The Outcast (Friday Flash Fiction)

It wasn’t the first time he’d been shoved into his locker door.

Or found hateful notes taped to it.

Or been punched. Or ridiculed. Or secluded.

The force of the shove sent him flying, knocking his head into the door and making him see stars. Pain shot outward from the point of impact.

He didn’t really feel the pain in his heart anymore.

Everyone hated him. No one at this school seemed to care about him. Bullies abused him. Teachers sympathized, but did nothing. He had no friends. Even his parents didn’t know what to do with him now.

He knew coming out would be difficult, but he never realized how devastating it would be.

He rubbed the knot on the back of his head as he sat on the ground beneath his locker. Students walked by. Some glanced at him. Some didn’t. No one cared.

He was beginning to lose faith in humanity. So much for everyone being equal.

Suddenly, a well-manicured hand appeared in front of his face, the delicate fingers reaching out to him. He looked up to see a girl with a gentle smile on her face. He had seen her around, but never learned her name. The Bible he frequently saw sticking out of her backpack told him to steer clear. She might not shove him to the ground, but she’d only have judgment for him.

But here she was, reaching out her hand.

Swallowing, he took it and was surprised by her strength as she helped him up. “Thanks.” he managed.

“Are you okay?” She asked. She was the first student to talk to him kindly in weeks.

“Yeah. I’m fine.”

“Maybe you should see the nurse. Do you have a headache?” She was fussing over him in an almost motherly way. He liked it.

“It’ll heal.”

“Aren’t you in my English class? Want to walk with me?”

He studied her. She didn’t seem to be setting him up. She wasn’t judging him. She seemed genuinely warm.

“You sure you want to be seen with me? Don’t Christians hate gays?”

He was testing her resolve, but she didn’t seem bothered. She shrugged. “I’m in no position to cast stones. Besides…I know what it’s like to be the outcast.”

He was surprised when he felt himself smile at her.

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Sorry. This was 84 words too long. Just felt like breaking the flash fiction rules today. But I did edit about fifty words out, so I tried at least.