"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure you're sure?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure that you're-"

"Naomi, stop it!" Jordan said in exasperation. "Andre told me himself that there was no Zorro in his party."

There was a long silence.

"Are you sure?"

"I give up," Jordan said, turning back to the guys.

"Why are you fixated with this Zorro?" Bennett asked me.

I opened my mouth then closed it, trying to decide what to say. "I just knew him a while back. When he appeared, it took me by surprise."

"Who is he?" Declan demanded.

Bennett narrowed his eyes. "Did he bully you?"

"No, of course not. It's just-" I sighed. "Can we just change the topic now?"

The boys shared a look, but didn't say anything. Soon they started talking about the party last night. Parker and I decided to leave early and eat out somewhere while the guys continued partying. I don't know if Parker noticed my mood change, hopefully he didn't.

Honestly, I don't know what to make of this. Him of all people just suddenly popped out of nowhere. I shook my head, I still can't believe it.

"So you don't want to eat somewhere?"

I blinked. "What?"

"I was just asking you if you wanted to eat out somewhere," Bennett told me. "But you just shook your head."

"Oh, sorry no," I said. "I have plans with Parker to go to the library. We have finals coming up now that it's November and I want to study early."

"You're choosing studying over food?" Jordan demanded. "Who are you?"

"I'm a nerd, remember?"

"But still," he whined. "It's food."

I sighed. "I know. The nerd life is a hard one."

"Hey!" Jordan said brightly. "How about we come with-"

"We should let the two of them study," Bennett cut in, looking at him.

"But you of all people know that we need the studying."

"We can always cram last minute, like we always do," Declan offered with a shrug.

Jordan was quiet then sighed. "Well, we'll bring you a doggy bag or something, Naomi." Jordan said, smiling at me.

"Next time, we'll study together, just the four of us. I promise," I told them.

"Sure, of course."

We parted ways and I met up with Parker. I didn't want to go to the school library, knowing some kids with the same idea of studying early would be there, but not want me there. I'll just go to a smaller library that no one really goes to. But I want to go there as fast as we can so we could have more time to study. Parker on the other hand had other ideas.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure you're sure?"

"Yes."

"Are you sure that you're-"

"Parker, I know for sure that I don't want to eat right now," I told him. "I know it's crazy but it's true. If we eat now, it'll be pointless to go to the library and study."

"That's the whole point," he said. "Let's eat instead and not go the library."

"Parker."

"Yes? That's my name."

I laughed and hit him playfully on the shoulder. But then he grabbed my hand and held me close to him.

"Y'know," he whispered to me. "You still owe me a dance back at the party."

"I thought guys thought it was lame to dance."

"Well, it is," Parker said. "Not unless it's a reason to hold you close to me, like this-"

Parker held my hand, and then put his other on my waist. Then he started to sway with me, humming some random tune of a song I don't recognize. I couldn't help but laugh and dance with him.

I felt bad of course. After Zorro left the party, I was out of it the rest of the night. That partying mood I had before the party started had gone. Parker must've notice that and we left the party. I was as disappointed as he was, that wasn't able to enjoy the party like I should have, like I wanted to.

He suddenly stopped humming and leaned into to kiss me. The both of us stopped dancing and were left kissing each other.

"Ugh, don't do that here," someone said in disgust. "No one wants to see something like that."

Parker and I paused to see Raymond standing there.

"Then look away," Parker simply replied before kissing me again.

But it must be uncomfortable having someone watch you kiss your boyfriend. So after a... couple minutes of torturing Raymond we finally let go. What? Who said we were the ones who were uncomfortable?

"The first thing I'm going to do when I get home is bleach my eyes," Raymond muttered.

"Go on home then, no one is stopping you."

"I'll be sure to do that," Raymond said, and then he smiled. "So how are you guys?"

I blinked. "How are we?"

He rolled his eyes. "Yes, a simple question that needs a simple answer."

"Great," Parker said, pulling me close and eyeing him. "We're great."

"I wouldn't hold your breath if I were you."

"What do you-"

Raymond stretched and yawned. "Well, I should be heading home now and find some of that bleach. See you guys." With that, he walked away.

"That was weird," I said to Parker.

"I know," he agreed. "Something's up."

"He's hiding something, that's for sure."

Parker nodded to the parking lot. "Let's go to the library now."

"No food first?" I asked in surprise.

"How about drive thru?" Parker offered.

"Deal. With all of the food talk, I wanted to eat now too at the same time go to the library."

Parker grinned. "I knew you were going to give in sooner or later."

The both of us started heading towards the parking lot to Parker's car. The both of us decided to take a shortcut to the parking lot which is located next to the school, by going around the back. It's to not only to avoid kids taking the front entrance, but so we can go eat then go to the library.

"What do you mean you don't study?"

Parker shrugged. "I'm never ready for tests. You know pop quizzes? Everything pops up at me, pop quizzes, pop tests, pop mid-terms, pop finals. When I do find out, I either cram as much as I can at the last minute or guess on the whim."

"How did you survive this long?" I asked in disbelief. "Even after failing tests-"

"Actually, some of my guesses are right. So you should be saying, after failing some tests..."

I rolled my eyes. "Okay, after failing some tests, there are also homework and projects. Even if you guessed on the homework, you must've made the projects."

He was quiet for a moment. "Well, I had some help," he admitted, not meeting my eyes..

"Sure, projects with a partner. But I mean projects by your-"

"Not with a partner, and I didn't do any of it," he said. "I had help, whether they wanted to do it or not."

It took me a while to figure it out. "Oh."

None of us said anything. I was so caught up in the conversation that I forgot. It's not something that you can easily just forget, that your boyfriend used to bully you, that he would force you to do his homework or make his projects. Honestly, I don't know how I've gone so long ignoring this. Hopefully though, I can find out and keep on ignoring it like my bullying that's coming back.

The only times I see Parker are in the morning, lunch, linear algebra- the both of us switched Mr. Roberts for Ms. Kennedy- and afterschool. The times when we didn't see each other, things have been coming back to normal. The insults were called out, punches were made, and pushes were given. But this time, they were rougher, meaner, and a lot more hurtful. I mean, I've been going through a long time, so much that I've gotten used to it. But also, I should be noticing even the little things. Maybe it's because they're mad that the virus coming from the website had ruined their virtual social lives, and all the anger and want to bully me have been building up for a while that they're finally able to let it out. Slowly and steadily, but it will come back, maybe even worse eventually.

"I wish you would ask me how I did some of it," I said, trying to lighten the atmosphere. "Then you would've been able to do some of it yourself."

"I wish I never did it in the first place."

I was quiet. "We've all made mista-"

He narrowed his eyes at me. "You can't even put that in the same category as a mistake."

"I-I know. I was only trying to make you feel better."

Parker sighed, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, I know you were. But I don't think it's something you can just-" I suddenly yelped and he paused and looked around. "Naomi?"

"Parker!" I yelled, when I was able to take the guy's hand off my mouth.

He blinked, processing what just happened. As he was talking, someone just yanked me backwards by the collar. Now here I am struggling in a guy's strong grip, one arm wrapped around my waist while the other was around my neck. My nails dug into his arm, wanting to give me enough space to let me breathe. Well, unless he was trying to choke me, then he was doing a good job on it.

"L-let- go of..." I wasn't even able to choke out the rest of the plea.

"Why should I?" He asked me, but I was thankful he loosened his grip slightly. "We're gonna need to teach you a lesson."

"Scott?" Parker asked in bewilderment as he looked at the other two guys. "Dylan? Jeff? What are you guys doing?" He demanded as he started to come towards me, but the two got in his way. "Let her go!"

Dylan, I think, grinned. "Parker, so glad you can join us. Would you like to do the honors?"

Parker looked at him in disbelief. "What? Are you sick? Why will I do that?" Then he looked back at Scott. "And stop that, you're hurting her!"

"Isn't that obvious?" Scott said, rolling his eyes. "That's the whole point." And there you go, he's back to choking me.

I tried to get him off of me, but he wouldn't budge. The more I struggled, the tighter his grip got. If I try anything, he'll do something worse. I know, I've tried. All I can do is wait until I can find my chance to get away from him.

"And what do you mean by that?" Jeff asked, confused. "You've always bullied her. C'mon, it'll be like the good old times."

"No! Never!" Parker yelled at them, trying to push past them but they wouldn't let you.

"Never?" Jeff repeated. "That's not what you would say back-"

Parker glared at them, and growled, "That was before."

Dylan sighed. "That sucks. Well, maybe having a show will get you in the mood again." He looked at me and the guy. "Scott?"

He grinned while I gulped. But before he could do anything, Parker suddenly punched Dylan in the nose. Everyone stopped, everything just stopped. They stared at Parker, I stared at Parker. He massaged his fist as Dylan cupped his nose. Then the guys jumped at Parker. He was caught off guard and tried to first the off, but it was two-to-one. I watched as Parker punched the Dylan again and Jeff jumped Parker from behind. They fell and wrestled on the ground back and forth, each getting the upperhand at times.

"Go for the arm! Go for the arm!" Scott yelled advice to his friend.

Okay then, I thought.

As he cheered for his friends, he accidentally loosed his grip around my neck. Despite his still strong grip, I was able to use my hands and pry it away from me, far enough to then bite hard down on his arm. Scott screamed and pushed me away, crashing onto the ground in front of me.

"Female dog!" He called me. Well, obviously he didn't say that, but you can guess what he said.

I tried to get back on my feet to get away, but he grabbed my hair and yanked me back. I held onto his arm to try to take it off of me, twisting around and trying to kick him away. But when I looked up to him, he pulled me forward and punched me. I heard his fist connecting to my face, and the pain shooting out throughout my body. Parker stopped and his eyes widened in alarm, watching as I fell back on the ground, clutching my face.

Parker punched Jeff who lost his balance, and used the advantage to push him over the other guy. The both of them crashed onto the ground, and he was able to rush towards me. He shoved Scott away from me, having him smash against the wall, and came to me. He cupped my face, slightly touching the throbbing of the bruise forming under my eye.

"No, no, no," he whispered, again and again, his eyes were scared and panic.

Suddenly I pushed him away from me as I yelled, "Watch out!"

But it was useless, Scott and Jeff still grabbed him from behind and dragged him away from me. I got up and tried to run after him, but Dylan appeared in front of me. I backed up and tried to push him away, but he clutched my arm, pulling back my hand to make me let out a yell. He didn't do Scott's mistake and held me by the neck, but instead held one arm around own that were behind my back while the other held my head to look at Parker. I watched as Jeff held Parker by the arms as Scott punched him in the stomach. He tried to take it, tried to be strong, but each he took made him stagger at his feet. But they would let him fall, they forced him to stand and take another hit.

"Leave him alone!" I screamed, tears streaming from my eyes. "Get away from him, it's me you want! Not him!"

They wouldn't listen to me and my screams. I tried to move my head so I could look away, but Dylan wouldn't let me. I struggled, tried to fight back so hard, but I was so weak from crying.

"I want you to watch as your so called boyfriend get's beat up," he whispered to me. "And if you try anything-" he pulled my arms back, making me grit my teeth at the pain "-I'll break your arm."

So I was forced to watch as what was supposed to be happening to me, happen to Parker. But I couldn't take it, I couldn't. I closed my eyes to stop the images, but that only let me hear as each punch took his stomach. Then my eyes shot open when I heard a sickening crack that made my heart stop. One of them must've held his arm back too hard or Parker tried to get away and his arm was pulled back. He let out a cry in pain, and then was thrown to the ground to nurse his left arm.

"I can't believe you turned, O'Neil," Scott spat.

"I can't believe why I didn't do it sooner," Parker retorted.

"I'm going to give you one more chance," Jeff warned him as he held out his hand. "Come back to us-" then he turned to me, his eyes narrowed "-and leave her."

He was quiet for a moment, looking at me then down at his arm. Then he took Jeff's hand and was helped up off the floor. I stood there paralyzed, not knowing what to do, what to say.

"I'll-" he punched Jeff with his good arm "-never do that!"

Before Parker could do anything else, Scott tackled him to the ground. Dylan was confused on what was happening, and I was able to lean backwards to make him lose his footing. Then I was able to ram him to the wall behind me, and elbow him in the stomach. I ran towards the both of them and tried to pry Scott off of him. But I was pushed roughly onto the ground, feeling a jolt of pain to my side where it landed. I tried again, this time trying going between the both of them when I felt the blow to my stomach. I crumpled to the ground in Parker who froze in his place. Jeff bended over and pulled me up by the collar, raising his fist.

"Stop."

And he stopped.

"Just stop," Parker said, looking at him. "Don't do it to her. Do it to me."

Jeff scoffed. "You're kidding."

I shook my head. "N-no, don't." I grabbed his arm, gripping it tightly. "No, hit me. Not him, me," I begged, even harder than the times before but only for myself. "Think about all the times I pissed you off, just by the mere sight of me. Now you can let out all your anger out that built up inside you."

Parker took his friend by the collar, so he would be able to look at him. "If we were really friends, you'd do this."

Jeff blinked, standing there dumbfounded. I would be too if I were in his position. Right now too crazy people who are crazy for each other are crazy enough to willingly let this guy angry at the both of them to choose who to punch. Of course, he would be biased and choose his former friend who betrayed him.

Parker did nothing, didn't try to fight back, didn't say anything, just took punch by punch. It reminded me of the time when I gave up and just stayed there lifeless like a doll, like a punching bag to be more exact. But this is different. I didn't have a purpose when I gave up, Parker though does. He knows that each punch he takes is one taken away from me. And I just stand here and watch, knowing that he's doing this.

"You should be happy your boyfriend is doing this for you," Dylan said as he held me back.

I can't. Who can? Who can possibly be happy when they know someone is taking what you deserve?

I whipped around and kneed him into the stomach, having him crumple to the ground. Then I tried to hold them back, pushing, kicking, screaming, and begging. They had enough with me and was about to push me to the wall. But Parker got in the way and his head hit smack at the wall, then he stayed there on the ground.

"Parker?" I said quietly. "Parker?"

One of them hesitated when wanting to look closer to see if he was... okay.

"Go away!" I screamed at them, my voice hoarse.

They backed away slowly then ran off. I went to Parker, kneeling next to him. I slowly lifted his head, brushing his hair away to see the side of his head bleeding. He stirred and slowly gave me a wry smile.

"I feel so sleepy."

"Don't sleep," I told him. "I think you have a concussion."

"Playing doctor, are we?"

I ignored that. "If you sleep... you won't wake up."

He snorted. "That's a myth."

"I'm not taking my chances," I snapped.

"Let me sleep, I'll wake up, I promise."

"As if I'll believe that!"

"To sleep, perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub."

He's delirious if he's quoting Shakespeare!

"Shakespeare?" I asked in disbelief. "Really? And no! The full quote is, "To die, to sleep. To sleep, perchance to dream: ay, there's the rub". Hamlet's talking to himself about suicide and how dying is like sleeping."

"So I take it that's the wrong thing to say right now?"

"Yes, very wrong."

I noticed his eyes starting to droop. Even if sleeping and never waking up is a myth, I won't let him do it. I rummaged my pockets for my phone, my hand shaking as I pulled it out. I don't know why I did it, maybe because I'm panicked and don't know what else to do. I went to Trace Ace, that app Jordan made, and stared at the two buttons on the screen: the blue one for 911 and the red to alert the guys. My thumb hovered over the 911, and all I could think about will be what happen next. The questions from my parents of all those lies I made that were all for nothing. Parker's family angry at him and especially me for getting him involved. His friends, my bullies will want payback, you can't expel the whole school. Maybe they could, with Parker and my word for it, with the guys too, but they'll wonder why I didn't come sooner.

And I don't know why I came sooner, because I don't want to deal with this, with any of this. It's the fear everyone who's been bullied has, whether to tell they've been bullied, rat out on their bullies. They're embarrassed that they're bullied in the first place, they think they can handle it themselves, they see adults not being helpful and don't bother, or they're scared of what will happen once they do tell on the angry bullies. You can always hear about all of those bullying stories and wonder why those kids didn't say anything. This is why. This is their fear. And I'm like the rest of them.

I clicked on the red button when I remembered about my phone itself. It's still glitching ever since that fountain incident, and I don't know if the app would work, so I prayed it would.

I hugged Parker who held me back. My head rested against his, feeling this blood wet against my head. I begged him to stay awake just for me, again and again.

"Just stay awake."

"It's a myth."

"Just shut up and stay awake."

Parkomi fans, flood the place with tears. It's alright, it's alright, let it out. Anti-Parkomi fans, I bet you guys are cheering or something, I don't know what's going on in your heads honestly. Why did I write this?

... Yeah, I can't think of a good enough answer. Tell me your opinion on what's the meaning behind this, what's about to come, and why?

Fight scenes are hard to write. When I read them, I would just skim through them a bit. And the only fight scenes I really watch are Jackie Chan's. And I don't think putting in some karate in this fight scene would do me any good.

I've always wondered why Naomi much less anyone wouldn't tell that they're bullied. I've read comments saying why won't she go to the cops or something. I wonder that myself- besides that if she did it would be 'the end' to the story –and looked it up. Two articles popped up and I read the reasons why kids are scared to confessed that they're being bullied. I don't know how to fix it, if we have already found a way, we wouldn't be having this bullying problem in the first place. I don't know what to do anymore honestly... I'm just so confused, and mad, and scared, about any of this, this bullying.

This song has been stuck in my mind for a long time and I've been playing it on repeat again and again. Here you go, "Top of the World" by Greek Fire. Also there's another meme at the side. Yes, I know I noticed I mispelled "something". No, I'm too lazy to correct it. Maybe I did it on purpose... okay I didn't really. Also, I dedicated this story to my friend, geeshiela, a great friend to talk to and a great fan to the book. Thank you for your support and I hope you enjoyed, well I don't know how you can enjoy it honestly, the chapter.

RubixCube89201