Reading Between The Scars

Thomas was glass; everyone could see straight through him, but they never noticed the cracks until they tried to shatter him. Thomas Stark was the new kid at Ashcroft Academy. His white shirt, which was buttoned, concealed the scars across his body, a bandage tied around the broken pieces inside. Thomas walked through the corridor, carrying a filthy notebook. It was nothing to the school, but everything to Thomas.

 "Stark!"

 Thomas turned around slowly, palms sweaty, to face Kai Axel, who was grinning at him. 50 pairs of eyes fell upon both, darting from one place to another as if they were spectators at a tennis match. 

“Please leave me alone, Kai,” whispered Thomas.

 "Why should I, Stark? Why are you here? This school isn't for people like you. "

 Kai pushed Thomas. "Give me your notebook. "

 "No."

 "Give me your notebook. "

 "No."

 "I said, GIVE ME YOUR NOTEBOOK. "

 “In your dreams Kai.”

 Kai snatched the notebook out of Thomas’ hands.

 “And my dreams always come true.”

Kai smirked and opened the notebook. The hallway fell silent as he began to read.

“Monday 2nd March. We’re eating lunch at the table. Me, Lucas and Felix are seeing who can eat the most slices of pizza in 30 seconds. ‘You’re cheating Tom!’ Lucas claims. ‘What? How?’ I challenge. ‘You’re older than us,’ says Felix, making us all laugh.”

Kai turned the page, and read out the next part, and his smile started fading.

"Tuesday 3rd March. We're on the run. Soldiers have taken Mom and Dad. I don't know what to do. Hopefully we'll wake up and realise this was all just a dream Felix and Lucas are terrified, and tired but we must move.

Thursday 19th March. They’re all gone. My whole life is gone. First, Mum and Dad. Now, Felix and Lucas. I should be happy that the war has ended. But at what cost? I don’t know what to do. My family were the only people that cared for me, and who would be there for me when I needed them. And now they’re gone.”

Kai flips to the latest diary entry Thomas had made. His eyes wandered over pictures and lost memories.

 "Monday 6th April. I can't wait to start school, but I don’t know how the kids in my year will treat me. I hope I'm not bullied though.

Kai closed the book and handed it to him. The hallway was still silent.

Thomas accepted the book, smiling. The glass didn't break but the cracks vanished.

"Welcome to Ashcroft Academy, Thomas."