As we walked into school, I saw the same group of guys eyeing Mitch. I pulled him a little closer and glared at them as we waked by. We stopped at our lockers, before heading to math. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom, just go to class, I'll be there in a few." Mitch said to me. "OK." I replied, walking ahead.

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15 minutes. He's been gone for 15 minutes. The sub marked him absent until he shows up. I know he wouldn't skip. I have to go check on him. I get up and walk to the desk. "Um, can I go to the bathroom?" I ask. He grunts, nodding his head in the direction of the pass. I quickly grab it and run out. I run to the closest bathroom between where I last saw him and the classroom.

"Mitch? Mitch, where are you?" I call. I wait for a response, turning to leave when I don't hear one, until I hear a faint cry coming from a closed stall. I walk over to it and knock gently. "Mitch?" I ask. Nothing. "Mitch, I know that's you. Please talk to me." I say, hoping he'll open the door. I hear the door unlock, and immediately open it.

"Oh my god, Mitch." I say. He has bruises already forming on his arms, and I see a red mark on his cheek. I wrap my arms around him, picking him up. "What are you doing?" He asks me. "You need to see the nurse. I'm going with you." I reply. He doesn't say anything, just puts his arms around my neck and rests his head on his arms.

We take about 5 minutes to get there, before I walk in and the nurse immediately takes him from me. "I'll write you a pass back to class." She says to me. "Can I please stay with him?" I ask. She looks at me. "Please." I say. She sighs. "Fine, just... Wait there." She said, gesturing towards the seats. I nod, sitting down. "Thank you." I say, smiling. She smiles back. "You're welcome, sweetie. Just stay quiet." She says.

After about 20 minutes, she walks back out, Mitch following her. I stand and hug him immediately, being careful for any injuries he might have. "Thank god you didn't break and ankle or something." I said. I let go and turn towards the nurse. "Thank you for bringing him here. He didn't have any injuries, just a few cuts and bruises. I did call his parents, and they're apparently picking both of you up." She said, smiling after she finished.

"OK. Thank you so much." I say again. "It's my job." She says before walking away. I turn to Mitch and hug him again. "Who was it?" I ask. "I don't know. I don't wanna talk about it." He replies. "OK." I reply. I let go and open the door, holding it for him. "Thanks babe." He says to me. I smile, glad that he's being himself again. "Welcome love!" I reply, putting my arm around him as we walk.

"I have to go get my stuff." I say to him as we approach our first class. "Kk. I'll wait here." He says. I turn and face him. "You're kidding me, right?" I ask. "What? I don't really wanna go in there." He says. "Fine. But stay in the view of the window, and yell if someone tries anything." I say. "Okay, mom." He says. "Well mom doesn't want you getting hurt again." I say before pecking his lips.

I turn and walk in the door, before grabbing my bag and walking up to the desk, giving the teacher my pass and walking out. "OK, let's go." I say.