Justin was worried. He hadn't meant to let Floyd's comment get to him but somehow he had. It probably hadn't helped that Leo had been avoiding him like the plague for the last 3 days now. Justin didn't know what to make of his brother's sudden reclusive behaviour. Sure, Leo had never been a talkative or even outgoing person, preferring to stay inside than go out and play sports but what Leo was doing now was so much worse.

Leo barley ever left his room now, only for meals were Dad and Allie would watch him like a hawk until he eventually ate more than a few mouthfuls. And he never talked. No matter what any of them did no one could engage Leo in a conversation longer than 2 words. But that wasn't what was sending Justin over the edge. No, that was the nervous tic Leo had suddenly formed.

Whenever his younger brother got nervous or even the slightest bit upset, he would start rubbing his hand up and down his wrist as if he was trying to run something across his skin. Justin silently cursed Floyd for putting these ideas in his head. If only he could just get a hold of Leo and check for himself then maybe he could stop worrying.

He just hoped Tiffany and Floyd could keep their mouths shut about their suspicions until then. Because if Dad even suspected Leo of harming himself then his little brother would probably be packed off to the clinic like Mum.

…..

Tiffany had been trying to work up the nerve to tell her Mum about Floyd's suspicion about what Leo was doing. She'd been hesitant at first, hoping Justin could fix it or at least tell Vaughan about it. But instead Justin seemed to be doing nothing and Leo's behaviour had only gotten worse. The problem was, Tiffany didn't want to betray Justin's trust.

The night Floyd had mentioned what he saw to Justin, the older of Vaughan's children had come to her and her brother and told them in no uncertain terms that they were not to tell Vaughan or their Mum. Tiffany had agreed, mainly because she fancied Justin and didn't want to get on the wrong side of him, but also because she thought Leo might open up more to Justin. Except 3 days had passed and nothing had happened.

"We should have told them as soon as I found out." Floyd said at lunch as he glanced over to where Leo was sitting alone at a table. Justin had been sent to the cooler again and when Leo had come to lunch, something he hadn't done in a week now, Tiffany had known the younger had been avoiding Justin. They'd invited him to sit with them but Leo had just shrugged and walked off.

"We can't be sure he's doing it though." Tiffany argued. She hadn't known Leo long but in the short time she had she'd grown to care for the younger boy in a sisterly sort of way. Tiffany didn't want to believe Leo could be that stupid.

"Then Vaughan would have solved it and I would have apologised. But it's been festering now and if it's true what then? What if he hurts himself?"

"He already is." Tiffany hissed back, glancing at the students around. She didn't want any of the other students hearing this, knowing how gossip ran in Waterloo Road.

"I mean worse. What if he ends up in hospital because I didn't say anything?" Tiffany fell silent, unsure what to say to that.

"Tonight. If Justin doesn't talk to Leo by tonight then we'll tell Mum and Vaughan." Floyd didn't look happy about leaving it any longer but at least he nodded. Tiffany just hoped Justin got the chance to talk to Leo beforehand.

…

Leo couldn't help but feel nervous as Justin ran to catch up with him. He was about half way home, after leaving later than usual in hopes of dodging Justin. Except somehow his older brother had caught up with him and was now falling in step beside him. Leo fought the urge to start tugging at his sleeves as the two walked in silence.

He was almost positive Justin knew, or at least suspected what he was doing, because for the last few days his brother had been desperately trying to get Leo alone to talk with him. Thankfully, Leo had managed to stay as far away from Justin and on the odd occasion they were alone together, Leo made sure they were in hearing range of their Dad or Allie. Only now, Justin had finally managed to get him alone.

"You okay?" Justin asked as they turned into a side street. Leo shrugged in answer, one of his hands going underneath his jumper to scratch at a cut there. He was so absorbed with trying to keep calm that he didn't notice Justin's eyes watching his every move. "Look, we need to talk."

"Why?" Leo found himself asking.

"Well, Floyd mentioned he saw something the other day and I just want to prove him wrong." Leo felt himself freeze in place. "Leo?" Justin's voice was hesitant.

"I didn't think you listened to Floyd." Leo managed to get out but his tone held an underlying of fear. What if Floyd had seen the cuts? What if he told Dad? Leo didn't think he could handle the disappointment of his Dad finding out about them.

"I don't but…Leo you've been acting weird for a while now and I'm worried." Justin had come to stand in front of Leo. The street was relatively quiet but Leo felt as if every person behind the curtains in the houses lining the street were watching him.

"Not here." Leo finally said, getting a confused look from Justin. "Please."

…

Justin was beyond worried as he followed Leo to the harbour. His younger brother was glancing around nervously as if he were some sort of cornered animal, all the while tugging at the sleeves of his jumper. The longer Justin looked at the younger the more he realised that his fears might be very true.

Finally, Leo stopped, sitting on one of the benches. It wasn't fully dark yet but the street lights had come on. No one was around and that seemed to calm Leo down a little. Justin let his younger brother sit in silence for another minute, hoping Leo would just say it quickly and get it over with. When the younger didn't, Justin had to speak. "Can I see?"

By saying those 3 words, Justin knew he'd just admitted that Leo was hurting himself but on seeing the way his brother was acting; there was no way for Justin to deny it anymore. Leo only nodded, slowly rolling up the sleeves of his jumper.

They were underneath one of the street lamps so everything had turned a strange shade of yellow but there was no mistaking what covered Leo's arms. Angry red lines criss-crossed up both arms in a sick sort of pattern. Some were still crusted with dry blood while others had started to fade into a dull red.

"Leo…" Justin didn't know what to say. His brother wasn't looking at Justin, instead at the floor. "Why?" Justin found himself asking, getting a shrug in answer. Leo's shoulders where shaking now and Justin was almost certain he heard sobbing coming from his little brother.

"Don't tell Dad. Please don't tell Dad." Leo's voice was little more than a whisper but Justin heard it clear enough. "Please." Justin pulled his younger brother into a one armed hug, mindful not to touch any of the cuts. "I don't want anyone to know. Please Justin, don't tell Dad." Leo was making it into sort of a mantra as he broke down into his brother's arms and all Justin could do was sit there and hold his sobbing brother.

When Leo finally calmed down, it was fully dark. "I won't tell Dad. I promise but only if you promise not to hurt yourself anymore." Justin held his breath until Leo nodded into his shoulder. Without saying anything more, the two brothers headed back home. Justin just hoped his brother would be able to keep his promise.

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