Chapter 49: Resolute (Part 2)

Looking at my school again knowing this is my last time to step into it was probably the best feeling in the world.

"Thanks guys." I say to the movers once I step out.

And it's a chaos. The fuck? Why are there a bunch of people in school grounds right now? Great, I might as well forget my things. I walk away from my school in quick defeat until someone calls for me.

"Yo Rhys!" I completely freeze. I have never heard that voice before. Hell, I have never heard that type of tone in their voice whenever someone would call for me. I turn around. Oh, I know this guy. I just never spoke with him in my entire life. I think his name is Chaz. He goes, "Man, you good?"

"Uh, what?"

"We heard about you saving someone's life a couple of days ago. That was sick. Oh, and your project from art class—That was lit, bro!" Chaz playfully punches my arm, "Look, I know about the bullying you deal with and it all sucks. Sorry for not doing anything about it."

"Ah haha," I stammered, completely shock of what's happening. This is probably another prank or something, "Are you—"

"Guys! Rhys is back, y'all!"

Before I could ask, more people came towards me and calls my name, "Rhys! Was it true? Did you actually run around the entire town to save that girl?"

"Well, I didn't run per se—but…"

"I heard someone got struck by a lightning or something! Was that it, was it the girl?"

"Uh… sort of,"

"Harrison, dude, your painting in Mr. Teach's class was legit bomb."

"I didn't know you were like Shakespeare or something, that entire poem was like so Instagram caption worthy!"

"Seriously dude, I've always felt embarrassed for you, but I couldn't do anything. We feel bad."

Everything that's happening right now is beyond me. I think I was high for second, which I probably am. Or I've been in a comma eve since I met Malinda. I wouldn't be surprised if I were. I shake my head, "Okay, okay. Hold on, why are there people here in school right now?"

Chaz smirks and replies, "Look at the walls, man!"

I take a good look at the building and just now realize the numerous and humongous posters all around. My mouth fell to the floor. I went closer to the posters and read what they say.

They're all posters exposing all the shit of everyone who's bullied me before.

Piera Shay. Hannah. That one teacher from 5th grade. Everyone.

I look around and skim through the papers. I laugh at the dumb written information about them. A lot of them were text conversations and messages. Some of them were from sketchy websites. There were hilarious and evident real pictures as well. There were even other physical objects like bras, and I think a diary hanging at the very top as proof. One of the biggest posters say 'Jessica pays Rhys Harrison to be her girlfriend? CONTRACT AVAILABLE.'

I go around and keep walking. This is hilarious. Who would've done all this shit? And why aren't they still removed?

Chaz yells out, "And there's even more inside!"

As I was about to go inside, I remember the lack of emptiness surrounding me and I still had to do something. I turn around and sighed as some of them still had eyes on me, "Some of y'all may have not touched me once in your life and thanks for that, I guess. But 'standing up' for bullied victims not because it's basic human principles, but only when the victim did something cool is stupid. You guys are stupid." I state firmly, "But hey, have a great summer." And then walked away.

Is what I wanted to say.

And I did.

Forgetting about what happened 3 seconds ago and suddenly remembering why I went to school in the first place, I then go inside and walk through the hallways while still eyeing each of the posters. There were also some more people inside viewing them as if we're in an art gallery or a historical museum or something. Some even acknowledged me and also complimented me about saving Malinda and all that. I still stand by what I said but… I couldn't wrap my mind around the fact that this whole thing really does feel like a cool hero shit.

Oddly enough, the hallway were my locker was located had nothing at all. As I finally reach my locker, I saw two posters sticked to the front. My smile faded. This time, they're a list of secrets of Cyrus and Theo.

I look around and it was an empty hallway this time, unlike last time. But then at the exact moment, there they were. Cyrus and Theo come out and show themselves.

I look at them expressionless and they stare at me with shame and guilt.

Cyrus starts, "We know. What we did that time in the cafeteria was completely shit and unfair."

Then Theo, "You probably don't give a crap anymore, but there were some dudes threatened us to talk shit about you. Like actual kinda serious threats. So, we did what we had to."

"Or what we thought we had to. It was fucked up. So... by orchestrating all of this, we wanted to even it out. Or make it up. Or whatever. But we know it's not enough."

"That's all we needed to say to you. You can go ahead and hate us some more now, but we are sorry, man."

Theo turns around, "You can keep the dirt bike."

Cyrus starts walking, "See ya, Rhys."

I breathe in.

"You know I'm rich right?"

They both turn back slowly and surprised, "What?"

I sass, "I mean, I literally shared like half my lunch money for you guys almost every day in 5th grade. And on the 8th grade field trip, you even made me pay for your unlimited fair tickets. Hell, remember when I paid a grand to some jerks to not sell you out for junking on Mr. Perry's shit literally this year? I could list out more right now! As you can see, I could probably buy my own dirt bike if I want to."

They still held their surprised reactions.

I laugh and sigh, "Ugh I can't believe I'm saying this," I roll my eyes, "But stealing my bro's dirt bike and you guys always bugging me as if I'm your dad or something... I-I'd rather go with that." My voice almost falters at the end because of the cringe.

"So... we're still..."

"Still bros?!"

I cringed some more but answer firmly, "Yeah, whatever."

They urged me to continue.

"I already said the B-word! I'm not saying it again."

They both run towards me and tackle me. I pat them and when they let go, they start giving their statements of relief. I interrupt, "Woah, before we continue this celebratory scene, how did you even put these posters up? You guys will get into serious trouble. And I don't mean a Saturday detention."

Cyrus responds, "Who told you we're the one who put the posters up?"

He really is Einstein in disguise. I knew deep inside he's the only one who could gather almost half the school's secrets. And even if they aren't real, this was already a great strategy even for him.

Theo adds, "You really think we'd care about serious trouble after all these years?"

And he really is the jokester of the school. I know he's the one who urged this entire ordeal because of how stupid but smooth it went. School is over but that doesn't really mean anything for him.

They really are the greatest disappointments I know. The perfect duo to pull any of these shit as if it were nothing. This was the most insane but the best going away gift ever. Even if any of us hate saying it, I guess we are there for each other, huh?

"Whatever. You guys acted like actual brats earlier though… you look like actual fucking children apologizing to your parents."

"Well, who the hell are we gonna depend on for food and grades—"

"Just grades."

"—unless we apologize, bro."

"Don't get me wrong, I'm still very much angry with you both. And that dirt bike is still mine."

"You literally said you're rich like 6 times, go buy your own."

"Deadass. So, about that celebratory scene… got some cash for McDonald's?"

"Fucking idiots."

-

House moving is a long process and there's so much shit to do. But I'm getting carried away since Malinda is an actual human now. The past few days have been too surreal but that's the main thing circling my brain. Because of my excitement, I've bought a lot of objects and food for her, preparing for when she would wake up. Malinda's still currently unconscious in the hospital, but as the doctor reassured, she's fine. That doesn't stop me from coming by everyday though. And every day, I pick out one violet flower to add to her bouquet, either from our blossoming garden or the hospital's garden outside. I don't know if that's illegal, but if I'm not in jail yet, I think I'm good (Ugh, Cyrus and Theo's habits are really rubbing off on me).

Going with that logic, I go to the hospital garden at the back of the building and see a familiar figure and hair color.

"Hey, it's Indigo."

Indigo turns around, "My patient finally knows my name." she's squatting down and picking flowers as well. See? It's fine. I think.

"It'd be embarrassing to call my therapist the wrong color in the next session."

Indigo's mouth widen, "Now that's a good sense of humor. Kinda."

I squat beside her and pick some purple flowers as well, "So, what are you doing here?"

"Wonders of the universe." She may act kind of like a mature big sister, but she really is weird on the other hand. "And you, good sir? I heard some fun rumors at school."

It's still strange how she keeps mentioning school, but I've barely seen her the entire year.

"It's true," I smirked, "I did save a girl. It was very dramatic, like a whole superhero scene."

"Ohhh. The rumors I heard was that you pissed your pants on the last day of school? Sucks, man."

I sarcastically laugh.

"But seriously, that's really cool of you. And unexpected. I just can't imagine you aggressively riding a bike to save someone… while it was raining, even. That's like some Spiderman shit."

"But no more aggression for me for a while. I'm gonna do it. I'm gonna fix my leg first before I go back to the field."

Indigo sighs, "Thank God. Would be a shame if you didn't follow my God tier advice after I sat through that horrible analogy."

"Hey, it wasn't that bad!"

Indigo scoffs, "What will you do now, Rhys Harrison?"

I stroke the stem of the flower for a second, "I met up with my dad for the first time in years." I answer then immediately add, "If I shave my head now, do you think he can get annoyed of me again, oh, Dr. Indigo?"

She laughs, "You regained your family name's reputation. Don't mess it up now, Harrison."

Then the situation of me dissing those people from earlier came back to me. I hesitate before shyly saying, "Thanks. For being one of the only people who seriously didn't treat me like shit. The other day, I remembered some of the times that you talked to me in school. I never kept it in mind, because my head was too busy focusing on everyone else's bullshit. And I'm so tired of it. So that's what I'll do now. I'll try to let go of my past. I'll make a new one. I'm tired of letting my ancestors' past decide my future."

"The grown-ups are certainly very, very odd."

"Huh?"

"Saint Antoine Expury; The Little Prince."

"I think I should probably read more."

"Football players don't read books, Rhys."

I roll my eyes.

"But, if that's what you want to do, then go ahead. You still got a leg to heal while you're at it. Make sure you don't break it again."

"Okay, Socrates."

"You know, I'd rather you call me that than my real name."

"Whatever. How 'bout you, though, what will you do now?"

Indigo looks in the distance, "I want to… go see my girlfriend." She stands up holding her own bouquet, "Okay, this therapy session is officially over. You can pay me later. Good luck with everything, Spiderman."

That reminds me. I also want to see my girlfriend right now. Not because she's nice to look at, but she's nice to be with.