Season 1, Episode 3
Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones
Eli got straight up once Counselor Blatt was finished with her announcements, not bothering to grab his bag as he made his way to the bathroom.
He did a quick scan when he got there, and when he was sure he was alone, he locked the door.
He made his way over to the mirror and gripped the sink, looking down. He sighed as he looked up at his reflection, tears once again threatening to spill.
A knock on the door made his head turn sharply as he tried to get rid of the tears in his eyes without letting them fall.
"Eli?"
He sighed, realizing it was Demetri. He unlocked the door and let his best friend in, quickly turning the lock again once he was in.
"Hey, are you okay?" Demetri asked, placing a hand on Eli's shoulder.
Their eyes met and Demetri sighed.
"Sorry, stupid question."
The two boys stood in silence, Eli not meeting Demetri's gaze. His eyes instead trailed back to the mirror, where he stared at himself.
"I hate it," Eli whispered so softly, Demetri almost missed it.
"Hate what?"
"Everything," Eli said, finally tearing his gaze away from the mirror and back to Demetri, "I hate being made fun of. I hate how my mom never listens to me. And... I hate what I see every time I look in the mirror. Everybody's right. I'm just the kid with the stupid lip."
"Don't listen to them, Eli. Those people only judge based on what they see. They show their true colors the second they say anything about you. You're ten times the person they'll ever be."
"I just wish I didn't have this stupid scar," Eli said, wiping away at the tear that fell.
"One day I bet that'll make you look more badass. Then you'll have all the girls chasing you."
Eli gave a soft laugh, and Demetri immediately felt a bit of relief.
"Hey," Demetri said as he put both hands on Eli's shoulders and forced him to look him in the eye, "your scar doesn't define you. You're a human being, and you shouldn't let anyone treat you any less because of it."
Eli snorted, "Says the guy who gets bullied every day without a scar."
"I have experience, that's why I give good advice. I never said I'd use it."
Eli just shook his head and laughed, all traces of his tears now gone.
The bell rang, and Demetri put his arm around Eli for a second as he guided him towards the door.
"Come on, we gotta get our bags. I also, sort of left Miguel."
"Hope he's not mad at you. He seems cool," Eli said as they headed towards the cafeteria.
"He'll get over it."
They walked in silence for a few seconds before Eli spoke.
"Demetri?"
"Yeah?"
"You promise you'll always be my friend?"
Demetri locked eyes with him.
"Please, as far as I'm concerned, you're stuck with me. Binary brothers for life."
