Chapter 12
The loud voices of the big guys chattering away quickly made Koi feel dazed. It was complete chaos—each of them talking over one another, their words overlapping into a wall of noise. They were speaking English, but somehow, he couldn’t understand a single thing. His eyes darted around anxiously, his body shrinking in on itself.
"Look at this freak!"
"He’s a monkey! A monkey!"
"No, he’s a dog! Walk on all fours, freak!"
"Woof! Woof woof! Come on, do it! Woof!"
Laughter, loud and mocking, echoed in his ears like a haunting memory. Sweat broke out on his back, and the cafeteria seemed to spin around him.
He had let his guard down. His old habit had slipped out before he could stop it.
The first time this was discovered, the bullying had been relentless. Nelson’s gang, who had already tormented him for fun, turned their attention toward him full force after that.
And now, again.
He had finally found a new group to fit into, and this happened.
Tears pricked at his eyes.
Koi didn’t dare look at Ashley. He didn’t want to see him laughing, sneering, mocking him the same way Nelson did.