Hey, yo. I'm back. I'm truly sorry for not updating since circa 15 BC, I've been lazy, forgetful, and unmotivated.

Forgive me? Please?

I've recently been contemplating life (in the shower, of course) and I've been wondering:
What are disclaimers even for? I mean, first of all, this is FANFICTION. FANFICTION. That means that the fans are writing the stories. Not the author themselves. Therefore, disclaimers= unnecessary. Stories never get taken down anyways. (At least not for copyright reasons.)

So yeah. Just needed to rant a bit.

Back to the story!

The next day, at school.

"Wow, druggie, you're back." One of the sophomore year students remarked. "I mean, we weren't sure, I've heard there are some pretty big deals going on right now in Detroit, not sure if you were planning on going there or not."

Alex said nothing. The 9th graders, at least for the time being, had decided not to talk to Alex at all. Tom and James were the only ones who hadn't gone to Alex's house the day before, out of respect for Alex, and had no idea what had happened.

The rest of the 9th graders, though considerably softened up towards him, were cautiously avoiding and observing him as though he were some kind of extraterrestrial species.

"Why aren't you replying? Too high to respond, Rider?"

Alex averted his eyes. Don't get mad, he told himself, don't get mad.

"Was it ever really a question, Peter? Of course he's high."

The 9th graders exchanged nervous glances. Should they do something?

"Hey, what happened to that American bitch who you lived with?"

Alex was shaking with fury. His fists were balled tightly, eyes shut.

Students were slowly forming a circle around Alex and the five sophomores.

"Did she realize what a creep she lived with and left?"
"Or maybe she's dead!"

"Yeah, did she overdose on the drugs you gave her?"

"Or was she the one getting you high in the first place?"

He broke.
"SHUT UP!"

Alex's eyes widened, realizing he broke his rule of no back-talk.

Their audience was silent for a brief period. Then,

"What the hell did you just say to us?"

Alex considered his options. Run? No, he wouldn't be able to escape the circle quickly enough. Fight? Only if he wanted his cover to be blown. Scream for help? Just plain pathetic.
He glanced towards Tom and James, both of whom had been told specifically by Alex not to interfere. They stared at him worriedly. Do you need help? Tom seemed to say. I got it covered, Alex mouthed. What a lie.

He scanned the rest of the audience in search of a possible distraction. Only the 9th and 10th graders were there. Speaking of the 9th graders, non of them had bothered taunting him since the events that occurred yesterday, which seemed impossible. They were all avoiding his eye contact. It was strange, but who was Alex to question good luck?

Still.. Alex had been sobbing in the hallway, and not one of them teasing him? It was obvious they knew something, but how much did they know?

His thoughts were interrupted when a fist suddenly flew towards his face.

Alex braced for impact, eyes closed, when he realized things were taking a bit too long for a punch.

He opened one eye.

In front of him stood a scene he would remember forever.

Sally, Samantha, Sandra, David, Andrew, Brian, Mary, Kent, Jen, Ryan, Kayla, Carter, Isabelle, Sinthia, Hannah, Megan, and Brendon were all standing in between him and the sophomores. What?

"Stop."

The sophomore's fist was engulfed in Andrew's.

David turned to look at him with a pitying face.

Megan looked uncomfortable, twiddling her hair in between her thumb and index finger.

Hannah's eyes were trained on her rattly sneakers.

Hell, even Brian was bravely standing in the front line, staring down the taller 10th graders.

Despite the tension and awkwardness, his peers seemed determined to stand up for Alex.

At that moment he knew.

He knew that they knew.

But strangely, for once, despite that fact that he always dreaded his peers possibly finding out, he wasn't scared about it.

And even 13 years later in their high school reunion, and the trophy for, 'Strongest Personality' was being handed to Alex, he didn't feel the slightest bit uncomfortable. In fact, he later was startled to realize that he'd never find a place where he had fit in more than in Brooklyn High.

End

Thoughts? Opinions? Did it suck? Did it rock? Should I write another story? If so, what about?

Thanks,

Sopbak24