As detention dragged on, I let passed a note to let Sal know I was going on a walk when detention ended, and not to wait up because it'd been a rough couple days and I needed some alone time, etc. Fortunately, he seemed to understand and let me off with a nod and a "be careful, don't get kidnapped." I really hope I'm not making a mistake...

I ended up finishing my homework before both of the boys, so I tugged on my green jacket, gathered my stuff, and left. I looked over my shoulder as I exited the building to make sure Sal wasn't trailing behind me. I then realized I didn't know how close he was to being done with his work, so I decided to wait behind the school for Travis. Can't be too careful, right? Anyway, I could feel my fingers start to sting from the unforgiving cold of Autumn. Dang, I wish I brought gloves... I shoved my hands in my pockets and shivered.

"Do you want my scarf?" I jumped at the voice before I realized it was Larry, giving me a lazy grin, already removing the cloth from his neck.

"Ohmygodyesplease," I breathed, smiling with relief.

"Okay, but first you gotta tell me why you're hanging out here instead of going on a walk," Larry took a step back and... Sal entered the frame.

I felt the smile drop from my expression almost as fast as the blood drained from my face. Do I just tell them the truth? Would they be mad? Shitshitshit! Maybe I should just run! I knew I looked like a deer in headlights, frozen, about to bolt at any given moment. I swallowed the lump in my throat and tried to settle my nerves and stop shaking. Fuck it, I don't owe them anything.

I stuffed my phone in my coat pocket before dropping my bag and making a run for it. I breathed heavily as the cold, dry air stabbed the back of my lungs. I made it about 20 yards before an unknown force slammed me into the frozen dirt. I let out a yelp of both surprise and pain before struggling against the sudden weight. I can't breathe...

"Stop- moving!" it was Sal holding me down. I closed my e/c eyes quickly weighed my options, although I already knew my only chance of escape was to do what he said, at least for now. I stopped trying to get free for a moment and panted heavily. Eventually, he gave me enough space to turn on my back. I was hoping to push him off, but to my dismay, he pinned my wrists above my head. He's smarter than that. I know I said there's nothing wrong with being a little touchy once in a while, but jeez...

"Look at me, I'm not gonna hurt you," he said softly.

I shook my head furiously and kept my eyes scrunched shut and tried to kick him off of me instead. This is happening all too fast!

"Dude, be careful!" Larry had caught up to us by now, I could hear him from somewhere to my left.

"Look at me, N/n. I'm not gonna hurt you, okay? Just look at me," Sal's voice was once again the most soothing sound in the world, and I'm ashamed to admit I almost believed him. I focused on the sound of him blowing air against his mask and took a few seconds to calm down. Eventually, I obliged.

"Good. Are you okay? I didn't hurt you, did I? I didn't mean to push you that hard..." the blue haired boy looked down at me with worried eyes.

"I-I'm fine," I said in a small voice. I could feel some blood pooling on my knee, but nothing was broken.

"Alright, good. Now, can you tell me why you lied?" his tone was commanding, but soothing. Although he didn't show it, he was obviously disappointed in me. He put me first the day we met, and this is how I repay him?

I gulped. I got that same sinking feeling as when an adult tells you you're not in trouble. "I... I was tired, so I didn't- I didn't feel like walking anymore."

"That's not what Travis said," Larry sounded really upset.

I started panicking again and tears welled in my eyes. I clearly can't get out of this situation without telling them, what am I doing?

"Fine! He wanted me to go with him to his house a-and he threatened- he threatened to-" I started to choke up.

"I didn't threaten anyone!" Travis shouted, furious. When did he get here?!!

"I'm not-" I managed to whisper, and my vision began to blur from the tears.

"Don't worry, I believe you," Sal whispered softly into my ear and kept his hold on my wrists to pull me up into a hug. I froze at first, shocked. Weren't you just trying to kidnap me or something?! He only tightened his embrace when I didn't respond, so I slowly relaxed into his arms, and eventually my hyperventilating slowed and my eyelids fluttered shut.

Until I felt a sharp pain in my side.

I coughed and gasped and found myself being torn away from Sal by a pair of rough, unknown hands. These hands proceeded to punch me directly between the ribs, yank at my hair, and dig their knuckles into me. I clawed at Travis's shirt, attempting to break free. Although he was weaker than Sally Face, he was still stronger.

.

.

.

I can't even get a moment to catch my breath, can I? However, the sound of a crack and the release of pressure interrupted my thoughts. I immediately sat up in confusion to find Larry ramming his fist into the face of the bully again and again. The blue-haired boy struggled to pull him off.

"Larry! You're gonna kill him!" I cried, covering my mouth with my icy hand. I watched as he froze with his elbow pointed away from Travis and slowly turned his head to look me in the eye. If looks could kill, I'd have been buried six feet under as soon as I began my sentence.

"That's the point," he muttered, dropping the collar of the boy's shirt.