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MidReal Story
Secrets in the Shadows of Wealth
Scenario:Oliver Otto is in ninth grade. He is a poor kid living in a very rich town. His best friend, Cooper Bradford, is one of his only friends. Cooper Bradford is superrrrrr rich. Oliver gets bullied at school, often physically, and he refuses to tell any of his siblings or parents. He doesn't tell Cooper either.
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Emily Otto
Oliver's older sister who suspects something is wrong but can't quite put her finger on it.
Cooper Bradford
Oliver's best friend and confidant, rich background, tall with blonde hair and blue eyes, loyal and oblivious to Oliver's struggles.
Oliver Otto
bullied student, friends with Cooper Bradford, short brown hair, green eyes, resilient and secretive.
I ran as fast as I could.
I ran until my lungs burned and my legs gave out.
I still had to get home so I pushed through the pain and kept going.
When I finally arrived, I sat on the porch steps, waiting for my breathing to return to normal.
I looked down at my clothes and saw that one of the buttons on my shirt was missing.
I hoped no one would notice.
As I sat there, I thought about what happened earlier.
I tried to push the thoughts out of my head but couldn't.
I was just a ninth grader at Fairfax High and already it had been a bad year.
The kids at school knew that I was poor.
They would make fun of me, call me names and exclude me.
That was just the beginning.
Some even pushed me around, stole my lunch money and humiliated me.
I never told anyone; not my parents, not my siblings and definitely not the school.
They wouldn't believe me anyway.
I sit on the porch, catching my breath, when Emily walks up.
Her bright yellow sundress stands out against the dull gray of our porch, and her long blonde hair cascades down her back like a river of gold.
She notices my disheveled appearance, but says nothing, her eyes filled with concern.
I quickly cover the missing button on my shirt with my hand, hoping she won't see.
Emily sits beside me, asking about my day in a soft, gentle voice.
I mumble a vague response, avoiding eye contact, trying to sound as normal as possible.
But she presses gently, sensing something is off, her eyes searching mine for answers.
I stand abruptly, claiming I need to change clothes, trying to escape the conversation.
As I walk inside, I feel Emily's gaze on my back, her worry palpable, like a physical touch.
I close my bedroom door behind me, hiding the torn shirt from prying eyes.
The room is dimly lit, the only sound the creaking of the old wooden floorboards beneath my feet.
I take a deep breath, trying to calm myself down, but my heart is still racing from the earlier encounter.
Suddenly, I hear footsteps outside my room, followed by a gentle knock on the door.
"Oliver?" Emily's voice is soft and hesitant. "Can I come in?"
I hesitate for a moment, then sigh. "Yeah, come in."
Emily steps inside, her eyes scanning the room before settling on me. "I saw them today, Oliver. I know what they did."
I nodded, my throat constricting as Emily's words hung in the air.
She took a step closer, her eyes locked on mine, and I felt a lump form in my throat.
"I didn't want to tell anyone," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Emily's expression softened, and she reached out, her hand hovering above my shoulder.
"It's okay, Oliver," she said, her voice gentle. "You can trust me."
I swallowed hard, the weight of my secret pressing down on me like a physical force.
"I don't know why they do it," I said, my voice cracking. "I try to ignore them, but it's hard."
Emily's hand closed around my shoulder, her grip firm but gentle.
"They're cowards, Oliver," she said, her voice firm. "They're scared of what they don't understand."
I looked up at her, tears welling up in my eyes as I recounted the relentless bullying.
Each word was a struggle, but Emily listened without interruption, her expression a mix of sadness and determination.
As I spoke, the room around us faded away, leaving only the two of us, suspended in this moment of raw emotion.
The creaking of the old wooden floorboards beneath our feet was the only sound, a steady heartbeat that underscored the intensity of the moment.
Tears spilled over as I described the taunts and punches that marked my days, and Emily's grip on my shoulder tightened.
Her eyes never left mine, patient and understanding, as if she was absorbing every word, every pain.
When I finally fell silent, Emily reached out with her other hand, wiping away my tears with a gentle touch.
"We'll get through this together, Oliver," she promised, her voice firm and unwavering.
I nodded, feeling lighter yet exposed, as if I had shed a layer of skin and revealed my true self to her.
