Free The 8th by Matt Shaw

David was standing at the foot of the stairs with his face all battered and bruised. “What happened?” I asked.
     
    “I’ve had enough!” he said before I had even finished my sentence. “I’ve fucking had enough of it all...” David was getting more upset. It looked as though the only reason he wasn’t already crying was because he was so angry. “All of them...I’ve had it...I’m not going back...That’s it...”
     
    “What happened?” I asked again. “Jesus Christ, David...Just tell me!”
     
    “Piers...His friends...They happened. Outside my house, man. Outside my house.”
     
    “What about your parents? They didn’t see what happened?”
     
    “They’re not home. They never get home until later in the evening. They fucking waited for me outside my house.”
     
    Mum appeared behind me, “Are you okay?” she asked David.
     
    “No, of course he’s not okay. Look at him!” I said. “This is what it’s like at school. Those bullies...The ones you said would leave us alone...This is what they do...” I felt myself getting as angry as David. “Come on,” I said to him, “you can get yourself cleaned up in the bathroom.” I led the way for him whilst mum just watched, a look on her face which suggested she still didn’t get it. I couldn’t help but wonder what it would take for her to understand.
     

 
     
    10.
     

 
     
    “You okay now?” I asked David. We were standing outside his front door having been given a lift by mum. She waited in the car whilst David and I chatted.
     
    “I’m fine,” he said. I didn’t believe him. I was worried about him. He didn’t really seem as though he was there; the lights were on but he wasn’t home.
     
    I looked towards the living room window. The lights were on so I guess one, or both, of his parents were home now. “Are you going to tell them what happened?”
     
    “Don’t think I can hide it...” His face did look a mess. “It won’t make a difference, though. They’ll still make me go back tomorrow.”
     
    “They don’t care?”
     
    “Dad said once that it was deserved.”
     
    “What? How?”
     
    “Because...”
     
    “You’re gay?” I asked. David didn’t say anything but I guessed that’s why his dad felt as though he deserved a beating from time to time. There was a slight pause. “You going to be okay?”
     
    He shrugged, “What’s the alternative?”
     
    “It’ll get better,” I said, not that I believed my own words. It has to get better. We don’t actually deserve any of what we are being subjected to. David didn’t react to what I said. “Well,” I continued, “I best get back...I’ll see you tomorrow. You never know, Piers and his friends might not show up again...Could be scared you’ll get the teachers involved and they’ll be suspended.”
     
    David shrugged. I turned to look at mum who was still sitting in the car. I could tell she was getting impatient but hated leaving David like this. I guess everyone has a breaking point and this must have been his. I don’t blame him. I haven’t been here half as long as him and I’m already close to mine. I turned back to David to continue our conversation but he was already stepping in through his front door. Without so much of a goodbye he closed the door. Maybe he’ll be back to normal tomorrow, after a good night’s sleep?
     
    I walked back to the car and climbed into the front seat, next to my mum.
     
    “He seems quiet,” she said. I shot her a look.
     
     
    * * * * *
     
    “What are you doing?” asked Mrs Price. I was just standing there, in front of the class. My mind was elsewhere. Drifted off for a minute. Disappointed there isn’t enough time to deal with them all individually. “We need to get Ben some help.”
     
    “He’s dead,” I said. I didn’t even look at him. I could tell he was dead. His breathing was noisy earlier. Now I can’t hear it at all.
     
    “You’re going to prison...” said Mrs Price, “For a