Tory’s POV
It has been a week since Nate’s episode. Apparently, he is suicidal, which was something that I found extremely surprising since he thinks of himself as a literal God.
It’s Thursday and everyone was settling down in class when Nate walked in, the class was silent, not because they knew about what happened last week at his house, but because he had a very annoyed look on his face. That meant that no one should try to speak to him.
He sat down in front of Rex, whose attention was on me, his face was now in a frown, he was probably wondering why I was staring at Nate, but my mom had made Toni and I promise not to say anything to a soul.
” Are you okay?”
” Yeah, just praying my mood doesn’t go sour,” I said and he chuckled, knowing why I said that.
” You know that I can fucking hear you right?” Nate asked clearly pissed.
” She can say whatever she wants, puppy”
” What’d you call me ?”
” You heard me, where’s your new toy”
” If by toy you mean Isabella, I don’t care. I’m sure you know that already”
Rex glared at him and just when I was sure they would fight, Troas came and I heaved a sigh of relief.
He probably had homework for Nate.
” Excuse me” Troas said.
” What?”
” Nate” he said before he gulped realizing his mistake. Nate didn’t even need to glare before he looked away and corrected himself.
” I meant, boss I swear”
” Oh, I’m not sure that you did. The ease with which you called me Nate is a testimony to that fact.”
” I’m sorry. Please” he begged desperately and Nate just shrugged.
” What do you want?”
” I brought your homework”
” Which one ?”
” History, Spanish, Math, geography and English”
” Did you finish all of them?”
” Y-yes I did” Troas said stuttering.
” Troas, you wouldn’t want me to help twist that arm of yours again would you?”
” I – I couldn’t finish all”
” Why the hell not?” Nate asked quite calmly. Why is he being so laid back? – I wondered.
” Because I’m not feeling well, look at me, I look like crap from s-staying up all night doing your homework. I didn’t even do mine” he whimpered and I could tell that a few people were starting to feel bad for the boy.
Nate has started to get on a lot of people’s bad side, most of his friends left him to be with Rex after their fight.
” Well, since you got tired yesterday and had a good night’s rest, I suppose you’re ready to finish up what you started. Now, sit down and write” Nate said and Troas sat down beside me, took off his heavy bag, and started bringing out notes.
My eyes suddenly saw something that I knew would piss Nate off – the notebook Troas was currently writing on had his name on it, not Nate’s. I tried to tell Troas but Nate had already seen it!
” Hold on hold on” Nate said as he snatched the book from him.
” This is your book, not mine. Are you trying to play smart with me?”
” No that’s yours not mine” Troas said with a nervous laugh.
” So, you’re saying I don’t know how to read?”
” No that’s not what I’m saying”
” Then tell me whose name this is!” Nate said as he slammed the book on Troas’s face and at that moment I spoke up.
” Do you always have to be such a dick, Nate?”
” There’s no need for you to butt in Tory” Troas said and I scoffed.
” Oh shut up Troas! Don’t be scared because of this fool”
” I’m begging you, Tory, please stop”
” Dude, you shouldn’t have to do this idiot’s homework, you’re sick and what you need is rest, not being bullied here and there” Rex said with an eye roll as he folded his arms.
” Troas, toss his notes over to him. From now on, you don’t need to do what he says” I said as I got up and placed my hand on my waist.
” I – I’d rather not” Troas stammered.
” He won’t touch you, trust me. He’s just a messed up Idiot” Rex said and I nodded in agreement.
” Troas your friends say I’m an idiot” Nate said as he turned around to face a trembling Troas.
” No no, they’re not my friends!”
” Well they are now and I don’t like to be insulted, in fact, I’ve started to feel very grumpy and sad so… I’m just gonna -” I gasped and some people stood from their seats to stop Nate but it was too late! He broke Troas’s thumb like it was wafers!
Troas yelled in pain as he begged Nate to let go.
” Stop it Nate!” Isabella yelled as she entered class but Nate didn’t stop, he squeezed it once more and Troas yelled in despair before Nate let go of him.
” There you go.” Nate said as he faced Rex who didn’t exactly look shocked probably because he’s seen Nate do worse but I got the feeling Nate had a sense of satisfaction as he saw my horrified expression.
” Well then, since you’re his new best friend, you should call the nurse” Nate said before he walked out of the class.
I turned to Rex and he looked at me as a frown formed on his face.
” I’m gonna report this” I said, storming out of the class and heading for Mr. Jenkins’ office.
At the time I got there, thankfully no one else seemed to be attended to so I knocked twice before I entered.
” Miss Williams! How are you today?”
” I’m fine, thank you, sir”
” Take a seat” he said as he gestured to one of the empty chairs and I sat down, completely ignoring to check all the books arranged on the shelves in his office as I had previously planned.
” I suppose that you’re ready to discuss the matters of the fundraiser with me?”
” Ummm, not exactly.”
” Oh, what’s the matter then?”
” Mr. Jenkins you have to call Nate to order, else one day he’ll kill someone at this school and you would be held responsible!”
Mr. Jenkins looked straight at me, concern written all over his face before he tried to speak but I interrupted.
” Is he like your secret son or something?
” Good Lord, no! That would be a nightmare ”
” Then why do you give him so much special treatment?”
“Tory, I understand your point and honestly, I’ve always wanted to discipline Nate every time he misbehaved but something just makes me feel like Nate isn’t….” He paused and looked at me as though he was trying to make up his mind on whether to finish his sentence or not.
” …. In his right state of mind”
” Of course he isn’t!”
” What exactly did he do this time?”
” He broke Troas’s thumb”
” He what?”
” Yep he broke it like it was wafers” I said folding my arms and staring blank at him.
” Alright, Tori” he said after a while of thinking.
” You’re right. What he did mustn’t go unpunished, it’s high time I called him to order – right state of mind or not”
” I hope you mean that sir”
” Of course, I do”
” Okay but know this, this isn’t the first time Nate’s assaulted someone in school, this is just the first time someone’s reporting it, keep that in mind… Anyway Thank you, sir”
” Thank you Miss Williams” he said before I took my leave and headed for class where Mrs. Johnson was already teaching.
I just ignored her gaze because she’s the least of my problems, what I genuinely care about is for Nate to get what he deserves after that stupid stunt he pulled earlier.
*******
At the close of school, I was about leaving with Rex when I heard Mr. Jenkins say, “Mrs. Johnson, see Nate off to the janitor, they’ll be working hand in hand to make sure the school is spotless after school every day”
Nate, came out of Mr. Jenkins’ office looking furious.
” Wow, you actually got Mr. Jenkins to do it” Rachel said from behind me and I tried to suppress my grin but it broke free.
” Yes Rachel, I did” I said to Rachel as Nate glared at me.