Everything was going pretty average at Blackwell High. Classes had ended about 20 minutes ago and everyone had gone to do whatever it was they usually did on Friday afternoons. Whether it was visiting family or going into town, no one really stuck around after school like Warren usually did.

Warren had just left his chemistry class, his satchel on his shoulder filled with the extra notes Ms. Grant had given to him and manga books. He was making his way down the hall when he spotted Nathan leaning against the wall near the bathrooms. It had been a few weeks since he's seen the other boy. They didn't have any classes together, plus Nathan liked to skip class a lot.

Warren felt a rush of relief wash over him when he noticed that Nathan's bruises were pretty much gone. They were still a yellowish-green color, but that was better than deep purple. The cuts on his face had become scabs, making his features appear more rugged. Warren thought about saying hi, but knowing Nathan, he'd probably just be ignored. It was as if Nathan felt Warren's eyes on him, his eyes meeting Warren's gaze as he continued down the hall. Warren lifted his chin as a cool attempt to say 'What's up?', but he could see Nathan's chest move as he scoffed. Warren felt a pang of rejection in his chest, but it was to be expected.

Warren was about to turn the corner to exit the building when he noticed a few guys walk up to Nathan. He only recognized one of the guys, Zach, the one who found Nathan after he had beaten him. He slowed his pace, watching the interaction unfold. Zach seemed to say something, but Nathan ignored him.

"Come on, Nathan. Don't be like that. I'm sure you know that I'm the one that told your Daddy that you got your ass beat. You still look like complete shit. You better do what I say unless you want your old Pops to find out some of the other shit you've done. Don't make things hard, faggot."

Warren could tell Nathan was getting angry, the way his eyes were narrowed and his shoulders tensed. Warren had seen it all before. Nathan gave a quick glance to Warren, causing Warren to stop in his tracks. He actually looked scared…? Nathan scoffed finally, standing from the wall and attempting to walk away from the boys, but the one Warren didn't know grabbed his shoulder to keep him there. "Where do you think you're going?"

Nathan winced and shoved the hand off of him, "Fuck. OFF." He shouted as he turned to leave again, but the guys weren't having it. The one that had his hand on Nathan's shoulder grabbed his arms behind his back and held them there with one arm as he covered his mouth with his other hand so he couldn't yell for help.

Warren couldn't believe his eyes. He looked around the hallway quickly, but there were no teachers to be found. Everyone had pretty much cleared out of the school by now. Warren immediately sprang into action when he realized he had no other choice.

He ran at Zach and tackled him, straddling his stomach as he punched him straight in the jaw. "What the fuck…?" When the guy holding Nathan saw Warren attacking Zach, he let go of Nathan and ran at the two. The guy grabbed Warren by the collar and brought him to his feet, pinning his arms behind him so he was defenseless. "Well well well, if it isn't little Warren Graham." Zach sneered as he stood from the floor, rubbing at his jaw. Warren struggled against the other's grip, but his grip was too strong.

"Seriously. What the fuck, Warren? You're really willing to get your ass beat for that pansy?" Zach questioned, nodding his head towards Nathan who was recovering from being thrown on the floor. Nathan got up from the floor and ran, leaving Warren to fend for himself. "Look what you did. You let him get away." Zach cursed, pointing at Nathan as he ran out of the building.

He walked up to him and Warren knew full well what was going to happen next. Warren clenched his stomach as Zach swung at his mid section. The punch took the wind right out of him, causing him to drop his head and gasp for air. Zach swung upwards at Warren's hanging head, getting him straight in the nose. Blood started to trickle down his upper lip onto his shirt, his eyes tearing up from the impact of Zach's fist. "You shouldn't get in the middle of business."

Warren took yet another punch to the cheek and could taste the blood in his mouth. When Zach went to punch him again, Warren gathered the blood in his mouth and spit it at him. The spit landed right on the chest of Zach's white shirt, staining the cloth with red. Zach stopped, looking down at the now ruined shirt. "You're gonna pay for that." was all he said before he punched Warren square in the side of the head.

There was a dull ringing in his ear as white flashed in front of his vision. Warren's body suddenly felt heavy. He couldn't keep his head up anymore, his legs giving out on him.

"Hey…! What… going…here?!" Warren could hear a voice, but he couldn't make out all the words it said. When Warren opened his eyes he was on the floor. He groaned as he went to stand, but his world tilted and he found himself back on the floor. He shook his head, trying to lift himself up again; this time someone helped him. His vision was blurry, but he could make out Nathan's features as he slowly stood from the floor.

"Are you alright? Can you stand?" The voice that wasn't Nathan's asked. Warren lifted his head and Mr. Madsen was in front of him, grabbing his other arm to steady him. "Uh… Yeah I just… need a second."Warren said as he went to hold the side of his head. "Here, let's get you to the nurse's office." Mr. Madsen offered as he put Warren's arm around his shoulder as he helped him walk.

Nathan followed after them as they made their way to the nurse. Warren looked over to Nathan, who was watching him with worried eyes. "Are… you okay?" Warren asked, as he walked against Mr. Madsen. Nathan was surprised at Warren's words. Warren was the one who had gotten hurt, but he still asked if he was okay? Nathan nodded, looking away from Warren's soft eyes, feeling guilty.

When they finally made it to the nurse's office, Nathan held the door so the others could make their way inside. "Thanks, Prescott." Madsen commented as they made their way through the doorway. Nathan nodded at the comment and closed the door once they were inside. "Oh! What happened?" The nurse asked as she walked out of the materials closet at the sound of the door closing.

"This is Warren Graham. He was in a fight with some other students. Nathan here ran to get me and I was able to arrive at the scene before things got too serious." Madsen explained as he helped Warren get into the next room and sit down on the nurse's bed.

"Thank god Mr. Prescott was there for you then, huh?" The nurse asked as she sat in a small rolling stool and rolled over to Warren to shine a flashlight in front of his eyes. "Yeah, if it wasn't for him I'd probably be out cold." Warren smiled as he looked over to Nathan who was standing on the opposite side of the room. Nathan looked away from his gaze, heat spreading to his slightly bruised cheeks. "I'm going to need to report this situation to Principal Wells. Those two won't get away with this." Madsen assured before pulling out a pocket book and a pen.

"What happened, son?" The nurse asked, grabbing some alcohol and cotton swabs for Warren's nose and cheek.

"Well…" Warren glanced over to Nathan. Nathan's eyes were somewhat pleading. 'Please, don't say anything.' They screamed. "I provoked them." Warren finally said, "I said something that made Zach mad. He swung but I dodged it and got the first hit. After that he had his friend hold me while he punched me. He got me good in the side, twice in the face, and then in the head. There was like a ringing in my ears, and the next thing I knew I was on the floor." The nurse nodded, wiping the blood from Warren's face.

"It seems like you might have a concussion, Honey. Given the situations severity, you're gonna need to stay here for a little while longer so I can make sure you don't need to go to the hospital." Madsen looked up at Warren after he finished writing down the rest of Warren's words. "And you didn't know this other boy?" Warren shook his head, frowning.

"His name is James." Nathan spoke quietly. They all turned to look at him, all of them seeming to miss what he had said. The stares made him feel awkward but he repeated himself, "His name is James Towner." Madsen nodded, writing down the name in his book before flipping it shut and shoving it back it his pocket.

"Alright. With that I'll be on my way. You two stay out of trouble. Well... Warren." Madsen said, realizing he couldn't really tell Nathan what to do. Warren nodded, but Nathan ignored it completely. Mr. Madsen gave a final wave before he left the nurses office, his heavy boots ringing throughout the office.