Damaged Beyond Repair by Kashmira Kamat (KittyKash) (ebook reader below 3000 .txt) 📖

It was just another normal school day where the two little boys wrestled playfully in the classroom. The timid blond one laughed at some joke his friend had cracked and told him that he needed to go to the staff room, being a class monitor had its perks and a downside. Cooper was thankful he wasn't given that authority. Waiting for his friend to return would be a waste of time so he hurried towards the basket ball court when, Austin the fat bully gave the blond boy a harsh push. "Where do you think you're going, Cooper?"

Austin was infamous for bullying the ones who seemed weaker compared to his built. He hovered over him, trying to intimidate Cooper. He knew what effect it had on the timid boy.

"Bask..basketball.." Cooper stammered.

"WHAT?" Austin spat. "Can't hear you."

"Basketball court."

Austin pushed a large pile of books in Cooper's hands and laughed hoarse and wicked, "What good is basketball when all you're gonna do the rest of your life is grow vegetables in the fields like your father. You're gonna sit during the break and complete my homework and if I see you complain to that monitor friend of yours, you're as good as dead meat. Get it?"

Cooper nodded, not making eye contact.

Cooper remained indoors the entire break, completing Austin's work. He heard the bell ring and as soon as he saw his best friend walk into the classroom, he quickly hid the books under his desk.

"Hey Cooper, what's up?" the ball twirled on his finger, sweat dripped from his shirt, "Why didn't you come to the court in the break?"

Nobody called Cooper by his given name, not that anyone even knew of it since everyone was accustomed to calling Cooper by his last name.

"Rowan..I...I had stuff to complete." Cooper explained.

Rowan narrowed his eyes in suspicious. He mostly saw right through his friend. "Doing Austin's homework again?"

Cooper made up another excuse, trying to give evasive answers.  Rowan studied his expressions and said, "If it's Austin who is bullying you, you can tell me. Okay? Just don't try to hide stuff from me because Austin wouldn't stop at homework and you know it. The bullying needs to stop."

It was easy for Rowan to say that, considering he came from a wealthy family. He didn't have to worry about studying hard or about making his future bright. Why would a child who had been served in golden plates have to worry about future?

Cooper thought the bullying would stop eventually, but it didn't in fact it got worse by the day. Cooper's desk was carved in words such as 'Loser', 'farmer boy', 'pussy' and other things that were supposed to offend him. Nobody stood against Austin, except Rowan. It was Rowan and Cooper against everyone. A rotting dead rat made its way in Cooper's locker. Rowan was ready to pound Austin but Cooper insisted on keeping quite. He didn't want his friend to be in trouble because of him. Rowan was always in trouble for aggressive fights as it is but one day Austin pushed his limit.

Rowan was in fumes when Austin mocked Cooper about his dead mother. Austin found it amusing that Cooper's mother had hung herself in their old barn. Cooper had watched his friend transform into something very dangerous when Rowan grabbed for Austin's head and pounded on the glass window, he pounded him mercilessly until Austin was rushed to the hospital. As a result Rowan was expelled from school and due to his growing aggressive behavior, his parents thought it was better for him to be home schooled.

Over the years, Rowan's impulsive behavior took a turn for the worse. He used to feel neglected, depressed and lonely because he had no friends. Cooper was the only friend he had but with circumstances and time, their friendship had also gone downhill. Rowan's older brothers were getting ready for the barbecue party taking place in his father's associate's house. Rowan watched the four year old Claire trying to climb the high swing, he ran forward to help her up. The second he touched her soft hands she screeched loudly alerting his mother in the foyer who separated the two siblings, "How many times are you warned, Rowan? Don't go near Clair. She is scared of you sweetheart."

His mother had no idea how much her words caused Rowan agony.

Claire hopped through the lawn towards Dwight who picked her up. She giggled in his arms. Rowan wanted to hold her too, he wanted to be the big brother his sister would play with just the way Dwight and Drew did. He didn't want to hurt her at all.

"Now, be a good boy and stay in your room." Mrs Masters led him inside the house, "Mary-Ann will cook you whatever you want."

"You're not taking me to the party?" Rowan asked his mother.

She shrugged. Rowan balled his hands into fists, making his way to the room upstairs. He pushed the large expensive vase causing it to shatter to a million pieces. Next he grabbed his favorite crystal kitten from the showcase and heaved it at his mother, "I hate you."

Drew followed right after him, "Wait, Rowan. I'll stay home with you."

"Just shut up and leave. LEAVE ME ALONE!"

It's not like he could help it. He hated the way they made him feel. Like he was an outcast, someone who wasn't fit for their posh parties. Rowan wasn't the son they'd be proud of because he only brought shame everywhere he went.

Only shame.

"Rowan, sweetheart..." his mother started saying.

"MOM, JUST DON'T..."Rowan's eyes were brimming with tears as he spiraled his way through the staircase, "I HATE ALL OF YOU."

  The beautifully carved intricate ceiling came into focus when my eyes shot open. Childhood memories seemed to have made their way from my subconscious and into my dreams. It was beyond exhausting. I would wake up screaming, consumed by fatigue most of the nights and find cover under Minnie's soft touch. She was my solace, my escape from the ugly reality.