30MIN
"Have a fun day at your new school!" Mum's voice rang out from behind the door. James mumbled back his farewell as he skidded over to the bus, sneakers scraping on the pavement dolefully.
He looked over at all his new classmates as he entered. These people must have known each other since they were in diapers. How lucky that a reticent, feeble boy like him would end up surrounded by already determined friend groups. The hubbub of the bus rattled off the walls, girls gabbing to one another and the boys playing some sick game on another new boy. James anxiously averted his gaze, slipping into the furthest seat to avoid confrontation. He was not getting in trouble on his first day.
So much for trying to fit in. His convivial, portly middle aged teacher Ms Pentrose had already demanded he introduce himself to the class even before commencing classtime. James felt something bubble up in his throat as he felt twenty pairs of eyes drill into him. He spluttered out a greeting, but it felt as if even the ticking of the clock drowned him out. His cheeks burned in ignominy as he slipped back into his seat. Staring into his shoes , James failed to notice a certain azure pair of eyeballs glaring at him from behind in a sinister glee. Sam Green chuckled under his breath, already fantasising about all the torment he could put this new kid through.
The lunchtime bell rang. Kids streamed out from the classrooms, jostling into each other as they fought to get into the lunch line. James, who had been shoved around mercilessly, somehow still managed to be one of the first to get his lunch. The trail of starving students glowered at his lunch tray with envy. As James ambled towards a lunch table, the clamour of kids oddly died down. The next immediate sensation he felt was someone hooking their foot around his, flipping him and his tray over. James didn't even have time to scream before a bowl of sloppy, creamy macaroni smashed into his face. Rolling over shakily, his stained face reddened as his eyes met Sam Green-some boy in his class who had been throwing balls of paper towards the girls. Laughter erupted around him, but it died down just as quickly as it had bubbled up. The school janitor arrived. No wonder Sam's disposition had completely reversed as he recoiled in fear. The janitor more resembled a beast than a man. Even in his work uniform, his beady black eyes shot daggers at Sam as he scraped peas of the floor. James' heart clenched in terror as the janitors' calloused, muscular hands clenched at the broom.
"Don't do that again, boy." A gruff voice emitted from his bush of a beard.
Sam looked back and forth from his victim to the murderous janitor. He was not going to apologise. He pompously shut his mouth, and scampered away, horded by his croons.
James observed the scene with wonder, internally thanking his hairy saviour.
The surrounding students let out a small collective gasp as a bulky hand was offered in James' direction. The boy flinched but timidly took it. As he stood up the janitor cleared his breath awkwardly, looking down at the gaunt student before him.
"If he causes any more trouble, tell me, okay?" the janitor growled. James nodded feverishly. "Anyways, I have ways of dealing with kids like him."
He shuffled away, cleaning equipment rattling in his trolley. James smeared a piece of macaroni off his cheek. However, his eyes caught sight of something quite unusual-a trail of little blood drops that had fallen from the janitor's pants.
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