They’re at it again “Hey Awful Axel! I heard you got a nosebleed at Lunch. You can’t even eat a Sandwich Properly it’s Pathetic!” I Ignore them as I begin to walk home. It's the end of the school day and I can’t Stand them. Being at home isn’t even the last place I want to be. Wilburt and his friends Pick on me constantly because I'm fragile. I was born Premature, Because of this it was hard for me to grow muscle and I’m more delicate than the other kids. If I’m hit in the head with a ball I bruise for weeks.

Today I started Bleeding at lunch because I rubbed my Nose too hard. It’s not my fault I have the Fortitude of a Moldy Grapefruit! I was born this way! Get off my back! I Ignore them and walk across the street after leaving School Grounds, I usually go on a bus but stopped after Wilburt and his goons started tormenting me on the bus. And I didn’t need them to know where I lived, My Home life was Bad Enough as it is. Walking home would be a good exercise for me. Besides if you can’t walk in Brooklyn where can you walk? The city had a relying charm to it. That when or even if it changes it still has similarities to it. If a bodega closes down a newer better one opens in its place. It’s resilient, something I can respect. The more things change the more they stay the same. Today's school teacher asked us to write about what we wanted to be when we got older. I’ve Been so Busy struggling to survive That I didn’t think I’d ever grow up.

When I think of what I’ll be when I grow up. I think of being strong, and teaching others like me how to be strong—opening A dojo or a gym. A place where people can feel like they matter. And don’t have to worry about assholes like Wilburt- “Hey! Axel!” Wilburt's voice calls out his friends in tow. I groan to myself Could You please leave me alone I left the Bus! Because of you evil assholes! I do my best to ignore them, The Passersby sneak glances but make no moves to save the bullied child. Wilburt throws a soda can at my head “Did I catch you trying to talk to Mary today? You know she doesn’t like you freak!” his friends giggle in the background egging on his behavior, Mary was in the year above me She was pretty And very bright. Sometimes she would ask me to help her with her homework or any school she had problems with. She’s quite a catch and she’s nice to me. The problem is half of all the boys in school threaten me to leave her alone claiming they're in a relationship with her, But it’s far from the truth. All of a Sudden I’m Yanked backwards off my feet with the back of my hood. Wilburts Friends had grabbed me, keeping me in my place. “We’re talking to you, Weakling” I Chuckle, I was used to the bullying, part of my daily Routine. Whenever I brought it up to my father he would tell me to stop being a pansy and man up. Believing that saying it Each time I came home with bruises something would automatically Click in my body and I would turn into Arnold Schwarzenegger or some shit. Oh well, being a punching bag grows character “Weakling!” I said in a condescending tone “That’s a good one, question when’s the next crusade, my lord?” Wilburt Throws a punch in the gut. “You getting smart with me boy?!” Following his harsh words with a backhand. Feeling the sting of his hit I can tell a big bruise is growing on my face. “I’m sorry, just joking to lighten the mood ya know?” I chuckle Nervously. We’re past the school grounds so I’m on my own, not like I can Rely on the Grown adults watching me be used as a stress ball. “As I was saying before you interrupted me, you were talking with Mary again! I don’t want you talking to her!” he slaps me harder in the same place on my face before I hear “Stop it right now!”

Mary was speed-walking up the sidewalk up to us. Her Ivory curls lay at her shoulder and her Green eyes filled with An angry Piercing glare. Wilburt grossly licks his hand and uses it to adjust his hair. Ew. and puts on a cool-looking pose that makes him look constipated. “Mary baby! You finally decided to go out with me?” Mary pushes past them and wipes off her designer Jacket “What the hell do you think you're doing!? Let him go right now!” Wilburt groans “Not even hello for me? That’s cold Mary” Meanwhile I’m Just standing here with bruises on my stomach and face as If I went a few rounds with an angry kangaroo. I drowned out their bickering with Experience and thought about my life, what am I doing? What path is my life going on? I can’t even defend myself from bullies with a 5th-grade reading level. What am I doing with my life?

“I’d rather wipe my ass with Sandpaper than go out with you! And for the last time let him go!” Mary’s Angry voice Snaps me out of my deep thinking. Wilburt with an Annoyed expression gestures to Terry and Todd, yes they’re twins. To let me go, Causing them to drop me to the ground. Wilburt glares at me as if I called his mother a multitude of derogatory terms. “She ain’t gonna be around to save your ass next time, kicking the soda can he threw at my head at me. “Get your shit and let’s go” Wilburt barked at his posse. As they walk off Wilburt gives me one last glare. Before turning the street corner. “Your lucky I was here to save your ass again”

she declared teasingly holding her hands out to help me up. I took her hand and noticed the smell of Muffins emanating from her. She always smelled like baked goods, Her mother owned a bakery Across town so I guess treats just became her natural scent. Not that there was anything wrong with that. “Thanks, Mary,” I said gratefully “though I’m not happy about it” She folded her arms the way she did when she was mad “What? Upset a girl saved you?” I smirked at her “No, Upset I get picked on by a guy named Wilburt.” She burst into laughter shoving me on my shoulder “You ass!” she reached into her backpack and handed me a book. The third edition of Fullmetal Alchemist, with Roy Mustang and Senator Armstrong posing on the cover. “I came to give you back your book.” she smiles “I loved this edition, Roy Mustang is such Daddy material.” I stifle a laugh Daddy material? “I didn’t need to know that you keep that to yourself.” FullMetal Alchemist is my favorite anime of all time. Badass characters, Incredible world-building, and relatable protagonists. When Mary wanted to get into anime she came to me who at the time thought I was on an episode of Candid Camera. But when I learned she was serious I recommended her Full Metal Alchemist.

“Fine then who do you see as mommy material?” I groan putting the book away in my pack “You need to stay off of TikTok it’s melting your brain” We walk down the Sidewalk We live in the same apartment building so we walk home together sometimes when she doesn’t have Foreign Language Club. “oh please if anything I need more of it. And you didn’t answer me, who do you like? Let me guess Winry?” I laugh mockingly “No, I mean don’t get me wrong Winry’s great but I like Izumi more” Mary looks at me “So..you’re into older women?” she asked a small hint of disappointment. I clear my throat “Well it’s a preference, although it’s something I can Overlook” She nods walking alongside me with a wider smile than usual. “Alex you need to learn how to stand up for yourself, even if it’s just verbally. I don’t like to see you picked on and they only pick on you because you allow them to” She waves her fingers at me scoldingly. “You sound like my father” I point out “I don’t need the lecture Mary I know” I’m sick of all the Reminders, I’m sick of the “just stand up for yourselves” as if Life is some kind of Disney movie and if I point out that I’m weaker then a wet napkin and I’m okay with it, an imaginary Audience will applaud causing the bully to scurry back into their cave. That’s not how it works! It’s not that easy! “And there you go again with that look” she points out. “You give that look every time you're angry” I rub my swollen Cheek. “What look? My Dwayne “the Rock” Johnson smolder face?” she scoffs

“If anything it’s like an angry squirrel” I push her shoulder “I do not!” feigning offense “I look like a badass, I look Unstoppable I look-” “Constipated'' Mary chimes in.I scoffed at her “Say what you want” I Protested “But I DON’T look like a Squirrel.” We both walked down the road conversing about everything and nothing. She was the first and only person to care about my opinions.``Oh, that reminds me! Are you going on that Field trip To Japan Next Month? It’s going to be great!” My smile falters “..Nah my dad won’t pay 200 for something “Trivial” “ She looks saddened. A silence falls over us “I could..pay for you” she mumbles Quietly just enough for me to hear. “What? Mary, I can’t ask you to shell out 200 hundred dollars for a trip-” she Wraps her arm around mine “I want to! Come on, the trip would be so boring without you! Think of it! Maid cafes, Ramen, Hot Japanese women, and men!” I groan “I know and it all sounds intriguing but I seriously can’t let you spend 200 on me. What would your parents say?! “Oh sweetie, it’s alright if you spend 200 bucks on a classmate it’s fine!” I don’t think your parents would do that”

She stops in her tracks. Putting her hands on my shoulder “It’ll be out of my allowance, they won’t mind. I WANT you to be there Axel..” She looked down and a small whisper uttered from her lips “With me” I don’t know what came over her, she was always a confident girl, Always spoke her mind. Seeing her so Timid was strange as if she had to observe her words. I couldn't see her Expression but I could tell she was waiting for my Replay, Bracing for a yes or no. I don’t know what’s going on with her but I know one thing: I can’t break her trust. “Fine, I’ll let you pay” Her eyes lit up and she wrapped her arms around me and swung me around. I'm Light and Frail Enough to be Swung around by a woman. As if I was some Cheap store-bought model of flat Stanley. “You won’t regret it! I promise!” she places me down with a cheeky smile “I gotta go!” she slaps my butt “Get your flat ass home!” She runs off cheekily. I rub my backside with reddened Cheeks. “What the hell was that about?”

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When she ran off down the block she took the cheery Atmosphere with her. My small smile fades as I Reach the outside of my Apartment Building. Well, Back to Reality The 4-story Brick Building was The Apartment building, where my dad, I, and sometimes my mom Lived. A building that gave off an aura of darkness It was hard to tell if that darkness was because of the memories I had in this place or the building itself. It was old and I swear a strong enough Gust of wind will topple it over like a Jenga tower. As I headed inside and walked up the stairs I was met with the smell of Dust and old Shoes, The wall was decorated with old yellow wallpaper with faded blue flowers. The stairs creaked with every step, and I didn’t dare to ATTEMPT to use the elevator. On the Second floor, Number 12B Is my apartment. With each step, A stone falls into the pit of my stomach. I reach into my bag and unlock the door to my Apartment, I’m met with my father watching old war Movies on TV.

My dad’s not one for a decorated house. “What’s the point of making the house look nice if you're the only one that's gonna see it?” My Dad Worked as an Infantryman in the Army, He had War buddies and everything. But I never really paid attention to his stories, Me and my dad don’t get along. He’s not abusive or anything. He's just Harsh. He thinks giving me tough love will stop me from being so frail. Like when I was 14 I was pushed into a big ant bed. I came home with bites all over my body. Still, instead of being a normal parent concerned and whatnot, he told me to go “Bathe in an Ice Bath.” When I was Being robbed of my lunch money he told me to “Hide it in my shoe”, And when he looks up from the TV now he Laughs “Damn Chicken Heart, who kicked your ass?” Wow, thanks dad, Truly a Father of the Year.

I Walk past the couch to go down the hall to my room, the Apartment needing a “woman’s touch” is an understatement. Even Mom, who was A Wedding Planner, can’t convince Dad to liven up the place. At least I attempted to decorate my room. I could never afford Posters, and I can Save enough to buy discount Manga. So I resort to making my posters. I’ll never let anyone see my Half-assed spiderman poster. Or my Michael Jackson poster that looks as if he was a space alien rather than the king of pop. I Drop my backpack on the ground and take a look at myself in the Mirror. The Purple bruise on my face Contrasted with my Copper brown hair And Hazel eyes. “Great” I mutter to myself “How Long will this one take to heal?” The Last bruise I had was when I was kicked “accidentally” in the stomach When Wilburt Soccer kicked ME instead of the kickball he was playing with.

My Stomach was a hideous shade of “Grimace Purple” for about half a month. I remember seeing my red and blue veins against my purple bruised flesh. I Hated how Weak I Am, I hated how weak everyone treated me. No matter how hard I worked out or tried, it was never Enough. At least I can finally rest for toda- “Hey! Chicken Heart! I need you to run to the grocery store” YOU GOTTA BE FUCKING KIDDING ME! I JUST GOT HERE! With a deep sigh, I turn around just in time for my dad to shove a grocery list in my face. “Money’s on the counter” The list has Eggs, Rice, Pasta Noodles, beef, and spinach. Whatever the fuck he was gonna cook I knew I wasn’t going to like it. Dad doesn’t even seem bothered by the bruise on my face. And one was growing on my stomach. I picked up the grocery money, 40 bucks. “You know this wouldn’t have happened if you’d stick up for yourself” he mutters as I walk past him. Preparing to go out the door, his statement caused me to stop in my tracks. Maybe mom wouldn't have left if you stopped with that fake-ass tough guy act.

“Well maybe if I had someone to help me and be supportive I would be farther than where I am” I mumble under my breath, quiet enough to whisper but loud enough to hear. As the words were uttered from my mouth my father stood up and got in my face glaring down at me. “What did you say to me? If you have the balls to talk back to your father you have to have em to talk back to those kids out there. Now get your skinny ass outside and don’t come back until you bring those groceries.'' He pushes me outside before slamming the apartment door. “Fucking bastard” I mumble. I love my father but I swear to god if I ever get stronger than him. I’m bitch slapping him across his face. The bodega isn’t far from where I live. By the time I got there. Mr. John was there waiting for me. Mr. John was an eccentric character.

He would take home unused cardboard boxes and give me advice. He was a kind old man who told me dirty jokes and loved Richard Pryor. He was like my grandpa. “Hey! Axel! How are you doing, my boy?” He pats my back. And gives me that trademark Mr. John smile. A mixture of Barney the Dinosaur and Mr. Rogers, “I’m good mr. john I’m on a grocery run.” I wave my list in the air as he whistles when he notices the bruise on my face. “Who gave you that shiner? That Wilburt boy?” I groan “Please don’t remind me, I still don’t like being picked on by a guy named Wilburt of all people. It Doesn’t even sound intimidating no matter the nickname you add to it” Mr. John puts on a Shakespearean accent “Cower before Wilburt the..the wombat '' I snicker as I grab a shopping cart, and begin to collect the items on the list “Run from Wilburt the Worm!” mr. John chuckles and his eyes light up “oh yeah, I got a new joke for ya” I smile deviously “go on then, lay it on me Mr. John'' he clears his throat “Why can’t Barbie ever get pregnant?” he waits for an added effect “because Ken comes in another box” I couldn’t contain my laughter, Mr. John was a great guy.

I felt closer to him than my father for the past few years. He doesn’t constantly remind me that a stick bug can take my lunch money. “I got one Mr. John. Two elderly women were sitting on a bench when a man in a trench coat comes up and flashes them. The first woman had a stroke. The other couldn’t quite reach” Mr. John gave me a hard delayed laugh. Hitting the counter with his palm. “That’s a good one! Do you mind if I use it next time I'm at the barber?” I picked up spaghetti noodles and placed them on my carrier. “Sure Mr. John” As I brought my items to the counter he threw in a two-liter bottle of Orange soda. “Mr. John, I can’t pay for that-'' he holds his hands up." A man needs a drink after a rough day, it’s in the house "I smile and my eyes hurt as I try not to shed a tear. I’m glad I have people like you and mary. Mr John, god bless you both. Mr. John smiles as if reading my mind “Axel, You're a good bright kid. Don’t let a bad day define your character. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck what is it?” I chuckle “A du-” “QUACK ''. We both chuckle, there are moments where I'm grateful for my life. “Your right, thanks Mr. John

I’ll see you tomorrow. I need my fill of sour candy” I give him a fist bump. Mr. John gives me a thumbs up. “See you tomorrow” As I walked out of the bodega I thought to myself Maybe my life ain’t that bad, sure I get bullied and my dad’s an asshole..but look on the bright side, as long as I’m alive I can change- someone pushes me from behind bringing me out of my train of thought. For a split second I could see Wilburt with an almost sadistic glee on his face make me into the road. I thought it was time to talk to him, and try and stand up for myself. But As I saw the Garbage truck Barreling towards me I knew I would never get the chance to.

I didn’t have time to react when the truck crashed into me. all I felt was my body being crushed underneath its weight While being dragged along the street i feel my skin tearing and scraping along hard Asphalt as the truck rolled to a halt. I’m lodged in between the wheel’s curve. My body is contorted in a way a body never should. As my chest is crushed underneath the tires, I shout for a scream that never comes. My Lungs were crushed and punctured by my ribcage. I was a frail child, When I say I feel more pain than most kids I mean it, And this pain was unimaginable. My broken legs, My Lungs. The Area where the road has scrapped off my skin exposing the red bleeding insides. I FELT IT ALL. I couldn’t breathe...I couldn’t cry, scream in pain, or anything couldn’t do anything but wallow in the agony I felt ten times over.

It took me a second to realize someone was kneeling next to me. It was Wilburt. He was talking when I realized I couldn't hear him I couldn't hear anything. I’ve gone deaf but I manage to read his lips “I warned you bitch” he then spits on my face before a passerby tackles him, and people around us begin to panic. The Garbage man kneels next to me trying to comfort me...But by that time. My vision faded out, I could not see. This is it, I’m going to die. I’m going to die and I haven’t even had control of my life. I’m gonna die and I’ll leave everyone I care about, Mary, Mr. John, Mom, I don’t even care if my dad hates me, I don’t want to go I don’t want to leave. All of the things I've never had, all the things I could never do. I don’t wanna die, momma, dad please…I don’t wanna Go pain subsides as a piercing cold feels my body… I feel.s..so sleepy. Mom..dad...I wish I had more time... I know we haven’t been close lately but I love you. I swear... Even if you hate me, Dad. I love you. Mary, Mr. John I love you..I..I love you…I...I don’t wanna…die.