Bullies

__//Bullies//__ //by Leo Schluter//

“Watch out!” That’s all Juan heard before being brought off his feet, and thrown into a locker. There were many shouts and screams, but all he could hear was his own agonizing cries for help. Nothing worked, Jorge was too strong for him, and nobody was going to help him. “Is that all you got,” asked Jorge, continually striking Juan at the same time. The bell rang. //Time to go to class//, Juan thought, practically overjoyed that school was finally starting. “I’ll deal with you later,” Jorge remarked as he trudged off to his locker. Juan lay silently on the ground, and finally looked up into the dark brown eyes of Julio. After he hauled Juan up to his feet, Julio said, “Man, you took a real beating.” “Why’s he on me so much? I mean, what do you think makes me his perfect target,” Juan asked while walking to the classroom with Julio. “You’re the new kid, now. He’s been pushin’ people around ever since he came to this school. Maybe even since he came to Cuba. You wanna know who the last victim was?” Juan could nearly hear rage in his voice. “Sorry,” Juan replied. //He got beaten too,// he thought. //I’m not alone after all.// He went home feeling somewhat comfortable. The next day arrived quickly. “//MOVE!//” Juan and Julio heard all the way down the hall as a reaction to the booming voice. They turned to look. //Oh no//, thought Juan, as he saw the massive figure rotate in our direction. They stood silently as Jorge strode down the hallway. “Ready for another pounding?” Juan stood there, isolated, but this time, less fear in his eyes. Jorge lifted him of his feet and did the previous routine, many repetitive punches, one after another. This time, Juan had less reaction. Jorge soon grew tired and walked away, calling over his shoulder, “You’ve got enough strength for tomorrow? You’re in for a surprise!” The bell rang. //Class starts now//, Juan thought, and hurried to the room. That afternoon, he walked home silently, thinking. //What does Jorge mean by ‘surprise’?// When he came to school in the morning, Juan heard the booming yell again. “Too bad your friend isn’t here. Now I get to beat on //you//!” When Juan heard this, he thought of only one thing. //Julio!// Juan dropped his books and dashed down the hallway. He turned the corner, and there it was, Jorge with Julio grasped in his hand, the other fist held high, ready to strike. Now, instead of fear, anger flared in Juan’s eyes. He dropped his head, and bolted towards Jorge. Jorge finally turned only to see Juan lunging right towards him, and the next thing they knew, Juan was kneeled on top of Jorge, swinging fists like there was no tomorrow. “I’ve had enough! It’s time you see what it feels like!” Juan continually pounded, fist after fist, right down onto Jorge’s still body. Minutes later, Juan was dragged off Jorge’s blood-spotted body, and was expelled. The students watched him leave slowly, but they could all see the proud look on his dirty face. Juan had gone, but as Julio said, he went with his head held high.