When a boy shoved Luis to the ground, the other kids started laughing, as if they'd done it on purpose. His backside hurt from being slammed against the tiled floor, and he didn't have the energy or breath to be upset about it. When a foot dug into the back of his leg, it hurt all over, but he had more pressing matters to attend to right now. The older kids swooped down on him like vultures. When one of them stuck their knee in his ribs, things got really bad. He couldn't breathe properly because the pain in his ribs made him nauseated, and his tight chest made him wheeze with every cough.
It was painful enough not to be breathing at all, but he desperately needed to make a sound. For the second time that day, he could feel tears welling up in the corners of his eyes.
He was unable to cry.
Not here.
Not right in front of them.
