As Sam rolled his suitcase down the cold, grey halls he glanced around with a timid shake. His chocolate coloured eyes fell to the students standing nearby, how all their eyes followed him with narrowed stares and hostile glares. He felt like a rabbit being thrown in the middle of a pack of wolves.
Hungry wolves.
His fingertips clenched tighter around the handle of his suitcase, inhaling softly trying to steady his nerves. He shifted his large, innocent eyes to the backs of his mother and the head teacher, who talked with his hands, constantly motioning them around in the air as if batting away flies.
His mother and the Head finally stopped as they came to the end of the hallway and outside of his office. His mother turned to him with a pursed, fake smile that screamed she wanted to get out of the dingy building as fast as possible. She leaned forward and placed a manicured hand on his shoulder as her smile trembled, almost breaking her happy facade.
“Sam, honey.” She paused. “Isn’t this school amazing?” She breathed out and the Head lowered his eyes as if even he thought that was too far-fetched. “I think it’s best for you… you know… ever since the incident…”
Sam inhaled sharply as he looked away, his fingers tightening around his handle. His eyes shook slightly before he turned back to his sympathetic mother who was squirming, Sam thought that if she had to stay in this cage any longer she would simply explode.
The Head stepped forward and chuckled “Why don’t we talk in my office. We can sort out the rest of the arrangements.” He smiled politely as he turned his head to Sam. Sam grimaced at the large amount of thick hair protruding from his nostrils as he smiled down at Sam. “Sam. Why don’t you go settle yourself in your dorm? You’re in room 46.”
Sam nodded as he turned around and started to walk slowly towards the dorm. His mother stared after him with her hands clutched to her chest as if she was waving him away to sea with the chance he might never come back.
Around all these predators, he probably wouldn’t.
As Sam turned into a different hallway, yet still the same cold, grey walls, he finally reached the halls that were filled with dorms. Most doors were open and so as he walked down them, the squeaking of his suitcase following along behind him, the boys inside glared at him. He felt like he was being sentenced to a life in prison as he walked down. Most boys were either doing push-ups or flexing their biceps. Some sat on the edge of their wooden beds and flickered through dirty magazines and some just spat by his feet when he walked past.
‘Don’t show them you’re weak’, Sam thought repeatedly. He knew he was done for anyway, he didn’t look like a wolf.
He couldn’t even pretend to be a rabbit in wolf’s clothing.
Compared to all the other boys here, who all seemed naturally bulky and muscular as well as being born with glaring, sharp eyes… Sam was small, slim and had the face of an adorable puppy. He finally stopped, his heart hammering against his ribcage as he slowly reached forward and dared to push the door of ’46’ open.
The door squeaked as if protesting and Sam wanted to listen to it and run away. He had no idea who he would be sharing with but the odds that he would be alone were slim. It wasn’t even like Sam could hope he’d get put with someone nice, they were all delinquents in here. It was a school for bad teenagers. Sam held his breath in the clammy walls of his throat as the door swung open. The breath escaped in a wheezy gasp of relief when no one was there.
However, when he walked in, wheeling his suitcase, he noticed that there was in fact items sprawled across the room that suggested another roommate. Sam stood awkwardly in the middle of the room as he glanced around trying to take everything in. He still couldn’t process that he was here, and the shock seemed to fade away to disbelief and slight anger at his mother. Then he remembered the incident and knew he couldn’t blame her for her decision. Sam leaned his suitcase against the wall as he slowly stepped around the room. He picked things up, turned them around in his hands in a curious manner before putting them down and picking something else up.
As he stepped towards the other bed he noticed a black roped necklace with an orange-red stone attached to it. Curiously, Sam leant down as he deftly from his face hooked his fingers underneath the rope and drew it up, so it was inches away from his face.
His eyes took in every detail of the stone, the little black stripes in it and the slightly slanted edges. It looked a little old, but the rope was brand new, so it must have been replaced after it got frayed. Sam gasped out in shock when suddenly he was slammed into the wall. The cold tile of the wall sent shivers up his spine as he arched his back to get away, only to press into something muscular.
As Sam’s trembling eyes slowly opened they locked with dark, forest green eyes drawn into a nasty slit. Sam was being held to the wall by his throat and although the hand around his throat did not squeeze, it frightened Sam how much strength was mustering in just that one hand. As Sam looked at the face inches away from his, he couldn’t help but shiver.
A boy towered over him with ease, a tall, muscular, lean boy who was at this moment wearing no shirt, allowing Sam to witness the six-pack painted upon his stomach and the ripple of veins producing down his flexed bicep that pinned Sam to the wall. The angry, black-headed boy leaned closer with his dark lips pulled into an angry snarl. “Don’t touch my stuff.” Sam held up his hands in defence which made the black rope that was hooked onto his fingertip, swing as it glimmered in the dull, flickering light and caught the boy’s attention. He ripped it out of Sam’s hand as he stood back and let go of Sam. Sam choked as he spluttered for air, bending down against his knees even though the boy never applied any pressure.
Sam looked up as the boy ducked his thick black locks and hung the necklace over his toned chest. He turned his head back to Sam and Sam noticed the cold, empty expression that seemed permanent on this boy’s face. His sharp, green eyes flickered over Sam as he reached over and pulled on a white t-shirt that strained against his abs and clung to his biceps.
He said nothing else as he reached over and ripped his jacket off the edge of his bed before he stalked out of the room, leaving Sam to slide down the wall to try and steady his pounding heart. ‘I’m gonna die here…?’ Sam thought hopelessly.
Sam’s mother had left long ago with a teary wave and a silently sympathetic cry as she walked away. Sam was slightly peeved as he sat on the top of his bunk, tossing a red ball back and forth. His throat still ached from the slender fingers wrapped around it and every time he thought about how painful it was he then imagined how painful it would be if the green-eyed boy actually applied some pressure, then Sam would shiver, and his hopelessness would start all over again. The ball bounced and hit the roof as the door creaked open and Sam was quickly shuffling up, ready to guard himself as his hand unconsciously fed to his slightly red throat. Instead of a mass of dark, wavy locks and angry, jaded eyes, Sam was met with the sight of a shaved head and big, round blue eyes.
The head poked in as a grin escaped the shaved head. “Ah! I heard we got a new one.”
Sam frowned as he leaned over his bunk to glance at the new guy. Sam cautiously took in the boy who stood at the doorway. He too was bulky but not oozing with muscles, more the fact that he was probably naturally big boned. His head was shaved low, only dark stubble protruding from it and he had light blue eyes and a slightly big nose that had a small, brown mole on the side of it. He was not bad looking nor did he give off any violent signs.
“Hello.” Sam answered wearily. The bald guy grinned and Sam noticed that when he grinned his mouth seemed to stretch extremely wide whilst his eyes closed. Sam didn’t think he’d ever see someone look so content in a school like this. The boy, who had his hands glued into his pockets, remained by the doorway as he used his head to motio him out.
“You coming out, bro?” The boy asked before he chuckled slightly, “I’d come in but we all know not to tread on this territory.”
Sam frowned, thin brows furrowing together as he hopped off the bed. His eyes flickered to the bed below, scruffy and unmade and Sam made sure that when he walked past he didn’t even so much as look at that boy’s things. As Sam approached the bald guy he was hit with a scent of flowers. Sam’s nose twitched, his brutally honest personality made him want to ask but he swallowed it down, figuring that a bulky guy who went to this school would not like being asked why he smelt of flowers.
The bulky guy grinned as he motioned with his head and the two stepped out the door. “Ah, that’s better, isn’t it? I felt like I was risking my life stepping in there.” He chuckled. Sam said nothing but just wearily watched him as the two began to walk. The boy walked with a slight dip in his step that portrayed how happy and carefree he was. Sam panicked, he felt as if he was being led to some fight where he would be taught who’s the boss in this school.
However, to his surprise, the bald guy only led him to some benches outside. They climbed them before sitting on them. “My names Happy.” Ðе introduced. “Of course, that’s not my real name but it’s what everyone calls me.” Happy explained as Sam nodded slowly. Happy grinned at Sam and Sam could see why everyone called him that. Happy parted his knees as he rested his elbows on his legs. Sam watched him stare out at the group of guys playing basketball. “You know, I won’t lie to you, things’ll be tough. But if you stick with me you’ll be fine.” Happy was smiling at Sam again and Sam couldn’t help but feel that there was some kind of condition. However, Happy never mentioned a condition.
“What’s it like… here?” Sam asked hesitantly as Happy and himself got up and started walking. Happy was shoving his hands back into his pockets as if he would suddenly lose oxygen if he had them outside of his pockets. Happy shrugged for a moment as he tilted his head up to the sky to think.
“S’not so bad. I enjoy it here, but that’s because I have a lot of friends here—I tend to get on with everyone.” And Happy was right. Every time Sam and Happy walked past someone they would always call out to Happy, who grinned and waved back. Sam felt that after walking alone this morning (with the hostile stares he earned) he felt much safer walking with Happy where no one seemed to glare at him. “I won’t lie and say there ain’t a load of fights, ’cause there is. An’ sometimes you get picked on for no reason, just some guy wanna start a brawl.” Happy continued as they walked down to the field. Happy turned his head, smiling from ear to ear as he finally removed a hand and slapped it on Sam’s small shoulder. “You’ll be fine kid, just stick with me.” Sam smiled gratefully but his smile was slightly faked and nervous. Happy slung his arm around Sam’s shoulder. “C’mon, I wanna introduce you to some people.”
“HEY GUYS!” Happy bellowed as he cupped his hand around his mouth. The two approached a group of three boys all sitting crossed legged together. Apart from the large one who was standing, leaning back against the wall. Happy smiled as if seeing them made him happier but Sam didn’t think Happy could get any happier. The one closest to Sam nodded his head with a weary frown. “Who’s this?”
Happy smiled as he removed his arm and placed them on the shoulders of the boy who asked. “This is Sam. He’s new here, figured he could use some friends.”
The guy under Happy’s hands growled quietly. “Damn, Happy. Why you gotta be bringing newbies all the time!”
Happy threw back his head as he let out a throaty laugh. “Ah—Kay. You were new once as well. Don’t you remember when I saved you from the group of baddies.” Happy teased as he reached over and pinched Kay’s cheek.
Kay glared as he scoffed, batting Happy’s hand away. “You didn’t save me, I could have beat them, I was just going easy on ’em.” Happy rolled his light blue eyes as he stood back and smiled at Sam.
Comment