As Tyler drove towards Patrick's school, Josh told him what had happened.

"Ty," skip. "It was the worst. He was in tears and he kept whimpering in pain and I couldn't do anything to help," Josh rambled. "I'm gonna kill those kids who hurt him."

"Slow down there, Superman," Tyler interrupted. "Let's not be rash."

"Rash? Tyler they pushed him down and he hit his head! He could've gotten seriously hurt."

"They're elementary school kids, they can't do a ton of damage."

"They obviously can! They're deserve some kind of punishment."

"And you're not getting yourself in trouble!" Tyler shouted. "What would your parents do? Josh, you could get into some serious trouble if you do anything back. An almost adult verses a bunch of eight and nine years olds? You'll just look like a bully."

"Well, they need a taste of their own medicine."

"And I'm sure the school is taking care of that."

Josh snorted. "Yeah, because a stern talking to and staying in the office for an afternoon of recess will really show them."

"Well-"

"Tyler, you didn't have to answer the phone call. You don't have to live with him and see him hurt everyday. I knew something was wrong. Oh God, this is my fault. He stopped eating as much and always looked really guilty when he did. I always noticed but I didn't say anything, oh God," Josh looked over at Tyler, tears appearing in his eyes.

"Josh..." Tyler tried. "Hey, it's not your fault. Those kids decided to did what they did, you didn't tell them to. Don't beat yourself up over it," he suddenly realized his choice of wording. "Sorry."

He pulled into the pickup lane in front of the school and Josh instantly threw open the door. Tyler quickly shut the car off and got out after him, following him up to the door. He watched his friend press the buzzer on the wall.

"Hello?"

"Hi," Josh responded. "We're here to pick up Patrick Stump."

"You can come in," there was a clicking noise and Tyler grabbed the door handle, opening it and holding it for Josh who quickly walked inside.

As soon as they entered the office, Tyler saw Patrick. He was sitting on one of the chairs in front of the window. There was a larger than normal Band-Aid on the corner of his forehead and Tyler could see he had one on his elbow too. Holding an ice pack to his head, he leaned against the side of the chair with his eyes closed, sniffling a couple times.

"Bud?" Josh said quietly, heading towards his brother. Patrick's eyes opened and they filled with tears. "Hey, Tyler's here just like you wanted."

That warmed the brunette's heart. He didn't know why Patrick wanted Tyler to pick him up, but it was nice to feel needed.

"I'm so-"

"Patrick," Tyler walked over to him and kneeled down so that he was eye level. "Hey."

"Hi."

"Do you wanna know a secret?" the nine year old nodded. "I think your the coolest third grader I've ever met. But don't tell Madison that, okay?"

Patrick laughed a little before sniffling again and wiping his eyes. "Joshie?"

"Yeah?" his older brother responded.

"I don't wanna go home," he whispered. "I'm so scared."

"We're gonna go to my house," Tyler told him. "My mom's home. You met her the other day, she's a very nice lady."

"Okay..." Patrick nodded. He handed his ice pack to Josh. "Can you give that to the nurse?"

"Of course, Trick," Josh smiled at him and Tyler watched him walk over the secretary who pointed towards a door. He nodded and walked through it.

"Tyler?"

"Yeah, bud?" he turned his attention to Patrick.

"Is Josh mad at me?"

"Why would Josh be mad at you?"

"Cause he had to leave school and he has to put up with me everyday and-"

Tyler cut him off by wrapping his arms around Patrick. "Josh could never be mad at you," the younger clutched on to Tyler as well.

"I'm glad Josh became friends with you. You're cool."

Tyler pulled apart and smiled. He ruffled Patrick's hair– careful as not to make his head hurt worse. "You're cooler. But remember, we're not telling Madison that," he winked making Patrick smile back.

"Are we ready?" Josh asked, walking over to the two.

"Yeah," Patrick stood up, grabbing his brother's hand. "You just have to sign me out. Mrs. Williams already wrote my name down."

"I've got it," Tyler offered and went over to sign his signature next to Patrick's name.

"You guys can take a seat right there, an empty chair in between each of you," a voice said. Tyler looked over to see a young woman with light blonde hair looking very annoyed. She was pointing to the line of chairs and that's when he noticed who she was talking to.

There were three kids, the first two he didn't know, but the third he knew very well– Pete Wentz. He also then noticed that one of the kids had a split lip and the other had a swollen eye. Pete didn't have a visible scratch on him.

"The principal will call you back shortly," she sighed. Then she looked over to Patrick. "Hey, Patrick. Is this your brother?"

"Yes, ma'am," he replied quietly.

"Are you feeling any better?"

"A little," he told her.

"That's good," she nodded.

"Mrs. Williams?" Patrick asked.

"Yes, honey?"

"Can I ask why Pete's here?"

She sighed but Tyler could tell she was trying not to smile. "He decided to take matters into his own hands and I saw him punching these two as we were walking in from recess."

"They shouldn't have pushed Patrick earlier," he said simply. "Karma's a bi-"

"Okay, Pete. We get it," Mrs. Williams tried even harder not the grin after his comment. "You guys should probably get going. Patrick has a little bit of a goose egg and he should probably lie down."

"Thank you, Pete," Patrick smiled.

"Anytime, Trick," he smiled back.

"Alright, let's go," Josh interrupted. "We have to get you to Tyler's and him and I have to get back to school."

"Bye Pete, Bye Mrs. Williams," Patrick called.

"Bye Patrick," Mrs. Williams waved as Pete smiled softly.

The three walked out and over to Tyler's car as he hit the unlock button. "Joshie?"

"Hm?"

"Will you sit in the back with me?"

"Sure thing, Trick," Tyler watched him pull his little brother closer and wrap an arm around him. He sighed quietly in a longing manner.

Tyler really wished he hadn't fucked things up with his family.