Page 49 of Tis the Season to be Bullied

I glance at him. He’s holding out his sausage on the end of his fork.

When I look up at him, he drops his eyes.

“Not hungry,” I say, pushing away my plate.

I stand and go over to the far side of the room, ignoring the eyes surreptitiously following me. I pour myself a cup of coffee, hesitate, and then double the amount of sugar I normally do.

I’m sure I’m going to need the energy today.

On the way back to my seat, I spot movement across the room.

Of course.

My day wouldn’t be complete without someone filming me for no apparent reason. It’s blatantly obvious he’s got the lens focused on me—it tracks me as I cross the room.

I thump down into my seat and point at him, leaning sideways to Jasper. I keep my voice low even though Sister Miriam left the hall minutes ago.

“Who is that?”

Jasper frowns as he looks up. “Think his name’s Apollo.”

Perry turns in his seat and comes back with a nod. “Yeah. That’s Apollo. Why?”

“Because I’m sick of him filming me.” I stand and dust my hands. “And I’m sure Sister Miriam won’t like it when I tell her what he’s been doing.”

“You’re gonna tell?” Jasper frowns up at me.

I put my hands on my waist and glare down at him. “You’relecturing me about snitching?”

The hall goes silent.

My cheeks instantly turn red.

But I hold my ground, even when Jasper frowns in confusion. “I didn’t say anything. Father Gabriel asked us where you were before he started prayers this morning.” Jasper throws out a hand to encompass every student in the school.

Even Apollo and his damned video camera.

“He asked the whole school, and when no one said they’d seen you, then he asked me specifically.” Jasper snorts and leansback, scooping up a heap of scrambled eggs with his fork. “I ain’t gonna lie for you.”

I deflate a little at that. I guess I should have realized Jasper wouldn’t snitch, but I hadn’t thought Gabriel would ask after me either.

I sink back into my seat and mutter out a low, “Sorry.”

“Yeah, well, fuck you,” Jasper says. He stabs his fork toward me again. “Now eat the fucking sausage.”

I stare at the oily sausage, and then up at him.

You know what? Thankfuckmy tray was the last one and all I got was prison gruel. I’m glad I couldn’t go shower this morning because the place was infested with boys.

We’ve been through this little dance, the Universe and I. It seems to forget that even if it knocks me down, I’ll pop right back up again. A little like punching fog, and a lot like punching a balloon.

I slide the sausage off his fork and bite carefully into it. It’s not great, but anything’s better than the gruel.

“And if you don’t want to eat crap, get here sooner,” he mutters.

“Yes, Mom.”

My skin goes cold when I hear what I said, but it gets a chuckle from Jasper and a snicker from Perry, and I don’t want to ruin that.

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