"Clay?" Bryce's eyes slowly open. "Clay?" It's the first thing Bryce thinks about before he feels pain attack every single inch of his body.

"Hey…" Bryce's mom appears above him.

"Wh… what?" It hurts to speak, but he pushes through.

"Sweetie." His mom starts tearing up as she looks at him.

"Clay?" Bryce can't stop thinking about him, wanting him.

"He'll be back in just a minute. He just went to get a drink." Just then Bryce turns his head just slightly to look at the door.

"We're in the hospital sweetie. You… you…" She can't hold it back and starts crying.

"Bryce!" Clay shouts as he reaches the room, putting his drink down and running over to the bed.

Clay immediately grabs Bryce's hands. They grip each other, trying to never let go.

"I'll give you guys a minute." Bryce's mom walks out, wiping away tears.

"What's…" Bryce's throat is dry and Clay hands him his water. "What's going on?"

"What do you remember last?"

"I remember sleeping. And crying. And regretting everything I said to you."

"Don't. I deserved it. I should've realized what you were going through. Tried to help."

"It's not your fault. I did this because of me. I didn't see another solution. I saw the pills in the bathroom. I wasn't planning it. I just did it. Without thinking. I regretted it quickly. Then I heard you shouting. But then it all went dark."

"Oh, Bryce…" Clay kisses Bryce's hand.

"How long was I out?"
"It's been almost six days."

"Clay." Bryce's mom walks back in. "The doctor wants to run some tests."

"Ok. I'll wait here."

"No sweetie. It's going to be a few hours. You should go home. Rest a little."

"I'm fine."

"Really. I'll watch him. Take care of yourself."

"Okay, but call me as soon as it's done."

"Of course." Clay turns to Bryce.

"I'll see you later." Bryce just smiles as Clay leaves.

"That boy really cares about you." Bryce's mom grabs his hand. "He hasn't left your side since they brought you in. He scared the nurses into allowing him to spend the night." She can't stop smiling, tears building up.

"I'm sorry mom."

"Don't be ridiculous. I'm the one who should apologize."

"You already did. When we had lunch. You have been trying your hardest to help yourself and I only made it worse. I'm just a big problem for everyone around me."

"Don't. Don't ever say that." She runs her hand through his hair. "You are never a problem. You are my sweet little boy. I should've separated from your father years ago. I should've known something like this was coming. I should've gotten you some help."

"Can we just move on from this?" Bryce is starting to cry. "I want this chapter to be over. Start fresh."

"I'm sorry son, we can't. We'll talk some more when you get back from your tests." She kisses his forehead. "I love you, Bryce."

"I love you too."

Meanwhile, Clay has ridden his bike to school. He knows he should probably go home and sleep, but he wants to go and tell Hannah and Tony about Bryce. He walks into the school. Everyone's in class so the halls are empty. He starts heading to the office, but then Justin Foley walks around the corner. He spots Clay and walks right up to him.

"What's going on? Is Bryce alright?" Clay starts laughing. "What's wrong?" Clay doesn't know why he's laughing.

"Why do you care about Bryce now? You didn't before."

"Of course I did."

"Really?" Clay starts getting louder. "Where were you that day when that text was released! Where were you after his dad beat the crap out of him! You knew he was at my place! You know where I live! All you had to do was stop by! Where were you when he disappeared! Where were you when he tried to kill himself!" Students and teachers start coming out of nearby classrooms.

"Clay…"

"No! Tell me! How did you show Bryce that you cared?"

"I…" Justin is quietly speaking so others can't hear. "I tried. He walked away from me that day. And then I tried to stop the other guys from saying anything bad."

"Oh! And look how great that turned out! You told them to stop once or twice and they didn't listen! Then what?"

"I just didn't know what to say. I didn't want to say the wrong thing."

"So you said nothing?" Clay shouts right in his face. "It's never better to say nothing. You should've just said something! Then maybe none of this would've happened! Maybe if you'd just seen the signs! If you'd been there to see he was depressed! If you'd just talked to him and get him to open up! Maybe you could've told him you loved him!" Clay begins to cry. "Maybe… maybe this wouldn't... " It's getting hard for Clay to breathe. "Maybe this wouldn't have happened…" Clay feels light-headed and begins to fall.

Justin quickly catches him and a few students and teachers run forward to help.

"Clay?" Clay opens his eyes, a splitting headache smacking him straight away. "How you feeling?" Justin is standing in front of him.

"Like a crazy person."

"Well you definitely gave a couple of classes a good show, but you're not crazy. Just sleepy. The nurse says you need some sleep."

"I should've guessed that. I haven't slept in days."

"That's not healthy man. You can't be there for Bryce if you're not healthy yourself."

"I'm sorry about shouting at you."

"Don't be. I needed to hear that. I wish I could change what I did, or didn't do, but… I'm happy Bryce had you."

"That wasn't enough."

"And you can't blame yourself for that." Justin hands Clay a water bottle. "I've already called your parents. They should be here soon."

"Thanks. Next time I go to the hospital do you wanna join me?"

"I would love to."

"You know, Bryce used to talk about you all the time. About your sleepovers as kids. About the weird adventures you took."

"Did he tell you about Detective & Boy Wonder?"
"Um… no…"

"It was a game we used to play. I was Detective because I saw everything and no one saw me. Bryce was Boy Wonder because he liked to swoop in and save the day. Just like he did when we first met. And… I guess when it was my turn to swoop in… I just watched." Justin looks at the wall.

"If I've learned anything lately, it's that fear is a powerful tool. It can get people to act differently. And it's not easy to overcome, trust me. But if you at least try to face it… that's half the battle."

"Sweetie!" Clay's parent's run into the room. "What happened? How are you?" Clay's mom kisses him on the forehead.

Clay and Justin just look at each other and smile, both of them realizing in that moment that everything that happened is not a single person's fault. And that instead of suffering over what they could've done, it's time to focus on the future. To focus on what to do to make things better.