borrow this picture book.”

Iris jumped up in her seat and ripped the book from his hands, glaring at him with pure hate “Don’t you touch my books, don’t ever touch my drawings, don’t call me by my name like you know me; Just leave me Alone!” She said levelly but with barely controlled ferocity.

Derek grinned even wider (if possible), looking content as he brought up his hands in an ‘I surrender’ pose, “Only playing around sweetheart.”

The teacher walked in just as the bell rang and Derek had taken his seat. Where the heck has Mr. Jackson been this whole time? It’s almost as if the bullies and the teachers have some schedule worked out.

I looked over at Iris. She was straightening out her notebook, trying to get the wrinkles out of her drawing. She looked at the drawing the whole time, staring at it but not really seeing. Her hands, her entire body was shaking. Everyone around her was just paying attention to the lesson, as if what just happened never did happen.

I looked back at Derek. He was laughing with his posse about some stupid joke as they ridiculed one of their own guys. How can he just sit there unaware of the effect his, what, 15 words just had on Iris? She was shaking for goodness-sakes! How can no one do anything about it?

“Are you okay?” I whispered to her.

“I’m fine, thank you for the concern.” She still stared at the paper, her voice slightly forced.

“I’m sorry,” I said. I know it sounded stupid, but I really did feel sorry.

She turned to me with a smile, her eyes closed, “It’s okay, I’m fine. You did nothing wrong. Everything’s okay. Don’t worry.” It would have been convincing if she hadn’t still been slightly shaking.

“Something you want to share, Miss Georgeson?” Mr. Jackson said from the front of the class.

Iris shook her head bringing her hand to her mouth, slightly blushing as everyone stared at her as she stared at her drawing.

How can everyone stare at her like that after what she had just been through? I heard some snickers from the back as Derek and his buddies laughed. I turned to look and saw them making kissy faces at me. I just turned and stared ahead.

Then I realized; I’m to blame too. I did absolutely nothing to stop this. I just sat there and stared at her as they made fun of her. Just like everyone else. And I said I’m sorry? If I had really been sorry I would have helped. She just smiled at me, telling me not to worry as if I had been the one hurt.

I looked over to her again, comparing a picture in her book to her drawing, looking slightly frustrated as if she had drawn something wrong. It was amazing.

           Iris

I was walking/running down the hallways, about to be late for my next class (again). My thoughts wandered back to this morning, 3^rd period when that devil-spawn Derek had made fun of me for the umpteenth time since forever. I sighed. I practiced smart comebacks to him in my head, but could never actually say them. I truly am pathetic.

Then there was Alex (that was his name, right? I can’t remember anything) the guy sitting next to me. He was staring at me like everyone else when Derek was talking, but did talk to me afterwards. What do I expect, a knight in shining armor to come and rescue me from the evil clutches of Derek, the worlds ugliest troll? I’m grateful he was at least slightly concerned. I have to do something nice for him later.

That’s when I ran into them again. Actually, I ran into him. Literally. I bounced backwards and onto my butt as my books went flying everywhere.

“Hey there, slow down” Derek said in his most cruel mocking tone “You might hurt yourself.” The other idiots laughed.

I kept my head down and tried to grab one of my Naruto books, when he stepped on it. I grabbed for another, but his buddies joined in the game. I made one final leap towards my doodle book, hoping to get to it in time.

Right before I touched it, Derek picked it up and opened it. “What have we here?” he said in mock curiosity.

“Don’t touch that!” I shouted at him. The bell had rung a long time ago, but now wasn’t the time to worry about class.

He just kept flipping through the pages of my precious drawing, defiling their awesomeness with his touch and gaze. Then he did something unforgivable. He didn’t need to speak or taunt; he started ripping my drawings. My eyes widened in disbelief as I heard the ripping noise. Periods and Periods of hard work ruined by a pair of hands and a whim.

I tried to hit him, but two of his posse rushed forward and grabbed me, restraining me from movement. I thrashed around, trying to get away, and almost did when more of his group rushed forward to restrain me against a wall.

Derek calmly walked up to me, still looking at my drawings and ripping them. “So, I guess you don’t like me ripping your pictures, eh?”

I struggled even harder. Derek came closer so I could smell the Axe spray (or whatever they call it) that seemed to envelope his body. I almost threw up. “Are you okay?” he said in mock concern, his lips making a pouting face.

I was glaring at him, as if it would make him drop dead “Like anyone around you can be ‘okay’ with that cheap perfume you have on.” I spat on him

His eye twitched as he wiped my spit off his cheek. His patience was running thin. “Can you hurry Derek? This one’s strong.” One of the other jerks said to Derek. I struggled harder (if that’s even possible).

“It’s ok boys.” He said, tossing my book to the floor off to his right “Let’s see what happens if I rip something else.”

           Alex

I can’t believe I’m late for chemistry again. I’m going to get in trouble again and it’s not even my fault gym ended late. I may as well enjoy walking to class.

I was wondering what it would feel like to run to class when I rounded the corner and saw them. It was Iris, Derek, and his buddies. Four of them had her pushed up against a wall, as Derek came up to her, ripping pages from a book. If looks could kill, Derek would be long dead. Iris was struggling, but couldn’t get free.

Her stuff was all over the floor, her backpack being turned inside out by two of Derek’s guys. Where were the teachers? Why did no one notice what was going on?

He leaned in on her, saying something. She spat on him. That’s when he cast the book aside and moved his hand to grip her shirt. Her eyes widened in a moment of fear then she started to scream when one of the guys covered her mouth with his hand. She bit him but he wouldn’t let go. Derek was starting to rip.

“What the heck do you think you’re doing?” I yelled at him, tossing aside my back pack as I started to walk/run over to them.

Derek turned to me and smiled like an adult would a child if they had done something wrong “It’s not your problem, man. Just turn around and go back to your class.”

I kept walking towards them. Not a moment’s hesitation.

“I mean it, man. I thought we were friends. This is none of your business…” He didn’t finish his sentence. He was too busy crashing into the ground after I punched him in the face.

Everyone stopped for a second, staring at Derek on the ground in disbelief and surprise. He was on his side, but now was starting to get up, shaking. Some blood trickled from his nose.

In a flash Iris used to guy’s confusion to rip herself free from them and dashed forwards, grabbed her notebook, grabbed my hand, and ran from the scene faster than I thought humanly possible, pulling me behind her.

From behind us I heard Derek shouting “Don’t just stand there you idiots! Get them!!” I started laughing, he sounded like one of those really cheesy villains from a kid’s show. I ran ahead of her, now pulling her behind me. I didn’t stop until we were at the other side of the school.

We leaned against the wall, breathing heavily. I can’t believe I just did that. I. Can’t. Believe. I. Just. Did. That.

I noticed Iris was looking at our still joined hands. I released immediately and scratched the back of my neck, looking away, hoping that I wasn’t blushing.

“Sorry,” It was the only thing I could think to say.

Iris burst out laughing “’Sorry’? You just saved my sorry butt and you say ‘sorry’? You have nothing to be sorry about. It’s my fault I got caught by them. It’s okay.” She smiled at me again, like she did in class this morning except this time it was more of a good smile.

“No, it’s not your fault.” I said, reassuring her. “It’s his fault, for being born.” She laughed more. It was a good sound to hear.

“Heck, I should be the sorry one, your backpack will be hopelessly turtled” she continued, more serious “You know they probably will make fun of you too, right? They won’t just let this go.”

I nod. She’s right. They will. All throughout my school career, I have been under the radar, never attracting any attention. Now I’m going to be picked on till graduation. They won’t stop, not after how I ‘interfered’. They will make fun of me like they do to Iris.

I take her hand again and smile at her. “I think we can handle it.” She smiles back. “Come-on, let’s get you to the nurse’s office” I lead her down the hallway again.

“Thank you,” she whispers

“It’s okay.”~