Myocardium

Part 14

Since when does the injustice against me bother him, though? 

Isn't he the one who's willing to rat me out even though he can probably take a damn good guess about how badly I need this job? 

"By the way, please don't kill yourself. I'm serious, people like him are the reason why some students really go through with it. It's so, so bad how the educational system brushes off these sort of remarks. I know my opinion probably doesn't mean much to you, but for all it matters, I know you're not a terrorist. How long have people been saying stuff like that?" he questions and seems to actually give a shit about my problems. 

His worry sounds so genuine, I hate how it comforts me. 

"It's just Ben, and he's not usually fighting me like this. I'll be fine, it's just the injustice that's bothering me," I sigh, and he speaks his reply with a faint smile on his face. 

"Well, just know that you're not alone. If you ever need anything, or you just feel like getting something off your chest, you can come talk to me anytime, both in here and outside of this college, alright?"

His words are so bittersweet, nobody has ever been 'on my side', let alone without even knowing me properly. 

With a thousand thoughts racing in my head, I thank him and return the faint smile, slipping off the bench and walking towards the sink, where a mirror is mounted on the wall above. There, I wash my hands and fix my hair, looking at my burning wounds.
"That idiot really got a few good punches in, huh?" I hear Rafael's voice from behind me as he looks at me through the mirror. 

"Yeah, but I'll be fine," I play it down and swiftly turn around to face him again. I don't like having my back turned to him, it only makes me vulnerable to whatever he could potentially be planning to do to me.

"I hope so. Now come on, I have one more session today, and I believe you have to attend some more classes to attend, too," he then chuckles softly and gestures me to leave the room with him. 

"Well, good thing you got me out of my eco-class. Usually, I don't find good reasons to skip," I joke half-heartedly and follow him out the nurse's office.

"Not your favourite?" he asks as he locks the door and I make my way back to our classroom through the empty hallway, only looking back at him for a moment to respond.
"Nah, I care much more about biology, and your sessions are a lot more fun than these endless lectures."
The rest of the hours I spend on campus go by as if they're nothing, and everyone is back to disregarding me as if I'm nothing.

I'm fine with that, as long as I don't cross Ben's path again, or as long as they don't get fussy. The only thing that bothers me a bit is the growing pain in my ribcage, I've taken quite the kicks after all.

At least now people might fear me for being an alleged terrorist. I mean, I know Ben's a good talker and I know how fast rumors spread in this place when he's the one spreading them. Since I know that the fear is absolutely unreasonable, I'm fine with the idea of it. It'll all die down soon anyway. 

Rafael stays on my mind all day, so much, in fact, that even Joe, who I encounter when delivering the money, won't let me stop thinking about what has happened.
"Damn, kid. Who messed you up like that? Does this have anything to do with that teacher of yours? You're not usually one to get beaten up," is the first thing he says to me while I give him the money, receiving a small bottle of clear liquid in return.

"Nah, just some asshole calling me a fag," I explain, not even mentioning Rafael. I need to make my mind up about him before I tell people about anything, especially Joe. With him, it's best to keep my weak spots secret. Joe will use any means of entry for attack he can get out of me.