Evan’s POV
“Why do you let them pick on you like that?” Dave and I were currently sitting on the bed in the guest room. He sat criss-cross on the bed looking at me while I sat on the edge of the bed. I was staring at the wall.
“What do you mean?” I mummer, not looking at him. I kept my gaze on the floor. I knew what he meant. I just didn’t want to answer. I didn’t know how to. I mean, I didn’t know why myself. Oh wait, I do….there was nothing I could do about it. I was weak. I couldn’t defend myself. I just didn’t understand why they decided to pick on me. Out of everyone, why me?
“They always bully you. Why don’t you ever stand up for yourself?”
“It wouldn’t make a difference if I did. Either way, they will still beat me up,” I told him softly. I took a glance at him to see his eyebrows furrowed together and a look of disappointment and sadness on his face.
“Maybe someone at school can help you. Just stay with them. Surround yourself with people and they wouldn’t come around you as much,” he suggested. I felt a pang in my chest. I tuned my body so that I was facing him. I bit a lip nervously before I spoke.
“I-I don’t have any friends. Nobody likes me. Nobody wants be around me.” I saw anger flash in his eyes.
“It’s not that no one likes you. They do. They’re just too much of a coward to be around you because they think they’ll get targeted and bullied to!” Dave exclaimed. He ran a frustrated hand through his hair and heaved an exasperated sigh. I shrank back in fear. When he saw this, his eyes softened.
“Sorry. I didn’t know. I just didn’t think the bullying would scare everyone away.”
“It’s okay. I don’t blame them. No one would want to be bullied, especially not by Alex and his ‘gang’.”
“You know…if you’d like, we can be friends?” He suggested, although it sounded more like a question that anything else. My eyes widened in surprise.
“R-Really?” He’d really be my friend? A sudden realization hit me.
“Wait, what about Alex? What will he say?” I asked worriedly. He gave me a comforting smile.
“It’s my life. He doesn’t control me, and besides, I’d like to get to know you better.” My face brightened at that. “Anyway, we should sleep. It’s getting late.” I nodded in agreement.
“Yeah…should I take the floor or..?” He shook his head at that.
“No no no. You’re not taking the floor tonight. Stay on the bed. I’ll take the floor.” I felt kind of bad.
“A-Are you sure? It’s okay..really. I don’t mind,” I protested.
“I’m sure.” Before I had any room to argue, he took a spare blanket and pillow and laid them on the floor. He plotted down on the floor and looked up at me with a smile. “I’m sure,” he repeated. I let a small giggle leave my lips at that. I turned the lights off and laid on the bed. “Good night,” I heard him say.
“Good night,” I whispered to him, before letting my eyes drift close.
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