Work Text:
Charlie Spring is the head boy of Truham Grammar School. His principal aim is fighting the bullying. He wants to prevent any kids to be bullied like he did. Unfortunately, it is impossible. Charlie saw a kid get bullied by some of his classmates and he couldn't do anything 'cause the kid didn't want to talk. He understood, really. He was the same. That's why he was scared. How to help someone to fight something that almost killed him in the past? The bullying is tough and it seems like no one is taking it seriously. Charlie wanted things to change. And with that determination, he promised himself that the next time he'd see the boy, he'd help him. He couldn't let him go by the same thing than him. As a head boy, he now had the responsibility to protect every student.
•
One day, he was in the school corridors when he heard someone cry. He came in the library and in the back, in a corner, the kid was rolled up into a ball and shaking from the sobs. Charlie felt his heart break. He was too late. The kid was already hurt. But he could not step away. He had to help him like he was helped.
Charlie took a step. The kid raised his head. The fear in his eyes. He was scared the bullies found his safe place.
"It's just me. Charlie. I'm coming near you to help you. Will you let me help you?"
The boy only sniffed. He was completely lost in the darkness. His classmates made fun of him for having a celebrity crush on a boy. He wished he could be as strong as Charlie Spring was. He knew he got bullied when he was his age but he seemed to have handle it stronger. The poor kid felt too weak to do anything.
Charlie remembered when he was rolled up into a ball and shaking from the sobs in the corner of the art room. He was in this kid's position once. He was crying because some classmates wrote bad words on his back, everyone was insulting him and yelling at him just for liking boys.
"You know, I was like you. I didn't know how to get out of this. I know it's scary."
It had been three months of bullying for Charlie. He was scared to go to school, scared to step in a classroom. He wished he could disappear. He was scared to tell someone 'cause he was scared the bullying would get worse.
"No one is gonna hurt you anymore. I'm going to help you talk to a teacher and the bullies will not know about it until the very last time. You'll have the time to tell us everything they did to you. And when we'll be sure you're safe enough, we will summon them and their parents to punish them." Charlie said as he knelt down in front of the boy who was wiping his tears. "It's going to be okay. I'll help you. You're not alone anymore."
He holds out his hand and the boy, bravely, took it. Charlie smiled.
•
In the headmaster office, behind the desk, the headmaster, Mr. Ajayi and Coach Singh were sit and listening to the bullied kid next to Charlie. He was giving him some conforts and courage. Nathan was worried about the boy but also proud of Charlie. As he listened, he couldn't stop himself from remembering the day his favorite student finally trusted him with everything.
Charlie was rolled up in the corner of the art room. Nathan came in, frowning in worry. He knew something had happened to Charlie but he didn't want to tell him. Nathan tried multiple times but he was too scared to talk. But Nathan didn't give up. He kept asking Charlie what was happening.
"Do you need anything, Charlie?" He was 13 then and he jumped at his teacher's voice. "Maybe if you tell me, I could help you."
Charlie just kept sobbing and crying during some minutes. Nathan waited. Charlie didn't discard his help, it was a good sign.
"You can talk to me. You're in a safe place, Charlie. But things won't change if you don't talk about it."
"You don't understand, sir" Charlie sobbed. "It will be worse if I talk. I can't. I have to be stronger."
"You don't have to be strong. You're a child. A child shouldn't have a hard time at school. Can you please tell me why are you crying?"
"Some guys told me some mean things." He tried for the first time. He tried to wipe his tears. Nathan sat down on a chair, close to the student.
"What things?"
"They insulted me. They called me a fag. And more things."
Nathan's heart broke for the kid. He could only understand Charlie so much. He showed him his pins on his shirt.
"You know what is that, Charlie?"
"It's the gay flag. People don't make fun of you?" He asked, genuinely.
"They did. They did a lot. But not anymore. I'm proud to be gay and I wanted to be a teacher to help kids like me to get through life. I want to help you. Will you let me?"
Charlie did the bravest thing he never did then: he talked for the first time about the bullying he suffered.
And three years later, Charlie was helping a kid who suffered the same as him and Nathan couldn't be more proud of his favorite student. He went through a long journey.
•
Tao and Nick waited for Charlie as the reunion with the headmaster and the bullied kid finish. The kid's parents came and they left with him, a plan was built to stop the bullying. Nathan said some things to Charlie before letting him with his best friend and his boyfriend.
"Hi, guys. What are you doing here?"
"As your substitute, Mr. Farouk told me about this bullied kid and I wanted to know if you were okay. And I obviously tell Nick on my way here." Nick seemed to be so proud of Charlie right there. He kissed him. "Hum. Hum. I'm here." Tao said. Charlie chuckled.
"I'm fine, Tao. Thanks for coming. I wish this kid will be okay."
"I'm sure he will. You did great." Tao complimented him. "You're a good head boy."
"I learned from the best." Charlie smiled, staring at his best friend with gratitude. Tao was always there for him when he got bullied.
Tao remembered when Charlie was shaking in front of the school's portal. The bullies were there to scare him. Tao was always ready to fight.
"What's your problem? My opinion is that you're jealous of him because he pulls more than you little asses. Don't you dare come near my best friend or i'll swear, I will fight you all."
Tao always seemed to make the bullies go away. Charlie felt protected with him.
"You know, I'll always fight for you and now I have a golden retriever to help me. I like him a bit better since he punched Harry in the face." Charlie and Nick chuckled. They loved the Tao's mood.
Charlie felt grateful to have so much good people on his life: a teacher, a friend, a boyfriend. He had more than that, he knew that but right there, after he helped his first bullied kid, he knew he couldn't have done it without them.
Charlie was proud of himself and now he used his past and his trauma to help kids who were hurt like him. He wished he could erase bullying forever but 'till then, he promised he would find something to prevent it.
Charlie Spring became the hero on his own story. Nathan, Tao and Nick couldn't be more proud of him. And the kid was forever grateful to have Charlie as a head boy and to help him get through this. Charlie was an example for everyone.