Cory wakes up the next morning in a cold sweat. He pants and looks around his room. It is dark and he sees that Eric is sleeping. He sighs, just a nightmare. It felt real, but it was just a dream. Cory looked at his clock that was next to his bed and saw that it 3 in the morning. He had a few hours before he had to get up for school.

He could close his eyes and go back to sleep, but was that really an option? Cory didn't want to go back to sleep, what if he had another nightmare? Maybe it was better off he just stayed awake. He laid back down and just lied there, wide awake. He was still painted, remembering his nightmare.

It was just a dream, but it was pretty accurate in what was going on his life. He sighed; it was ruffled. He didn't like thinking about those thins, but how could he not? And he would have to face those things when we goes to school in a few hours.

A few hours past and Cory didn't fall back a sleep, he just laid there in bed awake. He feared going to school, facing the boys who now torment him. He would give anything not to go to school today, but of course, that require giving his parents a reason for him to stay home. And it would have to be within reason.

Cory could pretend to be sick, but Eric knew all his tricks and he would probably question him or even expose him. He certainly couldn't tell them about being bullied. He wasn't going to tell them that he didn't want to go to school because of a few guys giving him a hard time; that was life and Cory knew he was going to have to get used to it.

And he didn't want to be bother. He could of course ask Eric for help, but he couldn't be a bother. Especially not during school hours. During school, Cory and Eric didn't know each other; they were strangers.

He heard the bedroom door open and footsteps get closer to him. His heartbeat increased, decreased when he heard his father's voice. "Boys, come on. You got to get to school." He said.

Cory was relieved to his hear his father's voice, but not to hear his words. School was an understatement. He didn't want to go to school. If Cory had his choice, he would just stay in bed and not move or talk to anyone.

Cory didn't turn or move after his father had given his sons an instruction. He could hear Eric get out of bed, but Cory didn't move. He felt his father's hand then touch his back and he tensed up for a second, but then eased, remembering it was only his father.

"Cory, come on. You have to get up." Alan said. Cory sighed and did what he was asked. He looked up at his father, who was smiling warmly. "Breakfast is on the table for you guys." And after that, Alan left the room.

Eric and Cory looked at each other for a few seconds, but then Cory went into the bathroom, grabbing a shirt and pants before he went in there.

Cory stared at himself in the mirror. He wanted to just curl up in a ball and cry, but he wouldn't. Eric would hear him and he couldn't have his parents and older brother question him. It would end in disaster. Cory just wished he could go to school with this pit in his stomach. He wished he was back in 6th grade. Those were the good days, it was when he had a best friend.

When Cory finally came down to the kitchen, Eric and Morgan were already enjoying their breakfast. He looked and saw his parents talking the corner. He sighed, they didn't even notice him until he sat down at the kitchen table.

"Why did you take so long?" Eric asked him, but Cory didn't answer. He just poured some cereal into his bowl and began to shuffle it around in the bowl; not actually eating it.

"Hello?" Eric said, snapping his fingers in front of Cory, wondering if he was even listening. Cory looked up, he didn't want Eric to think something was bothering him. He didn't need anyone worrying about him.

"Cory, is something going on?" Alan asked and Cory sighed, turning to his father with a forced smile on his face; they wouldn't tell the difference though.

"No, just tired." Cory replied and started to actually eat his breakfast. He couldn't seem like something was wrong. But Eric continued to stare at him until they left for school.

Eric wouldn't be caught being seen with Cory in the halls of their high school. So Cory walked by himself, keeping his head down. Maybe if he laid low he could get through the morning, at least. "Hey Matthews!" Cory heard. Well, that theory was out the door as Cory slowly looked up and saw a groups of boys heading towards him.

Those were the faces he dreaded seeing; Harley, Frankie, and Shawn. To think, one of those boys used to be his best friend; but then high school happened and they were separated by the popularity standard. "So what should we do to him this morning?" Harley asked the boys behind him.

Cory looked around and saw no teachers. You think a kid would be safe in the halls of school. Cory is never safe there. The boys surrounded him and he knew there was no help coming for him. There was no stopping those animals.

The bell rang and Cory went into the bathroom and looked to make sure no one was in there. He lifted his shirt, revealing a couple bruises. Then threw a few punches and threw him against the lockers a couple times. Cory didn't know what he did to deserve all this. He didn't know what he did to turn his best friend against him. He just stood there while Cory was getting beat up.

His bruises didn't hurt as much as that.

Cory soon left the bathroom and went into his History class. "Mr. Matthews, you're late." Mr. Feeny said, but Cory knew that. He didn't care, it wasn't like being on time would make things better. "And you can make up for that tardy in detention after school today." Cory sighed, something else he didn't need on his case at the moment.

Mr. Feeny continued the lesson and once his back was turned a few notes appeared on Cory's desk. He looked behind him to see Shawn and some other boys who have been picking on him as well; the other kids names were Drake and Keith.

While Mr. Feeny wasn't looking, Cory opened the notes one by one. He tried his hardest note to break down or do anything he would regret after reading the words on the pieces of paper.

Loser.

Idiot.

Nobody.

And those were the nice words. Most of the words weren't as nice as that. He put them in his pocket before Mr. Feeny could see Cory with the notes.

Once he turned his back again, Cory started to hear voices from behind him. They were talking about him.

He is such a nobody.

He looks weird.

Who would want to be friends with him?

Why were you ever?

Cory had enough and just left the classroom. "Mr. Matthews!" Mr. Feeny called out, but Cory was already gone.

To be continued