{Warning: Strong Language, Homophobic Slurs, Suicidal Thoughts, and just a lot of sadness}

S

"Aw, look at the little queer. You gonna cry?" I held in my tears as I attempted to hurry past the group of boys crowding around where my locker was. All hopes of getting passed them were dashed when one of them grabbed my bag and pulled me back, slamming me into a locker.

I groaned as my head hit the hard steel and sank to the ground. I could hear them laughing maniacally as the tears slid down my cheeks. "Why c-can't you just leave me alone?" I cried out.

My eyes met a pair of blue ones. Jackson was his name. He kneeled at eye level to just smirked at me. "Ya hear that, guys? The fag can speak," He mocked, earning a laugh from his followers. He leaned closer to me. "It's because you're fucking disgusting. You don't belong here, and the world would be better off if you and every other queer on earth were gone," He sneered, the venom in his tone making me involuntarily shake with fear.

"Look at him shaking. He's probably getting off to that," I heard one of them say. They all laughed again. They finally left after taking my bag and throwing everything out of it. I sat there, not moving as I silently wept. The bullying started as soon as I made the mistake of making friends with someone. I met up when I first got relocated here. He showed me around the school, invited me to hang out, and we became inseparable since then. It had been about a month before I gathered the courage to tell him everything.

"You're WHAT?" He said disgustedly. My heart sank as I remember how cold his eyes became. I ran out of the room so quickly before either of us could say another thing. The next day at school, I was a target for everyone. Guys would corner me in the locker room, call me names, and even push me around. Nobody would ever want to be seen with me.

It was a nightmare, and I wanted it to be over. So I grabbed all my things and headed down the empty hall. School had been over for a while, so nobody was here to question what had happened or where I was going. It's not like anyone would want to. I walked out of the double doors and down the street. Endless thoughts clouded my mind.

"Queer"

"Fucking disgusting."

"The world would be better off without you."

"Nobody will ever like you."

I came across the bridge that hovered over a beautiful river. The water was clear and peaceful as it rushed down in a stream. I placed my bag on the ground as I put my hands on the rail. Tears continued to glide down my cheeks as I took a deep breath. "This was what everyone wanted. My foster parents wouldn't haven't to worry about me anymore. The school would be better off. Nobody would miss me anyway," All these thoughts circled around my head as I hoisted myself onto the rail. I stood still as I closed my eyes, prepared to let myself fall. So I did.

"CYRUS!" I heard someone say.

I sprang up from the bed, breathing heavily and covered in sweat. I turned to see Jill looking down at me, the worry on her face obvious. "Cyrus, are you okay?" She gently reached out to me, and normally, I would flinch or brush her off. But I did something even I didn't expect.

I hugged myself against her, letting the tears come out as I wept into her shirt. She gently rubbed my head as we both sat like this for a while. "Cyrus, you're gonna be late for school, but I understand if you want to stay home," She said quietly.

I sniffed and wiped my face. "No, I'll go. Sorry about your shirt," I said awkwardly.

She smiled softly and let out a quiet laugh. "It's fine, sweetie. I'll go change and I'll drive you to school. How does that sound?"

I nodded, and she gave me one last hug before leaving the room. I sighed and got dressed. I heard a buzz coming from my phone. I looked down to see an unknown number had texted me.

"Morning sunshine," It read. I'm guessing it was Tj since he's the only person I gave my number to. I was about to respond, but memories flooded back to me. What if it happened again? What if Tj turned out to be just like him. I shook my head and deleted the message.

Jill was downstairs when I got down there, and we drove in silence. We pulled up to the school, and I got out. Waving goodbye, I headed inside. I spotted Andi talking to Buffy and approached them. Buffy saw me first, and her face lit up. "Hey, Cyrus, how was detention?" She asked with a smirk. She and I both knew I wasn't the type to serve detention, especially not the extra one Mr. McNamara gave me.

"It was interesting. Both days Mr. McNamara was watching Tj, and I like a hawk," I joked.

"You were there with Tj Kippen?" Andi asked.

I nodded, confused. "Yeah? He was the one that got me into detention in the first place," I said.

"Stay away from him, Cyrus. Tj is a huge jerk that only cares about himself," Buffy warned.

I furrowed my row but didn't question it. I just shrugged, and we changed the subject. "So, are you guys going on the camping trip?" Andi asked.

"Camping trip?" I was lost as to what she was talking about.

"Every year, the school hosts this big camping trip to this nearby camping ground. It has a lake and a bunch of trails and stuff like that," Buffy explained.

I shrugged. "Camping isn't really my thing," I said.

Andi and Buffy gave me a pleading look. "Pleeease Cyrus? You have to go. It's always super fun, and since you're new, you can experience it for the first time," Andi pleaded.

I looked at both of them as they gave me puppy dog eyes. "Fine," I said with an eye roll. They both cheered and hugged me. The bell rang, and we all said our goodbyes as we headed to class.

School went by quickly, and I decided to go out for some fresh air. I walked to the nearby park and spotted a playground. I took a seat on the swingset. I let myself gently swing as the sounds of birds chirping and kids playing filled my head. It was peaceful.

"Come here often?" I heard someone ask. I turned to see a familiar person.

"Tj? What are you doing here?" I asked. He shrugged.

"I was in the neighborhood and saw you here. Mind if I sit?"

I shrugged, and he took a seat next to me. We swang in silence, and the peace from earlier returned. "Did you get my text?" I heard him ask.

"No, I didn't. I don't really check my phone that often," I half lied. He nodded and got off the swing. He walked behind me and began pushing me. "Tj, what are you doing?" I asked. He was being weird.

"Oh, nothing. Just pushing you is all," I said from behind me.

"But why?"

"You ever heard of an Underdog?" He asked.

"Um no wh-" My heart almost leaped out of my chest as he suddenly pushed me super hard, making me fly upwards. He ran underneath me as I swung back and forth, terrified for my life.

I heard him laugh as I glared at him. "You have such a girly scream," He said as he doubled over.

I scoffed and rolled my eyes. "You're a huge jerk. You know that?" I said, stomping off. I heard him jogging to catch up with me.

"Hey, come on, don't be mad. I was trying to have a little fun," He begged. He pouted his lip out, making himself look ridiculous. Something about it was...cute in a sense. I shook my head of those thoughts and kept walking.

He walked alongside me, so I guess there was no getting rid of him. "Hey, I know you said you wouldn't like it, but you should come with me to The Spoon. I promise it'll change your life," He said.

I groaned but gave in. "Fine, but you're paying for me," I said. He nodded, his green eyes shining with delight as he flashed me a toothy grin.

"You won't regret it," He told me. I followed him as we walked to The Spoon. We arrived, and we walked in, making the little doorbell jingle. We took a seat at one of the booths. It was kind f cozy here. The environment was friendly, and it smelled amazing.

"I can tell you're already impressed," Tj smirked at me from across the booth.

"Well, we'll see when the food gets here," I said.

Soon a waitress came by, and she looked very similar to Tj. "Hey, little bro. What can I get you and your friend?" She asked, notepad in hand.

"His name is Cyrus, and would you stop calling me little bro. You're three minutes older than me, Amber," He rolled his eyes. She gave him a cheeky grin.

"And that makes you my little bro," She teased.

Tj growled. "Whatever. One basket of baby taters and two chocolate milkshakes," He ordered. Amber scribbled on her notepad and turned to leave. Not before sticking her tongue out at Tj, which earned her an eye roll.

"So, I don't know you had a sister," I quirked a brow at him.

He sighed and shook his head. "Yeah, that's my twin sister, Amber. She's a bit of a pain sometimes," He explained.

"She seems sweet. By the way, why'd you order two chocolate milkshakes?" I asked.

"Because who doesn't like chocolate?" He asked.

"I don't," I deadpanned. His eyes widened in shock.

"WHAT? HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE CHOCOLATE YOU MONSTER," He exclaimed.

I laughed. For the first time in a while, I truly laughed. It felt so good that I kept laughing, not caring if I looked crazy from how much I was laughing. "I was just joking, Tj," I said as I wiped a tear from my eye.

"Oh," Was all he said as he shrank down in his seat, probably feeling stupid. Our order came soon after, and I grabbed one of the freakishly small tater tots. Tj looked at me, expectantly. I popped it into my mouth, and my eyes widened.

"This. Is. DELICIOUS!" I toom another one and ate it, savoring the flavor.

"See? I told you they were heavenly. Try dipping one in your milkshake," He suggested.

I did so, and somehow it made them taste even better. "Wow. Milkshakes are the new ketchup," I moaned, making Tj chuckle.

We ate in comfortable silence, and he looked at me with a soft smile. It made my insides flip as I smiled back and for once. I felt like I had found a true friend. It terrified me that I was letting someone get close to me again. And what scared me even more?

I was feeling something more for Tj.

And that's the chapter. Thank you guys for reading. I'm stuck in the house for three weeks due to the isolation happening. I hope everyone and their families are staying safe and healthy. I'll be updating more frequently since I'm no longer busy, so be ready for that. Until then, byeee

~Ash