Synopsis

Joshua is small for his age. He has been bullied relentlessly for years, and all of his friends have drifted away from him. Eve is a pretty girl who has just been recruited into the popular clique. The two couldn't be more different. 

As they begin their final year of middle school, the unlikely pair find themselves partners in Science class. At first reluctant to work with him, Eve soon discovers hidden truths about not only Joshua but their school that turn her world upside-down. 

The two form a relationship that will teach them both the true meaning of friendship, loyalty, and love... a relationship that will end up changing not only their lives, but the entire complexion of their school.

Excerpt

I was on the ground writhing in pain from two gut-punches within seconds. They were there, all four of them, laughing at me. I didn’t look at their faces; as terrified as I was, I always tried to never let them see it. I just clutched my stomach, trying like hell not to vomit.

I looked around to see who else might be watching, hoping I might catch sight of a faculty member in the distance … but no, only a few familiar faces had stopped to watch. Random classmates, people I’d once freely socialized with, now chose to stand well back and observe my humiliation from a distance. That always happened. It was sad, but I’d gotten used to it.

Then I saw Eve. She was standing on the upper concourse with Rhonda, looking down at me. Rhonda was smiling that shark’s smile she always did. Oh God, did she know about our study session? Is that what this was about, or was this pounding just business as usual? I locked eyes with Eve for a brief moment, but then the bully squad surrounded me, blocking out the light.

“How was lunch, dog turd?” Brent asked, laughing cruelly. “Here’s your dessert.”

He put his filthy sneaker on my head, pinning it to the sidewalk for a full minute. Then he kicked me once in the stomach before calling it a day. They left me lying there, beaten and humiliated, for all to see. No one came and offered me a hand, or even asked if I was okay. That, too, was normal.

Ten minutes later, I was in Science class being handed my test. I’d washed Brent’s shoeprint off of my face as best I could, but the emotional impact of my first real beating in months was causing me to tear up. I could feel my hands shaking, and my mind was going a million miles a minute.

Nothing’s changed. Not a goddamn thing. It’s not fair! Why does this keep happening to me? Why am I so weak? Why doesn’t anyone care? I hate this place so much …

I tried not to look at Eve. I couldn’t stand the thought of her seeing me like this. As we began the test, she gave my hand a reassuring squeeze.

I was only able to half-concentrate on the test. All I could think about was … how much did Eve really know about me? Had she seen me getting beaten up before? What was I going to do? Wait a minute, did she really just squeeze my hand, or did I imagine that?

* * * * *

Later that day, I was still in a fair amount of pain as I took my customary seat on the bus, thinking paranoid thoughts that maybe I was bleeding internally or something. I was so lost in thought, I didn’t even notice when Eve sat down in the seat next to me. She w