I follow the boys out into the halls and stop right in front of the doors I assume to be the cafeteria. I hesitate.

I can't do this. I've lived through so much torment in rooms like this at my old school. But I have to do this. I don't want them to think I'm some sort of freak.

"Hey, don't worry" Nick says.

They open the door and I follow closely behind.

Its loud. I can smell the food. Its nothing like the horrid odor at Westervile North HS. Ew, just the though of that school makes my stomach churn. This place is clean, but it is still loud.

"Hey you guys" Wes said happily "This is Jeff! He's new!"

David turned around and pointed to people as he told me names that I tried hard to remember.

"Thad, Sebastian, Trent, Cameron, Charlie, Kurt, Blaine"

I smiled nervously.

"Hey" Kurt said walking up to me, Blaine coming up behind him. His hand extended towards mine as I just gazed at it.

He sensed my hesitation and lowered his hand, but as I gazed into his eyes, I didn't notice disappointed as expected, but understanding.

Blaine offered a small smile which I sadly gave back.

Just then I noticed their intertwined fingers as Blaine gave Kurt a gentle squeeze of his hand.

I looked at their hands with jealousy. I wanted that. I had that. But then it was lost. Lost forever.

I smiled at them; happy that they could be happy in this horrible town filled with no acceptance.

They smiled back. It turned awkward very fast before Blaine asked, "Where did you transfer from?" he asked.

I wrote down, 'Westerville North'

They looked at me with uncertainty

"Really? I was at Westervile Central." Blaine said trying to ease the obvious tension.

"Why did you transfer?" Kurt asked

I visibly tensed up, and Kurt noticed this. He leaned forward, "Are you gay?" he whispered

My eyes widened and I looked around in a panic before remembering where I was. I nodded.

"Bullying?" he asked. Once again, I nodded.

I looked at him my eyes asking 'How did you know?'

"I was bullied too, that's why I'm here"

Oh. So his bullying was so bad he had to transfer schools. Just like me. Although, I wouldn't consider what happened to me bullying, I'd say it was torture.

My mind was wrapped up in terrible memories, I didn't notice my hands shaking, or Nick asking me if I was okay. Suddenly, Kurt was next to me leaning in my ear, "Its okay, Its not real, Its a flashback."

I snapped out of my thought. I looked at him. How did he know I was having a flashback?

As if he was reading my mind, he answered "I've been there too." he looked at me "And so has Blaine. And Nick."

I looked up at him. Nick, the name put a smile on my face. I felt as though we'd be very close while I was at this school.

I then realized I was slowly walking away, following all the boys as the bell rang, walking slowly next to Nick. "Hey" he said "You doing alright?" He was worrying about me? No one has ever cared about me. I swear this is the first day in nine years that my dad has been sober. I've always had to take care of myself, and this one question made my day. I looked at him and nodded.

Two Day Later*

It turns out my room partner is Nick. Oh, Thank God. His room is clean, and smells a little like Axe. But I don't mind. It smells also like Nick. Right now, we're sitting on our beds, facing each other sitting cross legged, and studying. I've adapted very well to Dalton in two days, although its pretty easy when you don't talk.

I feel my eyes drooping as I lean back into my pillows, suddenly losing all consciousness.

'Bam! that's the sound of my head connecting with the locker. That one hurt a lot. I let out a little whimper but I stay on my two feet. I feel my head begin to throb as I saw the jocks fist pumping each other walking away as if nothing happened. I pull out Tylenol from my bag. This has become an hourly occurrence so I knew I would need something to take the edge off. The teachers do nothing, and the students just stand there either whispering behind my back or pretending I'm not even there.

Whispers. Everywhere.

'Fag'

'Homo'

'Lady'

'Die'

'Just kill yourself already'

'You're just a waste of space'

'No one wants you here'

Bam! This time, the scene has changed. Im in an empty warehouse and that noise echoing around the building is a fist colliding with my jaw ad sending me flying into a trash can.

Laughter.

How is this funny?

Another punch. Kicks. And then a little piece of silver.

Screams.

My own screams.

"Jeff wake up! Its just a dream! Wake up!"

Screams.

"Its just me, Its Nick, Wake Up!"

My eyes open, my vision blurred with tears. I grab onto Nick and bury my head in his shoulder. He's hugging me back.

"Please don't leave me"

Suddenly we both freeze. Nick leans back to look into my eyes. A small grin playing on his lips.

"Did you just talk?"

"Don't tell anyone"

He nods. "Our little secret as long as you'll talk to me more often.

I nod.