With in a few weeks, the police had built a case against Chase. Kevin was scared. No one knew about how he had almost killed chase. He thought it might be bad for his case. Janis knew he was hiding something. He had been quiet the last few days. As they sat in his room, she looked at him.

"What ever it is , Just tell me." Janis said as Kevin stared at the ground.

"It's about the fight. I challenge Chase." Kevin said in one breath.

"I know. It was in the letter. Plus, everyone heard about it." Janis breath. "That really doesn't hurt you. "

"Something happen at the fight."Kevin said loudly, " I tried to…. Kill Chase. "

"WHAT?" Janis gasped. "Is that why you had that mirror piece?"

"YES!" Kevin shouted.

"Well ….. You weren't thinking straight! " Janis said as she took a step closer. Kevin then hugged her. "Besides, You didn't do it."

"All those things that he did to me…." Kevin said. He began to panic. His lawyer had asked him if he thought that Chase attempted any thing while he was unconscious. He really didn't want to give it much thought. Even though he knew that it was possible. "Who knows what else he did Janis!"

"Kevin…" Janis gasped, " You don't think…..he did do something….. "

"I just felt different after camp. I wasn't me any more!" Kevin shouted. "Until I met you… I was this … this thing!"

"It's OK, ….Oh Kevin… god…"Janis cried.

"CHASE ….. WRECK MY LIFE! HE MADE ME "HAIRS"!" Kevin shouted as he cried in fury! "I WANTED IT TO END .. I wanted him to die. I …. wanted to die." Kevin then fell apart. His parents both rushed in. He saw his mom and hugged her trembling.

"We heard everything." His dad said. Kevin squeezed his mom tight. Janis then Wrapped her arms around him as well.

"I'm nothing!" Kevin shouted, "He made me nothing!"

"Things are going to get better." Janis sobbed.

The court date came sooner than Kevin thought. He had to be persuaded to go. He was sweating even before Chase got there. The moment that Chase did step into the room , Kevin started to cower. Janis held him from sliding on to the floor. Chase glared at Kevin as he started to tremble. The judge soon entered and they started the proceedings. It was a blur after that. Kevin only remembered a few brief instances , He remembers hearing the opening arguments and he clearly remember going to the stand after a few attempts and passing out.

"So, how many times did he attack you?" His lawyer asked. Kevin looked at his feet for a moment.

"I can't remember." Kevin Mumbled, "I know there was at least five … weekends."

"Did you ever try to fight back?"

"At … first…" Kevin mumbled.

"Why did he force you to wear diapers?" The lawyer asked. Kevin held his breath and gulped. He dreaded that question. He looked at the floor trying to avoid the question. "Kevin?" the lawyer caught his attention.

"He forced me to wear them… because…. He wouldn't have stop beating me. He thought…" Kevin Whimpered. "He… never stopped."

"Did you know about the pictures that Chase and his friends took? " Kevin started to trembled as the lawyer finished his question. The lawyer then looked at him. Kevin shook his head no. "Did he do anything else?Other than the beatings."

"I really can't remember." Kevin whimpered. "I would be unconscious a lot….I blocked most of it out…. He starved me…. He… I don't know!" Tears fell from his face .

"It's OK, Kevin. " His lawyer said as Kevin started to trembled hard. Chase's Lawyer Only had a few questions but, Only one stood out.

"Why Did you let it go for so long?" Chase's lawyer asked.

"Chase said, "If you make it though this , with out squealing… You'll get on the team". After that I got use to it." Kevin Said as he trembled.

All in all it was a quick trial. Chase was found guilty to assault and was sent to jail. He also was expelled from the school district. Kevin worried What might happen next.

"I didn't tell them everything." Kevin thought as his Suspension was about to end. He was hesitant to go. Everyone tried to reassure him that it was safe to go back. He tried to believe them but, couldn't. Every time he looked in the mirror, He still saw hairs! "They don't under stand." He thought as he tossed and turned. "I didn't make the cut." He thought.

He had attempted to return to school the week after spring break. The first few days, he didn't quite make it the whole day. He would use every excuse to go home. He finally went to a whole day of school, while wearing his orange sweatshirt with his hood down. During that morning, Kevin kept his eyes pealed for Janis. Unfortunately he didn't see her. Nazz did run into him and walked him to a class. He was a bit nervous at first as she walked by him. He then saw the smile on her face and breathed easier.

As he headed towards his locker, He knew that he was being fallowed. He tried to ignore the foot steps but, they kept fallowing him. Once at his locker he could hear the two seniors laughing.

"Hairs.' Kevin froze as one of the boys spoke up, "Dare to show your face?"

"Yeah, after what you did?" The other boy chimed in. Kevin started to trembled. He knew it wasn't over. He was suddenly pushed into his own locker.

"HEY!" Kevin heard a faint voice. "Back Off of him!" The voice became louder.

"You better not be sticking up for Hairs, Eddy." One boy said, "We were just messing around."

"Hasn't he been through enough? Chase got what he deserved!" Eddy said. Kevin, who was know trying to keep himself from falling, was shock about who was defending. " You better leave Josh, or…" Suddenly Kevin heard two more pairs of feet.

"All right," An affirmative voice said, "What's going on here. "

"These guys were picking on him." Eddy said as Kevin started to move.

"You two come with me. " The voice said Kevin recognized it as a teacher. "Make sure he's OK." The teacher said to Eddy. He then heard the boys move on.

"You really didn't have to do that." Kevin said. Kevin then took his head out.

"Kev?" Eddy gasped. "Man…. You look…"

"Just say it." Kevin snapped.

"Say what?" Eddy asked.

"Just say what ever you want! You know I'm Hairs ! So just say it!" Kevin growled.

"You…. Look. Man…, it really is you…. " Eddy stumbled over his words "When I saw you last…".

"You saw me? When?" Kevin asked trying to calmed him down.

"On the field. Double-D and I found you passed out after the fight. You looked like death warmed over." Eddy blurted.

"You're were the ones that saw me?" Kevin asked. "The ones that stop.."Kevin thought.

" I didn't recognize you. I didn't know it was you until you said something. You look different." The two looked at each other for a second.

"I've changed." Kevin sighed to himself. The two stood in silence.

"Chase must have had put you through hell." Eddy blurted out. "The rumors were terrifying …. I wouldn't have wished that on you. Those beatings sounded…." Eddy rambled awkwardly

"There was more to it than Chase beating on me." Kevin blurted out as more memories came back.. "He did stuff to me… he.."

"WHOA! Hold it! I'm not your shrink! We're not even close! " Eddy shouted, "I just came to find you. Janis wants to see you. "

"Janis?" Kevin perked up.

"Yeah, she said something about meeting her in the back by the bench. I can't believe you know her." Eddy said as they started to headed back there.

"She's the only friend I had." Kevin snapped.

"Say WHAT?" Eddy shouted."She 's one of the most popular girls in school. Plus a junior. Didn't you know?"

"No." Kevin snapped. "She's not that popular!"

" Any guy would kill to go out with her. She's the coach's daughter! …. Wait, that's who's car it was that would be at your house." Kevin nodded. He then realized that He and Eddy, Long time rivals, were talking. He knew then that he was desperate for social interaction. "You've really been isolated." Eddy said as they turn the corner.He gave Kevin a odd look.

"What?" Kevin snapped.

"You're with Janis?' Eddy said. The two had stop right before the benches. "I'm jealous."

"Why? How can you be jealous of me? I'm Jealous of you! You had Ed and Double-D all this time! I had no one! I was alone until I met Janis... We like each other."Kevin blurted out.

"You got the girl that every guy wanted! Don't you get it! Your still... you!" Eddy ranted. "Look, forget Chase ! " Kevin then started to interject.

"But, I was like him in Jr. high! ... Eddy, I'm sorry I was like that!" Kevin yelled.

"You were NEVER LIKE THAT! Not even close!" Eddy said calming Kevin down. "You didn't deserve that! And that's coming from me. That should mean something."

He then saw the group at the bench. He stopped as he saw the balloons. As he Got closer he could see a small banner Welcome back Kev!!

"Eddy!" Kevin gasped. "Look about what I said… About… Chase…. "Kevin said as he panicked. "Don't tell any one!"

" I won't! "Eddy said as he walked on. Kevin then fallowed. As he walked closer he saw, Nazz, Jonny, Rolf, and the eds. , but, no Janis. He then felt a tap on his shoulder. Quickly turned and Saw Janis. Her hair was pulled back and she was wearing a violate sun dress.

"Janis!" Kevin breathed . He then hugged her.

"Is everything alright? " Janis Said as Kevin squeezed tighter.

"I've been looking for you!" Kevin said as he released her.

"Well, I've been back here. Working on this." Janis laughed. Kevin took a step back and looked at the kids especially Eddy. "Are you ok?" Janis asked as Kevin looked at her.

"You did this?" He asked as he gulped. Eddy then gave him a look."For me?"

"Yes, we all did. You should enjoy this." Janis said as she kissed him. "You look shook up?'

"Some guys shoved me into my locker, that's when Eddy found me." Kevin Rambled.

"You'll be ok. Did any one else see?" Janis said as they walked over. Kevin then gave her a look that see knew by heart. "We'll talk later. Promise."

The two then joined the group. Kevin didn't know what to think at first. Nazz then hugged him. He then gave a smile as he relax. It was a quiet lunch. Kevin Kept looking At every one.As his eyes came upon Janis, the warm feeling return. He wanted to be alone with her. As he took a bite of his hamburger, He then notice Rolf and Jonny . The two were looking at him as if he was sop pose to say something. "What?" He asked.

"We just asked you, if you like having "our" coach sub?" Jonny asked.

"Oh, It's... ok, I guess." Kevin said,"We talked a little about what happen. Janis, I'm sorry about your dad."

"Don't be!" Janis sighed, "He deserved it. Besides, there was a lot more that he did other than let Chase do what he did to you."

"Um Kevin? Why don't you like the cafeteria?" Ed asked.

"I just can't go in there yet. Besides, it's nicer here." Kevin laughed. He then looked at Janis as he felt the warm feeling. She smiled back.

As the bell rang the group said their goodbyes. Nazz and Rolf told Kevin to meet them at the bus after school. Kevin agreed. he then looked at Janis nervously. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"It was you!" he said," Your the reason I got through everything." Kevin started to tear up. "Everything that happen , I got through it because of you." He then kissed her.

"Kevin."Janis sighed as she wiped a tear from her eye.Kevin then looked at his feet as memories crept back into view. "Hey." Janis caught Kevin attention. "It's over. You're not hairs anymore."

"I ... I.. can still see stuff." Kevin said as he trembled slightly. "There was more to it,Janis. I can't ..."

"Like your psychologist said, it will take time." Janis said as she hugged him.

"He did stuff to me." Kevin whimpered."He ... took those pictures, among other things... The coach knew. He knew a little."

"That's why he got fired. He turned a blind eye." Janis whispered. "It's ok."

"I'm sorry... I'm not tough." Kevin said as he looked at her.

"No one would be tough after going through what you did." Janis said as they started to walk.They looked at each other. Kevin then remember what Eddy had said. Just as Janis started to walked, Kevin pulled her to a stop. "What?"She laughed.

"I was wondering,"Kevin voice squeak," Do... Would you ... like to go to the see a movie? Like for date maybe?"

"Kevin... I"

"It's ok if you don't want to ... I ... know that..."

"I was wondering if you were going to ask me. I've been waiting for... Yes!." Janis int erupted Kevin.

"really?" Kevin said in shock. "Why? Why do you like me? Is it because..."

"Your cute." Janis said as she stopped Kevin. "Remember those times we would go run and you started to open up?That's When I saw the real you. I don't know what it was,but, I .. knew that I liked you." Kevin looked at her in shocked.

"Eddy said that you were popular. Why do you want to hang around me?" Kevin asked.

"Because. There is something about you." Janis laughed.They then smiled at each other for a moment. Kevin then pulled her in close and Kissed her passionately. The two then parted for class. " Call me later!" Janis shouted. Kevin nodded with a smile.

THE END