I Was Killed In A Bullying Incident

“Have you seen this before? This is the latest necklace from Cartier. I bet poor people like you can only afford it with two to three years of your salary.”

Jimmy Anderson threw the necklace onto my face without any hesitation. I felt a sharp pain, and it immediately left a red mark on my face.

Even though he was humiliating me, I dared not to fight back.

My mother passed away a long time ago, and my father was the only one with earning power in my family. He worked long hours at his food stand, and he was very frugal.

We would only eat the cheapest fast food deals.

I did not mind it even when my schoolmates laughed at me for dressing like a beggar.

I just wanted to save more money so that my father’s savings would grow. Then, he would be able to treat his aching shoulder.

Jimmy was his family’s favorite, and the Anderson family was famous and rich in this city.

He barely needed to lift a finger if he wanted to ruin our lives.

I dared not risk it, and I did not have the means to risk it either.

My cheek was swollen, but I did not cry. Instead, I smiled at him like I was a dog trained to do so. “This necklace is so beautiful. It only suits you. Poor people like us would degrade the necklace by wearing it.”

Jimmy was pleased as he laughed. “What a smooth talker. Alright then, I won’t burn you with a curling wand today.

“The rest of you, tear his school uniform apart.” His smile widened as if he was having mercy on me. “He’s worn it for two years. It’s about time he got a new one.”

Then, he left with his necklace without looking back.

I collapsed on the spot silently and watched as my school uniform was torn apart.

It was not until I heard the door creaking that I dared to look up. Then, I stuffed my torn clothes into my bag.

It was a hot summer, and it was extremely humid in the afternoon.

After walking for a while, I saw my father making food underneath the hot sun.

When he saw me walk over, he flashed me a smile. Sweat was trickling down his neck to his body.

“Ben, you’re back. You must be hungry. Go ahead and have a seat first, I’ll be done soon.”

“I’m not hungry, Dad,” I said. Then, I took his knife and started to cut ingredients for him.

The owner of the next food stand praised, “Peter, you’ve raised a good son. He’s not like my son who spends all of my money and just games on his computer all day after school!”

My father smiled happily as he kept praising that I was a good son.

There were not many people on the street in the evening.

I grabbed the edge of my shirt many times in anxiety. I finally looked at my father when my clothes became crumpled.

“Dad, our school’s gathering orders for new school uniforms.”

My father wiped his counter and asked without looking up, “Can’t you wear your existing uniform? It’s quite expensive. I have to sell a lot of food to afford that.”

“You’re right. I’ll be graduating in a month. There’s no need to buy a new uniform.”

I glanced at my torn clothes from my peripheral vision, and the breeze suddenly felt too chilly.

I felt a bone-chilling sensation, as if I was going to freeze to death.