CHAPTER FOUR

Mike was officially scared now and no thanks to his brother who once again thought that Mike was purposely trying to sabotage him for his own selfish desires. It was a hard life that Mike lived with his brother, and the only way he could make sense of it all is that his brother was scared of him and the things he was capable of. To Mike, that was the logical explanation and the one that made the most sense to him. The only reason why his brother would constantly bully him and intimidate him and make him purposely feel worthless was because he was scared of Mike’s capabilities and the great things he would achieve. Well, there was the possibility that he was adopted and he was just living the classic ‘Cinderella Lifestyle’ but that was impossible considering all the times his older siblings would take out their frustrations on him about why he was born into their family and whatnot and the fact that he had seen his birth certificate on more than one occasion with one of them being when he needed it for a school thing during his primary years.

He was just exiting his Biology class and headed for the canteen when he bumped into someone and dropped the books he was holding in his hands. He looked up to see Harry and a wave of relief washed over him knowing that he wasn’t going to have another confrontation with someone else and all before he could have his break. A small smile perched itself onto his face and as he started to crouch down to pick up his books he began to talk to his best friend whom he knew was already waiting and listening without being asked to.

“So math was something.”

With those first words, Harry could tell that what his friend feared would happen is exactly what ended up happening and he could see the aura of sadness that was radiating off his best friend and the thought of what he had to endure saddened him too.

“What happened Mike?”

Harry has always cared for his friend as if he was his own brother. Being an only child really took a toll on Harry when he watched as others enjoying being with their sibling and having fun but most times he was glad because when Mike would tell him what was happening at home he almost felt glad to be an only child but whether or not Mike’s issues were major and made him reconsider the ‘sibling life’ he always thought of Michael as his own brother and not just a friend. At times he thought that even his parents considered Mike as their own and not just some kid who hangs out with their son and spends a tremendous amount of time at their home.

“Well remember that test I told you about; Well we got back our papers and guess who got the highest in the class?”

Mike spoke so stoically, as if getting the highest wasn’t a good thing or as if it was something to be ashamed of. It pained Harry when things like these happened to Mike and the only way he knew he could make things better was to make jokes and get his friend to think of other things but this time he didn’t think that was going to help him.

The two now stood in one of the many long lines in the canteen as they waited not so patiently to get their food and sit at their self-assigned table. They didn’t have to wait long because soon they were at the front of the line collecting their food then they made their way over to a table which was situated at the center of the canteen. Many people have tried to make Mike and Harry move from the table as it was one of the best tables in the canteen but the two boys just wouldn’t budge. They were the first to the table and they were not going to let themselves be bullied into moving.

“So what really happened during math class, because all you told me was that you got the highest and nothing else?”

Harry had a genuine concern for his friend and Mike knew that, it was just that sometimes he didn’t believe it because he didn’t always believe that Harry wanted to hear about Mike’s awful life when he could be talking about more interesting things with more interesting people. Mike was a bit reluctant to open up but in the end, he told his friend everything and he felt a little better now that he had told someone and he wasn’t holding in all the emotions that he was feeling.

The two boys talked for the whole duration of the break and by the time the bell was ringing to tell the students that it was time to get back to class they had talked so much one could call it a therapy session. The rest of the day was quite uneventful although it did have a few hiccups once or twice during the course of the rest of the day. When it was finally time to go home, Mike was faced with a very challenging decision. Harry had to stay back because of some things that he was doing for some club he was in so Mike either had to walk in the conveniently timed rain or he had to catch a ride with one of his siblings which was bound to be a very interesting ride back home considering that he had already done something to upset them for the day.