3.

Samuel was walking slowly because he didn't feel like arriving and was a little nervous, he didn't know how to return that borrowed jacket

When he arrived, he was surprised that the bullies were not at the entrance waiting for him, but he heard a scandal in a part of the institute that was a little far away and that made him realize something

They were beating someone, when he approached he realized that they were beating a blonde-haired boy was Peter Anderson

Stop! --says Samuel, standing in front of the boy and meeting Mathew's gaze.

Haha look at him he feels bad because you changed him Joseph -- one of the bullies was making fun of him -- why don't you hit him?

Shut up, you better go," says Mathew looking at the boy, "we'll be late and Mrs. Park will scold me.

Peter, are you okay? //ARE YOU STupid? THEY KNOCK YOU AND ASK YOU IF YOU ARE OK// you yelled at Smith for his stupid question

Y...if I'm okay, don't worry," says the boy rising with a weak smile--thank you.

No need to thank you -- it helps you get back on your feet -- we need to go to the nurse's office to heal your wounds

The boy only nodded weakly, Anderson was also teased for being shy but had never been beaten

// Was it my fault? // Samuel wondered but quickly denied

Great...thank you Samuel," says the boy sitting there watching the other boy heal his wounds, "you shouldn't have helped me.

It doesn't matter, plus I still get hit," he says with a smile.

How can you smile so much? --says the boy standing on the bench -- you tell me you get hit with a smile, are you sick?

Samuel couldn't help but laugh--of course not, it's just a promise I have to keep--he looks at him with his little bright eyes as he remembers his mother's smile.

It's okay," he says walking to the classrooms, "mmm... No...We'll meet at the break?

Sure," says Samuel with his even wider smile, "I'll see you.

Samuel, upon entering the classroom, was scolded by Professor Park. After a few apologies and silly explanations, he was finally able to go to his seat, but this one was occupied by one of his favorite desks.

Ho...hello I'm Felix -says the orange-haired and cute little boy-

Hello--whispered so the teacher wouldn't challenge him--I'm Samuel

He receives a smile from the freckle boy and a look from Joseph who was watching him too much every time he talked to Felix the look intensified but he just ignored it

Emma... Lix, do you want to be with me and a friend in the break?

--Samuel had no friends because he didn't want to, but he liked Felix too much and Peter has suffered just like him.

Of course! --she says, smiling and putting her things away.

On his way out he meets Joseph at the door

Samuel, let's talk," he says seriously.

They're waiting for me outside," he says in a cold way, "I was angry because I was a fool who beat up the weak.

He and Felix left the room ignoring Joseph to meet Han

Anderson, this is Felix," says Samuel, introducing the boy.

Hello," says Felix with a smile, "mmm... Are we going to eat?

Anderson quickly smiles and nods

Sitio I'm hungry," he says with a smile, "and my name is Peter Anderson.

After looking for something to eat they sat down at one of the tables at the end to enjoy their meal, Samuel hadn't eaten for two days and he forgot to eat at home. He never ate, he hid at school and didn't go to the dining room and sometimes he ate at work when Leo forced him to.

Yum yum," said Felix year to see Anderson fill his cheeks like a squirrel, "you're a little squirrel," he laughed mockingly.

Samuel, you're not eating," says Anderson, worried about hitting Felix.

Eh? Sorry I got distracted - she gives him a smile and eats out of his sandwich with a little apple juice - you're right Lix does look like a little squirrel - she laughs.

Lix?-says Anderson looking ugly at the two of them-- samia I want a nickname-- pout

Pett," laughs Samuel.

Squirrel sounds better," says Felix.

When they played to return to the room, the three of them went together and said goodbye to Anderson and the other two went to their room but Samuel was stopped by Joseph

Joseph let me pass," says Samuel pleading.

Samuel -- Joseph touches him on the shoulder and hears a loud groan from Samuel -- what's wrong with you?

Nothing," says Samuel, shaking his head.

Joseph didn't believe him and took him to the infirmary, which was always empty and would be no exception this time.

Joseph, let me go, I'm fine," says Samuel, frightened.

I don't believe you -- says Joseph taking off his t-shirt and skirt noting the wounds on his back

--Who did that to you? --he says, surprised and angry

No...no one matters," says Samuel, shaking and embarrassed, "give me my clothes.

Samuel I will sit and let me heal your wounds," says Joseph making him sit.

E...this b...well---says no one has ever seen him like this before--

Joseph would carefully clean the wounds and every time Samuel complained he would apologize

Joseph was surprised by the body of the youngest not only by the wounds was very thin and that worried him, not only healed the wounds also caressed his skin and put bruise cream on his bruises that had until he reached the part of his ribs and Samuel had to turn, the older could not help but be moved to see the boy blushing looking at him from time to time

Samuel, how long has it been since you've eaten? --he asks, even after the bruises have healed.

Eh?-- Samuel tilts his head-- since the break why?

Samuel... --I'm not a doctor, but I don't need one to see that you're not eating well, you're too thin, and your eyes show that you haven't been sleeping well," says Joseph, worried.

We saw each other at 4 in the morning, Joseph, neither you nor I know how to sleep," he says, smiling, ignoring what he said before, "but you're still very thin, aren't you?

I'm slim, even if I ate all day I wouldn't get fat," he sighs, "but it doesn't matter," he says, noticing that the boy didn't want to talk about it. Just like Han

Do you want them to walk away now? --says Samuel, looking at the floor. "Joseph, I still want friends.

I just asked you -- I sigh Joseph -- don't be defensive

Joseph... Why...why did they beat up Han? --Smith asks with some trepidation.

I only hear a sigh from the biggest

I don't know," says Joseph, "I just went with them.

And John so...did he hit him too? --he asks, fearing for the answer.

I guess if," he says, looking at the boy's wounds.

You think if I let them hit me they won't hurt him?-- he says, looking at the boy who had stopped.

I won't let them hit you Samuel -- he says angrily -- and it's not worth it to get hurt by others

Of course," says Samuel in annoyance, "you should always take care of the others you care about

You just met them! --says Mathew even more annoyingly.

So what? -- says Samuel a little more calmly he was not to get angry-- you don't know me either and you are helping me, right?

Joseph stopped

Samuel I do know you // I think so// -she says looking at the boy with his dull glances-- it's different

In what? --says Samuel, looking away as he knew the answer.

That I like you," says Joseph caressing one of the bruises on his shoulder, "and that I have hurt you too much because of my pride.

I'd better go to class," he says, standing up and taking his shirt off, but this one was stopped by the older man.

Are you working today? --he says, taking his arm gently.

If --she sighs heavily-- I work all week

The older one nods

Can I come with you? --he asks without letting go.

If you don't fight with Leo it's okay with me," says Samuel with a smile that destroyed the older man.

The older one notices that even the younger one had his torso bare -- I'm -- sorry -- he drops his arm quickly blushing -- I didn't realize

It doesn't matter," says Samuel getting dressed -- thank you -- "it gives him such a real, bright smile that he didn't seem to have any problems or pain in his life.

I won't argue with that boy," says Mathew resignedly, "I just want to make sure nothing happens to Samuel.

It's okay but lix and pettie will come with us -- he says looking at the boy who ordered what I use to help him -- pett lives nearby and lix will go look for work in the cafeteria

The older one just nodded and turned to the boy to get out of the infirmary and go to class. They had only missed half of it and the good thing is that he missed the teacher so they passed without any problems.

Samuel went to his seat next to Felix who was looking at him a little strange as he did not understand anything

Samuel emmm... --said the boy thinking what he would say without saying anything.

Lix -- I look at him with a smile -- don't worry -- he said as if he knew what he thought, freckled -- another day I'll explain everything

The boy just nods with a smile and turns to take out his bag

I have cookies," he says, offering Smith, "they're good

Samuel took out one of the cookies and turned around to find Joseph looking at him without expression

// what's wrong with him? // Samuel questioned himself but ignored him and took advantage of that cookie that Felix wasn't really lying about was delicious

_____

Joseph kept watching Samuel, thinking only about what might have happened to him

// who is responsible for those horrible blows, was it me? // just thinking about him being a part of it squeezed his chest and his stomach hurt

Seeing the boy smile and talk to the new guy as if nothing was wrong made him feel good but he hated that those smiles were not for him

He didn't realize at what moment or how much they were looking at each other until he turned around to eat that made him relax even though it wasn't much the boy was eating was the important thing he hated not being able to know more about the boy so many years he was an idiot and now he regretted it he was really stupid.

The classes went by quickly and the kids were ready to leave and Samuel would not deny that he was nervous and a little scared to know that Joseph would leave with them

// What if it was a trap?// That tormented him

Shall we go? --says Anderson at the door of the other two boys' classroom.

The kids just nodded and walked out of the school. It was always a challenge for Samuel to get out of there without being seen, but now he wasn't meeting any of Mathew's friends or the one named, and that helped him breathe a little easier until he heard Joseph's voice

Samuel," says Mathew running to him and gives a smile to the other two, "I'm not going to be a fool.

Anderson just walks up to Samuel and talks in his ear--do you talk to him?

Then he explained sunga--he told him with a smile which he only nodded and he did not understand what was happening, then he had to give many explanations--.

Samio! Let's go," says Lix, somewhat desperately, "we'll be late.

Relax lix, the cafeteria is not that far away," he says walking behind Anderson and lix.

Joseph didn't say anything, he just watched Samuel smile every time the other two did something stupid.

Joseph! --That voice became familiar to three of the four boys and made one of them a little afraid.

Bing," says Mathew, stepping away from the other kids.

Hey, what do you do with them -- make a display of disgust and pose on one of them in particular -- will you go to the gel party today?

Of course, I wouldn't miss it -- says Joseph with an arrogant smile -- it's his birthday, right?

It's his cousin's," Lucas says, laughing at his friend, "if I had listened to you, I would have hit you.

You're right," he says, "you turned the other kids around by signaling them to leave.

Samuel just nodded and left with the other kids at a fast pace

Who was he? --Felix asked without understanding.

They are horrible people and one of them was missing, well, two of them and their whole team of louts - says Anderson with Mr. Puckered - they are stupid and, by the way, Min, what were you doing with him?

Felix just watched them without understanding anything

Nothing important," says Samuel, avoiding whatever was going on between them, "he just asked if he could come with me

Anderson just sighed and said goodbye to the kids and went home

Felix, are you ready? --says Samuel, looking at the freckled man nodding.

They both came in and changed jobs for him as Felix was immediately accepted and asked to start that day as they were short-staffed

Sah! it's so sweet I think I'll trade you for him sammie," Leo said as he pressed the cheeks of the freckle.

Leo leaves and goes back to work," says Smith, pulling his hands from his friend's cheeks.

Uh! don't be jealous samu -- he says, laughing at the boy's gestures -- you know you're the only baby

Leo, I won't be the one who's jealous, it'll be someone else," he says, looking at the full boy at his workplace today, and he knows who I'm talking about.

You're talking about Noah," says the eldest with exaggeration, "he doesn't love me," he pouts.

Have you fought again? --says Samuel with an obvious look as he knew the answer.

HE ATE MY CHOCOLATE! --says the most angry one, "it was mine, not of that I will not forgive him

Samuel was going to talk but the door opened to show 4 boys that Samuel was afraid of, yes, it was them

Leo was only alarmed because Samuel did not hide and they would pass by the box

If you want, I'll take care of them," he said quietly so no one else would hear.

Don't worry Leo -- it gives him a reassuring smile.

What do you want to order? -says Samuel with his best smile although he was shaking too much but he wouldn't show his fear but the only thing he received was a mocking laugh from one of the boys

Wow samia I never thought it would come to this -- laughs John -- and your sister came back? Or did she leave you?

Samuel only smiled at him to avoid crying but he knew he wouldn't last long -- do you order now or would you rather be waited on at tables?

Are you deaf? --Samuel only paled and his whole body began to tremble and he looked at Leo for help.

If you're not going to order I should ask you to leave," says Leo, trying not to hit the black-haired boy and with all possible education.

John, stop it," says Joseph in a threatening tone, "if you're not going to ask for something better, don't talk.

Yang! I was just playing-- pouting--

Joseph didn't treat him like that anymore. He just played," Patterson says with a laugh.

Joseph just snorted and looked at the boy who walked away from the box without saying anything and left the place

Samio," says Leo, concerned.

I'm fine," he lied, "you can just keep on tending to it and I'll be right back," he said as he left the room.

Samuel only cried in the bathroom, he felt weak, cowardly and many other things

He wouldn't stop crying, his chest hurt, he was afraid and if John told the others, he was the only one who knew about his story and that scared him too much

Sammie? --this time Felix called him-- Leo says you must go back to work or else you can be fired

He didn't get an answer, just heard some sobbing and the door opened, Felix didn't think twice and went in to see the boy

She found him on the floor with his red cheeks and his eyes full of tears

Lix," said Samuel, almost without a voice.

Sanie -- hugs him -- calm I am here -- helps him up -- you can trust me

Samuel just hugs him tightly and nods trying to calm down

Sammie I'll take care of you--Felix gives you a smile and dries your tears--then we'll talk and we can do something to distract you, okay?

S...yes", says Samuel getting up and washing his face to leave the bathroom a little weak and when he left he only saw Leo and his look went straight to the table in front of him or rather to the eyes of Joseph who looked at him worried but he only smiled and continued to attend as if nothing happened, again he was pretending

The day went by quickly but a little bit nervous Samuel noticed that the 4 boys were still not leaving and his shift was ending soon today he did not close the cafeteria it was Friday this day was until later and the other shift would arrive

Min! --says Leo, drawing the attention of the boy who was tidying up his things.

Mmm... No," he says, looking at the boy who was alarmed by his response, "I don't want to bother you.

Sammie today is Friday and you know what happens," says worried Leo, "and you don't bother, you know that Pett and I love you

But they're fighting, so they'd better make up," says Samuel looking at Felix who had just finished tidying up his things too.

Sammie, today you can stay at my house," says Felix, "today Mom won't be there and neither will my brother.

//Does Felix have a bionic ear?" thought Leo, who had also heard this before when he was waiting on tables.

Mmm... It's okay," says Samuel somewhat hesitantly, "but won't they be angry with you?

No, mom loves that I have friends -- she says leaving the place -- we can call Pett anyway

Samuel nodded smilingly, forgetting his fear of the kids who kept watching him until he left the cafeteria?