The Outside Lines (boyxboy) - Chapter 14: Chapter 14

Noah's POV
After finally regaining control over my body I trudged off to my locker, head down. I combed my locker for the extra towel I had setting in the back somewhere, and hung it over my strawberry blond hair, draping over my small shoulders.
I took in a seat in one of the many chairs placed around the school halls, getting lost in my head. Who was that guy Taylor was hanging out with? Is she trying to make new friends to make me feel jealous? or is it to forget about me? We've been friends since I was little, would she really just forget about me like that?
Is that fair for me to think though? I mean I'm the one who pushed her away first. I scratched my head out of frustration and confusion.
My mind wondered back to the guy Taylor was with. He's really attractive... Could they be dating?... No that's not likely... right? I mean, she's always going on about how she's not interested in being in relationships. This guy... I feel like I would've seen him around school at some point, but I didn't recognize him. I wonder if he's new.
Homeroom was always so awkward. Taylor was on the left of me a couple seats away, but we'd never make eye contact, and a few seats behind me was Rebbecca, the girl who made my life a living hell.
During history I sat in my desk, looking out the window, watching as the raindrops journeyed down the glass. Even though Ms Coti was the one teaching this class I wasn't paying much attention, I was too entranced and relaxed by the gray sky's down pour.
A surprise waited for me in the hall after on my way to my next class. AJ stood there awkwardly looking back and forth.
Not expecting it, he approached. "Hey Noah uhm..." He started nervously. I waited for him to continue.
"We were wondering if you'd like to hang out for a bit during the next free period. We need to talk." AJ asked, scratching his arm and averting his gaze. My heart skipped a beat, nervousness and excitement getting the better of me. Were they finally going to give me a chance? Was I finally going to get the opportunity to make things right?
"W-where are we meeting?" I responded, trying not to make myself seem desperate.
"We'll be out back in our usual spot. If it's raining we'll be under the overhang." He informed with a faint smile.
"Okay, I'll be there." I agreed. He smiled and threw up a wave before disappearing off to his next class. I did the same.
I stepped out of the class room as soon as the bells rang. I was supposed to go to the counselor's office, but that could wait for another time. I paced myself to the back of the school, walking down one hall after the next. My heart rate increased the closer I got to the door leading out the back. My eyes studied the lengthy, mostly barren hall, the door placed at the very end to the right. I took a large breath, collecting my thoughts and preparing what I wanted to say to Chad.
My first step forward seemed as if it echoed down the hall, my following ones much more silent. It's as if the world around me was growing quieter the closer I got. Suddenly I heard voices ring out through that quiet. They were just on the other side of this wall. I nervously grasped the handle of the door and popped it open, filling the bleak halls with the light of the cloud ridden skies..
I was wondering if I'd made a wrong turn somewhere, cause in front of me stood not only my old friends, but several members of the football team. It wasn't likely that I got lost. All of my surroundings here and leading up to it were familiar. My knees faltered when the dozens of eyes fell upon me. I stepped out into the dim, almost apocalyptic looking atmosphere. The sirens in my head were full on blaring, but I needed to do this, it was the only opportunity I had to explain things.
"Hey guys." I greeted bashfully, not my usual self. I noticed they were all having lunch, and probably goofing around before I made my sudden interruption.
Their silence made this all the more awkward. After a couple of seconds AJ broke through a line of people. "Noah, you made it..." He said, with an unreadable tone and expression.
"Y-yeah, I just wanted to make things okay again." I replied, hardcore twiddling my fingers. My voice was faint and filled with nerves. It almost felt like I was climbing the tallest mountain in the world, trying not to slip and fall to my death.
Again, another awkward bout of silence. It was so quiet I could hear the wind rattling the nearby tree leaves, the ones just across the stone fence.
"The idiot really showed huh?" One guy coming from the back spoke. A lot of the guys there looked uncomfortable, others wearing looks of disgust. What did he mean that? Did AJ tell them I was coming?
Okay, just ignore them Noah, just say what you need to say and be done with it.
I placed a hand to my racing heart.
"Chad I-" I began before getting cut off him.
"Noah, did you really think we called you out here just to talk?" Chad asked with a slight tilt of his head, and a hint of annoyance tainting his tone.
"W-what?" I questioned confused, looking over to AJ. Guilt was overrunning his appearance.
"I'm so stupid! I should've known better." I whispered to myself, mentally face palming
"Are you seriously that desperate for my dick?" He continued, scrunching up his face in disgust.
"No Chad it's not like that." I almost cried out as he began his approach towards me.
"Chad I swear it!" I tried to reason, my voice faltering. I raised my hands to my chest shaking them dismissively as I took a few step backwards. I wanted to get out of here as fast as possible but my legs wouldn't take me. They were shaking like a wash machine with a bowling ball inside.
I cried out as his large hands gripped the soft skin of my wrists. "You're not going anywhere." He growled, tossing me away from the door. I landed on the muddy ground, scraping my arms. I looked up to the guys surrounding me, many of them looked like they wanted to make me into their own personal punching bag, while others stepped away not wanting to have any part in this.
"We're going to have some fun with you, and not in the way you're hoping." Chad mocked, closing the space between us once again. I honestly didn't even know who he was anymore. The Chad I knew was nothing like this. He was always so friendly to me. I've seen him get mad plenty of times, but never like this. It felt like I was in some kind of sick nightmare.
He lifted me off the ground and shoved me into the side of the dumpster some of the guys were sitting on. I hit my back against the metal, almost knocking the wind from my body.
"Blow off some steam you guys." Chad prompted them to attack. Suddenly felt shoes connecting with my legs and sides. Punches flying in from left, right and every which way. I cried out, blocking my face from their damaging punches and kicks while they just cackled and laughed.
"Guys, I don't think this is a good idea. What happens if the teachers find out about this?" I managed to hear one of the guys say throughout barrage of attacks. Suddenly they came to a halt, the guys looking between each other.
"He won't tell them, will you Noah?" Chad assured them, looking back towards me. At this point I was unsure. My growing resentment for all of them was strong. AJ, Pablo, Matt, and even Chad. I don't know if ratting them out would be in my best interest though. I would likely just end up with more beatings like this since there wouldn't be anything holding them back, aside from being expelled that is. Chad knew this, so he was playing it against me. Honestly though, in this case it might be worth it.
I remained silent.
Chad grabbed me by my collar and lifted me against the dumpster, choking me. I squirmed, grasping on to his forearm hoping he'd let go. A sudden reminder of the day he first confronted me crossed my head. Dang I was so foolish for coming here.
"Chad let him go!" Pablo urged him. Chad ignored him. At this point my vision was going hazy and my hearing dim.
"Chad..."
"Chad!" I heard them continue to call out as I was losing consciousness.
"What's going on here?!" An oddly familiar voice rang out across the surrounding area, catching everyones attention. Someone stood at the door, but my vision was too blurry to see who it was. Next thing I knew I was falling backwards into the dumpster.
Nathan's POV
Taylor and I charged for the school doors, soaked head to toe. Our footsteps splashed up the puddles of water forming on the ground. Taylor burst through the entrance with me following right behind. Our mad dash for cover had us a little winded. While Taylor was hunched over catching her breath I caught the many eyes on us, watching in amusement. Having people keep their attention on me for more than a few seconds in this school was weird. At this point they'd normally be prancing in the other direction as if they were about to be hit by a car.
"Who's the guy with Taylor?"
"Is that a new student?"
"I've never seen him before."
"Same. He's kinda cute."
"Who's the Stud?"
Murmurs of these sorts filled the halls. I'd be lying if I said it didn't give my confidence a slight boost.
Taylor and I split up to go to our lockers and then homeroom. On my way I spotted a very depressed Noah, a walking husk of his usual self. I made a mental note to talk to him during our next free period. Today is the day... I want to bridge the distance between him and Taylor. I didn't like seeing him like this. If he mends his relationship with Taylor then there's a chance that all three of us could hang out as a group. That's something I've been dreaming of for so long. I've always felt like an outsider watching everyone enjoy their lives from the sidelines. But now, I feel like I'm able to change that.
I packed my bag with books I'd need for my classes and carried it off to homeroom. I set it down beside my desk as I normally do and pulled out a book to read.
"Oh um, are you knew here? That seat's taken." The girl who sits across from me spoke. Susan was her name if I recall. I lowered my book and looked to her, confused, seeing as how I've been in this class for over a year.
"Yeah, I know. I personally wouldn't mind you sitting there, but it's claimed by this ragged mean looking dude. I don't think you want to get in his way." The girl went on. I then realized she was referring to me, though she didn't know this.
"R-really?" I decided to play along for a moment.
"Ya, like really scary." She made a claw motion with her hands.
"I didn't know I was that terrifying." I responded with a faint smirk. It was her turn to be confused. She sat there in silence. A moment passed before she slowly turned away from me, as if she were a broken clock.
The chatter around the room died out when Ms. Chetzki, our homeroom teacher stepped in to take attendance, coffee in hand.
"Morning class." She greeted in monotone.
"Morning Ms. Chetzki." Some of the class followed along.
"Now, I know some of you nuts have skipped out on homeroom over the past week, which I will tell you right now is never a good idea. You might as well not even show up for school if you intend on skipping homeroom." She informed, setting down her coffee and readjusting her papers.
A few snickers rang out through the room. Probably students laughing at their friends for being called out.
"Homeroom is important, while still allowing free time. Assuming you're not a procrastinator like my boyfriend and you've already done all of your homework." Her call outs made the class chuckle.
"Alright I'm going to be taking attendance." She stood up not removing her attention from her papers. She went down the list, calling out students' names.
"Nathan." It was my turn to be called.
"Here." I responded. One head after the other swung my way, murmurs spreading through the class. This drew the teachers attention.
She squinted at me, adjusting her glasses. Next thing I knew she was walking over.
"Not funny. Get back to your own class." She spoke sternly.
"Um... ma'am, you're mistaken." I spoke politely, trying not to upset her. She eyed me for another second before returning to her seat. I assume she figured it out by my voice? Though I haven't really been speaking in class until recently.
"Nice job on the clean up Nightshade." She complimented, the murmurs continuing on. All this attention had me a pretty embarrassed. Through out the next half an hour several of the students snuck glances my way.