The loud thud on Matt’s windows sent him out shouting and screaming as the boys ran away giggling. Matt stood outside for a few minutes looking in the direction where the boys ran, wishing something would wheel them back so he could squeeze their ears as hard as he can, not that he could because he was also afraid. He hissed and slammed the door as he went back to what he was doing in the kitchen.
“Jerry and his friends are still disturbing you huh?”Kelvin said jumping into the warm embrace of the sofa.
“Don’t you feel maybe they have a thing for blonds as they do this to both you and Phil”, he added as he reached for the remote. He then adjusted the hands of his sweater before picking up his spoon.
“They are not well trained, and they won’t be doing this if my dad was still here”, Matt said finally damping the wetness off his hands as he joined Kelvin.
‘’I’m sure your mom and dad will work something out soon he said trying to make everything easy for Matt”.
“I don’t know Kelvin, my dad has already moved downtown”, Matt said, he then left the sofa as he heard the ‘ding’ sound of the oven.
The next morning, Matt joined the school bus. It was his first time since his dad always dropped him off while going to work. As he made his way down the alley of the bus he couldn’t help but notice the eyes fixated on him. His breathing then increased as he felt nostalgic, he was almost losing it when kelvin called out for him in the back seat. He quickly joined him as Kelvin adjusted for him to sit close to the window.
“As it is your first day with the commuters I felt you should have a nice view from here”, Kelvin said, he looked at Matt who was a little sweaty on his head, his blue eyes shone as he blinked constantly.
“Are you okay pal”, he said looking intently at Matt.
“Mmhmm”, was all Matt could say as he nodded.
Later at school during lunch, Matt saw Jerry and a few of his friends laughing as Jerry was describing how scared Matt was after they threw mud at his windows.
“Ignore them”, Kelvin said as he joined Matt with his tray of food.
“Let’s see what they’ll do when your cousin Nathan gets here” Kelvin added munching loudly on his food. Matt kept staring at them as he slowly ate his meal. He kept wondering why he didn’t have the gut to face them and warn them not to make trouble at his house again. He was still lost in thoughts when Jerry walked up to his table with his friends following him like loyal dogs.
“Did you like the mud we sent you yesterday”, Jerry said as he smiled and looked at his friends.
“In case you missed it we dropped another one in your locker”, Jerry added as he smiled mischievously. This infuriated Matt but he sat still as he felt he was no match for them even if Kelvin were to join in.
Matt and Kelvin left for the school bus immediately after they heard the bell. They wanted to catch their previous seat at the back but most of all they wanted to escape Jerry and his devotees. As they got to the bus, Matt heard his name and looked across the street and there was his cousin Andrew standing close to a car the driver's door opened.
“I wasn’t expecting you till next week Drew”, Matt said as he hugged him.
“Grandpa decided to start here early, so I guess you are stuck with me till I leave for college”, Andrew said as he started the car. Matt waved Kelvin goodbye as he joined in the front seat.
They had not gone far when Andrew started,
“Good news bro, I left your mum and dad at the family condo, I think they are good now after the long conversation they had with Grandma.
“I hope everything will be fine,” Matt said as he looked out the windows.
The next day, Andrew dropped him at school since he was also attending his school but in the senior class. Jerry and his friends who had been waiting in the corridor kept their mouths shut as they saw the huge figure that accompanied Matt. They didn’t even whisper as Matt and Andrew passed by them. Kelvin was just about to shut his locker but he too witnessed the event.
‘We are the big boys now”, He said to Matt, smiling.
“I think your cousin being here will make us more strong now, so we can talk back at Jerry whenever he troubles us”, He added as they both entered their classroom everybody talking and looking at them. This time Matt felt a strong feeling of pride and courage. Matt got home that day and saw his dad on the porch reading. He was so happy he hugged him then he went inside. His mom was stocking the fridge, smiling as Matt hugged her from behind.
