The next Monday at school was horrible for Niel. He liked to move around like a shadow throughout the school. He was never seen but you knew he was there. But now, after the game, everybody knew about him being benched.
Nothing happened in this small shitty town, so when there was gossip people would eat that up and keep talking about that little piece of disgusting information until they got bored of it, which would take normally a long, long time. They would chew it, chew it, and chew it. Spit it out and eat it right back up until there was no flavor left anymore.
Whispers followed Niel the whole day much to his dismay. He just wanted peace and quiet, especially after such a horrible weekend. His limp didn't help him much either. Making him even more visible to his peers.
Niel's injury gave the others only more to chew on. Some were saying he tried to hurt himself, or even kill himself. Others said Niel tried to get an injury on purpose, so it wasn't his fault a soccer career was off the table. The stories were wild and they got even wilder. Teenagers didn't have anything better to do than keeping their filthy noses in other people's shit.
Niel had already expected this, the halls filled with whispers of gossip and untrue rumors. When he looked at his Instagram last Sunday evening he had already read the comments on his latest picture. Niel wasn't the type to keep himself busy with social media but both Lucas and Arabella insisted two years ago making an account and Lucas made sure Niel kept his account up to date. So before the game, there is a photo moment and Lucas forced Niel to post it. Well, forced sounds dramatic, strongly encouraged was maybe better phrased. And deep down Niel liked the likes and kind comments. Throughout his life, he never got many compliments so hearing some encouragement was nice once in a while. Until yesterday.
@Rose_Anne WTF was that game?
@PrinceWilliamLOL Yeah you really sucked at that game...
@Bella2003_ Get off the team!
@$tanrichman18 Off the team!
@CatVonB Get #Nielofftheteam
@BlueWaters #Nielofftheteam
@Social$uck$ #Nielofftheteam
@FlowerDaisy You weren't bad the first half
Niel sighed as he saw he had another notification from Instagram. All he wanted was for the day to end. The universe didn't let him, however. Daisy had followed him all day, before classes, during lunch break and now he was ready to go home and everybody else stood at their lockers to get ready to go home or to Mills. This meant Daisy was there as well just like everybody else. To see the most awkward and humiliating scene ever possible.
Whispers surrounded them. "Look, look she is exactly gonna do it."
"Oh shit."
"What does she see in him? He is sooo- hush they can hear you."
"Oh, I am gonna film this shit."
Niel screamed inside his head for Daisy to piss off, to leave him alone so they could both be spared from the humiliation that was about to take place.
"H-hey Niel." The girl stuttered.
Snickers were heard through the hallway.
"Hey, Daisy. What do you want?" Niel knew it was rude the way he spoke to the innocent junior, but he wanted this to be done and over with.
"Oh, I-uh, uhm... I just wanted to tell you that I still think you are a good s-soccer player and that they shouldn't k-kicked you out."
Niel clenched his fists. He was done being reminded the whole day he wasn't playing anymore. But what pissed him off, even more, was the fact people were thinking he was kicked out of the team.
"I am not kicked out, I am benched there is a difference. Now leave me alone." Guilt formed inside of him. This was not how his mother raised him. Niel was a gentleman, not today though. Today he was a frustrated teenager who had nowhere to put his anger.
"Oh, I am sorry." Came out softly from Daisy.
"Come on Johnson don't be such a heartbreaker," Jasper yelled from across the hallway. All the people around him started to laugh. Daisy was intimidated by them and hurried away. Jasper on the other hand did the exact opposite. He made his way to the now very angry Niel.
"You know, you just scared your only fan away Johnson." Jasper laughed sinisterly. Loving the way his enemy for years was now finally kicked down to the lowest place possible on the social ladder of high school.
Niel didn't want to confront, didn't want to fight. He turned around away from everyone. As he was a few feet away he felt an arm sling over his shoulders. "Where are you going Othniel? We were just having some fun. That's good for you, you know. To have some fun. How about you have some fun with us?"
Niel knew this wasn't a kind invitation. He knew something was up and he tried his hardest to escape from Jasper's grasp. With one swift movement, he wiggled his body free and tried to run to the exit. Running was hard. His injury was still very tender and he had put way more weight on it than he should.
"Come on let's chase him."
As he went over the threshold of the school he could hear the others chasing him. Niel didn't understand why it was now they insisted on bullying him. Was his status within the soccer team that valuable that he got a free pass from being bothered?
It sucked that Niel was one of the few who rode a bicycle to school instead of a car. Their cars easily caught up with him. They were playing a dangerous game with him. Niel could actually feel the fear rising up in him. As he tried his best to avoid the others by taking paths cars couldn't ride they still found him.
Niel managed to get into the suburbs but from here on out it was difficult to lose them. No shortcuts to hide only big roads made for cars. When he biked alongside the edge of the forest there was only one option, the sand road. He made his turn at the very last moment, letting the others on. He heard Jasper shouting to the others and soon the cars turned around but by the time they were entering the forest Niel made his way far inside and was now biking on some walking path where no cars could go.
Still afraid the others would find him he kept on biking until he couldn't go any further. Exhausted and in pain, he stepped off his bike and sat against a tree trunk. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
Niel couldn't believe his life was changed so drastically over the course of the weekend. His social status was shattered in his school, his soccer career was gone and he had discovered a weird community in the midst of the forest near his town. Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale.
He must have fallen asleep because when he opened his eyes it was much darker. But that wasn't the thing that surprised him the most. It was the ginger from before and the big guy Atlas who were standing in front of him that made him stand up in seconds with fright.
"Wow, wow, wow, chill man. We mean no harm." The ginger said.
Niel looked frantically around. He didn't know why maybe just to check Jasper and his followers were really gone. Or maybe for help because these two men were the last ones he wanted to see.
"What happened? You don't look so well." Atlas asked concerned.
Niel carefully grabbed his bike as he said lowly. "Nothing, I just took a wrong turn and then got tired. That's all."
Atlas didn't look convinced. He observed the teenage boy and questions came to his mind. "Were you running from something?"
"N-no. Like I said I took a wrong turn." Niel kept on insisting. He wanted these men to leave. He had to go through enough today and the only thing he wanted now was some peace and quiet. All he wanted was to be left alone.
As Niel wanted to walk away from them he almost fell. It was then he noticed how much in pain he was, that he severely overworked his injured ankle. Atlas managed to grab him before he could hit the ground.
"I think you need some rest before you are heading off on that bike of yours." Niel wanted to protest but let them. He was too tired to resist and the thought of sitting down on a nice comfortable chair wasn't too bad.
Atlas supported Niel to the big mansion while the ginger followed them. Niel still couldn't believe the size of the house. When they entered the grand mansion they made their way to a spacious living room. Atlas carefully put Niel on the couch. A sigh of relief escaped from him. After such a long day he was at least happy he could sit somewhat in peace.
"Alright," the ginger clapped his hands. "Does anybody want something to drink?"
"I am good. Niel do you want something?"
"Some water please."
The ginger left off and now Niel was alone with Atlas. When he realized that he grew uncomfortable. He didn't know what to think of the guy, he never thought he had to think of him again. Niel thought their encounter was a one-time thing. And now he was sitting across from him again.
"So what happened?"
Niel looked at him but quickly looked away again. The dominance that was oozing of this guy every time Niel looked at him made him feel tiny, which he strongly disliked.
"Look, to get there where we found you, is pretty far into the forest. By car, it is almost a fifteen-minute ride from that point to reach the suburbs. So, from what were you running from?"
How was Niel going to talk himself out of this? Wait. Why did you have to talk himself out of it? He thought. He didn't need to justify his actions to this guy. But Atlas didn't seem to let it go and once again Niel didn't want to confront or have meaningless arguments.
So he gave in.
"Just some stupid high school stuff." Niel had hoped this answer was enough. But hélas.
"Why is it stupid?"
"Because it is."
Atlas gave him another look, which Niel caught even though he was more interested in the hem of his sweater.
"It was just some stupid bullying by very insecure teenagers, that's all." Anger was rising within. Thinking about it back made him frustrated. It was unjustified that he was now the target of the school. He played one bad game because he felt someone was overlooking his shoulder. Of course, he couldn't say that to his teammates. But he could have at least played one bad game like everybody else. Why him?
"It still doesn't seem stupid to me. You seem quite upset-"
"No shit Sherlock! Of course, I am upset!" Niel yelled out, looking away from the big guy. Niel started to pick at his lips as silence fell and a moment of self-reflection hit the teenage boy. Immediately he felt bad about the way he had just shouted. It was uncalled for.
Niel even cursed.
Atlas didn't bully him and Niel never made an effort to make real friends even with his teammates. So maybe it was his own fault. If he had handled things differently he wouldn't be sitting here on this couch in this mansion in front of this man, having to explain his failure as a teenager.
"I-I am sorry. I shouldn't... I shouldn't have shouted at you like that."
Niel expected Atlas to say something in agreement, he expected Atlas to get mad at him or at least be irritated. But nothing like that happened. "It's alright. Like you said you are upset. And being chased as you felt so threatened you needed to escape so far into the forest shows that you were scared for your own safety caused by the very people you see daily. That's worth getting upset about."
Niel sighed. He was feeling relieved Atlas didn't get angry. It was his patronizing words, however, that made Niel feel like a small child. He wasn't a small child. And he wasn't even scared. Niel kept denying in his head he was scared. Being scared wasn't possible to him, a man doesn't get scared. A man handles situations and doesn't escape from them. Only Niel did that very thing. He did flee to safety...because he was scared.
The confused teenage boy grabbed his head in frustration. His breath quickened. He felt like such a fuck up. A failure. Why couldn't things go his way for once?
Unbeknownst to Niel, Atlas stood up as he saw him struggling with his inner thoughts. Carefully he put his hands over Niel's to ensure the boy wouldn't hurt himself. That was the last thing Niel needed, Atlas thought.
Niel, on the other hand, didn't accept the kind gesture. He flinched away. The gesture felt both uncomfortable and too intimate. "Get your hands off me!" Niel yelled.
Atlas quickly put his hands in the air. "I am sorry, I apologize."
"Yeah, you should. Don't touch me." Niel said, but more in a whisper, no assertion left in his voice. Niel still knew that he was no match to this big guy Atlas, who was now standing way too close to him.
Niel could still feel Atlas's hands on his own as if they left an imprint. He hated how it felt. For some reason, it felt comfortable and uncomfortable at the same time. It was as if he fought with himself inside Niel's head.
Right then the ginger walked back into the living room. "Is everything all right in here?" Slowly he sat the glass filled with water on the coffee table.
"It's fine Levi. Could you give us a moment?"
Niel couldn't see the pressed look Atlas gave to Levi. Atlas realized it was a vulnerable moment and wanted to give Niel the space to get himself together without an audience. Levi respectfully did as he was asked and left the room.
Right when Niel felt like he could look up from his hands again and the imprinting feeling was gone another person entered the room.
"Alpha- I mean boss, the doctor is here." A low stern voice said. Niel looked up and saw a serious-looking giant behind him. The size of these people still confused him.
As Niel turned back to Atlas he saw a worried look that was gone before the teenage boy could question it.
Atlas just answered slowly, "Yes, thank you, Ezra."
An older woman then walked into the leaving room. It was timed perfectly, the announcement and arrival. It was as if it was rehearsed.
When Niel shook his head trying to get rid of the weird feeling the doctor's arrival gave him, just like everything else in this place he blurted out the first question that came to his mind. "How did you get a doctor here?" Both adults gave him a questioned look. "I mean how did you get a doctor so fast here?"
"Well, I live here," The woman answered.
"You live here?"
"Yes?" Niel saw the woman looking between himself and Atlas as if the teenage boy spurted out absurd questions.
Atlas then came in to save the two from the awkward interaction. "Dr. Laura here is part of the community as well.
Niel just said 'oh' and remained silent.
Dr. Laura stepped in front of Niel and asked, "May I look at your ankle? That is where you were hurt right?"
The teenage boy fidgeted in his seat and said an unsure 'yes'. The doctor ever so carefully lifted up his pants and took the leg in her hands, moving it up to get a closer look. Niel flinched but tried to stay still.
"Hmm, I think I clearly stated that there shouldn't be put much pressure on this leg. Didn't you tell him?" Dr. Laura asked Atlas.
Atlas crossed his arms as he answered. "Yes I did, we did. But something happened."
"I can see that, it's even more swollen than when I first saw it." She sighed and stood up. "To prevent further damage, and with that, I mean serious damage, you should stay off that foot for at least five days."
Shock was seen on Niel's face. "If you don't want any permanent damage then you listen to me. Any questions?"
Atlas answered for Niel as the teenage boy was still wrapping his head around the fact he couldn't walk for the next five days. Meaning if Jasper and his mindless followers bothered him he couldn't escape.
"Don't worry, we can get you some crutches and I can bring you home." Atlas offered. "But as it is quite late why don't you stay over." Niel wanted to interject but was silenced by Atlas's reasoning. "I know you have to get home, but it's already dark out, driving will take a bit more time to prevent any accidents. Why don't you tell your parents you are sleeping over at a friend's place?"
Niel thought it over. He could say he was staying at Lucas' place. It was out of character for him, but he could say his bike broke down and Lucas' mom offered dinner and a place to stay while her husband would look at it.
Yes, that could work.
Wait, why did he want to stay? Just yesterday he tried to get out of there as fast as possible but suddenly he accepted it. Was it his exhaustion? Niel couldn't explain why he suddenly trusted the big man right at that moment but decided not to fight it as he really was tired and slightly in pain.
"All right. I will let my mom know I am at my friend's place."
Niel took his phone and let his mother know about his little white lie. Of course, he was already too late to announce this to his mother who was worried sick about where he was. Dinner time had passed and Niel never missed a dinner without notice. He tried to come up with a reasonable explanation and after five minutes everything was settled.
"Is it settled?"
Niel nodded his head as he closed off his phone.
"Good, do you want something to eat?"
Niel thought about if he wanted something for dinner. He hadn't worked out today, and yesterday it was cut short. Saturday he didn't work out either as he was busy helping his mother to avoid his father's rants. And knowing he couldn't walk for the next few days Niel would sit around, meaning he would gain weight if he did eat like he normally would. Therefore he politely declined Atlas' offer.
"You sure? You look pale?"
"Yes, I am sure."
"All right let me help you to your room then." Atlas moved forward, trying to grab Niel's arm.
"You said you had crutches right?" The now nervous Niel asked.
Atlas tilted his head. "Yeah, but this way it's faster if I just help you. I will get them for you tomorrow."
Again the big guy tried to grab Niel, but he wouldn't let him. "I-I would rather if you would go grab them now...please." Niel looked down too anxious to see Atlas' reaction.
"Don't worry I won't fall down, promise." Atlas gave him a warming smile, a smile that didn't reach Niel.
But before he could make any objection Atlas had him already up in his arms. The boy got extremely uncomfortable. Niel didn't like to be touched, didn't like to be close to others. But what he disliked the most was intimate actions and laying in some guy's arms was pretty intimate to him. It felt wrong, so, so wrong.
Finally, when they reached the same room Niel woke up in the day before the teenage boy felt like he could breathe again.
"Okay, so as you might know the house is quite big. We have multiple people living here. This wing, however, is quite empty so no one will bother you and if you need me you can just call for me." Niel politely nodded his head, wanting Atlas to leave the room as soon as possible.
A quick goodnight was said between the two before they parted ways. Both men feel quite the opposite. Atlas was over the moon that the boy stayed in his house, Niel, however, wanted to leave the place as quickly as possible in the morning.
That night Niel had a hard time sleeping. He fell asleep rather quickly, but staying asleep was difficult. His unconscious anxious someone might hurt him in that unfamiliar place and that feeling wasn't fully misplaced.
The second time the teenage boy woke up he saw an unpleasant surprise in one of the chairs in his room.