It seems there was a cardinal rule in high school that there must always be drama.

I looked through the window during English class and saw the janitor leading the principal to the mess of the Halloween party that was hosted two days ago.

It wasn't the first time students had vandalized the school but it seemed that this time the janitor was furious and exhausted. The principal tried to calm the janitor down but the man would have none of it and demanded punishment while he furiously pointed at the huge painting of the grim reaper.

"Mr. Winston you would do well to keep your eyes in the classroom." Mrs. Amira said drawing me back into the class.

I muttered an apology and looked back at my note.

We'll someone's screwed

*****************

The whole school was ablaze with gossip, but not about who did it but about the punishment that would be given. Everyone was calm about not being called because there were only two suspects - James and Jayden.

I was evilly hoping that it was James but after I heard people saying it was at the later stages of the party that the graffiti came up, I sadly ruled James out since I saw Emily and him enter an empty classroom at the later stages of the party.

I suspiciously eyed Jayden who was sitting beside me. He was the only obvious suspect left but I didn't say anything because it wouldn't be good to judge without facts.

After spending the whole of my break on trying to solve the mystery, I forcefully pushed it to the back of my mind to concentrate. It wasn't until Henry a meek boy with a history of being bullied, confessed to the Principal that he was the one who did it, that I became genuinely concerned.

Even though anyone with half a brain could easily see the confession was forced, the principal had no choice but to use him as an example. I decided to ask him about it during our tutoring session to put my mind at ease.

"Are you the one who painted the walls?" I asked out of the blue while he was reading biology.

He tensed for a split second before looking up at me without any emotion. "I don't know what you are talking about."

I got down from the table I was sitting on and walked towards him.
"Listen, I'm not generally concerned about the wall, they're never going to stop."

I paused to get myself ready for the punches that might follow.

"What I am bothered about is how you made the boy take the fall for you."

"I just asked for a favor." He finally admitted reaching for a cigarette in his pocket.

"You just asked for a favor." I repeated unconvinced.

He suddenly turned to me with anger brewing in his eyes.

"Do you really think am such a despicable human being? I didn't dunk his head into the toilet or beat him to a pulp to get him to agree okay?"

"But your friends used to." I said calmly.

The pencil in his hand snapped and I could see he was taken aback by my statement.

"Knowing your friends" He turned to glare at me "Or your ex-friends. Do you really think he felt like he had a choice?"

"You don't have to physically hurt someone for it to be bullying." I said wrapping up my speech.

"He wasn't complaining." He muttered in defense.

"Just because they say nothing, doesn't mean they feel nothing." I replied trying to let him see my point.

He angrily grabbed his bag and got up. I was about to say something but he cut me off.

"Times up shortie."

And with that, he banged the door behind him.

I sighed and slid to the ground wondering if I should have just left things the way they were.

*************

It was the next day and I couldn't see Henry or Jayden anywhere. It wasn't until I saw them coming out of the principal's office with Jayden looking glum and Henry looking a little bit better that I knew Jayden had told the truth.

I sighed and opened the principal's door after knocking and making sure the two boys had gone far enough.

You got this Astro

The principal looked tired but still smiled up at me.

"What can I do for you Astro?"

Courage don't fail me now.

I gripped the edges of my hoodie and struggled to get anything out of my mouth.

"Um-Um Sir, it's about Jayden." I nervously said.

"If it's about the graffiti Jayden has come clean and I appreciate you coming forward." He said hurriedly and turned back to the mountain of papers on his desk.

"No. I am actually here about Jayden." I took a deep breath. "He's not a completely bad person sir. He's reputation may be less than desirable but I believe he's doing better and I hope you can give him a second chance."

I calmed down to catch my breath and collect myself. I looked down to see the principal looking back up at me in shock and I wondered if I was too hasty.

The principal smiled to himself.

"I'm glad the boy has someone to look out for him." He said softly.

"But I can't let him go free and I don't want to make a student slip back into the dark." He added looking at me to offer a solution.

I thought for a moment.
"How about he cleans the drawing and when he does, the incident can be removed from his file."

He hummed in agreement and I could see he was stressed so I took my leave.

***************

It was after school and I stood by the side of the wall that had the graffiti on it, silently hoping the principal had taken my suggestion.

"Are you waiting for someone?" Jayden whispered at my back.

My heart came up to my throat and I turned round to see Jayden with cleaning solutions in his hand. I took a deep sigh of relief even though I wanted to punch him earlier.

"I heard you told the truth." I said crossing my arms.

"I heard you spoke to the principal." He countered.

"Thank you for taking my advice," I said happily.

"I don't like disappointing my friends." He muttered.

Did he just say, friend!!!

"You're not at best friend level so don't get your hopes up too much." He said picking up a spray.

Boy just had to ruin it.

He glanced up at the graffiti and then down at me.

"Did I forget something during tutoring?" He asked since I wasn't moving along.

I picked up some gloves and brushes. "Oh no. I came to help."

He looked at me in shock as I started to scrub the wall.

"Can't let you do all the work. I wouldn't be a friend if I did that." I said, turning to offer a friendly smile.

He turned away and silently started scrubbing but I could still see a small smile on his face.

Another lesson learned. Part of being a friend isn't only pointing out their flaws but supporting them as they correct them as well.

"What kind of freaking paint did you use on this." I asked frustrated.

He smirked "The expensive kind."

So I might have lied to the Principal a bit. Jayden might need some readjustment in knowing social evils, but he definitely wasn't putting on a macho act like most bullies on television, he was really just fine by himself if need be and that wasn't changing anytime soon. And I strangely didn't want it to change either.

It playfully punched him and he sprayed some water at me.

What a day

**************
AN

Hi everyone!!!

Soooo, even though bullying can occur in physical forms other forms of bullying someone can easily occur without us knowing. (Like insulting or degrading someone.)

So please be kind and to everyone.

If you guys like this chapter please don't forget to vote and comment.

Thanks