Axel was a seventeen year old boy who had just walked into the classroom of his new school with his head hanging low. He didn't want to look at anyone when the teacher was introducing him. "Good morning class. We have a new face today. Everyone, meet Axel!"

The teacher looked at Axel and expected him to speak. Once she realised he wasn't going to do it, she moved closer and smiled to motivate him. "Come on Axel, say something to everyone."

Axel was so shy and uncomfortable that he didn't even raise his head at any point when standing there. He clenched his fists and had no plans of saying anything.

The teacher finally realized Axel wouldn't speak and rested her hand on her hip. "Okay Axel, you can sit over there," she said and at that moment, Axel's eyes followed the direction in which she was pointing.

As he went to his seat, many laughed at him and they were loud enough for him to hear. His physical appearance was hideous because of his dirty clothes. His hair was also a mess and it looked like it hadn't been washed in a long time. He didn't look like any of them at all. He even heard some of those who were sitting behind him make fun of him. They said some horrible things but he pretended not to have heard anything.

Axel was a quiet boy who didn't like talking to people because everytime he did, he became uncomfortable within seconds. However, he was willing to make friends and work on his social skills and he thought of starting on his first day at his new school.

After class, Axel soon realized that making friends wasn't going to be as easy as he thought it would be. Everyone avoided him because they didn't like the smell that was coming from him and his appearance made him stand out as someone who didn't fit in.

He still had high hopes and was full of determination. He didn't let what had happened so far break his spirit. He continued smiling when he looked at some people once in a while but he was quickly facing the floor when they gave him looks of disgust.

What he was experiencing was hurting him and he stopped walking near the lockers when he saw a bunch of guys laughing loudly. He wanted to try again and that made him walk over to them. When he was in their presence, he smiled at them and nervously said, "Hey guys, I'm Axel. What's up? "

The boys looked at each other with furrowed eyebrows and burst into laughter while looking back at Axel. He stood there and watched them laugh at him. He was so hurt that he faced the floor.

Once they stopped laughing, one of the boys said, "Okay Axel, please do us a favor."

Axel's eyes lit up in excitement when he looked up. "What is it?"

The boy said, "Never speak to us again... okay?! Guys, let's go to the gym. "

They all turned around and left him there. He watched them interact with each other, wanting to have such friends too. All his efforts were for nothing. He was trying his best to make friends but it wasn't working out.

He remembered hearing them say they were going to the gym and decided to join.

~°

Two weeks went by and gym class was hell for Axel and the coach also made fun of him. His gym clothes were all worn out and made him look tiny because they were large. No one wanted to do anything with him. He experienced a lot of bullying but kept quiet.

The coach was looking around with his whistle in his hand. "Alright everyone let me see yo- what?! Axel!"

"Yes coach?"

"Come here!"

Axel slowly dragged his feet to the coach and was out of breath. He stood in front of him and faced the floor, covered in sweat.

The coach was displeased. "What do you think you're doing?!"

Axel gave a half shrug. "I don't get it."

The coach said, "Of course you don't get it! How are you supposed to get it if you're dumb? Why are you even here? You don't do anything! You're so weak!"

Axel wanted to be there and was sure that he was putting in a lot of effort. "But coach, I'm trying my best t-"

The coach was not interested in hearing what he had to say. "Well it's not showing! Maybe you should get yourself some new clothes! Now get out of my face!"

Axel forced himself to smile but it hurt a lot. After gym class, he was the first to go to the locker room and was about to cry. Everybody was making his life miserable and that made him feel useless.

He heard footsteps and that made him panic. He got the feeling his bullies were the ones coming in. He tried to pack his stuff quickly and leave but the others came in. He went to stand in a corner as a way of avoiding them but they followed him and one of them, the leader of his bullies, trapped him against the locker. "Why are you trying so hard to fit in, Axel? You should leave," said the boy and soon after that, the boy slapped him on the cheek and the others did the same thing to him.

They walked out after that and Axel rushed to the restroom. What he was going through was terrible. However, it was nothing compared to the situation at home.

~°

Axel was back home and when he walked inside the living room, he could immediately smell the alcohol and cigarette smoke. He lived with his mother and she was a violent person.

He took small steps to avoid waking her up but she heard him and opened her eyes. She jerked her head in his direction and was fuming. "Axel! Come here right now!"

Axel nervously touched the back of his head and went to her. "Yes mom..do you need anything?"

She pulled his hair. "Why are you late?! Where have you been?!"

He did not like what she was doing and said, "Mom please, you're hurting me!"

"Shut up! You good for nothing child! All you do is make me worry!" She yelled as she released the grip she had on his hair and pushed him.