Originally published: August 21, 2017

Connor's POV

It was sadly time to go back to school. I got up and got ready and went to the kitchen for breakfast. Devon's mom had made pancakes, bacon, and eggs. I sat down on one of the stools at island and looked around the kitchen. "Where's Devon?" I ask.

"He's probably still getting ready. Devon!" She yelled. "Yeah?" He yelled back. "Come down here, breakfast is almost ready!" "Alright!" He responded. About 2 minutes later he came running into the kitchen and took a seat next to me.

His mom sat down a plate for each of us. We thanked her and start to silently eat. I still couldn't get Devon's words out of my head.

"I'm gonna kill him..."

I was really afraid of what Devon would do. Even though Elliot hurt me I don't want to be the cause of him being murdered. I take a glance at Devon. His eyes were filled with anger and were glued to his food as he stabbed at his eggs. I need to keep a close eye on him today.

"Here, Devon." His mother said holding something small towards him. He outstretched his hand and took whatever it was. "Don't skip this ever again." She turned and walked away. Devon pops the thing into his mouth and drinks his orange juice to wash it down. I don't question anything and we finish our food in silence before thanking Devon's mom again before we left.

The walk to school was silent. I didn't know what to say since I knew Devon was already angry. I didn't want to make him even more mad by speaking about something he's didn't want to hear.

When we reached the school Devon finally spoke. "If you see Elliot stay away from him. If he comes up to you come find me. Understand?" He looked at me in the eye. I stare back unable to gather my words together so I just nod. He breaks our eye contact and walks away to his locker.

I shake myself out of the blur my mind had become and go to my locker. I grab my things for first period and walk to my class.

•••

The bell for lunch rang and all the students jumped up and hurriedly left the classroom towards the cafeteria. I slowly grabbed my things and left the class. I wasn't in any rush. I left the class and walked to the lunch room. The halls were pretty empty except for some lingering students chatting at their lockers.

I continued down the hall when I heard some footsteps behind me quickly approaching. I started walked a little faster but then felt a hand on my shoulder that made me stop. My body shivered from the familiar touch. I turned towards the person slowly.

"Connor-" I flinched at his voice and looked at the ground. "I thought you were dead! I'm so sorry for what I did!" He sobbed. This was a side of Elliot I haven't seen before, even when we were friends. He had never cried in front of me. "Elliot please get off me." I mumbled not taking my eyes from the ground. "Look at me, Connor." He sobbed even harder. I finally broke my stared at the floor and looked up at him. I immediately regretted it. He's eyes were bloodshot his face was red as he sobbed in front of me. My heart broke just from looking at him.

What the fuck Conner? Don't feel bad for the one who hurt you! Get away from him!

I backed away from him making his hand fall from my shoulder. His breath hitched. "Connor-" he reached out for me again and I backed up again this time my back hitting the lockers. He walked forward and put both of his hands on either side of my head trapping me. "Connor, I know you're mad and probably scared of me. But I don't think I could live another day thinking about all that I've done and how you probably won't forgive me. That's why, even if it's fake, I just want you to say that you forgive me. Please."

I sit there looking into his bloodshot eyes trying to find something to tell me that he was just messing with me. This wasn't the Elliot I was friends with in the past. This wasn't even the Elliot I knew as my bully. My heart started to ache again.

"Please...Conner..PLEASE!" He suddenly yelled as he slammed his fists into the lockers beside my head. I flinched and the words 'I forgive you' automatically flowed from my mouth.

Elliot backed away and looked at me as a sad smile came to his face. "Thank you. Thank you..." he dropped to the ground and started to cry again. In between sobs I would hear him still mumbling 'thank you'.

I took this as my chance to step away from the sobbing form and make my way towards the lunchroom. There was no way I was telling Devon about what just happened.

By the time I made it to the cafeteria I was struggling to breathe. It was like something was trying to strangle me from inside. I tried to brush it off when I saw Devon approach me. "Hey Connor. I was starting to worry. Where were you?" He grabbed my hand and lead me over t the lunch table where Tyler, Kyler, and Jasper were sitting.

"I-I was in the bathroom." I lied. Devon narrowed his eyes. "If you say so." We sat down at the table. "Aren't you hungry Connor?" Jasper asked. I hadn't eaten anything since breakfast but I wasn't really feeling that up to eating. All of a sudden I noticed the sick feeling I had in my stomach.

"No. I don't think I can even look at food without feeling sick." I stated as I stood from the table. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "I'm gonna go back to the restroom. I'm not feeling too well." Devon quickly stood up. "Are you okay? Do you need me to come with you?" He started asking questions immediately. "I'm fine. Stop worrying so much." I give him a smile of reassurance.

He thinks for a moment. "Okay." He sits back down and I leave the lunchroom and head toward the restrooms.

On my way their I all of a sudden felt this pain in my chest that made me drop to my knees. It was also suddenly hard to breathe. What the hell? I think. I start to see blacks dots cloud my vision. "Some...one...he..l..p..." I look around for someone. Anyone.

But the hallways were empty. I drop to the floor completely. I hold my chest in pain and try my hardest to steady my breathing to no avail.

Someone help me!

Devon's POV

I sat there waiting for Connor to come back through the cafeteria doors, checking my watch constantly. We only had 5 minstrel left of lunch and he still wasn't back yet. I stand up. "I'm going to check on Connor."

All the other guys at the table stood too. "We're coming too." I don't respond as we made our way out of the crowed room into the hall. We turn the corner at the end of the hall and see a body lying on the floor. "Connor!" I yell getting on the floor beside himself. His breathing was irregular and fast. I pick up his limp body. "Connor answer me! Wake up!" My eyes start to tear up.

When he didn't move I got scared. "We have to get him to a hospital. Someone get the nurse!"
"Got it." Jasper said sprinting towards the nurse's office.

"Connor please stay with us. Please..."