The bell rang and we all started making our way to the locker room to change. I knew Elliot was waiting for me outside, but I decided to take my time since there was no rush for us to leave and when walking outside I saw David passing by. I paused for a second trying to stay out of his eye-sight and thinking about how he hasn’t bothered talking to me since his suspension. I saw Elliot watching me being cautious so he started walking over to me and we both waited until he was gone.“He’s not going to do anything when I’m around,” he tells me as he reaches for my hand.I held his hand for a second before slowly pulling away. “We don’t know that… He could still try something.”“So, I’ll stop him.” He said and we started making our way out of the school grounds.“You can’t always be there like a knight or superhero,” I commented.“I can try.”I

Jennifer turned to me about to say something, but I didn’t look at her or even listened if she talked to me. I can still feel my face warm and I’m sure I’m just still embarrassed about the conversation we had. I tried to only focus on my work and just wanted to be alone. During class, I only focused on my work and I didn't bother to look around me so once the bell rang I got up to make my way out of the class.“Michael, wait,” Elliot called out.I slowed my walk as I kept my head down. “I’m sorry I said all that…”“But, what brought all this?”I opened my mouth before I shook my head. “I don’t want to talk about it right now. We’re going to be late for class…”Elliot sighed, “Okay. But we still need to talk about it, okay?”“Okay,” I said and I started walking away from him.During class, I just kept to myself as u

Making my way to school, I took my time walking and I wasn’t in a rush to start my day, but I knew that I had to get through by taking on everything from my mom's business trip to the conversation I started with Elliot. Elliot was waiting at the front building as he said and we both walked together to our classroom. It was quiet between us, but I’m sure Elliot was being cautious around me or maybe he just wasn’t too sure what to say after our many discussions from yesterday. I still wasn’t feeling well enough to continue the conversation honestly, but I don’t think there was more to discuss besides the conversation of what my mom would do this weekend.During lunch, I spent my time in the library and during gym class I kept myself distracted as I’m walking around the track until I had to go home. Elliot was occupied with his volleyball team and I glanced over at Luis who waved at me from the distance; which I waved back to be kind. Once I w

 “Michael, I’m outside your house. Are you sure you don’t want to see me because I do...”I paused for a second before I slowly got up. “No, wait, stay there,” I said as I reached for my sweater and started making my way out of my room.“Michael?” My mom called.“I’ll be back,” I said as I stepped out the front door making my way to the front gate.Elliot was leaning against his car then started walking my way once he saw me and I had my arms wrapped around his waist after he reached out to me. I buried my face against his chest while he held me and I remember that earlier I didn’t want him to touch me, but now that he’s holding me, I just wanted to be under his arms. I guess being held like this was comforting me more than I thought it would and it wasn’t fair that I’ve been keeping a distance from people that care about me. I wondered to myself and thought why

“Come on. We both said a lot of things we didn’t mean.” He said as he pulled me close kissing my cheek from where he hit me. “I’m sorry.”I just didn’t know what to do or say as I stood there and I think I was shaking from the shock, but I think he must have mistaken me for feeling cold as he took off his jacket and put it over my shoulder so I could wear it. I watched him as I kept my mouth shut feeling uncertain if I wanted to say anything that could get him mad again and I couldn’t forgive him for his action or behavior.“Go home and put ice on your face. I’ll come back in the morning and we can walk to school tomorrow.” He said as he zips up the jacket that he put on me.He leaned over to kiss me and I couldn’t kiss him back, but it seemed like he didn’t mind my quiet reaction either. I quietly made my way inside my house right away and went straight to my room feeling like I&rsquo