Mitch's POV:

You know that one line in Fifteen by Taylor Swift where she's talking about when she first walks through the door and feels like her heart is about to burst from how nervous she is? That's what this felt like. I walked through the door, and it felt like everyone's eyes were on me, and they probably were. I hated it. I mean, I normally wouldn't mind, but this time, I knew it was for a specific reason, which happened to be the reason I didn't want to come back in the first place. My mom made me. She told me to just go get it over with. Easier said than done.

 I look back at Scott, only to find him staring right back. He smiles at me, and I smile back. And that told me that I'd be okay. And that was all that mattered. I could do this. 

Scott's POV:

I find myself staring at Mitch as he turns his head to look at me. He's scared, I can tell. I smile, hoping to help him feel better. He smiles back, and I feel a sense of relief wash over me at the sight. We walk over to his locker, but he doesn't open it. By now everyone's lost interest, and they've brought their attention back to whatever they were doing before. But Mitch just stands in front of his locker, staring at it, almost like something horrible would happen if he touches it. "Come on, Mitch. You can do this." I say, putting an arm around him. "Can I?" He asks. "I feel like everyone's still staring at me. I feel like its going to happen again. I feel weak, Scott. So weak. And it's like it's not going to go away. It's like it's a person, taunting me, telling me that I can't do this, that I should give up. I don't want to give up, but it's like someone else is telling me to, shouting it at me, until it's all I can hear, all I can think about. And it won't stop." He says, never once looking up.

"Hey," I say, pulling up on his chin and making him look at me. "Listen to me. You are strong. So much stronger than whoever is telling you this can see. You can definitely do this. Besides, I'll be there for you." I say. "You can't always be there. We don't have all the same classes, and you know how those kids get. I don't think I can make it through them, not without you." He replies. "Come with me." I say, grabbing his hand and pulling him behind me. "Where are we going?" He asked me.

"We are going to the office. I'm getting a pass to stay with you. I told you I'm not leaving you, and I'm not breaking that promise. I want to help you." I say. He looks at me, a small smile showing on his face. "You don't have to do that." He says. "I know, but I really want to. Besides, we only have a couple separate classes, so it's not like I'll miss much." I say,  pulling him into the office behind me. "Hi, what do you need?" The lady there asks. "Is there any way I can get a pass to stay with him for the next couple days, until he's ready to be alone?" I ask. "Well, you'll have to get permission from your specific teachers. But if they say yes, they'll give you the pass."

"Okay. Thank you." I said, pulling Mitch out of the office. "Where are you pulling me now?" Mitch asked me. "To my second period. I have to ask her for a pass." I replied. "Of course." He said. "Well you're the one that doesn't want to be alone right now, which I don't blame you for." I said stopping and turning to face him. "What?" He asked me. I smiled, before stooping down and picking him up, throwing him over my shoulder. "Scott! You can't just run down the halls of the school with me on your shoulder!" He yelled. "Sure I can. I mean, isn't that what I'm doing right now?" I said, smiling. "Besides, it'll be faster this way and maybe I can make it to the other class we don't have and ask him." I add.

"Fine. But please put me down before you walk into the classroom." He says to me. "Too late." I say opening the door to my second period and seeing Ms. Moran sitting at her desk. I set Mitch down before walking over to her desk. "Hi Ms. Moran, I was wondering if I could have a pass to stay with Mitch for a couple days, until he's ready to be on his own again?" I asked. "Why can't he be on his own now? You need to be in my class, Mr. Hoying. I don't think you can afford not being here, especially if you're just following some kid around that can no doubt find his way around by himself, or get help from someone else." She said. I turned back to Mitch. "Can I tell her?" I asked. He sighed, before nodding slowly. "Might as well, everyone else knows." He said. I turned back to her.

"He was bullied a few days ago and got injured, and he's scared since today is his first day back since the incident. It would really help him feel better if I could be with him. He'll be less scared." I said. "If you can convince me in the next thirty seconds as to why I should excuse you from my class for who knows who long, I'll give you a pass. If not, you'll be given a suspension if you don't come to my class." She said. "What? A suspension? I haven't done anything  to get a suspension in your class! You can't do that!" I yell. "20 seconds." She replies.

"Okay, um, I need to be with him to help him feel better, and I'll get the work and notes from Chase and do it at hone and give it to you when I come back, and I'll study more, and I won't talk when you're teaching anymore, and-" "Time's up, Mr. Hoying." She says. "And? Can I have a pass?" I ask urgently. She sighs. "I suppose. But if you break any of those promises, I will get you suspended, whether he needs you or not." She says, pulling out a piece of paper. "Thank you thank you thank you, I swear I'll do all of it." I reply, turning and smiling at Mitch. I turn back and Ms. Moran gives me a pass.

"Yay! Thank you again." I say, walking over to Mitch. "Come on, Mitchie. To Mr. Cozart we go!"

A/N: If any of you get either one of those references, tell me! I'm curious if anyone will know who I got those last names from.