Jiang stormed out of the classroom. Ming Yui looked up, noticing everyone was looking at her. She covered her face from embarrassment. Ming Yui stood up and walked out of the classroom. Jiang stood outside the door and grabbed her by her arm, "what the hell is it you think you are doing?"
"You are hurting me," she pulled away her arm, frightened.
Jiang looked up. Mr. Cheng took Jiang by his collar and dragged him across the wall, pushing him into an empty classroom, "Is this how you treat women?"
"Sorry, Sir, we had a little argument."
"It didn't seem little to me. If I ever catch you hurting that girl again, I will personally deal with you."
"Sir, with all due respect, you don't do too well with threats. I am afraid I will have to report you."
"Report me for what?" Mr. Cheng argued.
"This could be a lawsuit for grabbing me as you did and pushing me in the class. I am under eighteen."
Jiang looked up at the camera. A red light was flickering continuously, "you are being recorded."
Mr. Cheng forgot about that camera, then turned around and walked out. Jiang stood there and smiled, "what an asshole."
Jiang exited the classroom and saw me sitting under the tree, "that asshole still dares to show his face."
Jiang walked fast-paced toward me and stood before me, looking down at me. I glanced up, "move away from there."
Jiang wanted to beat me up until he noticed something he had not seen earlier. My eyes appeared dark, "I said move out of my way." I repeated.
Jiang's mind was blank. He couldn't remember anything he wanted to say to me. I stood up. Jiang had noticed my eyes darken; my mind went blank at that moment. For that moment, Jiang panicked. Not knowing what he was up against, Jiang looked down and around. He shook his head. "No, I want nothing."
Yesterday they could cowardly beat me up, and today Jiang can't make eye contact. Jiang walked over to a group of guys. The guys looked at me. He was probably planning one of those attacks to beat me again. I ignored them. Ming Jui approached me, "hey, can I join you?"
I was surprised Ming Jui wanted to sit next to me, of all people. What did I have to offer except for a boring life? What am I going to tell her? She looked at me, letting out a perfect smile showing off her dimples. "So, do you have any plans after school?"
I had never seen her this close. She is more beautiful up close. "Remember Jia?" I replied.
"Yes."
"I do, unfortunately, have plans, but you are welcome to join me. I must go and pick up my baby sister."
"She stared at me hesitantly. Do you drive?"
Why does everyone ask that question? I thought to myself, "yes, I do drive." I lied,
"Awesome, you can come to get me after you have picked up your sister and dropped her off?"
"I just remembered I have a few things to run. Can I take a raincheck and maybe do it next time?"
"Sure, unlike most women, I am understanding."
I looked over at Jiang and his friends. They were now facing me with their arms folded, are they waiting for Ming Yui to leave? I am probably going to get my ass kicked again. Shortly after Ming Yui left, Jiang and his friends approached me. They had their hands in their pockets, Jiang had a toothpick in his mouth, wearing his white shirt over his pant, "so you know you are playing with fire."
I looked down and picked up my bag as the five blocked my way, "you are not going anywhere until you tell me who you are and what Ming Yui wants from you."
I looked up and shrugged; I had this sudden fear of yesterday repeating itself. What have I got myself into? The guy to the far right pushes me. I had not seen the guy behind me, whose hands and knees were on the ground. As he pushed, I fell to the ground, bumping my head.
The crowd in the school started closing in. Jiang trapped on my fingers as I screamed in pain. My head was throbbing when I had the sudden smell of blood. I looked up at them. At this point, Jiang slammed his knee into my jaw. My mouth was excessively bleeding. The guy who had let me tripped then lifted me from behind, holding my two arms behind my back. Jiang started to punch me in my abdomen. He swung a roundhouse punch. He turned, lashed out blindly, felt his fist connect with my muscled flesh, and heard a soft "Oomph." I fell to the ground. My heart was pounding with anger; yesterday was repeating itself. I then heard a familiar voice, "Leave him alone."
I looked around, and it was Ming Yui. I saw Jiang grab Ming Yui by her arm, dragging her into the crowd. "Do you see how useless this asshole is? He can't even defend himself. How is he going to defend you?"
Ming Yui pulled her arm away and wrapped her arms around me, "leave him alone!" She screamed.
The crowd stood there and did nothing. Jiang grabbed her hair, "do you see her? No one will date her in this school, and any asshole who dares to double-cross me will face this."
Jiang had removed the pocket knife stabbing it into my right hand. Sharp pain spiked through my body as the knife's blade went through my hand; at first, it felt warm. My mind had not registered what had just happened, and that's when reality kicked in. I had been stabbed for the first time in my life. The blood was pouring down onto the old chipped wooden table. At this moment, everything around me went black, I heard distant screams, but it felt like I was asleep and helpless. "What have you done to him? Why did you do that?" I heard someone say, "you have killed him."
Am I dead because I'm too young to die? Why would these guys kill me in broad daylight? Around me, everything was dark. It's like being stuck in a maze and being blindfolded. "Help me, Help me," I repeat, frantically looking around, "is anyone there?"
No response. I followed my instincts and left, looking around into the darkness. "Let's try again," came the words, and I felt an electrical shock. When opening my eyes, I saw a bright light. Is this what I think it is? I looked around and saw green aprons and people with surgical gloves, "we have a pulse."
I glanced around and took in the deserted, blue and white, schemed hospital bedroom. How long have I been here? I shut my eyes, trying to remember what had exactly happened. Then it all hits me with a bang. The memory of it all starts to occupy my thoughts. The cold air hits my face as I plummet toward the gravel. Some were panicking, and some remained still. I heard one lady scream, "he is dying."
The pain jolted throughout my body. It didn't hurt as much as the realization that I failed to escape these bullies' miserable life. I was still alive. People started to surround me, some dialing 911 to seek professional help, and a man told me, "Hold on, you'll be fine." I didn't want to hold on.
Who brought me here? Out of impulse, my hand travels to my face, pressing the throbbing area on my right temple. I felt a scar and flinched at the pain. I tried to get up. Once I stepped on the cold, white tiles, I instantly fell back onto the bed. My body was engulfed in pain as if objecting to my decision to stand up. I lay there pathetically, waiting for the pain to wash away. I was staring at the ceiling, illuminated with white fluorescent light. I was perhaps waiting for some help from the hospital staff. I still didn't know how I got here, who took me, and how long I'd been here. My vision, I don't understand. I could see, and now I am back to needing my glasses. I feel a sudden anxiety. Maka promised to protect me. I guess her promises were as predictable as the weatherman these days.
I rub my eyes hoping I can see my mom. She was not here, oddly strange; as I lay back on the bed, a beautiful lady approached. She has blonde hair and sea blue eyes, is slim built, is wearing a white doctor's jacket, and holding a register, "how are you feeling, young man?" She politely asked.
My lips felt too dry to speak for a moment, pushing out the words, "I am fine, thank you, doctor."
"Do you remember anything?" She leans over, lifting my eyelids.
I remember everything but those assholes deserve more than just jail time for what they had done to me.
"No, I am sorry, I can't remember anything."
She checks the drip, "I have a detective outside who would like to ask you a few questions. May I let him in?"
"Sure, but I can't remember what happened."
"Okay, I will inform the detective to give you some more time before talking to you. Get some rest, young man." She has the most gentle smile I have yet seen.