Fallout

**The next day, Sven dosent get enough sleep thinking about what happened to Alex the previous day**

Today is like any other day. The sky is gray, cloudy and dim. 

I am dull and sleep deprived as usual. 

I brush me teeth, put on cloths and head to college as usual. 

Its just another day, atleast that's what I tell myself. 

I enter the college campus and walk into a hallway. 

Something feels off. 

Everyone looks stressed, confused and haunted. People are whispering to each other. 

Somehow the atmosphere feels heavy. 

Even those stupid party heads seem stressed. 

I see Schneizel and group standing near a vending machine, they seem unusually quiet, they are not laughing today. 

Schneizel's face looks pale, looking down, avoiding eye contact with everyone. 

Then I hear it- someone's voice, low and stuttered. 

"Alex tried to kill himself."

I froze, my mind went blank. I cant process anything. 

"He jumped from the second floor of the apartment" someone said. 

I asked that person in a panic

"Tell me... uhh what the hell is going on?"

"A student named Alex tried to kill himself and is now in a coma" he said. 

Oh shit. I never expected this to happen.... Then I remembered

The cafeteria.

I should have done something.

By the afternoon everyone knows, all are spreading rumors are faster than the truth.

Then comes the announcement. 

"All the students are to gather to the auditorium." 

I walk into the auditorium and take a seat. 

The principal Ms. Marie Pinguis is on the podium and she dosent waste time. 

"I want all of you students to listen closely" she begins with a strong voice. 

"A tragedy has happened, one of your fellow students, Alex Neuman, has attempted suicide. He has survived but is in a permanent coma." 

Everyone knows but the confirmation is cold enough to send chills down the student's spine. All begin to gasp and murmur.

"We have come to know that some specific students have been bullying Alex Neuman. They will be called to the faculty office privately."

"Bullying is not tolerated in the campus at all, anyone who commits bullying will be punished severely" 

My head feels heavy, its like my skull is being crushed by the pressure. 

Then I saw a college staff walking towards me

"Your Sven Sylvester, Right?"

I was confused and disoriianted 

"Uhh... Yes sir"

"You're to report to the faculty office at once."

What the hell, why should I report.. Maybe they are calling me for the witness testimony or something... its gonna be fine. The day couldn't get anymore worse.. can it?

**Sven opens the faculty room door and finds Schneizel and the others who bullied Alex standing there**

"Yeah, he was with us too." Schneizel says with a traumatized face looking at me.

Now I understand whats going on... The day is getting worse. 

I think Schneizel is trying to escape by using fake testimonies and wants me to aid him. 

"Sven Sylvester is it? Hmm...." Ms. Marie Pinguis looked at me as if she's gonna hunt me down. 

"I think everyone is here." She glances at everyone and her eyes rest at Schneizel. 

"Several students have mentioned that Alex was bullied and your names came up as the culprits."

Schneizel stiffens, his usual cocky brat like attitude is cracking. He's scared and pale. But still manages to mask it with some confidence. 

"Alex?... um Alex Neuman?" Schneizel says scoffing lightly. 

"I didn't do anything.... I barely even knew that guy."

He glances at others like he's seeking support. The others nod in agreement, like they are some puppets on his strings.

"But several witnesses indicate that it was you who did it". Mr. Marie is not backing down. 

Its like she wants to finish this as soon as possible by making someone confess. It would be a nightmare for a college to be honest. 

Schneizel turns pale, he stammers. 

"Th.. That's not umm true, no...not me" He is too scared of being caught. Then he looks at us. 

"uhh It was Sven, Sven did it... Yeah."

My heart stops. He just accused me for something I didn't do. Its like I was punched in my gut. I am panicking. I cant breathe. My heart is gonna jump out my chest. 

"No I did not! The hell you mean. It was you." 

I am unusually enraged. 

"Sven dont lie dude.... You did it, I saw it. With my own two eyes." 

"Like hell I would bully someone."

"Stop." Ms. Marie Exclaimed in anger. 

She was looking at me as if I did it now. She must know I didn't do it, right?

Wait.... what if she is just trying to pin it on someone and end this. No. No....

"Sven Sylvester.... It seems you and Alex went to the same high school."

"Ahh yes, ask everyone... Sven did it. he must have bullied him even back in high school." Schneizel said in a panic. 

"Ah yes, he might... have bullied Alex.." The others joined him.

Wait, now I am being blamed. Oh shit. No... this cant be happening.

"No I did not, you damn liars, Fools, why are you joining him." I shouted in anger. 

"See, Ms. Marie, he's threatening us even now, just like he did with Alex." Schneizel said adding to my anger. 

I cant take it anymore. 

Something snapped in me. 

I aim right at his face and swing my arm as fast as I could in rage. 

"You fucking monkeys, I am gonna kill you all" 

I hit him, but the others pull me back before I could do any more damage.

"Sven Sylvester we have seen enough, Its evident who bullied Alex. Stop this or your punishment will be more severe" Ms. Marie said with a cold face. 

"Your suspended for a month" 

"What No.... No. wait!!"

I was ordered to stay in the visitors room just beside the faculty office. 

After a hour or so, I saw my parents go into the Faculty room to meet Ms. Marie. 

My mother came out with eyes full of tears. My father looked disappointed. 

"What is this?" My father says, holding up the suspension letter. His eyes are disappointed and filled with anger.

"You've been bullying another student?"

"No," I try to explain, my voice still stuttering.

"It wasn't me. They're lying. Schneizel blamed it all on me."

But they don't listen.

"How could you do this, Sven?" my mother asks, her voice trembling.

"We raised you better than this."

"I didn't do anything!" I yell, the frustration boiling up inside me, I am desperate to be heard. But they won't hear it.

They've already made up their minds.

They turn away, leaving me standing there in the doorway, my mind is overwhelming me with everything that's happened.

My friends have turned on me. My parents don't believe me.

Alex is asleep forever, I'm the one being blamed.

The walk back home is painful, exhausting, I am in tears all the way. The moment I open my room's door I fall into the bed. 

All the thoughts are pressing down on me. I cant breathe. 

I should've done something.

I should've helped Alex when I had the chance.

But now… it's too late.