It was last week when Carlo and his gang beat me. I was hospitalized for a week. I can accept those pain after I was released from the hospital. It's just that I don't feel like going out anymore. The way they treated me was just like getting my bag and passed it to everyone. The way they intentionally bumped me and I hit someone accidentally. Those are the reasons I was afraid to go to school or even go out. I feel like the world outside is not a safe place for me.
"What's your name?"
Someone just passed me and asked my name while I was sitting alone on one of the benches at the school. I always stayed there to hide from Carlo's gang.
"My name is Frank," I replied.
He just smiled at me and gave me his phone number from a small note. He then left like he was hurrying to go away.
"Hey Frank, this is Jack from earlier."
A text message from my phone when I was at home lying on my bed. I started smiling because for a long time I feel like I have a friend now. I'm so excited to reply to a message and expect another message from him. I was thinking of a conversation with a real human this time.
"Hi, Jack!...."
A short reply because I didn't know what to say or how to start a conversation with him. I was reluctant of course since we just knew each other.
After I replied I haven't received a message from him for more than an hour. I thought he will become my friend now but I'm disappointed. I don't know what to say or if I must say something why he's not replying. I'm a little bit embarrassed to do that. So the night just ended with disappointment.
"Hey Frank, someone is there looking for you."
Greetings from my teacher when I stepped into the school campus. I'm wondering who they might be. I just found out who they are when they introduced themselves to me.
"Hey, Frank. My name is Lara and it's my husband Derek."
I didn't know what's going on so I'm still confused. I just handed my hands to greet them while shaking.
"What can I do to you both, Ma'am and Sir?"
"We are the parents of Jack."
I'm still catching up on the details. Why did the parents of Jack introduce themselves to me?
"We know you're still confused right now."
"Our son Jack killed himself last night."
The mother is shedding tears already before I can fully understand what's going on.
"I'm sorry but I don't understand."
I just said as I'm constructing what's happening right now.
"Please come with us. He wrote something on his phone and I think he was attempting to send it to you."
I still don't understand what's happening because I can't believe this is happening. I have no tears to fall because we are just friends but deep in my chest is aching. I was disappointed last night because he didn't reply and this is what happened to him. My mind is full of questions that I didn't realize we are at their house already.
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They brought me to their son's house. They gave me his phone. My tears suddenly fell when I started reading it.
"You are the only friend of my son," Jack's mother said.
"We are thankful to you even though the life of our son will not be back."
The mother is crying and I can tell her pain from the way she's saying something. A trembling voice. Jack's father is just staying by her side while nodding his head.
"I hope you can do something to stop this kind of happening from now on, Frank."
Weighted words from Jack's mother. I'm not confident if I can do this because even I am afraid to face or stand in front of the crowd.
"Please Frank, we're begging you."
They noticed I'm hesitating to do it. Perhaps because I didn't answer them or I just remained quiet.
"I will do my best Ma'am and Sir."
Hopeful words of answer that I'm not sure if I can do it.
It's the day of the burial when the mass of Jack's dead body is being held at the school. The gymnasium is the perfect place for it since it's so big that it can gather a lot of students.
I'm sitting at the front while the priest is conducting a mass. I don't know if something's wrong with these students because no one laid a single tear. I only saw sad faces but I think that's not enough for someone who just died. It feels very frustrating to me.
The mass ended so I immediately climbed up to the stage where the priest was standing.
"Ahem….ahem…"
The students and the faculties are looking at me. I can't stand it so I nodded. I said something slowly.
"You know what, Jack and I just became friends. Even so, he treasured me like an old friend. In fact, he wrote me a message but because we were just friends. He didn't send it to me. Just like me, he was also afraid to tell me. But now I will read his message for me and I want you all to know how a lonely person feels."
"Hi Frank, have you ever felt like no one wants to be with you? Have you ever felt like you're being hated? Have you ever felt like you're not needed? Have you ever felt like you can't be seen in the middle of the crowd? Have you ever felt like you can't be heard? I have been feeling that for most of my life. I'm so happy that I met you but those feelings are not easy to forget when I was in school."
The crowd is making a sound while looking at each other. Perhaps they are blaming someone why Jack felt that way. I know they will just wash their hands so I started talking again.
"No one has the right to hurt someone. Who is special and who is not. It's not us to decide so let's not think of being superior to others. All of us have the right to live in this world. Let us think first before mocking someone just to make someone laugh. Instead, of hurting someone physically and mentally. Why not we all become friends so the smiling faces will be found everywhere. No one wants to cry or to be hurt. Everyone wants to be happy."
Everyone became silent as I'm talking. Some of them were being touched I guess because I'm seeing tears.
"Did we ever realize what Jack's family would be feeling right now? They said that it shouldn't be happening again but I know they were desperate that his son was still here right now, alive. I know it's not easy but I hope no more lives will be wilted. Let's make a change and stop bullying to save lives."
Everyone is cheering with some clapping. They are shouting because they agree with what I just said.
END
mrnightmare
