When Sam woke up the next morning he was surprised to find himself lying in Hunter’s bed. For a moment he was still, laying frozen as his eyes wealy glanced around the empty room. Once seeing no signs of the hungry lion, Sam found himself relaxing, slumping into the thin sheets. He closed his eyes tightly as he pinched the bridge of his nose and exhaled slowly as if releasing all of his doubts and fears. His nose brushed the edge of the blanket as he scooted further down and when he inhaled he found himself breathing in a scent of oranges. Rosy cheeks hummed brightly as he quickly drew himself out of the bed and left behind that oddly comforting orange scent as he got dressed for today’s classes. He checked again, constantly looking over his shoulder, but Sam did not see Hunter reappear at all. ‘Why has he left so early?’ Sam thought, as he pushed down his collar. A knock sounded on the door and Sam lit up knowing exactly who it was.
“Hey, bro hurry up.” Happy’s voice rang out and so Sam quickly scuttled to put on his shoes and blazer. He opened the door, greeting Happy’s beaming face and a slouched Kay who still looked as bitter as ever. Kay pushed himself off the wall as he slapped him on the shoulder.
“Let’s go, midget.” Kay sighed as he began walking ahead. Happy chuckled as he and Sam followed behind Kay. Like usual, Happy had his hands pushed deep into his pockets as he turned to look at Sam.
“Listen, Sam… about last night—”
Sam flinched as he silently looked over at Happy. Kay also finally dropped his sarcastic look which was now replaced with a guilty expression as he flickered his eyes over to the small boy then looked away. “It’s okay.” Sam uttered quietly. Honestly, it hurt Sam that Happy didn’t warn him, but he guessed that the consequences in Happy doing so would have been major and so Sam forgave him because he was just too forgiving.
Happy scratched the back of his shaved head as he sighed. “It’s not. We should have told you.”
Kay turned around sharply with an angered look. “And what-have them do it to us for months!” Kay scoffed as he looked away, but the guilt still lingered to show his anger was half fake. “You know what they do to cheaters.” Happy frowned, brows furrowing, and Sam really hated seeing the look on his Sam smiled softly. “Guys, really. It’s okay. Hunter helped me anyway.” Happy and Kay both froze, and their eyes widened in fear as they glanced at each other. Happy turned his head to make sure no one was near before looking back at Sam with a fearful expression.
“Sam—you can’t tell anyone that. If they find out he broke the rules… the whole school will gang up on him.”
Kay nodded “Yeah—and even the King can’t overrule all his people.”
Sam frowned as he toyed with his hands nervously. “W-why did he do it then?” He whispered. He wasn’t going to tell anyone, and he was glad he had been told not too before anyone else heard. Kay ran his fingers through his dark locks as they all carried on walking. He shrugged, bringing back some of that casual behaviour from earlier which diluted the tense situation.
“Beats me—maybe he’s got a crush on you.”
Happy snorted before pinching Kay’s cheek. “What—like you’ve got a crush on Peter.”
Kay burned red as he slapped Happy upside the head, the two breaking out into one of their usual wrestling matches. “I DON’T HAVE A CRUSH ON HIM!”
Sam stopped as the two continued, both oblivious to the still Sam. ‘No… of course he doesn’t. Someone like him could never like someone like me. When have you ever heard of a lion and a rabbit…?’
Happy and Kay were still walking, pushing and shoving each other to class as Sam pushed his hands into his pockets and slowly walked his way to class as he thought. Suddenly, his world spun as he went tumbling down, unable to catch himself because of his hands in his pockets and so when he felt the searing pain of his tooth biting down on his lip after his chin banged into the harsh floor, he looked up with blood dripping down his lip as he winced and doup. The chubby boy in front of him snarled a toxic grin as he flashed his browning teeth at him.
“Oops… my bad.” He chuckled bitterly. Sam wiped his lip with his arm as Happy and Kay rushed over once turning around.
The two helped Sam up as Happy glared. “What the hell did you do?” The chubby guy narrowed his eyes as Kay turned his nose up at him, “Yeah fatso. You cause an earthquake it made him fall?”
The chubby guy turned towards Kay who squeaked and dived behind Happy. Happy did not budge but continued to glare as the chubby guy suddenly laughed and held his hands up in defence. “My bad, I didn’t see him.” The three watched as he walked away, and Kay moved from behind Happy with a prideful look.
“Did you see that—he wet himself—man… one more second and I would’ve gave it to him.”
Sam laughed as Happy scoffed. “Yeah sure… you really made him shake…”
“HEY! I wasn’t scared!”
***
The chubby boy turned the corner once out of sight of the three boys. The blond locks hiding behind the corner walked towards him as Lyle’s lips drew back into a smirk. He pulled the lollipop stick out of his grinning mouth as he fished into his pocket. “You did it?”
The chubby guy nodded as Lyle handed him some money. “Good… make sure you keep targeting him… “
The chubby guy did not care what Lyle was saying, he was too busy holding the money up to the light before he shrugged “Can I ask why?” Lyle smirked, chuckling darkly as he walked away.
“I hate rabbits”
***
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Happy frowned as he glanced over at Sam who winced as he used the side of his palm to wipe at his cut lip again. Sam nodded but winced once more.
“It Won’t stop bleeding.” He laughed awkwardly though he found nothing amusing about the situation and surprisingly neither did Kay.
“Hey!” Kay gaped as he slapped Happy in the chest who glanced down at his oddly button shirt as if Kay’s hand might have left a hand shaped mark. “We should get Bear on him. He’s an ant compared to Bear.”
Sam smiled softly but shook his head. “No, it’s okay. It’s over and done with now and if you start something with him he’ll only pursue you afterwards and it’ll just be one chaotic cycle. Best to move on.”
Happy looked at Kay who shrugged and walked ahead whilst Happy took Sam’s elbow and turned him into the corner.
“Sam—listen, Bro… I think it’s great that this is who you are… but if you live out here with that attitude… it’s gonna get you killed, man.” Happy smiled sympathetically as he caught up with Kay to let his words sink into Sam’s head for a bit. The words only brought more nausea to Sam as he closed his eyes and wished his mom would turn up right now and take him home. That was until he remembered what he did, and the guilt stopped him from begging her to come fetch him. Sam sighed as he put his hands into his pockets and continued walking until he reached the classroom.
“Ah—Samuel. You’re late.” Mr Lang’s voice rang out as snickers and mumbled “ooooh’s” followed. Sam blushed as he apologised quietly and rushed towards his seat, shuffling his backpack against his small shoulders. As Sam walked to his seat he passed Hunter who was sitting in the second row near the middle. He was slumped over his desk—one long arm extended out and resting his head against his arm as he slept soundly and not a single wolf dared to prank or taunt him. It was like he carried around a bubble that no one could get into. Sam felt guilty when he saw the slight bags and how exhausted he looked—he guessed it was because he stayed up all night helping him. Sitting down at his desk, Sam got out all of his things as the lesson droned on.
As the sound of Sam’s pen frantically scribbling across his page could be heard—Lyle glanced over towards Dale, the chubby guy, who had agreed to help Lyle out. Lyle nodded once the teacher had left the room and Dale nodded back. Dale got up, slouching his chubby stature as he walked coolly over towards an oblivious, hard-working Sam. Lyle smirked, leming back in his seat as he flickered his eyes over to Hunter, who was still sleeping, waiting to see how he would react. It was this moment and how Hunter would react that would determine just how precious the rabbit is to the lion… and if the lion finally has a weakness…
Lyle’s stomach twisted in pure joy at the thought of knowing it. Dale reached a chubby finger over and casually slid Sam’s book off the desk. At the sound of it hitting the floor Sam slowly looked up, his breath catching in his throat when he realised it was Dale. He said nothing but gulped quietly as he reached down to get it, Dale’s foot stomped loudly onto the book and slid it away. Sam slowly sat back up as he looked Dale in the eyes, trying to hide the fear bubbling beneath them.
Dale snickered as he shrugged. “Just wanna have some fun. I’m bored. Ran outta toys, ya’ see.”
Sam pursed his lips together as he looked away before looking back at Dale. “Well I don’t want to play.”
Dale slammed his fist into Sam’s table, snapping everyone’s attention as Dale snarled in Sam’s face. “Your opinion doesn’t matter. You don’t get a choice—chew toy.”
Sam gritted his jaw but stood up as he tried to back away. Unlucky for him he wasn’t in the same class as Happy, nor Bear or even Kay, though Kay would probably hide behind him.
Lyle smirked as he watched on but so far Hunter had been yet to stir. Dale grabbed Sam by the collar of his shirt as Sam stumbled backwards, bumping into his chair which fell with a large clang. The sharp noise jolted Hunter awake whose lids slowly cracked open and adjusted to the light. Hunter’s eyes fell on Dale and Sam as he sat up to figure out what was going on. Lyle squirmed in excitement and curiosity before the fire in his veins roared with his own surprise, Hunter shoved his hands into his pockets with his bored expression and walked out of the classroom. Sam’s jaw dropped open as Lyle’s grinded together.
Lyle kicked a chair in anger as he swore under his breath upon realising he was back to where he always had been; not knowing Hunter’s weakness. Dale glanced over to Lyle with confusion as if mentally asking ‘should I continue then or… ?’ Lyle waved his hand with a pissed off expression as he slumped in his chair. Dale grinned, turning back to a squirming Sam who tried to get away as Dale rose his meaty hand above his head ready to slam it down on Sam’s face. Sam flinched, his eyes shutting as he waited for the impact but much to his surprise he didn’t feel it. He slowly pried open his fearful eyes only to see Bear towering over Dale. Dale shook as he gulped and looked up at the motionless giant towering over him. Bear’s hand was wrapped around Dale’s hand that looked like a pea compared to Bear’s giant paw. Dale screamed as Bear crunched down on his fist and Sam jumped upon hearing the crackle of Dale’s bones.
Bear narrowed his eyes as everyone watched with wide eyes. “I hate bullies”
Comment