The next day, Matt tried to ignore the slaps on the neck by staying still in his seat. He wore a fitted black long-sleeve shirt.
«Stop it!» Matt exclaimed, clenching his fists and turning around.
«Or what?» Enzo whispered, sitting next to Jacob, who wore a sleek red polo shirt, and behind Matt.
Jacob then seized the moment to give Matt a hard slap on the neck just as the Spanish teacher, a blond man in his forties, turned to write on the whiteboard.
Jacob then seized the moment to give Matt a hard slap on the neck just as the Spanish teacher, a blond man in his forties, turned to write on the whiteboard [https://img.wattpad.com/e2ce2aeeeb401ac6d48ce6894c641e56201c66ef/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f42755457466439743574486d65673d3d2d313438313131343435362e313830643031613638333230656162663831393731303635373836322e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
«Why are you doing this to me?» Matt complained, quickly turning around and touching the back of his neck.
«'Cause we fuckin' can. Yeah, we fuckin' can, punk,» Enzo sneered, flashing a smirk, his Supreme hoodie reppin' a bold logo.
«I ain't no punk! What do you even know?» Matt muttered.
«Man, shut the hell up,» Jacob snapped, giving the teacher a side-eye.
«What's going on?» the Spanish teacher asked, looking toward the back row.
«Nothing...» Matt replied after turning around and looking away.
Matt's situation was then discussed by the Math, English, and Spanish teachers during a meeting, seated at a rectangular table. The room they were in was a typical school conference room, with slightly faded walls and some educational posters scattered here and there, while a blackboard stood in a corner.
The room they were in was a typical school conference room, with slightly faded walls and some educational posters scattered here and there, while a blackboard stood in a corner [https://img.wattpad.com/807212e8b8046bbb79283a1ea1b12a43b0717e26/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f336375625a426a2d6d2d667835773d3d2d313438313131343435362e3138306430316262663533376161643333373130333130383835382e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
«Who?» the English teacher asked, a woman in her fifties with light brown bobbed hair and gray eyes. She wore a somewhat shabby gray suit and heels that made a soft clicking sound as she moved.
«Matt Prince,» the Math teacher promptly replied, dressed in a striped shirt and beige pants, resting his hands on the table. «I believe the reason he's been so agitated in class lately is the bullying he's experiencing from Jacob and his friends. But he doesn't want to admit it,» he explained, looking at the other two teachers seated across from him.
«I've noticed the same thing, but I preferred to let it slide,» the Spanish teacher added, crossing his arms. He wore a dark blue polo and slightly faded jeans.
«We gotta do something about this. We can't just sit back while one of our kids is getting punked!» the Math teacher snapped, jumping to his feet.
«Yeah, yeah, but have you seen Jacob's family? the English teacher questioned. «They're bad news. What if we step in, they'll come for us next?» she went on, dropping her voice. She then stood up, her heels echoing on the floor.
«Yeah, I've heard the same thing. No, no, no, I don't want to put myself or my family in danger. And for what?» the Spanish teacher agreed, lowering his shoulders and shaking his head.
«But what about Matt? He's the one suffering here. We can't turn a blind eye to what's happening to him,» the Math teacher insisted as he gestured.
«It ain't my problem,» the English teacher said, straightening out her gray jacket.
«Ain't your problem?» the Math teacher shot back, eyes wide as he stared her down.
«Who even cares? His family will handle it,» the English teacher said, tilting her head with a hint of attitude. «I've been here long enough, and this will sort it out itself. Better off minding our own business,» she added, walking away from the table with an indifferent air.
The Math teacher stood still, hands on the table and a worried expression.
«What kind of teachers are you?» he exclaimed, voice rising, looking at them one by one as they left the room. «You should be ashamed!»
A silence fell for a moment, and the English teacher, at the door, turned around.
«Say what you want; I'm not risking my job for a student I barely know,» she said, then left, her heels echoing down the hallway.
The situation stayed up in the air. Next day, Matt found himself smack in the middle of an English test, and the teacher had switched up the seating, so the tight-knit crew couldn't copy or swap answers. Just his luck, Matt ended up right next to Jacob. Matt was rocking a basic gray H&M long-sleeve, while Jacob was chilling to his left in a fresh black Nike tee. He clocked Matt's focus and slid his chair over to crib some answers.
He clocked Matt's focus and slid his chair over to crib some answers [https://img.wattpad.com/3eeca0c0efe6bf7743350dc1c685d6fee165edb8/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f423759555a6c72556a5f6a4948773d3d2d313438313131343435362e313830643031643264306666343964353436353130353334333736362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
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«Matt. Buddy. Let me see what you wrote,» Jacob said, leaning in.
«Hey. You're going to get us caught like this,» Matt whispered, looking around.
«I totally forgot to hit the books,» Jacob said, leaning over to snag some answers.
«Seriously?» Matt asked, raising an eyebrow but keeping his focus on the teacher.
«Yeah...» Jacob replied, rolling his eyes.
«Dude, you always forget to study. You never pass a test,» Matt shot back, giving him a side-eye.
Jacob laughed and kept copying Matt's answers, scribbling down notes.
«I got way better things to do. Way more exciting stuff.»
«Cool, but don't copy everything,» Matt whispered while the teacher was busy calling out other students.
«Sure...» Jacob replied, giving him a playful wink.
After the test, while Matt was washing his hands at the sink, Jacob sneaked into the bathroom.
«You got me in trouble, Chinese!» Jacob shouted, moving closer to Matt. «Your answers were all wrong!»
Matt barely reacted to his accusations and continued washing his hands, going along with him.
«I told you not to copy everything,» he replied, still focused on his wet hands.
«You should've just hooked me up with the right answers from the jump!» Jacob shot back, clenching his fists and standing next to Matt.
«You should have asked someone else,» Matt replied, as he shrugged.
«Oh, for real?» Jacob shot back, tilting his head like he was trying to hear better, clenching his fists even tighter.
Then, Jacob kicked Matt in the knee out of nowhere and made him double over. Not done yet, he followed up with a punch to Matt's face. Matt curled up, trying to protect his head and face.
«Stop!» he yelled as he crouched down.
But Jacob was ruthless and didn't even think about holding back. He kicked him in the ribs, face, and back multiple times.
When Matt walked out of the bathroom, he was all bruised up and had a totally embarrassed look on his face. As soon as the other kids saw him, they started laughing and clowning him.
«Yo, look at Matt. What happened to you? Haha!» one of them pointed out.
«You're weak. Get back to mommy!» another one sneered.
«You're a loser, dude! Can't even defend yourself!» said another kid.
«Why don't you do something? You're just a coward! Get back to London, idiot!» they shouted.
School, which should've been a place for learning and growing, had turned into a total nightmare.
Matt's gaze drifted off as he sat down at his desk as he heard his classmates' voices humiliating him. His eyelids drooped a bit, and he stared at his desk for a few seconds. He started to see double, and his eyes got all glassy. Tears were about to spill, but Matt blinked hard to keep them from rolling down his cheeks. He couldn't give them even that satisfaction. Then, his chin began to tremble, and his teeth chattered until the gym teacher walked in at long last.
I can't go on like this... Why doesn't anyone accept me for who I am? What have I done wrong? he thought, clutching his stomach with one hand.
Among Matt's classmates was Marijan, a quiet and reserved medium-height kid with messy brown hair that flopped into his hazel eyes. He was the only one who actually treated Matt right, hooking him up with chocolates every now and then. After watching Matt get hurt once more by Jacob and his crew the next day, he knew it was time to step in and do something about it. Wearing a light-colored shirt, he stood up from his chair, positioned himself in front of Matt, and rushed to separate the others after Matt received several slaps for not sharing his chips.
Wearing a light-colored shirt, he stood up from his chair, positioned himself in front of Matt, and rushed to separate the others after Matt received several slaps for not sharing his chips [https://img.wattpad.com/23eebe220ed1ab22e8fe1865f17efec45641143e/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f424442386f427a4f7668686c5a513d3d2d313438313131343435362e3138306338356435393934613830363735313938363531303732362e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
«Hey, leave him alone!» Marijan exclaimed, staring down the bullies.
«Mind your own biz, Marijan. We're just playing with the new kid,» Bruno replied, moving closer. He wore a white tank top, showcasing his very slim arms, and had earrings along with a piercing on his eyebrow.
«Yeah, get the fuck outta here,» Manu added, dressed in a blue Adidas tracksuit.
«That ain't cool if you're makin' him feel like crap. Back off, man!» Marijan shot back, staring them down one by one as he stepped in front of Matt and stretched out his arm as if to protect him.
Unsure how to respond, Enzo and Jacob exchanged glances. Oliver, however, was not about to back down. He wore a fitted purple dress shirt.
«You think you're tough, Marijan? Show me what you've got, little guy!» he shouted, stepping forward and clenching his right fist.
Oliver tried to hit Marijan, but Marijan stepped back a bit and hit Oliver in the nose with a right hook.
What? Jacob wondered, watching the fight unfold.
«Want some more?» Marijan replied, almost bouncing on his feet.
Oliver was a bit rattled by the hit and put a hand to his nose. To his surprise, it was bleeding. His eyes widened before locking back on Marijan, who was smirking.
«You'll regret it. You and your little buddy...» Oliver threatened, narrowing his eyes.
«Don't make me laugh, idiot!» Marijan shot back, dropping his guard and looking around at the others.
Oliver clenched his left fist, ready to move in again, but just then, the English teacher walked into the room, and everyone quickly backed off and went to their seats, acting like nothing happened. But there was one person who wasn't happy: Jacob.
How could this happen? Am I dealing with losers? Dad would be ashamed... he thought as he sat, crossing his fingers before his mouth, his head inclined forward as he glared at Marijan and Oliver.
The bell rang. After class, Jacob noticed the English teacher leaving and took advantage of the situation to approach Oliver, who was putting his things in his backpack.
«Look at you, Oliver,» he said before grabbing him by the collar. «Taken down by some random kid. What will others say now? You're the disgrace of our clan!» he exclaimed, leaning in closer to Oliver's ear. «I should kill you...» Jacob whispered, tightening his eyes.
Oliver's eyes widened with Jacob too close to him, and he began to tremble.
«I... I didn't know he was that solid. I'll handle it, Jacob, I promise...» he stammered, trying to pull away, but Jacob shook his head.
«Too late, Oliver,» the Cobra heir said. «You made me look like a fool, and that's not something I let slide...» he threatened again, then slightly stepped back to look him in the eyes.
Jacob then began to choke him, tightening his grip around his neck.
«W-What... are you... doing?» Oliver tried to speak.
«You're not worthy of our name,» his leader replied, grinning as he applied pressure with his right hand.
He then started hitting him with his left fist and kicking him, leaving him hurt and bleeding on the ground. As those who were still there watched in fear, none dared to intervene. They knew they should do something, but no one had that bravery inside of them.
«Consider it a lesson, rookie!» Jacob mocked and left class first.
Oliver weakly nodded, too scared to say anything else. After he displayed strength, Jacob walked away, leaving Oliver to get up by himself, his body aching. Afterward, Enzo approached him, still on the ground.
«What the hell are you doing? You almost make me feel sorry for you. Get the fuck up,» he said, narrowing his gaze.
Meanwhile, Matt and Marijan exchanged glances, both disturbed by the scene and walked away as well without saying a word. After climbing into the back seat of Marijan's father's Ford, Matt sat quietly, his eyes widened. He stared out the window as the car pulled away.
Is this all normal? he thought as Marijan, seated next to his dad, told him that his Spanish test had gone well.
Over the months, his grades worsened when Marijan wasn't around. How could he focus on his studies with the bullying constantly on his mind?