Flashback to the following day of Toby's injury.

Toby's POV

I got home on the usual time, ready to exercise, specifically committing to bench press workouts yet again. As I grabbed the weights and lifted them, my mind shifted and gazed off to the events that unfolded between Jay, Spinner and I. It was clear at least Jay was under the influence of some drugs, which alone shook me. How could a kid who's high get away with that in Degrassi? It only proved my point at how corrupt and unimpressive the school really was.

After 30 minutes of lifting and continued pondering, my thoughts came to a halt, after looking at myself in the mirror, specifically my face. Putting down the weights, I noticed the stitches, all the way from there. No doubt would people be able to see that from a distance. A clear sharp cut across my forehead. Shaking my head, I grabbed some money and went to buy some stuff.

My first destination was a clothes store. I did not need a lot of clothes, but rather, something natural that would hide my hideous scar to the outside. My sights caught grip of my demand as I saw a black headband, on sale. Grinning at what was the perfect cover up, I grabbed the item, paying for it and went to the next area.

My next and final destination was the same place I went for all the other equipment. There I saw the Outslayer Heavy Punching Bag that I had been wanting since I started working out. To my surprise, it was also on sale, meaning I had a lot more money I could put in my savings fee. While the bag itself was heavy, it definitely was worth it. I lifted the punching bag, and got ready to walk. After a week of nonstop weightlifting and running, I would finally have another act of exercise.

Once I reached home, I saw my Dad and Kate pulling in, alongside Ashley. Of course, seeing me carrying a heavy punching bag, they looked curious and concerned for me. The punching bag was heavy, but it was tolerable, and the distance between the stores and my house weren't too far, probably half a kilometer away.

My dad was the first to question me.

"Toby, what's with the punching bag?" He asked.

"Just bought it, another means of working out," I said blatantly.

"Where are you going to put it?"

"Probably in the garage,"

"Toby," He stared.

"Yes?"

"Why didn't you call me? I could've picked you up,"

"I know, I just didn't want to bug you,"

It was then when Kate interrupted my dad.

"Wait, the garage?" She asked.

"Yeah, Toby's been buying a lot of exercising equipment recently, he has his own weights, bench press, treadmill, and now a punching bag. The garage is like his gym now" He said eagerly.

My eyes immediately shifted to Ashley, who I hope was not listening to the whole thing. I took a breath, hoping she would just shrug it off, to my luck, she seemed uninterested, and instead was on her phone. She was probably worried about Craig, which was fine by me. As long as she doesn't notice me, I'm was okay with her distraction.

"How did he pay for this?"

"He's been helping the neighbour's shovel their driveway for some money and using some of the money from his saving fee,"

"Oh, that's nice of you, Toby,"

I quickly realized she was eyeing me, to which I simply nodded.

"Uhm yeah, now can I put this in the garage?" I asked.


Present Day

Right hook, left kick, back fist. This was definitely my favourite exercise by far. Almost two weeks of nonstop weightlifting, running and fighting, I was finally starting to burn the chubbiness away. My face was finally starting to show more defined features, so much so that my jawline was actually visible now. I still had a bit of fat left to take care of in my cheeks, but I think it should be gone by next week.

My upper body was finally starting to show some muscle mass. All the fat within my arms were finally gone, replaced entirely of muscle. It looked great. My stomach lost almost all the fat that was there, replaced by a light frame of six packs. It wasn't defined, but the outline and foundation for that was already there. My legs also saw a muscle mass boost, which was also welcoming. My knees, which had a bit of chubbiness were now made entirely of muscle.

Even my height has changed. It's clear that the increase in Calories, higher life and overall healthy lifestyle I had committed to has pulled off. I saw myself in the mirror, and estimated my height to be around 5'8", slightly more or less.

As I sat down in a nearby chair, eating a granola bar for nutrients, I thought to myself.

I smirked, "If someone told me a year ago that I would enjoy this kind of exercise, I would have called them a mad man,"

I continued to work myself out, but now was making them more vigorous. Putting more weights, taking longer routes to school, and increasing the length of my sessions, I was able to handle a moderate amount of what the equipment was capable of.

I looked at the sky, through the window in my garage and saw that it was night time. Not surprising, thought spring was officially here, so it would eventually be a lot warmer than usual. That may be a bit of a problem as I might have to get rid of the baggy clothes, but by then, everyone may already know about my workouts, or I may be able to get away with baggy clothes. Who knows.

Tomorrow was Friday, thankfully, the last day before the weekend. During the weekend, Saturdays followed the typical workout sessions, except I can actually sleep in, while Sunday was my one day break for the week. That day I would actually look into my work. It was enough to get through the week, so I don't think I would have any problem with it.

Eventually, I went to my room, and closed the door, embracing the pitch black darkness that clouded my room, the only light being the moonlight, or my clock.

I changed into more comfortable and casual clothes, where my muscle mass was more noticeable and toned there, where I lied down.

Unlike the other nights, the vigorous workouts were tiring enough to make me fall asleep much faster, and soon enough I found myself drifting in a snooze.

I woke up to the sound of my alarm, set for 5:30. Immediately, I changed into my workout clothes, adjusted my headband on my forehead, to hide that scar, wrapped my hand wraps around and picked up my school and workout bag, and went downstairs. There I saw my dad, who smiled and pointed to the extra breakfast he made for me. After 15 minutes, I sat up, took care of my meal, thanked my father before heading to the gym.

Walking to the gym always scared me. Not in a mugging situation way, but rather the lack of baggy clothes I wear at this time. I was instead scared that someone from my school would see me with all this muscle and spread rumours in Degrassi about it. But thankfully I didn't know anyone who lives around this area, which made me at least sane walking through.

As I approached the gym, I immediately set my stuff in the small cabinet I was given, before heading to the weight section yet again.

I adjusted the weights, before doing bench presses. It felt good, the burning sensation from you arms as I continued to work them out. The hand wraps have become even more useful, as they kept my hand protected from the impact of the metal on the weights, or whenever I punched on the punching bag, and they weren't even that stiff on my hands. Maybe I'd wear them in school as well.

Shifting between different weight-lifts, even experimenting in the deadlifts, I eventually finished once I saw my watch say 7:00 AM. Drinking the water from my water bottle, before filling it up, I set my bags into one giant bag, that wasn't that heavy, and began running towards Degrassi. While the school itself didn't start until 8:00, it usually took me less than 20 minutes to run a 5-kilometer run, less than 25 to run a 7-8 kilometer run these days, or less than 30 for a 10-kilometer run.

Just as I predicted, I finished a 7-kilometer run in around 23:42. Checking the time on my watch, I reset it, before taking it off. Entering the gym showers, I took of my hand wraps, headband, then the rest of my clothes before jumping in the cold shower. It took only about 10 minutes, before I finished and looked at myself in the mirror.

Aside from the hideous scar on my forehead, and the bits of fat on my cheek and stomach, I was quite content with the rest of my body. Muscular, but lean, and even a bit taller, I felt more confident in myself as a person now. The exercise heavy workload has provided a great distraction to my life, as well as fulfilling the capabilities in case I ever get attacked again.

Putting on a different hoodie and baggy sweatpants, alongside my hand wraps and headband I looked at myself yet again, fixed my shirt to cover my muscles, and went on with my day. I saw the water fountain, where I could refill my water bottle, which was only quarter filled, as I had drunk a decent amount during the last hour.

Heading to my locker, to put my workout bag away, I slung my school bag across one arm on my back. I looked at my watch, it was only 7:35 AM. Oh well, I guess putting my bag on the back row of the class will be enough. I walked into the class, empty, dark, but open to students, I quickly put my school bag at the back-corner seat, before heading back to my locker.

When it came to students in Degrassi I knew, I simply had a falling out with them. I rarely talked to anyone anymore. Jt had laughed at me when I attempted to get back into his circle, rejecting me quickly. As for Emma and Manny, I knew the latter was busy keeping the balance of the mess that Emma had become.

I had heard of what Emma had done with Jay, and that sickened me to the core. Imagining Jay and Emma getting together was a thought that was just pure atrocity to my eyes. The fact that Emma stooped that low was beyond baffling, though I will give the girl some slack, she's been through some shit.

Speaking of them, coincidentally, I saw Manny and Emma, walking together. When Emma turned into another part of the hallway, I turned my head, hoping they would continue to ignore me like they had been doing for the longest time.

I remember from the looks of Liberty and Ashley; they were clearly worried about my wellbeing. But I drove that thought out as I felt a presence, someone watching me behind me.

I turned around to see Manny, being her chirpy self, staring at me clearly trying to get my attention.

"Hey Toby, it's been awhile. What have you been up to?" She asked. I paused for a second before responding.

"Just keeping myself busy here and there, you know?"

"I know, that's fair, it's just I haven't really seen you in school for the past month, you've pretty much disappeared" I shook my head

"I'm just trying to take care of myself really, that's all,"

Manny looked confused

"What do you mean taking care of yourself? Like eating healthy, or going to-" She stopped once she touched my left arm, realized the muscle there that was present.

It was then she backed up and took a look at my figure, clearly noticing the change. I swallowed a lump coming up my throat, knowing what she would say next.

"Was your arm always this big? Toby, what's with the headband? Did you get taller? Have you been working out?" She started bombarding me with questions, to which I gave a small inaudible groan at her questions. I looked around, hoping nobody was listening. Thankfully, no one was.

"It's no big deal, really, just some gym trips here and there to keep myself occupied, nothing worth of concern," I told her, as I was ready to walk away into my class.

But instead, she stopped me, and began to stare me down

"Why didn't you notify anyone of this? Did you have to go pretty much invisible?"

"I didn't see the point," I concluding, before walking to class.

But she still wouldn't let go.

"Toby, since Rick's death, you've completely disappeared from sight, nobody sees you in the halls or even classrooms anymore. You haven't even talked about Rick at all to anyone! Instead I see you a month later, taller, wearing a hand band and hand wraps, with a bunch of muscle. Why didn't you mention any of this to us?" She pleaded.

"Who was I supposed to confront? Jt? Who's too busy flirting with Liberty and hanging out with different friends? Emma, someone who's so distracted with the events that she can't even walk in a straight line? Or you? Too busy arguing with Paige and Ashley," I said blatantly.

"That's not cool, Toby, I have my issues, but I'm still willing to listen to others,"

"Do you really think we're still friends from Grade 7? We've all changed, we're now too different to relive the memories from that time,"

"We're not friends anymore?" I shook my head. I didn't mean it like that.

"No, we are, it's just if you expect the group to function how we did back then, you're delusional, we've all changed, and the truth is some of us do more than others."

"But that change doesn't mean we have to stop hanging out,"

"Maybe, but I'm not the same person I was back then, I'm different. You may expect to see the Old Toby again, but the truth it, he died the same day alongside Rick,"

With that being said, I walked to my class, before sitting down where I laid my backpack. It was 7:55 AM, and while some of the class was already present, nobody thankfully took my spot.

As I thought about what I said to Manny, it was the truth. While I did feel some guilt towards pushing her away, I wanted to keep her and everyone away from me. I didn't want anyone to notice me yet. When the time was ready, I would let everyone know what happened to Toby Isaacs.


Craig's POV

I surveyed the hallways at a time when class was going on. I had asked the teacher for a washroom break, which I was granted.

Walking across the hall, my mind shifted over to the spot of the group therapy area. The area where students with issues could come to and release their thoughts without being judged.

Ever since I have been diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder and attended counseling, everyone has given me a wide variety of looks. From fear, to pity, to apathy, I've seen it all. I could see the faces of judgement written all over people, giving me the eye, seeing a messed up being who was as dangerous as he looked.

A bit of ways away from the area was the music room. The one room in this school where I could relax and let my mind flourish. Especially after school, when the majority of the students were gone, I could just sit down with my guitar and play nicely. In a way, I could get away from all the judgement in here.

On the outside, unfortunately, it wasn't as easy. Simple murmurs from the students I pass by, I was sure they were talking about me.

To make matters worse, Ashley had begun interacting with me much less. I couldn't help but feel like it was because I had spent more time with Ellie after therapy session, but one time I noticed her presence while I was playing another written song, with Ellie next to me listening. While I didn't look back at her, because I was focusing on singing, I felt her stare at Ellie and I. Regardless, I knew her and Ellie were close friends, so I don't think it was out of any loath.

My thoughts were interrupted, when I felt a light tap behind my back. Looking back coincidentally, was Ellie.

"What are you doing? Just standing there for 5 minutes," She asked quietly.

I looked down to her direction, back to her hazel eyes.

"Just thinking, pondering on some stuff,"

"What kind of stuff?"

I looked back at her, causing her to look back in concern.

"Are you okay?" She asked. I sighed.

"I hate it," I started.

"Hate what?"

"Hate all the unnecessary looks I'm given, I hate seeing people look at me, letting this mental illness portray a façade of an unstable person who might blow up. I hate having this disorder control what people see in me. What people think about me,"

"Craig, you really think you're alone in this? I get those looks all the time. Whenever I walk the hallways, people look at me as a cutter, and just only a cutter,"

"But you're not,"

"Exactly,"

I stopped

"Well why do I feel like I'm alone in this school?"

"You're not alone in this Craig, you've got me, Nigel, and all the other students in the council, who understand your struggles,"

"Do they really? Or are they just sympathizing for me?"

"Do you think I sympathize you?"

"I don't know, for all I know you could just be watching me over for Ashley," I seemed to have pissed her off, judging by her emotions.

"Do you really think that?"

"I mean, didn't she try to get you to come over to my house about a guitar case excuse?"

"You're ridiculous! I actually wanted to understand you! Sure, you were my best friend's boyfriend, but you were still a person wanted to get to know! We both were struggling, I thought we knew that. Heck I forgave you after you cheated on your girlfriend!" I was starting to get anger, but I told myself to hold it in.

"I know we're struggling, but does that mean we understand each other? Or are we just doing this because we have to?"

"Do you want to ruin a whole hotel room again?" I fumed at that mention. That hotel room drama only lead to my eventual fight with Joey, which I couldn't stand anyone bringing up anymore.

"Don't remind me of my actions, I didn't know I had bipolar disorder" I threatened her in a quiet voice, which seemed shaken her up. I quickly realized the damage I had done, and was immediately going to apologize.

"Look, I'm-" I was cut off from her raising her voice.

"You know what? If that's what you see in me, then so be it! I can't believe I actually thought we had an understanding together! This is why I can't bond with people, because they just stab me in the back, thanks for reminding me of that Manning!" She finished before storming off.

I was tempted to call back her name, but I was left quiet by her outburst, shocked to make a single noise to call her back. I had known from now, that I had messed up very, very badly.