The Bright Side Brigade

by Elaine White

And, in that moment, Ryder wanted nothing more than to be one of them.

  “What is going on here?”

  That voice. Ryder squeezed his eyes shut, basking in this moment for just a little longer, as Coach began to tell everyone to separate, to back up, to get ready for registration class. He knew that he was just doing his job as a teacher, that he was probably concerned about bullying being disguised by the cluster of bodies. He'd be thinking about Donald almost as much as Ryder was. So, he willingly backed away from Karsyn, dragging the sleeve of his jumper over his eyes to wipe away the tears, and turned to face Coach head on.

  The man, so brusque at any other time, visibly flinched as though he didn't expect to find Ryder amongst the pack of bodies. Then he seemed to shore himself up, gave a nod, and patted Ryder's shoulder before he turned and walked away.

  Which was for the best. If he'd said a single word, Ryder might have crumbled again.

  Karsyn cupped his cheek, returning his attention to the guy he'd been crushing on for far too long, while knowing he didn't have to guts to ever do anything about it. “Meet me in the Rec Room at lunch, okay? I need to see you and make sure you're okay,” he said, ducking in to place a kiss on his forehead, as though he was some kind of kid or little brother. Then he backed away, took Romany's hand, and left him alone.

  His right hand twitched with a desire to bring him back, but he stuffed the urge down deep and finished the walk to his locker. He could survive a little longer, on his own. Just until the lunch break.

  Tears prickled his eyes as he sat in Literature class. He knew it was his own fault, that some things would have an immediate association, now. But the constant use of the name 'Donald' made him flinch every time.

  The teacher didn't even seem to notice. She just kept talking about how well Donald Pleasance had portrayed the villain in the movie adaptation of the James Bond novel, You Only Live Twice.

  Honestly, Ryder had stopped caring and listening five minutes into the class. But that name just kept pricking his senses, like an electrical shock to the brain.

  He couldn't wait until the class was over.

  “You Only Live Twice is the eleventh novel in the James Bond series,” the teacher continued, as she wrote notes on the board, for their upcoming assignment of a book report about the novel. “It's also the last novel published within Ian Fleming's lifetime. All other works were published posthumously.”

  As she turned to face the class and opened her mouth, the bell rang, offering a moment of relief. Ryder could finally stop hearing that name.

  With a sigh, he listened half-heartedly as they were reminded of the assignment requirements, but once his bag was packed, he jumped out of his seat and high tailed it out the door, for the lunch break.

  Though his heart was pounding, he was close to tears, and he knew for sure that coming back to school had been a mistake, Ryder told himself to suck it up and be a man. He could survive another half day, then he'd just skip school tomorrow, instead of asking for his parents’ permission and getting a lecture.

  Relieved to have somewhere to go that wasn't the packed cafeteria, Ryder headed straight for the Rec Room, hoping it wasn't crowded. He was sure that the RPG kids gathered there at lunch times, on certain days, but he'd never really kept track of the schedule. All he knew was that it was the place school approved groups gathered during lunch breaks, and that it could be booked in advanced, if anyone wanted to use it when it was free.

  Hesitating at the closed door, he spared a glance along the corridor, to see kids shuffling out the doors to spend the break at the chippy or the local take away, and some heading for the cafeteria. No one was paying any attention to him, for the first time that day. So he turned the door handle and stepped into the room.

  Surprise was the first emotion that slammed into him.

  Karsyn wasn't alone. In fact, the entire group who had comforted him this morning were there: Sterling, Fearghas, Harrison, Karsyn, Romany, Alvin and his brother Javon, Kenichi, even Freddie and Ginny. There were two girls he didn't recognise, but which he guessed by their posture and linked hands were girlfriends. Plus one other kid who kind of hung back, hiding in the corner of the room that he briefly recognised as the local preacher’s son, Chuck something or other.

  Ryder was speechless. He'd thought this would just be a private place for him to sit with Karsyn, to talk, and let his friend know that he was okay. Maybe even apologise for his stupid behaviour before, trying to flirt with him without being out of his closet, and blaming Karsyn for having doubts.

  Now, he wasn't sure why he was here.

  Karsyn stepped forward, a faint smile on his face, as he ran his hand over Ryder's arm and then gestured towards the seats scattered around the room. “Come on in. We all wanted to make sure you were coping, and maybe run something by you, if you were feeling up to it,” he explained, leading the way to a seat. He sat first, convincing Ryder that it was worth sticking around to talk.

  If Karsyn had made any sign of leaving, he might have run. But, he forced himself to sit down, dropping his bag to the side, apparently a sign that everyone else could move too, as they all began to find seats nearby.

  “You know just about everyone,” Karsyn said, looking around the room with a smile before meeting Ryder's confused gaze, “but the girls you don't know are Carolina and Betty. They're our resident lesbian couple,” he explained, which everyone seemed to find funny, as a titter of laughter followed, even from the girls.

  He wasn't sure why it was funny, or why the girls weren't pissed, but Ryder was willing to listen. “I kind of thought it would be...just you and me,” he confessed, shooting a glance at Romany, that wondered if he'd been too jealous to allow it.

  With a nod, Karsyn clasped his hands and let them hang between his knees. “I know. And, I promise, that was the plan. But then Ginny gave us some news and we thought you'd want to know,” he continued quietly, waiting as Ryder raked his gaze around the group of strangely patient people, before going on. “You see, she's friends with the Principal's daughter, and they were talking about...Donald last night,” he said, clearly finding it as much of a struggle to say his name as Ryder did.

  When he paused, Kenichi reached out to tap Ryder's arm and gain his attention. “They came up with the idea of a group. A lot of schools have them, but we never thought we'd have to, because of the Zero Tolerance policy,” he admitted, only for a quick glance towards Sterling to remind them all of the many reasons that was no longer the case.

  Ryder remembered what had happened to him at the carnival. How, just like Donald, a bully had found their way into his life, changed it irrevocably, all because it took place outside of school and they thought that made them invincible.

  Kenichi sighed before talking again. “It won't make us any safer, but we hope it will give us a safe place to go when we need it. People to turn to, to have our back, to talk to when we need to.” He reached out for Alvin's hand and got a smile of support in return. “Ginny and her friend came up with the idea and got the Principal's permission last night. Then we all came together to hash it out this morning, before you arrived. We're all agreed that we need it,” he explained.

  Which was fine, except Ryder wasn't quite able to grasp what he was talking about.

  Something Karsyn seemed to sense, because he cleared his throat and said what he needed to hear. “Everyone in this room is now an official member of a school sanctioned LGBTTQQIAAP support group. We wanted your input, but,” he cast another glance around the room with a faint smile, “we thought we'd call it The Bright Side Brigade. Because, sure as Hell, we all need something good in our lives, right now. Something strong, solid, and good for us. Something happy.”

  The tears fell, as Ryder nodded his approval, unable to find the words to thank them. To thank them for even thinking about it. To thank them for caring. To thank them for taking on the burden of arranging it, organising it, preparing it, all so that Donald could feel safe at school again.

  All s
o that they could all be safe at school. So they could have a family who gave a damn, even if they could only find that in each other.

  Chapter 5

  Two Days Later

  Donald woke with a headache and blurred vision. He had no idea how much time had passed since he was brought to hospital, but felt so weak that he couldn't imagine it had been long.

  “Donald?” his dad said, from his right.

  Turning his head, he blinked blearily at his dad and felt tears well in his eyes. “Daddy, I'm so sorry!” he gushed, feeling a desperate need to apologise and make sure they knew he wasn't going to try again.

  The moment the blood started flowing in the surrounding water, spreading so fast and covering his clothes, he'd realised how awful it would be for someone to find his body or for his parents to realise what he'd done. It would have killed them.

  “Shh! It's okay,” his dad whispered, reaching up to brush his hair from his eyes. “Papi and I are just glad that you're safe now. And, sweetheart, we know what's been happening to you.”

  Shocked and confused, Donald looked over to where his Papi sat beside his dad, stoic and professional as usual. “You know?” he asked, before realising why. He'd told Ryder that he cut himself because of his phone, then he'd shown him where it was. He didn't doubt that he'd either checked the phone or shown the authorities where to find it and they'd discovered what he'd been going through lately.

  “Yes.” Papi frowned at him for a moment, before folding his arms over his chest and releasing a deep sigh. “We know all about the bullying, the way you tried to deal with it so bravely on your own and that it didn't work. No one is angry with you. Dad and I only wish you had been able to tell us, but we both know why you couldn't. Dad and I have experienced our share of bullies and tormentors in the past,” he explained, glancing over to his dad in confirmation of that.

  “And we both know how heartbreaking it is to think you're dealing with that alone,” his dad continued for him, reaching across to lay his hand on Papi's arm. “So don't you waste one more minute thinking about it. You did what you could. You reported that awful boy when he bullied you in school, but once he found out he turned to social media, which doesn't have a Zero Tolerance policy and there's no clear person to report him to,” he reasoned, with that soothing tone that made Donald feel calm.

  Unable to stop himself, Donald attempted to lift his hand and reach for his dad. But when it felt like trying to lift a piece of concrete, he looked down and saw his wrists tightly bound in bandages. Seeing them, he realised that he'd probably damaged his muscles and veins so much that he had no strength left in his wrists.

  Blinking away the shock, he looked up at his dad, more tears pooling in his eyes.

  “Shh!” His dad got up and perched on the bed, brushing back his hair and holding him tight. “It's all going to be okay. The police have your phone and they're using your social media sites to prove the harassment and bullying you've suffered, so that those responsible will face the punishment they deserve,” he said, giving him all the information that was both a relief and slightly terrifying.

  “They will pay for what they did to you, Donald,” Papi promised. “I'm already talking to Sterling's father about how to ensure it, if one of them lawyers up. With the police investigating and the evidence on your social media sites, we have a firm case,” he explained.

  He nodded, but it only sparked off another pounding headache. “Um...what happened to the boy who found me...Ryder?” he asked, scared that he'd forced him into a situation he couldn't handle.

  His dad smiled and shared a look with Papi that suspiciously reminded Donald of the look his last crush had been on the receiving end of when they discovered it. Though it had never amounted to a relationship, he had a feeling he was in trouble.

  “What is it? Did he...is he okay?” he wondered, panicking over the consequences of his actions and if he'd just done something that ruined someone else's life, while trying to end his own.

  “He's fine,” his dad whispered, giving him another squeeze of a hug. “Ryder is worried about you, but he's okay. He'd like to come see you, if you're feeling up to it. We've spoken to the hospital and the police and they've agreed not to place you under suicide-watch, because you–” he stopped and licked his lips, his voice shaking, “because you don't need it, do you?”

  Donald shook his head and cried freely. “Daddy, I'm so sorry. I just...I was scared and I couldn't take anymore,” he confessed, his own voice stuttering as he spoke. He turned to Papi, who was scowling, probably in frustration over the entire situation. “I swear, Papi. I changed my mind and I knew that I shouldn't have done it, but it was too late,” he continued, wishing he could take his dad's hand or hug him back.

  Watching them both, he took a deep breath and focused. “No, I don't need a suicide-watch. And I'd like to see Ryder, if he's okay with that,” he said, deciding to be open about that and soothe their concerns the only way he could.

  “Good. That's good.” His dad smiled and cupped his cheek as he leaned down to place a kiss on his forehead. “Now, you should sleep some more. You had an infection, so the doctors thought it best to keep you asleep for a few days, just to give your body a better chance of healing. But I bet you're still tired; you lost a lot of blood,” he admitted, his smile weakening and his eyes welling up, with the reminder.

  “Will you stay with me?” Donald asked quietly, needing to know that he wasn't alone.

  His dad nodded and shifted to settle on the bed with him, curled against his side. “Just sleep, sweetheart. We'll take care of everything,” he whispered, as a soft scrape from the other side of the bed made him turn to see Papi moving his chair closer.

  He smiled, as Papi lay his arms on the edge of the bed and lay his head on top. It seemed he wasn't going to be alone after all; not with both his parents right here with him, seeing him through this difficult time.

  Donald tilted his head just a little, to rest against his dad's head. Then he closed his eyes and thanked fate for bringing Ryder into his life, just when he needed a hero the most. Now, he not only had an end to the torment of the bullying, but he had a second chance at life, being with his parents, and had very possibly gained a new friend.

  Maybe his life wasn't over after all. Maybe it had just begun.

  The second time Donald woke up, the hospital room was darker than before and his parents were gone. He couldn't remember what woke him, but he had a feeling there was something that had been tugging at his brain, telling him to wake up because it was important.

  Looking to both sides of the bed, he found Ryder sitting on the seat where his dad had been, his fingers flying over his phone.

  “Hey,” Donald said, surprised that his voice was even hoarser than before.

  Ryder lifted his head quickly, looking surprised. Then a smile slowly spread onto his lips and lit up his entire face like sunshine. His blue eyes sparkled with happiness, while appearing a little watery; his lips bowed into a kissable pout and suddenly every inch of his face was much more beautiful than before. Which was quite something, since Ryder was a naturally gorgeous guy.

  Not that it mattered right now, but he couldn't help but notice.

  “I'm glad you're okay,” Ryder said, breaking the spell. “I was really worried about you. Your dad has been awesome, keeping me updated on how you're keeping,” he explained, doing something on his phone that made it vibrate audibly and beep, before he tucked it into his jean pocket.

  “Oh, that's good.” Though he wasn't sure how they kept in touch or why. But he supposed that was just more of the stuff he'd missed while being kept asleep. “Um,” Donald wasn't sure what to say, so he fell back on old faithful: school, “do they know? The whole school?” he asked, since he suspected that they did.

  “Yes,” Ryder replied, with a shrug. “You know them; gossip is their bread and butter.”

  Donald scoffed and couldn't help but cry, as he realised that his fears were founded. He couldn't go back to sc
hool now. Not now that everyone knew he'd been bullied and had tried to kill himself. It would be unbearable, with the gossip and rumours going around the entire school and probably getting more ridiculous with time.

  Leaning close, Ryder placed his hand over Donald's bandages over the back of his left hand. “You said you were in that RPG group, right?” he checked.

  Once Donald nodded, he smiled softly.

  “So you're friends with Kenichi and his friends?”

  He nodded again, waiting for the point.

  “Well, they've got your back. The whole lot came together and formed an LGBT support group, called the Bright Side Brigade. They're even accepting straight allies and working with the principal to form some sort of anonymous reporting system,” he explained, sounding so positive that Donald held onto the sliver of hope he heard in Ryder's voice.

  “If someone in the group admits to being bullied, any member of the group can step forward to report it, without saying who is being bullied,” Ryder continued quietly. “That way, only the bully and the club will know who was being bullied.”

  “But, how does that help?” he wondered, not sure he was getting the point.

  Ryder shrugged, but sounded sure of himself. “Because most people are convinced that if they report their bully, the bully will know they did it, because no one else would know about it,” he reasoned, his thumb lightly caressing over the back of his hand. “Now that the entire group will know, the bully can't be sure who reported them. But they also know that at least ten other people will be watching them and waiting for them to lash out again. If that happens, they'll get automatically suspended, because it will be proof of a continued pattern of behaviour,” he concluded, looking proud of that.

  “That's...kind of brilliant. A natural deterrent, without resorting to payback or singling out any person in the group,” Donald realised, in awe.

  “Yeah.” Ryder smiled and lowered his gaze to where his fingers were caressing his bandages. “And safer for the victims, too,” he whispered.