Brother In Need

The classroom was extremely noisy, with children shouting, papers flying, and chairs screeching across the floor. The lesson that was being shown on the large screen on the front wall was not being paid any attention to.

Jace continued writing notes while keeping his head down. He did not belong with the rest of them. He studied while they were messing around. That was the only way out of here.

A shadow appeared over his desk.

"Look at this nerd,"

Since he knew who it was, Jace did not raise his head.

"Writing love letters to the teacher?" the kid snatched Jace's notebook and held it up.

"Give it back..." Jace said, voice low.

"Oh, big words. You think you're smart or something?"

"Just leave me alone,"

The kid's grin widened. He tossed the notebook to one of his friends. Jace knew it was gone, so he did not even bother to go after it. After two years of study, he learned how to go with other people.

"Look at him, acting all grown up. Pathetic loser. You really think studying's gonna save you in this place?"

Jace's hands trembled. He was sick of this. Sick of them. Sick of that damn school where the strong ruled and the weak got crushed. It was not as though he went to school voluntarily. The only public school that did not charge tuition was that one.

The money his older brother earned was used for everyday expenses. He knew there would be no change if he told his brother about the bullying, so he was unable to do so. The behavior of the students was completely ignored by the teachers as well.

It was not the fact that Jace could not fight back. It was because the teachers supported others, and he would be expelled for even touching them.

"Why are you so quiet today?"

"Maybe he saw his dead parents in his dreams. You know, how they get their head patted while they sleep on their lap. It makes me cringe."

"Hey, pass me his notebook."

When the notebook was thrown at him by another kid, he easily caught it and opened it.

"Let's see what you've written...dear teacher, I love you soooo much. Muah. Hahahaha!"

He and his friends all laughed aloud.

Jace stood up and punched him in the mouth.

The crack echoed throughout the room. The child stumbled back, his eyes wide, his split lip dripping blood. The class went completely silent. For a brief moment, nobody moved.

"You dare to punch me? You're going straight to the infirmary today."

The kid lunged forward, swinging his arm. Jace also thrust his fist into Kid's stomach. Both attacks landed and collided with a desk, sending papers flying. The kid grabbed Jace's hair and yanked, but Jace pushed his knee up hard.

The kid gasped, doubling over. Jace grabbed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

The kid's face twisted with rage. He tried to push Jace away, but Jace was faster, landing another punch to the ribs. The kid let out a wheeze and stumbled backward.

"He could fight all this time?"

"I thought he was a chicken with a little smartness."

The other guys whispered among themselves. They did not jump in to fight after seeing their best fighter get beaten. They quickly rushed towards their guy.

"Are you okay?"

"Get your hands off me!"

They helped him to stand after seeing him struggling to move. Jace stood in his spot while looking down at the floor angrily.

"Don't think you won, bastard. I'll be back."

"Just leave me alone!" Jace yelled at them.

"Look at him acting so tough just because he was lucky today."

"You're dead next time."

They left the classroom. Jace was by himself, standing silently and gazing at the ground. He was no longer able to make up his mind. He ruined his own life because he was angry, reckless, and unable to control himself at that moment. If he was reported by the others, he would be expelled right away without a second thought. Even if they did not report him directly, they would chase Jace to ruin his life.

His hands were shaking and tears were streaming down his face. There was no way out of that situation. He approached the door slowly and looked out to see if anyone was there. When he discovered that the hallway was empty, he left the classroom and proceeded down the lengthy corridor by himself.

Most of the students had already left the school since it was over. He was there for the pre-made extracurricular classes. They were superior to the lessons taught by the teachers, but Jace was unable to relax because some of them would remain long after classes ended.

When he heard a noise behind him, his heart skipped a beat and he jumped out in terror. He turned slowly and glanced over his shoulder, but there was nobody there. It seemed as though the hallway was part of a horror film. There was silence for a few seconds, and then Jace sighed.

"I'm getting scared for nothing. I think it's time to leave."

He turned around to walk back to his classroom.

"I don't care if those bastards expel me. Just die already. I will just get a job like my brother. What's the point in studying at a damn place like this? Man, I don't care..."

The words faded from Jace's mouth as he paused in his tracks. His path was abruptly blocked by another child who emerged from a corner.

"So, you're the chicken that learned to fly,"

It was Miller from the previous year. He was the type of guy who did not just throw punches but made sure they hurt. Jace had no chance of winning, so he turned around and ran in the opposite direction. But he noticed the other students in his class approaching him. So he had to go to the left.

His breath came in sharp gasps as he dashed down the corridor. He could hear them behind him, the other kid and his crew, their laughter bouncing off the walls as they gave chase.

"Where are you gonna run, bookworm? Ain't no one's gonna save you now!"

Jace skidded around a corner and nearly lost his balance. His heart pounded against his ears. He needed to get away as soon as possible.

Creek!

The bathroom door swung open. Jace dove inside, barely catching himself on the sink before sprinting into the final stall. He slammed the door shut.

"Why did I even hide here? They will find me easily!"

Jace's back hit the tile wall. There was nowhere to run.

The bathroom door burst open again.

Jace curled his fingers into fists. He could feel it—the fear, the anger, the enough. It came up hot and sharp in his chest.

The kids began opening the doors one by one from the start.

"Come out, chicken! There is nowhere to run!"

Jace kicked it open with everything he had. Then he charged at the others. They were prepared to fight him, but Jace ran past them before they could stop him.

"Stop him!"

Miller lunged forward, but he missed Jace by an inch. Jace bolted from the bathroom and ran through another random door.

Silence.

He discovered himself in a storage room. It was dimly lit, with boxes and old furniture stacked in the corners.

He heard footsteps that came to a stop right outside the door. He hardened his expression and prepared himself to fight. The school no longer mattered. He would rejoice if he were expelled, but he needed to leave safely.

The door was gradually pushed open. Jace was leaning back against it, but he was dragged away with the door. Solus poked his head inside and looked at Jace.

"Found you."