A Story: Why You Don't Want To Be The Center of Attention
I was walking down the hallway, headed to biology, minding my own business. They day had been going well, really didn't have to deal with much, no one had picked on me, even my older brother had left me alone when I saw him earlier in the day. I survived gym without any comments and really, I couldn't have asked for more.
But also I kind of knew that things were going 'too well'. As I rounded the corner, I heard a bit of a commotion ahead, what was that?
I heard some laughing, cackling really. As I got closer I started to digest the situation, and it wasn't a novel one I would come learn; Brandon and Jake were clearly picking on another kid in my grade, Sam. I didn't know Sam that well but I had had a few classes with him last year during my freshman year and I think I might have had some with him this year. It wasn't uncommon to see him getting picked on, he was a bit of a smart ass but didn't really have the build to back it up. He must have said someone zesty though to catch the attention of two upper classmen who clearly seemed intent on maintaining the social hierarchy.
But I figured, better him than me. I had my own problems to deal with.
So just kept my focus right ahead and decided to mind my own business...and that was when I heard one of them say "my god kid you are just a dork". I was about to come parallel with them, and I decided to steal a super quick glance, just a peak. There they were, Brandon and Jake both towering behind Sam with some menacing looks like hunters that had cornered their prey. Thank god that wasn't me
And that was when I heard it...
"No I'm not, not like that kid!" Same squeaked.
I wonder what kid he is talking about. I didn't see anyone else over there when I snuck a glance. This declaration pulled my attention and I chose to steal another look....and wait...Sam was pointing at me!
And in that moment, as I locked eyes with Sam, I heard him say:
"that kid still wears tighty whities, I saw them in gym earlier"
It took a second to process...he was pointing at me, while he said this, was he talking about my underwear?? oh shit, yes he was!
The pieces started to fall into place as I started to understand the situation. Sam was shifting Brandon & Jake's attention away from himself...and directly at me. I put my head down as start to walk with vigor. I needed to put distance between myself and this situation.
right, left
right left...
but alas around the 10th step I felt a hand grab my shoulder and yank me back with a bit of force to stop my in my tracks "whoaa, hold on. is what that kid says true, are you really wearing tighty whities??"
my heart started to race, and my mind started to process.
was it true?
what underwear was I wearing?
wait, why are you even asking, you always wear tighty whities... of course the answer is yes...but you can't say that, what can you say???
so finally, after what felt like I year, I mumbled "uhh yeah it was laundry day so I had to wear a pair today" barely audible except to those closest to me.
Brandon immediately started to grin while Jake let out a laugh. Jake said "bro there is no way someone still wears those, hold on lets confirm"
I could feel two hands on my shoulders start to twirl me, how could I get out of this?? I start to look around and and really notice where I am. I am literally in the middle of the hallway, there are kids walking right by me while this is all going on, eyes darting towards me to check out the situation but not linger. They dart back and keep walking not wanting any attention on to themselves. But then I see some other kids, definitely more upper classman, watching from the side. They clearly have seen this story before... I am just the new character.
I get turned enough that I finally have my full back to them. Should I run? Dart down the hall as fast as I could... but then I felt a slight breeze on my lower back, my shirt had been lifted, it was over, the truth would be revealed. 3...2...1...
"Laundry day, huh?" Brandon said. "well either way, Sam wasn't lying you definitely are the bigger dork today. Do you know what we gotta do kid?"
I didn't answer immediately. I knew what was about to happen, my brothers weren't shy about giving my wedgies, I knew what was coming. I was finally able to manage to squeak out "no"
"haha somehow I dont believe that"
And then I felt it, two hands sneak in and curl around my waistband. starting to feel the smallest about of pressure upwards. At this point I'm sure my extremely white HANES waistband is on full display. Then, like a rocket launches to the moon, the wedgie ensues. The leg bands shoot north in a very fluid motion, I can hear Brandon and Jake laugh, similar to how my brothers had in the past. At some point the wedgie is high enough that I'm positive my leg bands peak out of my jeans letting the entire hallways know that are definitely briefs. But my leg band protruding was not enough. They continued to press my underwear higher, and higher. Testing the limits of my poor underwear's elasticity. And then they give a split second reprieve before jolting them even higher still.
the jerking motion is enough to throw me off balance and I start to shift forward. I slam my foot down to stabilize myself which causes a massive thud which I'm sure drew even more attention to my predicament. And also caused me to step step forward and exert some downwards forced which only tightened the wedgie even further.
After what felt like an eternity, the wedgie stops. The waistband snaps against my back and The prank is over. I regain my full balance and immediately direct my hands to shove my underpants back into my pants as best as they could with. It would take having to fully unbuckle my belt to fully fix it but in the meantime, I throw my shirt over the evidence.
"Alright, Laundry Day, I still can't believe you wore tighty whities. There is no way this is a one time thing, but I guess we will find out tomorrow" God I hope that nickname doesn't stick. And wait...tomorrow?!?
I look around: Brandon and Jake are laughing, walking away, even though their initial prize was Sam, they ended up finding an even bigger one to take down: Me and my tighty whities.
I see the kids that had huddled around, watching, start to disperse, the show was over.
And finally, I see Sam where he had been all along, I couldn't tell if he was smiling or nervously trying to gesture 'sorry' but he ended up turning and leaving too. And there I was, standing there in the hallway, my underwear completely out of position, late for biology and wondering what is going to happen tomorrow when I inevitably wear my tighty whities again, and have to walk this same path to Biology.