Triggering: Untitled Story (WIP)

[GoneBeyondRepair]

“Alex! Over here!” Sam called, waving me over to our group. It was the first day of junior year, and as always, it was a fight for a decent table area. For some reason, it’s all about social standings; who your friends are and where your group falls on the chain.
I grinned and raised my hand in greeting before heading over. I was glad to see my friends, but even they seemed to be more acceptable than I. I hoped my research over the summer had educated me enough so I wouldn’t stick out as much. I don’t want to go through another year of being an outcast even with my friends.
As I reached our group, Dace leaped up from the table to give me one of her famous hugs. I hugged back and smiled at her. “Hey Dace. Long time no see. Lookin’ good babe.”
Dace had been in the hospital the last few weeks of the school year after being brutally beaten by a few jocks. I hadn’t been capable of seeing her, or anyone, at all during the summer, and I did miss them. Dace had a scar across her jaw from the incident, and her hair was cut short. It was certainly different, but it looked good on her.
“Thanks Alex. I missed you! Where’d you go over the summer? I forgot.” She looked at me with interest, curious about my answer. A few others paused in their conversations to listen also.
“Delaware. I stayed with my brother, and got to know him a bit. He taught me a lot.” And learn I had. I got to know my older brother, and he helped me along in my research. At first he thought it was weird that I didn’t understand that kind of stuff, but I guess he just sort of figured I was never exposed to it. I still don’t really understand it all, but maybe now I can pretend I do.
“Nice,” said Sam. “Finally got to meet the guy, and you spend a whole summer with him. Guess you made quite an impression, huh?”
“You could say that.” Sam meant it lightly, and I knew that, but I’m not sure I made the right impression on my brother. Did I make one? Hell yeah, but it seemed to make him think I’m a complete dumbass. Not exactly what I hoped for.
“Glad to see you’re back, ‘Lex,” Ronnie called, walking up to us. Grabbing me from behind, he pulled me closer and ruffled my hair. Typical Ronnie.
“Cut it out Ron!” I laughed, smacking his arm away. “Don’t you have better things to do then mess with my hair?” To be honest, I really didn’t mind, and we all knew it. Ronnie pretty much is my brother, which is pretty special. He doesn’t usually get that close to people.
“After you leaving me out to dry all summer? Hell no. Give me a hug, ‘Lex, before I graduate.” I smiled and gave him one. It was hard to picture myself as a senior next year, no longer seeing Ronnie everyday. I’d miss him.
We all spent the next few minutes comparing my schedules with everyone. They all knew who they had classes with through their cellular devises. I had yet to obtain one, and had no contact all summer, so now was the time to catch up.
It turns out I’m alone most of the day. I don’t have anyone in my first two classes, but most of us share first lunch. After lunch, Ronnie and I have AP English together, but then I’ll be on my own again. It’s a good thing I grew up a bit over the summer, or I’d be hit harder than Dace was. I’m not exaggerating.
Ronnie draped an arm over Dace and I. “You two kids gunna’ be okay?” He knew we were both at risk whenever alone, and he tried to keep us all safe.
Dace nodded. “Should be,” I said. “I can walk Dace to French II, since it’s by my class. Could probably get her to history too, unless Mr. Mazzar changed rooms again.”
“Glad to hear that ‘Lex. Now scram, both of you. Classes start in five. The bell just rang,” Ronnie said, pushing us gently away.
“Thanks Ron,” I said, smiling. I hadn’t heard the bell ring. He gave me one of his crooked smiles and waved. “See you at lunch, man.”
As Dace and I walked down the hall, we heard a lot of people pointing and whispering, but no one threatened us. Normally, the two of us together wouldn’t have stopped anything, but I grew up over the summer. Now they’re not sure what to do just yet. If either one of us were alone though, they’ll be on us like wolves on meat. We’ve all got to be extra careful this year, especially Dace.
“Thanks for walking me to class, Alex.” You could tell she doesn’t want to have to need an escort, but who would? We both understand how these people hate on people like us, the ones who are a bit different. We don’t really know why it is how it is, but we know the laws. More so than anybody, I suppose.
“No problem. Gotta’ stick together, you and I. Sure ain’t easy being the odd one out. But we’ve both learned from the past, and we learned more over the summer. Let’s make this year different, all right? Let’s show these bitches, babe. We’ll prove them wrong.”
Dace smiled and nodded. “Course, Alex. We’ll show them all.”
“We sure will.” Even if it’s all just a lie.

X

“Alexa-” I cut Mr. Lander off.
“Alex.” He scribbled this down on his attendance sheet. I hated my full name. Alex, or ‘Lex for Ronnie, was the only thing I’d accept.
“Alex, then. Alright. Next is.. Joanna.” And so he went down the list.
The first day was always boring, but it was usually the safest since everyone was preoccupied with catching up with friends. After all that excitement is over, all hell breaks loose. It’s still not safe the first day, but it’s a considerable amount easier to get through.
German II was pretty decent for first hour. Mr. Kall is pretty great, so even though it was the first day, it wasn’t as boring as usual. World Religions was getting worse by the minute though. Mr. Lander spoke in a monotone voice, and everyone else just gossiped with their friends. Why he bothered to give out a syllabus, and explain every detail of it, was beyond me. But as each minute inched by, I was getting closer to lunch- closer to seeing how I did with my research.
I spent a whole three months with my brother in Delaware, doing my research and getting to know him. His name’s Dallas, and he’s a real tree. No wonder why I grew four inches and gained some muscle. It’s all in the genes. Dallas was put up for adoption at birth, unlike me who lived with our parents until they died a few years back. Dallas and our parents kept in contact the whole time, but I never talked to him until last winter when he called Uncle. S.
I was surprised when I came home one afternoon to Uncle S. saying, “Phone for you,” and held the cordless for me to accept.
“Hello?” I heard a rough voice ask if it was me. “Yeah, this is Alex. Who are you?”
“It’s your brother, Dallas.” Those four words changed everything in my life as I knew it then. At the time, I wanted to hang up and walk away. Now I’m glad I didn’t.
The bell rang then and I rushed out of there to stand by Mr. Mazzar’s class across the hall, waiting for Dace. She’s one of the two people in our group who don’t have first lunch, so I figured it’d be better if I walk her to her third hour also. I might get a little trouble going to the cafeteria alone, but I’d like to know Dace got to another class safely.
“Alex! Are you taking me to geometry too?” Dace asked when she came out of the room last.
“Yup. ‘Cmon, I don’t want you to be late.” We liked arms and started to head towards the stairs. Mrs. Cook’s class is one the second floor where the junior lockers are.
Dace and I only go to our lockers when we have to, which thankfully is only this semester for me. After I drop Dace off, I’ll go to my locker to switch books since my locker is only a few feet down. I’ll have to carry the bulk of my stuff after lunch anyway.
“Are you going to be okay getting to lunch, Alex?” You could tell Dace was worried, but she should just worry about herself. Her life matters more; she’s at least normal. She understands that stuff, and I’m left clueless. I really hope my research pays off…
“Yeah, I should be fine. No worries, alright?” I squeezed her arm gently and smiled. She smiled back and walked into geometry, while I walked to the end of my life.

[Cataclysmic]

This is really awesome, I can imagine what is happening throughout this.

[JollyRancher.]

I got to the end and was like NO!!!

[GoneBeyondRepair]

lol, thanks guys
Daisy- its a WIP, so ill get more up as i get it done and stuff ^_^ nice cliffhanger i left, huh? :P

[GoneBeyondRepair]

“Hey Alex,” I heard someone sneer behind me. “I heard you learned a bit from your brother over break. Did he teach you how to be human?”
I closed my locker and turned around. “What’s it to you?”
“Oh, it has nothing to do with me,” Dan, the senior quarterback, said with a smirk. He put an arm around my shoulder and pulled me closer- too close. “Here’s the thing: if you’ve learned how to be normal, maybe we’ll let you hand with us instead of those homos. If not…”
Dan moved his arm around my neck and pinned me against the wall of lockers. My air supply was almost cut off, but I said, “Bring it. See if I give a flying fuck about you assholes.”
I could picture his face go cold and his eyes narrow. “Wrong answer,” he growled. Faintly, I heard some of his guys get closer, moving in on me. I was thrown to the floor and managed a quick breath before they started shoving their feet into my abdomen.

XX

I picked myself up off the floor a few minutes later and took refuge in the bathroom. My ribs burned, my neck was sore, and I could taste blood in my mouth. I felt a bit worse than I looked, but I still looked bad, so I tried to clean up a bit.
There was a bit of blood on the front of my shirt because it ran down my chin from the side of my mouth. There wasn’t much I could do about that, but I put on my Suicide Silence bandana to hide my purpling neck. As for my ribs, I’d just have to pretend they didn’t hurt. They’d defiantly be bruised later.
I decided it was best to just hang out here until the bell. There wasn’t that long left of lunch anyway, so there was no point in going down. Also, everyone will just be asking questions about why I’m so late, and I really don’t feel like explaining.
When the bell rang, I walked quickly to my next class. I didn’t want Dace to see me, and I wanted to get far away from anyone like Dan. My next class was in the English hall, which houses the senior lockers, so it was the next hall to the one I was hiding in.
I didn’t get any more trouble getting to my class. Mrs. Frac doesn’t conduct a seating chart, so I chose the far back corner. It was always the best seat in the house, at least for me.
Ronnie walked over and put his stuff on the desk next to mine. “Where were you, ‘Lex?”
“Something came up. No big deal.” I looked at him.
Ronnie looked at me then, studying me. I saw his face harden. “Alex, who did this to you?”
When Ronnie used ‘Alex,’ you knew he meant business. I cant lie to him when he uses that name, so I looked away as I said, “Dan and his boys.”
Ronnie sighed and looked at the clock. “Thought you said you’d be okay, kid. Today’s supposed to be safe.”
“I am okay, Ron. It’s just a few bruises. It’s nothing to worry about.”
The bell rang, signaling the start of class. “We’ll talk later. I’m not done with this, Alex.”
I nodded. “Later, then. Alright.”

XX

“What are your last classes, ‘Lex?”
“Nickson for trig, Mason for physics, and Neil for crafts.”
“And you were at your locker when you ran into Dan?” Ronnie asked. I hadn’t told him that, but it was a fairly easy conclusion to come to. I nodded yes. “Alright then. I’ll take you to trig, and I’ll send someone to get you. Don’t go anywhere by yourself, including your locker, alright ‘Lex?”
“Alright.” We walked back to the math hall, past my locker where Ronnie paused briefly. I could tell he wanted revenge, and he sure as hell was going to get it, even if it killed him.
We got to my class and Ronnie patted my head. “Good luck kid, and remember what I said. Later.”
“Later.”
I walked into the room and froze where I stood. On the board next to my name was Dan’s.
Man, was this going to be fun.
Someone came up behind me and rested their arm on my shoulders. Speak of the devil…
“What’s the bandana for, Cow Shit? Hiding a hicky under there? Wait, you’re too dumb to even know what that is, aren’t you? Too much of a freak to know what’s important. I almost feel sorry for you.”
He laughed, but I cut it off. “Don’t bother feeling sorry for me when you’re the dumbass. At least I use my brain. Your head’s too far from your dick to be of any use to you.”
The bell rang, so we grudgingly took our seats. I spent the hour with Dan repeatedly stabbing a pencil into my thigh. Just my luck.

[Cataclysmic]

You're amazing at being descriptive!

[better-than-ecstasy]

I still can't decide who my favorite character is!

[GoneBeyondRepair]

lol, thanks :3
and rach, mine is Ronnie, if i didnt already tell you 150 times... :P


I only had to wait a few seconds to see who my escort was. Katie, Dace’s girlfriend, was heading toward me, a slight look of worry clouding her brown eyes.
“Ronnie said Dan gave you trouble. How bad was it? Dace is really worried. She thinks it’s her fault. What happened?”
I explained as we walked to the science hall, home to the freshman. “Dan’s just an ass, and his group only follows him because it makes them feel powerful. Yeah, they kicked my ass, but its no big deal. Dace shouldn’t feel responsible; she had nothing to do with it,” I finished as we got to my class. “Will you tell her that for me?”
“Sure. See you later, Alex,” she said, walking towards the stairs.
“Thanks Katie.” She smiled and disappeared in a sea of people. I walked into Mr. Mason’s physics class, knowing I’d be safe. He was one of the few teachers who didn’t allow crap in his presence. At the moment, he seemed like a god.
“Nice to see you again, Alex,” he said with a smile as I walked in the door.
“Good to see you too, Sir.” And it was.

XXX

The rest of the school day passed without any issues. Sam took me to crafts, which was nice. Next to Ronnie, Sam’s my best friend. Obviously our friendship is different, but we’re still really close.
Ronnie was standing by the door when I walked out. “You’ve got to be hungry. Slice of pizza sound good?”
“Sure.” I was starved, and pizza sounded like pure bliss. My stomach rumbled in agreement.
We walked down the street towards the Pizza Den. It was only a small diner area, but they had every type of pizza imaginable. Right after school the place is pretty empty, but it’d be packed in about an hour.
“Welcome back, Alex!” the owner of the place called as we walked up to the counter. “How ‘bout a piece on the house, eh? You two kids want the usual?”
“Thanks Lenny,” I said, accepting the melted cheese, pine nut, and onion pizza gratefully.
I took a bite as Ronnie and I sat down in out corner table. “So what’d Danny boy have to say?” I swallowed what was in my mouth and set down the pizza.
“Which time?” It was probably a stupid thing for me to say, but hey, I’m a hungry idiot. What more do you want from me?
Ronnie’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean?” Shit.
“He sits next to me in trig.”
“Alex!” His eyes were blazing. I tried to shrink down inside myself. His anger wasn’t directed at me, but if looks could kill, I never would have existed. “What the hell are you trying to do? Get the fuck outta’ that class!”
“Ron, I can’t do that! I need this class. I need leverage if I plan on getting into college, and you know it! I don’t care if it means I get my ass kicked, or I become a fucking pincushion. I’m not giving up just because of a dumbass football bitch.” He sighed and stood up.
“Eat your pizza and get your ass home. I got shit to do.”
I felt guilty with each delicious bite I took.

[JollyRancher.]

Ugh. Again i get to the end and want to read more

[better-than-ecstasy]

Ha ha yeah you told me. I'm still stuck either on Alex or Dace.

[GoneBeyondRepair]

hahaha, thanks guys


As I walked in the door, Uncle S. said, “Your brother called. He had to get back to work though, so he’ll call back later.”
“Alright, thanks.”
I walked to the bathroom and pulled off my shirt and bandana. My ribs burned, and I anted to see how bad the bruises were. It was bad.
All across my chest, back, and stomach were a series of bruises. My neck was one circular bruise with different shades from where Dan had chocked me. This was defiantly gunna’ hurt in the morning. It already hurt now. Shit.
I decided it’d be best if I had a nice bath. I’m not big on them, but sometimes a bath can do you good. If it relaxes my muscles, hell, it’d be the best damn thing in the world.
As I drew the bath, I undressed myself. The water was steaming and felt good as I sank down into it. I went fully under, immersing myself; it felt amazing and I wanted to stay like that forever, but I ran out of air and had to reemerge.
“I’m going out. Don’t wait up. I won’t be back until tomorrow,” Uncle S. called from down the hall. His announcement didn’t warrant a reply, so I didn’t give it. I knew the routine. I didn’t like it, but I knew it.

XXXX

While I don’t like my uncle’s routine, I do enjoy having the house to myself. It’s not big, or anything special, but I like not having an adult always lurking over my shoulders.
Don’t get me wrong, my parents weren’t like that, and I loved then very much. I guess I’m just at ‘that age’ where I want to branch off and be my own person. I don’t want to be insulated from the world, but I want to have some alone time, insulated from the world that everyone else seems to surround themselves in. that life isn’t mine, no matter how much research I conduct, or how hard I try to pretend.

XXXX

I was looking through the fridge for something to eat when the phone rang. It could only be one person: Dallas.
“Hey man,” I said, picking up the phone.
“Hey yourself. How’d the first day go?” It was an expected question, something a brother might ask a younger sibling, but not a question I, or my ribs, wanted to answer.
“Could’a been worse,” was the only answer I could come up with that wasn’t a lie, or a truth that made me seem weak.
“Research didn’t help much, huh? Too bad.” He tried to hide the ‘I told you so’ laughter in his voice, but it was obvious to anyone.
“Didn’t get a chance to see. I was too busy to go to lunch, and that’s really the only time I’m with friends. No big deal.” I could just see the smirk on his face, the bastard.
“You don’t have to explain yourself to me, ya know. I’m not holding anything against you.” Only he was. But that’s okay; I’ve got dirt on him that he doesn’t even know I know. We’re even.
“Whatever. How’s the job?”
And so we talked for about an hour until I heard a loud crash coming from the kitchen.




XXXXX




“Alex, what the fuck was that?” Dallas’ voice came from over the phone.
“Hell if I know, I’m gunna’ go check it out.” I hung up, cutting off his protests.
I crept into the kitchen with a switchblade in hand. I stayed close to the ground, using the island as a shield. There was a breeze coming in from the broken window. The plant that once sat in front of the window was on the floor, dirt spread about. From my position, I could faintly see what could be a footprint imprinted in the mess.
A break and enter. That’s just great. Now I’d have to call the damn police.
I started to move back out of the kitchen to the phone but stopped when I heard a voice. “Don’t move, Assfuck. You aren’t foolin’ anybody.”
Fuck. How the hell did that asshole find me?
“The hell do you want, Erin?”
I heard a click and then felt a cold barrel press against the back of my head. “I want you, Alex.”

XXXXX

“I’m not doing anything I haven’t already done,” I said, sitting on the edge of my bed.
The gun pressed harder into my skull as Erin said, “You better deliver, Alex, or this bullet goes straight into your thick head. Nobody’s said no to me before you, and you certainly aren’t gettin’ away with it. Fuck no.”
“Shoot me then. See if that makes a fucking difference. I never liked you anyway.” I knew I was just adding fuel to the fire, but I didn’t care.
Erin was the kind of person who always got what they wanted. I’ll admit, at one point, I wanted to be the one who gave Erin what Erin wanted. I thought it was nice, romantic. Then I found out the one thing I didn’t want to give anyone was the one thing Erin wanted from everyone, and I was the only one to reject it.
So here I sat, on the edge of my bed, Erin holding a gun, threatening to shoot unless I obliged.
Erin pulled the gun away from my head and waved it around. “Damn you! Damn you straight to hell! Doesn’t your life mean anything to you? I’ll fucking kill you!”
“Where will you kill me?” I asked calmly. “In here? Out in the street? Where?”
“Right here! Right in this damn bed in your house on Louis Street! I broke in here, and I’m not damn leaving ‘till I get what I want, or you’re dead!”
I hid a smile. “Alright then. Can I at least pee first?”
Confusion clouded Erin’s face. “Uh, yeah, I guess so. But make it fast, and no funny business, got it?”
As I closed the bathroom door, I pulled the cordless phone out of my hoodie pocket. “Did you hear all that?” I asked into it.
“Yes,” said the voice on the other end. “The police are on their way.”
“Thank you.”

XXXXX

The police left late, Erin in the back of one of the cars, a scowl of hatred the last thing I see. I wasn’t needed anymore, since I wasn’t going to press charges and they got all the evidence they needed to make the arrest. Hopefully, I’d never have to deal with, or anyone like, Erin ever again.
Man, was I exhausted, and this was only the first day- without homework. What next?

[Cataclysmic]

Aaah, finally! I was in suspense for so long! That was awesome.

[better-than-ecstasy]

You're welcome!

I love this story! I think I'm going for Alex. But not beacuse of my friend Justin.

[JollyRancher.]

Omg im still left of with the same thought 'More more more'

[GoneBeyondRepair]

hahaha, thanks guys! ill get more up when i get the chance. i havent had time to write anymore yet this week

[GoneBeyondRepair]

My body severely protested my getting up and going to school. It’s a good thing I got up early, so I had enough time to take a hot shower to try and help. It didn’t make me feel great, or even good, but it helped considerably.
“’Lex, you okay? You look like shit,” Ronnie said as I lumbered over to our group.
“Yeah, I’m alright. Late night, is all. I ran into an old friend and got caught up in where I left it.” I was exhausted, in pain, and so not ready for the day, but they didn’t need to know that. Ronnie didn’t need to know that.
“Alex, I’m really sorry about yesterday with Dan. I shouldn’t have let you walk me to third hour,” Dace apologized.
“It’s fine, Dace, honest. I had to go to my locker anyway, so it was simpler. Speaking of which…” I trailed off.
“I’ll take you,” Sam offered. “I need to stop at mine too, and we’re in the same wing. You want to go now, or wait a few?”
“Now. I don’t want us to be late. See ya later guys,” I said to the rest of the group.
“Try to stay safe, ‘Lex, alright?” Ronnie asked.
“Will do,” I assured him as Sam and I departed.
“Are you sure you’re okay, Alex?” Sam asked as I bent down to switch textbooks from my locker.
“Yeah,” I grunted. “Just a bit sore is all.” Sam helped me up, my muscles protesting even more.
“Dan got you good, didn’t he?” I saw the concern in Sam’s eyes and had to look away.
“Yeah, but it’s not a big deal. I’m fine.” I looked back at Sam’s face. The worry was still there.
I don’t want Sam to worry about me. I don’t want Sam to get upset or anything. I guess I feel similarly about Sam as how I once did with Erin, but nothing like that will ever happen again. I don’t want what Erin wants, what everyone seems to want. I don’t see what’s so appealing about it.


XXXXXX


German and World Religions passed without much interference. We reviewed a bit of stuff from German I and got some new vocabulary. In second hour, we started to deluge into the world of Christianity. It was decently interesting, if it was the type of thing you enjoy. I do.
Dace and I walked to her class where I met up with Sam. Sam helped me switch out textbooks since my body was feeling worse as the day went on. I really appreciated it. It’s those little things that get to me, make me think.
I still don’t think like everyone else does, but I do think. I do imagine. It’s just… different. That’s what makes me different. That’s why I’m a target.
But being different shouldn’t make me a target, right? Sam’s German, and accepted. Katie’s bisexual and accepted. Then there comes me, and just because I’m different in a different way, I’m left out of the equation. I just don’t understand.
Why me?

[colie18]

Holy Cow!!!! I couldn't stop reading... that was amazing... sooo all i wanna say now is.. MORE PLEASE!!!!!!

[Bubbles. ♥]

Must... have... more...

[GoneBeyondRepair]

thanks guys.. ill try to write more soon, but i dunno. ive got alot of homework, and stuff.. but ill try