Normal POV

Ryan walked into the school building slowly, not wanting to deal with today at all. He sighed to himself when he rounded the corner to see half of the football team standing by his locker.

He stood rooted in his spot.

Ryan's POV:

'Why can't they just leave me alone?' I thought to myself. 'Because you're officially the school fag now' a harsh voice reminded me. I inwardly rolled my eyes.

Chad's point of view.

'Well I'm an idiot' I thought to myself as I spotted a frozen version of Ryan. 'And here I thought it was gonna be a good day' I thought sarcastically as I served what was going on. "Damn it Troy" I cursed under my breath, taking in the scene. I walked up, obviously startling the poor guy, tossing a friendly arm around him.

He actually jumped and looked at me like I'd lost my mind. I just smiled. "Hey Ryan, what's up man" I say nonchalantly, mumbling "Just smile, talk to me and don't make eye contact with them. Get your books and we will get out of there". He just nodded slowly at me.

"Hello Chad." He said smiling a little. We chatted a little until we got to his locker, by passing the football players. He got his books and just when I thought we were gonna get away with it .

Hey, Danforth you batting for the other team now?" I tried really hard not to kick his teeth in, I should get a medal for this bullshit. All I do is roll my eyes and try to steer us away.

"Danforth! I was talking to you!", sighing I turned my head to look at him, not to sound dramatic or anything but this dude had an evil glint in his eye. 'Shit' I cursed to myself, scanning the hallway.

Finally I meet Troy's eyes. I just hope he's getting the message I'm trying to silently convey, apparently he does because he puts on that fake smile and heads their way.

Troy's POV

Chad looks like he's about ready to shit a brick. He made eye contact with me the second I walked in, I saw his arm around Ryan, that made me angry. I'm not sure why though. 'Jealousy' a little voice chided me.

'No, not right now.' I snapped at the voice. I put up my fake bullshit of a front and headed over. I came up, also throwing my arm around Ryan's shoulder, he flinched slightly then looked to see who it was and he smiled hesitantly.

"Hey Ry." I said "Hey Chad, come on guy's we can't be late for home room" and before the meatheads could say anything I steered us away and towards are class.

We all sat together today, in the back of the class. We all plopped down in our seats and breathed a sigh of relief. I pulled out my phone and created a group text.

Group message:

Troy: Okay guys, spill. What the crap was all that?

Ryan: It was...nothing..

Troy: BULL.

I saw Ryan jump a little out of the corner of my eye. Sighing in defeat.

Troy: Fine guys, don't tell me. Keep your little secrets.

Chad: Dude, just tell him or I will.

Ryan:...

I saw chad roll his eyes and lean over to whisper to me as Ryan sunk lower in his seat. "The guys on the football team have been messing with him.." he said. It was taking a minute to process "The black eye...?" I managed.

Chad nodded. I tried so hard but I couldn't control my anger, I was usually so calm and level headed but this just hit a button. The bell rang and I was the first one out of the room. Before I could think straight my hand connected with the closest locker.

Pain. All I could feel was pain, better than the helpless feeling from before I guess. I was about to connect again with the locker but a hand on my wrist stopped me.

I turned my furious eyes to see who it was that stopped me. It was Chad "Let me go" I growled out. "No, Troy if you mess up your hand, you won't be able to play basketball!" That made me even more mad, was that all that Chad cares about? Stupid basketball!

I jerked my hand away harshly to get it away from him, but it connected with something. I turn to look and see Ryan holding his lip. A trickle of blood running down his chin. My anger quickly slid away and was replaced with shame.

"Ryan..." I managed and I saw hurt flash in his eyes. I reached out to touch his shoulder and he flinched away and looked up at me wide eyed. Fear. Fear was all I could see in his eyes as he brought his fingers to touch his busted lip.

I expected him to get mad and yell at me and demand I say I'm sorry, which I am and I'd have gladly done. But instead he just picks up his books that I made him drop and turns and walks slowly to his next class.

I found muses wishing that he had yelled at me, cussed me, done something! Because the silence hurts so much more. I turned back to a shocked Chad. "Chad...what did I just do...?" I asked almost inaudibly.

Chad sighed and rolled his eyes. "I'll fix it" he said and ran off after Ryan. All I could do is stand there and stare.

Ryan's POV

'I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't.' I said over and over in my head like a mantra as I tried to put as much space between Troy and I as possible.

I felt a hand on my shoulder and I almost whimpered 'I'm so weak'. I said to myself before I turned to see who it was. 'Chad' I though.

"Look, Ryan..." I cut him off "It's okay, Chad. No big deal" I say softly and give him a small smile.

"No it's not.." I cut him off again. "Really it is, I have to get to my next class. See you later" I say and walk off before he could say anything else. "I won't cry. I won't cry. I won't." I continued that mantra as I walked into my next class.

I plop down and look at my phone.

Troy: Ryan, I'm so sorry.

I hit delete. I have enough people being jerks to me in my life. I don't need another.