Tank you for the reviews- here's the next chapter. Note- Ally, Dez, and Trish are assholes, but they will eventually realize what they've done, and change. I can't tell you when it'll happen, but know that it will happen. Also- there's a reference to a Skillet song here- Those Nights. It's one of my favorite songs, and I felt it fit the scene. That being said- trigger warning- self-harm and panic disorder.
"Alright, we'll be there to get you guys from school later. Have fun. And Austin, stick close to Ratliff whenever possible, okay?" Riker says, as Ratliff and I climb out of the vehicle. I nod slightly, and wave to them. Ratliff is bombarded by hugs and kisses- mostly from Rocky- at one point, he nods to a question the oldest sibling has asked. Finally- he pulls away, and joins me on the sidewalk.
"Bye guys," he says. "C'mon, let's go. I'm walking you to homeroom."
I sigh in relief. This is good- it'll be nice to have him with me all day. At least- I won't get beaten up again- I can't go through that for a second time.
"Thanks for this, Ratliff," I whisper. "You guys are all amazing."
Ratliff smiles. "You're welcome- but it's not a problem. We just don't want you to hit rock bottom the way we did. You have so much to live for, and such a bright future ahead. Now, c'mon. We're gonna be late."
He leads me into school, and I can immediately feel glances and glares on us. Ratliff- as he said- is unpopular and a bullying victim. I'm still Austin Moon- popstar- so they're wondering why I'm hanging out with them. If I get asked that- I'll say that Ratliff is one of the most fucking amazing guys I've ever met, because he is. He's overcome so much- he's dealing with two mental conditions, and still manages to get through the day.
"Austin! Why are you hanging out with him?!" My eyes widen at the girl in front of me, and I sigh. Kira. I fucking hate her, and she just won't leave me the hell alone. She needs to mind her own fucking business- I can hang out with whoever the hell I want.
"I'm hanging out with him because I fucking want to. He hasn't done anything to you- leave him the fuck alone," I growl, putting a hand on Ratliff's shoulder, and pushing him forward. "Sorry about that…"
"It's okay." Ratliff tries to smile at me, but I can see the pain in his eyes. "I'm used to it. Well- try to get through the day, if you need to, we can take tomorrow. Text me if you need me, I'll ditch. And if you run into Ally, Trish, or Dez, fucking ignore them, alright? They don't know what you've been through. If I don't answer my phone- text one of the others. I'd suggest Rocky- he's the best at calming us down. Just…let us know if you need us. I'll meet you after fourth to walk to lunch together."
He gives me a brief hug, before setting off down the hall, and I sigh, kneeling down and turning the combination on my locker.
It's gonna be a long day.
"Hey, Austin. Everything went fine, I assume?"
I catch up to him in the hallway, after the bell- signaling the end of fourth period- rings. He visibly relaxes as soon as he sees him, and nods. "Ignored them. I just zoned out…no idea what the homework is, but I got through it."
"That's good," I laugh, wrapping a loose arm around his shoulders. "Lunch, then gym, and then we'll split up again."
"Yeah, okay." Austin smiles at me, and I feel warmth bubble in my stomach. He hasn't smiled ever since we've met him, and I'm glad that temporary happiness is gracing him.
"Austin? Who the hell is that?"
I glance up, and Austin's former friends stand in front of us. Ally- I think she's the brunette- looks betrayed and guilty. The Latina next to her looks downright angry, and the redhead next to her wears no emotion on his face. I think the Latina is Trish, and the guy is Dez.
"Don't say a thing. Lemme handle this," I whisper in his ear, removing my arm, and walking up to stand right in front of them. "I'm Ratliff. Austin's friend. Is there a problem?"
"Yes, there's a problem," Trish mutters. "He's our best friend, and he's hanging with a new guy every goddamn day."
"Your best friend? Really? If you were really his best friends, it wouldn't be your fault he's so damaged."
Trish scoffs. She starts to say something, but Ally interrupts her. "Austin flipped at my boyfriend for no reason. We have a right to be angry at him- it should not be the other way around."
"Did it ever occur to you that he was trying to protect you?!" I didn't want to get angry, but this is fucking bullshit. "Dallas has the reputation of a player- everyone who goes to this damn school knows it. He was trying to look out for you, and what the fuck did you do?! You made him feel worthless. God fucking dammit, you're so fucking lucky my brother found him before he fucking killed himself! He loves you guys so much, and you have fucking power over him! I'm here because he doesn't deserve this fucking shit. My brothers and sister all believe that he's an amazing person, and he's been hurt too fucking much to see it. So, if you want to continue being dicks, fine. Don't count on ever regaining his friendship. He's broken, and it's your fucking fault."
"C'mon, Austin. Let's go to lunch. It's okay," I murmur, pulling him close, and leading him away from his open-mouthed, shocked former friends.
"Why do they hate me?" He whispers, and his question is enough to break my heart. They don't deserve his tears.
"They're assholes, it's okay, shhh. Let's sit down," I soothe, maneuvering him into the lunchroom, and over to the isolated table I sit at every day.
"I'm sorry," he sighs. "I'm so fucking weak."
"No, you're not. It's okay, I promise. I wasn't this strong at first, either. It's all the meds, Austin. Otherwise, I'd have a razor to my wrist right about now."
"How was it?"
I hold the door open for both of them, and it's obvious that something happened. Austin has gone completely silent, and from the look on Ratliff's face- his former friends had something to do with it.
"They basically cornered him. I told them off, but…he's been like this ever since."
"Fucking dicks…they have no right to hurt him like this…" I sigh, running a hand through my blond hair, and turn on the ignition. "Rydel and Rocky went to get ice cream and movies. We thought of having one of those nights."
Ratliff sighs in relief. "Good. I think we all need it."
"Don't think I can't hear you guys," Austin mutters hollowly. "It's alright, you don't have to do anything for me."
"No, Austin," I sigh. "Those nights is just a term we use to define nights where we all get in our pajamas, eat junk food, and watch movies. They're the nights that keep us alive- the nights where confessions are made, secrets come out, and a shitload of comfort accompanies everything. We've all needed one for a while- this is a good thing."
"I need to get home," Austin mutters. "I need to grab clothes, school shit, and some other stuff. And my parents are fucking pissed."
"We'll take you, we'll be right there. Just hang on, okay? We won't leave you. We promise."
Thoughts? Would it be possible to get to 25 reviews? That would make me so happy, you guys have no idea. Thanks for reading- hope you enjoyed.
-Neha