He awakes the next morning at exactly 6:00. Wiping his eyes, he steps out of bed and walks up to the bathroom, which is occupied. He knocks, asking when the person, most likely one of his sisters, will be out.

"Just a minute!" Mary says, and steps out in about two, wearing a white floral patterned dress and casual flats. Mother and father were of the belief that girls shouldn't wear pants, for fear of over-sexualization. Ironically, Mary and Esther having to wear dresses to school made them more noticeable than any of the other students, who mainly wore jeans. Jonathan once saw one of the boys in a grade higher than Mary attempt to look under her skirt while she was focused on something else, but was caught mid-act. Mary didn't know what to think and looked more confused than angry. She never told anyone about it and Jonathan didn't think she knew that he saw.

He steps into the bathroom to relieve himself, brush his hair and get dressed, leaving soon after to get breakfast. His mother must have slept good, as he stepped downstairs he could smell sausage and pancakes from the kitchen. She didn't normally prepare such elaborate breakfasts during the week, so this was a welcomed surprise. Jonathan ate his breakfast and afterwards, only had a few minutes to spare before he had to leave. He gathered his belongings into his worn black backpack and put his shoes on, stepping outside onto the porch while he waited for his mother.

Soon, they all gathered into the car and began driving to school, which took around twenty minutes. They parked and his mother wished them a good day, after which they all stepped out and walked inside the school. It was a large old building that was made in the 1930s, but was only remodeled several years ago in 1985. The parts that were not fixed were deemed unsafe and blocked off from the rest of the school. Though no one was allowed in those areas, Jonathan had heard people talk about how druggies and couples looking for some alone time would sneak back there when no one was looking.

Jonathan walked straight to his locker once he got inside, avoiding close contact with anyone if he could. He watched as Mary walked further down the hall towards the 10th grade section of the school, keeping her head down and walking quickly and calculatedly. He lost sight of her eventually and the bell rang, signaling the start of the first period. Jonathan walked a short distance to his first class, which was world history.

He made his way to the back of the class, where his seat was. He was in the second last row on the far left side. He didn't have the best view, but education was the least of his worries when he was already thinking about going home. The teacher at the front babbled on about nonsense and assigned homework at the end that all the students passed around. They were dismissed and sent on to their next class, Jonathan's being algebra. He was once again uninterested and inattentive until lunchtime, where he tried to find the most secluded spot, which was in the corner of the cafeteria beside a window. He could feel eyes on him but couldn't place who he felt watching him. There was a small group of grinning boys a few tables down that he thought could be the ones watching him, but he couldn't be certain until two of them stood up and walked down to the table he was at and sat down beside him; one on each side of him. Their intentions were clearly sinister, he could tell based on the look on their faces.

The boy to the left of him had brown hair and wore a graphic Nirvana T-shirt and loose jeans. The boy to the right had blond hair and baggy jeans, and wore a plain white T-shirt and leather jacket.

Jonathan said nothing to them, just stared and ate his lunch, until the blond one spoke.

"Hey," He said in a casual tone, seemingly nice.

Jonathan said nothing in reply, just attempted to stand up and find another seat before the situation escalated. He managed to stand up before the two boys became angry and stood up with him.

"You ignoring us?" The Nirvana boy said, shoving him.

The blond boy kicked his leg and knocked him to the floor, and the other roughly kicked his crotch. Jonathan attempted to get away but couldn't, as the blond boy once again kicked him in his leg. Their heavy shoes only worsened the blow and Jonathan began to feel sore where he was hit. The boys eventually stopped their assault once the teachers noticed and rushed over to them, dragging the boys out of the cafeteria, presumably to the principal's office. Another teacher helped Jonathan limp his way to the nurses office, where he lay for a long while with an ice pack on his bruises. His mother was called and showed up a half hour later, an intense look of worry and anger on her face.

"Jonathan!" She said, rushing into the nurse's office. "Who did this to you?"

"I don't know, mother. Just some boys."

"Well, get your things. We're going home."

"But I'm fine, mom. I can stay."

"No, honey. We're going home now. I had no idea you were being subjected to such hatred, but if I can get you out of it, I'm going to."

"Okay."

Jonathan begrudgingly gets off of the bed he was laying on and gathers his things from his locker, walking down the hallway towards the exit with his mother. Thankfully, no one was around to see him leave and harass him further. They got into their car and began driving back home in silence, until his mother spoke.

"Is there anything else you aren't telling me about, Jonathan?"

"No, mother. Everything is fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Okay. You'd tell me if there was, right?"

"Yes, mother."

Jonathan sat beside her, feeling guilty for lying. He wondered what Mary was doing. Perhaps she was being bullied just as much as him. Not like he'd ever know. Not only were they never together even in the same school, but she would never confide in him for any of her issues, let alone mother or father.

*****

She would normally get a glimpse of Jonathan walking back from lunch when her class walked into the cafeteria, but not this time. Perhaps she just didn't notice him. She got in line behind a girl in her class. She didn't know her very well, but she seemed nice enough. She wore a floral blouse and jeans, along with white sneakers. Her hair was up in a ponytail that was beginning to come undone, and there was a set of freckles on the nape of her neck. Mary thinks her name was Julia, but she couldn't be certain. If this girl was Julia, then perhaps she was the same Julia she heard being gossiped about in class. Julia had apparently been sleeping with boys for money because her mother was out of a job and had two other children to raise.

Now that Mary looked closer at Julia, she could see that her blouse had stains and a hole near the side. Her jeans were too short and appeared uncomfortably tight around her thighs. Her shoes also had mud and dirt stains on them that appeared old, and the laces were tearing apart.

It was Mary's turn in line and after getting her food, walked past all the tables in the cafeteria and towards the exit. She didn't like to sit in the crowded cafeteria, as nothing good ever came from being around such people. She walked past the classroom doors and found a spot on the floor up against a line of lockers. After saying a short prayer to herself, she began eating her lunch. No one normally came around here, so Mary felt safe and assured no one would bother her.

Half way through the lunch period, two people, a boy and Julia, walked down the hallway towards her. She was afraid they had intentions of harassing her, but fortunately, they walked straight past, only briefly glancing at her. Just a little ways past Mary was a blocked off hallway that led to the old area of the school. Mary always thought it was strange that there was a hallway situated to the side of the main one, but assumed that it was more usual to see when the school was first built.

She saw Julia and the boy squeeze their way through the blockade and continue further down the hall. Perhaps the rumors were true. Mary finished her lunch with no other interruptions and discarded her styrofoam tray in the trash can at the end of the hall just as the rest of the students filtered back into the halls, crowding it uncomfortably. Mary quickly squeezed into her next class, which was English.

Mary never had much interest in reading and barely enjoyed reading the Bible, despite how often she did. It was as though her parents were silently pushing her into feeling guilty for not reading it, which was perhaps why she always felt bad when she didn't have time to get to it in the evening. Mary's assigned seat was in the second row from the front, which meant nearly everyone in class could very easily notice her. Despite her requesting to be moved further back, her teacher didn't budge at all and refused to move her.

Class was spent silently reading To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee to prepare for an essay about the book. Mary was only on chapter ten and felt embarrassed for her slow reading when she saw the student in front of her was already on chapter twenty-one. Class went by slower than usual and Mary left class, only getting as far as chapter fourteen. The book had to be finished by next week, so she would have to pick up her pace the next day.

The rest of the school day went by as usual, uninteresting and slow. Mary stepped outside to see mother in the parking lot, without Jonathan. She walked over to her and got into the front seat, immediately asking where Jonathan was. They would normally come out together, and if not, Jonathan always got out before her.

"He had to come home early. I'll explain when we get home."

They drive out of the school and onto the road towards the middle school where Esther was. After picking her up, she also asks where Jonathan is and mother gives the same explanation. They ride back home in silence and are greeted by Ava at the front porch along with father, who was doing work on the farm.

"How was school?" He asks both of the girls.

"Good," They say in unison.

As they step inside, they notice Jonathan laid on the couch with a pillow and ice packs.

"Jonathan! Are you okay?" Mary asks, walking into the living room.

"I'm fine. Mother was overreacting, I was just a little bruised."

"What happened?"

"He was cruelly beaten by two boys during lunch," Mother says. "Are you still sore, honey?'

"Just a little. Can I go outside now? I feel fine."

"I suppose. Just don't be too rough on yourself."

"Okay, mother."

Jonathan gets up and removes the ice packs from his bruises, putting on his shoes and walking outside with Ava, her favorite toy in her mouth.

"He was beaten?" Esther asks mother to confirm.

"Yes, sweetie. I pray nothing like that ever happens to either of you. At least Jonathan is more muscled for situations like these. I wouldn't be surprised if either of you broke a bone if they did the same to you."

The girls didn't respond to her, only nodded.

"I'll be starting on dinner now, so go wash up."

"Yes, mother," They both say.

*****

Hey guys! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Sorry it took a bit longer to get out, I was lacking in inspiration for most of last week but I've got it back now so they'll be getting posted more frequently now! 

Be sure to vote and comment if you enjoyed it! Bye now (: