I'm Sorry

I was already lined up for science, waiting for my teacher to come.

                I was early—I had stayed in to help one of my friends with Geography.

                One of my other friends walks up beside me. “Hi Max,” I great him, my tone obvious that I was bored.

                “Hey,” he responds. “You missed all the drama at Lunch.”

                I couldn’t care less. Drama, gossip, rumours? I only prompted him about what had happened because I needed to stay in date. People already stared at me as if I was the first hobbit that had entered the land of Gondor.

                “Jane got slapped by Duncan.” His voice was casual enough, as if it was normal.

                Quick pause for a moment.

                Jane is one of my closest friends, an innocent girl with a pure and good heart. You’d think people would be nice to her.

                Wrong.

                She’s bullied, and I watch out for her, protecting me. So I guess it wasn’t that big of a shock.

                Except for that Lunch recess, I was helping Shona.

                I drop my stuff with a large bang and I run off towards her locker, running over about three students and a teacher.

                I can see her sobbing in her locker beside Duncan who’s in his own locker, sobbing as well.

                “Jane!” I cry. At my voice, she looks up, her eyes bloodshot red.

                I console her, telling her that everything will be fine.

                I turn to Duncan and I could swear that I saw him flinch slightly.

                “Come on guys. Pull yourselves together and let’s go to science. We’ve got science and homeroom.” I tried to put on my most consoling and kind voice.

                A couple of minutes later, as Jane sits in her chair, she starts sobbing. I run urgently towards her, telling her that everything will be fine.

For the moment, I thought that it would be useful for a box of tissues. I glare at Natalia (she sits beside Jane) and Michael (he sits in front of her) and they start comforting her as I run off to get them.

                We ran out, so I break away to get one from the IT room. Unfortunately, they were suffering with lack of tissues, so I scrambled to the office.

                Out of the corner of my eye, I notice Duncan and my Math teacher talking, Duncan sniffling.

                I continue on my way, grab the last tissue box and run down, avoiding his gaze.

                I offer her the box and she gratefully takes it.

               

I’m sorry, Jane, that I wasn't there to help you.

I will next time.

                And that’s a promise.