Goodnight, Steve

The breeze touched the warmth of Steve’s cheeks and neck. He had this fuzzy feeling inside him. Amused of the feeling, he disregarded it and looked at his best friends. Angelo and Zainab were fighting over a leftover sandwich. Steve chuckled and found himself choking on his own saliva, which made the two cackle, only disturbing the other students in the bus.

Steve thought to himself that he is lucky enough to be with two of his best friends. Dissociating from his harsh world doesn’t seem bad at all. He heaved a deep sigh in relief and opened Angelo’s journal of which he had written riveting stories.

“Oh? What’s this?” A teenage boy, well, a rather mature-looking teenage boy snatched the journal out of Steve’s hand.

Bullies always pick on the weaker ones. It is as cliché as those high school teen movies where high school jocks with varsity jackets bully nerds with thick glasses, throwing off their books or something. This time, it's the smart people bullying the weak. “Trying to become the new Edgar Allan Poe?” Ezekiel, unlike all the other bullies, he’s actually strong and smart yet high and arrogant. He never hesitates on intimidating people below his level.

“Sorry to break it to you, but your stories are so boring it’s like watching paint dry.” Steve clenched his fist and tried to stay calm as possible.

“I’ll do better next time.” Angelo smiled. Steve, however, had his brows furrowed and scanned his friend’s face. He thought about why Angelo is so afraid of standing up for himself. It wouldn’t be just because Ezekiel is bigger than him but maybe because it’s out of fear—fear that people will look at him as an outcast since Ezekiel is the alpha and pride in their school.

“I’ll do better next time he says. Pftt… What a loser,” Ezekiel scoffed and left them.

Angelo exhaled, and Zainab offered the other sandwich to him. Still, sadness could be seen in his eyes. Angelo might not want to talk about it, but it is obvious that Ezekiel’s words pierced into his frail heart. “Thank you, Zainab.”

After a long ride from the bus, the students finally went into their respective bedrooms to rest. Steve, as restless as he can be, reached over his phone to take a picture of the breathtaking view from his window. But after that short period of amusement, an overwhelming sense of dread has overtaken his body. Horrible thoughts come and go across his mind, and he suspects danger is on its way. It could only be his mind playing with him, or maybe some kind of premonition. Who knows?

A sudden knock startled him. Is it you? No. It can’t be.

“Steve, open up!” Zainab didn’t wait for Steve and opened the door herself. “What’s taking you so long? Are you okay?” Steve nodded in response since he didn’t want to bother or worry her. “Anyway, Ms. Springs told us that there would be a live band in the camp for the open ceremony. Do you want to go?” Steve nodded again and jokingly told her to get out. Zainab, then, made a disgusted look and left his room, complaining about his attitude.

Steve changed into a black hoodie and strolled outside. And as he strolled, he saw Shyra Lacy. Everyone loves Shyra, people described her as the sun— so bright and so full of personality.

“Hey.” She said with a smile painted on her face.“It’s Steve Willow, right?” Her dimples showed, and Steve can’t help but admire such a pretty feature on her face. Shyra is exceptionally beautiful. She has rosy lips that match the color of her cheeks; a dainty nose; and blonde hair that reaches her waist. She was a dream from a country valley, born of the clover fields.

He chuckled and responded, “Surprisingly, you know my name.”

“Well, I guess people can’t stop talking about you and your family.” He paused and smirked at what she said. Somehow, Steve was irritated at what she just said. “Shit! I’m sorry. I should’ve just kept my mouth shut.” Steve smiled and left her without words.

He gritted his teeth and opened his wallet. Damn, I hate them so much. He took out their picture from his wallet and tore it. Steve knew he needed to be far from them; he doesn’t want to be related to these selfish, avaricious people. God knows he’s sick of having their blood running through his veins. I wish they weren’t my family.

Steve stared at the air long enough for him to notice that there was someone behind him. He grabbed a rock and attempted to attack. But it was only a dog.

The dog stared at him as if it was looking through his soul. He patted the dog’s head and read its nametag. Hotrod? That’s a weird name. Steve got surprised when the dog sniffed his crotch; for a minute there, Steve was frozen. He pushed the dog and ran away.

The teenager looked at his crotch, still trembling in fear. He harshly brushed his arms as if there was dirt on him. Steve bent down on his knees; his hands were on his head. Stop it. Please!

Small voices enveloped the room; he felt like there were people inside. Steve quickly swallowed a large dose of sedative pills, hoping to ease the feeling. It did help a little but he couldn’t stop thinking about the things they suffered.

I couldn’t even save you. What kind of person am I?

His gaze swung up to the door where he thinks someone dangerous would come after him. He panicked more when the knob was turning. Steve closed his eyes and prayed for it to be only his imagination.

“Yo, dude. What are you doing?” For a moment there, he thought he was going to collapse from a heart attack. “Come here, will you?” Angelo called him. His friend ventured to study him and sighed. “Having panic attacks again?”

Angelo, being a good friend, hugged him tight enough. “Don’t worry too much. If you have problems, you can talk to me about it.” Steve nodded and hauled a tired exhale.

Even if I told you the truth, it won’t change anything. I’m a horrible person.