We piled off the bus at a snail's pace. It was like once you stepped out and actually set foot in Derry, the fun times that we had would all be over. Nobody was happy about leaving camp and I sure as hell wasn't happy about being home either. I planted my ripped sneakers into the earth and took the first breath in what felt like a long time. The air was a sickly fresh, making me think of how my mum would spray perfume to cover her stench of alcohol and cigarettes.

I looked around for the familiar face of my mother but she was nowhere to be seen. I sighed and hoisted my bag higher over my shoulders. I knew I shouldn't have had such high hopes. Of course my mum wouldn't be here, I didn't know why I even thought she would. Although a part of me knew she didn't care about me that much, it was still a kick to the stomach when I was reminded of it.

Students buzzed around me, greeting their parents and bidding goodbye to their friends. I saw Eddie engulfed in a crushing hug from a large lady whose bosom sandwiched the small teenager's head. Richie was already walking away with a tall woman and Stan greeted a man with a small hug. Bill was standing with his mum, his mouth closed tightly and face red. She was speaking to him sternly, holding a thick leather book in her hands that looked like a photo album.

I saw the bright colour of Beverly's red hair as she walked towards a man who had evidently given her those genes. I noticed the flash of unease in her eyes as she was enveloped in a hug. He whispered something in her ear and she nodded slowly, looking down as if she was ashamed. I watched her retreating frame as she walked away and felt a tightness in my chest. Everyone had family that cared enough to pick up their children after a week away from home, but where was mine?

I spied the Bowers gang, along with Patrick, already halfway down the street. Henry had a determined look on his face that made him appear more intimidating than he already was. I decided that I was a far enough distance away from them to walk home the same way and avoid encountering them.

I had only been walking for about ten minutes and my shoulders and back were already aching from lugging around the heavy backpack. Panting, I sat down against a brick building and allowed myself to relax for a couple of minutes.

My arm was still in the same bandage from earlier. The teachers told me I should go to the hospital as soon as I can. Unfortunately, the hospital was on the other side of town and it would take far too long for me to walk. I'd have to wait until I saw my mum again, or maybe I would ride on the back of Bill's bike. I wouldn't want to hassle him, though.

I allowed myself a couple more minutes rest and, after taking a few sips of water, I continued on my path down the streets of Derry. I came to the end of the street and decided to go straight instead of turning left, like I usually would. I'd heard Bill talk about a shortcut through the old farmyards and country roads, but he didn't usually take it because Henry Bowers lived around there. Well, Henry and his gang was nowhere to be seen. If I did come across them, I guess Patrick would be there. So maybe nothing bad would happen. He'd stick up for me, right?

I pushed thoughts of Patrick out of my mind and concentrated on the road in front of me. Even though the Losers had said they were okay with my feelings towards Patrick which, if I was being completely honest, was only a physical attraction, I still felt as if I was betraying them. Maybe I could get Patrick to stop bullying them. It would be a long shot, but it could be worth a try.

The gravel crunched under my sneakers and I felt every stone poke through the worn-down soles and jab at my feet. The road was wide and curved at odd angles, as if whoever made it built it around the houses and farms rather than building the properties around the road. I tried my best to walk around and avoid the puddles and patches of mud that were a result from the previous week's showers.

Large trees towered over the path, casting an afternoon shadow that unfortunately shielded me from the warm sun. I saw a couple of bright blue and yellow birds fly by and thought to myself, Stan would know what they are. I took a left turn, hoping it was the direction I was supposed to go in, and heard shouts from ahead. They sounded deep, like those of boys, and there were definitely more than one.

The road was on a hill so I had to get to the top before I could see what was on the other side. My legs burned as I reached the peek and I looked down to see five boys mucking around in a particularly muddy patch of grass. A single bike was tossed carelessly in the middle of the road, the front wheel sticking up at an odd angle.

I recognised them instantly and my stomach churned. Of course I'd run into them. The odds just never seemed to be in my favour.

As I walked closer to where they were, I noticed that there was a boy I didn't recognise. Henry, Victor, Belch and Patrick were surrounding a lean, but well built, boy. He was on the ground and looking at the other boys in fear. The whole left side of his body was covered in mud, coating his dark skin.

"Gonna make me a tarbaby." Henry snarled. He advanced on the slightly smaller boy and I noticed Patrick lean forward in anticipation.

"You're not black enough, but I'll fix that." Henry grinned and I pushed myself towards them despite the churning in my stomach. The boy on the ground cut his eyes to the left and twitched his body in that direction. Henry took the bait and broke that way - but too fast and too far. Reversing with incredible speed, Mike leapt off the ground and made a break for it. Belch lunged for him, but he was too slow. Victor, however, managed to snag the back of his shirt and pulled him back. Patrick gave him a hard shove and the boy went sprawling back into the mud with a shout.

Henry was upon him immediately, a smirk on his face along with the hint of annoyance. "Niggerniggernigger!"he laughed and rolled the boy over. Mud went up his shirt and I could see it oozing into his pants. Henry slathered mud across his face and the boy started choking, blindly trying to push his attacker away.

"Now you're black!" Henry screamed gleefully, rubbing mud on his hair. "Now you're reeeeally black!"

Belch kicked mud onto the boy while Victor and Patrick watched with satisfaction. I felt sick to the stomach and almost stopped in my tracks, but I pushed myself forward. I wouldn't let this happen. I'd chickened out before, but this time I wouldn't. This had to stop.

"Now you're as black as midnight!" Henry screamed and slammed mud into both of the boy's ears.

"Stop it!" I yelled. I was only a few metres away from them now and they had no trouble hearing me. All five boys turned to look at me in surprise and Patrick grinned when he saw it was me. "Fucking stop it. What's wrong with you?"

"Aw, would you look at this. Little miss blow-you-for-free is sticking up for a fucking jigaboo!" Henry sneered.

"What did he ever do to you?" I asked furiously.

"He came to this town, that's what he did. Niggers like him should go back to where they came from." Henry replied. I noticed the boy slowly scooting away and I tried not to look at him to give any hint as to what he was doing. I prayed to god that he'd get away.

"This is so fucked up." I shook my head and turned to Patrick. 'And you! I thought you were better than this."

Patrick grinned a huge grin. "And why would you think that, sweetheart?" Mike had moved a few metres and was far away enough to get up and run away without a sound. Relief swarmed through me, but it was long-lived when Belch turned around and made a shout of surprise.

"He's gone! Where'd he go?" Belch scratched his head, looking at the wet patch of mud. Henry made a growl in his throat and turned to me, pointing a scabby finger.

"You." he hissed. "This is your fault. I'd beat the shit out of you, but Patrick wouldn't like that. Not that I give a rat's ass, anyway." he glared at Patrick who shrugged carelessly. "Come on, guys. Let's go." Belch, Victor and Henry turned to walk away, but Patrick remained where he was.

"Just a second. I'll catch up." Patrick said and walked towards me. I felt my hands curl into fists and I glared at his lazy smirk.

"What do you want?" I asked, tempted to place my hand on my hip. I didn't, though, in fear of looking like a brat.

"You didn't answer my question earlier." Patrick replied and tilted his head slightly.

"What question?" I asked, but I knew what he meant.

"Why do you think I'm better than this?"

I paused for a few moments, not quite sure of an answer. "I-I don't know. " I muttered.

"You can't change me, you know." he said seriously.

"I wasn't trying-"

"Yes you were. And I'm telling you now, I won't change. Not for you, not for anyone."

My heart was pounding in my chest. He was right. I did think too highly of him and there was nobody else to blame but my naive self. "I didn't realise I was." I said quietly. He smiled softly.

"No need to apologise." he said and moved closer to me. "If you've decided you don't like me, though, you better run now. I'm not going to hold myself back anymore."

I stared into his dark blue eyes and he stared into my green ones. Do I want to be with someone who bullies other people for fun? Who likes to cause others pain, and laughs in their face when they're on the ground, sobbing?

"Please," I whispered, breathing against his chest. "Please try to stop, or at least not do it as much. I can't bear to see you hurting people, especially my friends."

He tilted my chin up with his fingers and forced me to look at him. "Okay, maybe I'll stop hurting people. For a little while. Don't expect too much, though."

"Thank you." I whispered, still unsure of his sincerity.

He looked me up and down, fiddling with something in his pocket. He threw a brown wallet at my feet.

"Round two?" he asked. He looked at me with such hunger that I couldn't hold back.

He brought his lips down to mine and I gave no resistance. His touch sent shivers through my veins, my blood like electricity. As we kissed, I imagined the ocean; waves crashing against the rocks, slowly, but surely, breaking down the walls that took years to build up.