Before I start this chapter, I'd just like too say THANK YOU! 55 reads?! Holy shit you guys are amazing ^-^

So without further ado, here's the next chapter. Enjoy! :3 Laika out!

-Seto's POV-

I coughed to get Brice's attention. He had sort of spaced out when I gave him that last compliment.

I meant it, he was a brilliant artist! The shading and detail made his art look almost alive!

He looked back at me, confusion in his eyes. I gave him a questioning look and he shook his head.

"Hey, um, Seto? C-can I talk to you at break? It's, uh, k-kinda important..." he frowned in anticipation, waiting for me to respond. I tensed up. What did he want to talk about?

I nodded slowly, and he muttered something as he handed me back my work. I did the same with his and we both continued planning our board in silence until the bell went.

I had geography now and he had social studies. It was the only time we didn't have class together, but I missed him all the same. I felt that I could trust him, but my body would not allow it.

We reached the junction in the hallway and walked off in opposite direction. He waved and I smiled back and headed down to geography.

*

All throughout geography I was fretting about what Brice wanted to talk about. The teacher yelled at me a few times for not paying attention, but I ignored him.

After the lesson I hung back, and let most of the other students push past. I didn't want a repeat of this mornings incident.

The bell rang for break and I made my way over to the old music room. It was never used and Brice and I decided to use it to meet up at break most weeks.

We already had permission to store our music project in there so we could work on it. I took a deep breath before entering and swung the door open.

Brice was already in there waiting. He smiled as he saw me come in. He patted the seat next to him and I sat down. I nervously got out my phone and texted him.

'So what did you want to talk about?'

I didn't really know what to expect, but I had to get this out of the way. He knew something was up with me. I saw his face fall as he read the message.

He sighed and pulled something hesitantly out of his pocket. It was a crumpled folded up piece of paper. I thought it looked oddly familiar. He unfolded it and handed it to me.

"This." he said, almost a whisper.

I froze. My heart stopped as I couldn't believe what he showed me. It was a picture I drew a few days ago.

I had written down everything my dad called me on it, every insult, adding new ones as they came. I shakily lowered the paper and looked at it, dumbfounded.

How the hell had that managed to get in with the ones for school?!

The room started spinning and everything was hot and cold and I couldn't breathe.

The last thing I heard before I blacked was someone screaming my name, then silence.

-Brice's POV-

I decided that I would confront Seto about the picture. I sat in the classroom in social studies, quickly turning my attention to Mr Shire as the lesson began.

I was just about I switch off when he started talking about something that made my ears prick up.

"Today class we're going to look at the signs of abuse. There are several kind of abuse but today we're going to focus on three: physical, sexual and self abuse, or self harm as some call it."

He continued explaining the signs that someone was being abused, and something clicked as he was listing them. Almost all of them applied to Seto.

No, it couldn't be... could it? It suddenly all hit me.

The drawing, the nervousness, the wince when ever I touched him. Someone was hurting Seto - either himself or someone else.

As soon as the bell went, I bolted out the room and went straight to our meeting place.

I HAD to talk to Seto. I wanted to help him, be there for him in any way I could. I sat down when I got in the old music room.

I composed myself, prepared for when Seto would come through the door.

Soon, I heard the door creak open and looked to see Seto standing nervously in the doorway. No wonder he freaked out so much this morning if what I think is true I thought.

I smiled at him and gestured for him to sit down next to me. He did so and looked at me searchingly. Bzzz. I read his text.

'So what did you want to talk about?' I frowned. Sighing I pulled out the picture.

"This." I managed to croak out, unfolding it and handing it to him.

He just stared at it for a few seconds, then suddenly began to shake uncontrollably, eyes wide and rolling.

He started to hyperventilate and jumped to his feet. He dropped the picture and backed up, his face filled with blind fear. He stumbled and started to sway.

"Seto!" I yelled, catching him just before he fell to the floor. His eyes rolled to the back of his skull and closed, as he went limp, glowing. Wait, glowing?

I dismissed it as a trick of the light as I picked him up, slinging his arm over my shoulder.

Grabbing his things I raced out of the room, closing the door, Seto still in my arms, and rushed to the school nurse.

When she saw him, she helped me heave Seto in her car and all three of us took off to the hospital.

I sat in the back, cradling Seto in my arms carefully, his head resting on my lap as we reached the hospital. Once again I half carried, half dragged Seto to reception.

Almost immediately doctors and nurses swarmed around him. I could only watch as they rushed him away on a stretcher.

The nurse that came with me told me to stay at he hospital until he woke up and she'd deal with school for us. I just nodded, still in shock.

She left and I sat down in the waiting room. Hours ticked by before I was approached by one of the nurses that went with Seto. He smiled at me sadly.

"He'll be awake soon. You can go and see him. But, before you do, you might want to know what we found..."

-Seto's POV-

I felt swarm breeze on my face. I cracked open one eye to find myself staring at a brightly lit room. My eyes flew open and I took in the unfamiliar surroundings.

I was in hospital?

Something stirred on the other side of the room. I whipped around, a little too quickly as I felt my neck crack. I winced in pain. How long was I out? The thing in the corner moved again then got closer to me.

It was Brice.

"Seto?" he whispered. His voice was cracked and it was obvious that he hd been crying.

I turned my head back and stared at the ceiling, unblinking, biting my lip.

"Seto...p-please..." he croaked. I could feel him pres something hard into my hand. I looked down and saw it was my phone. I just lay there, staring.

My gaze shifted to Brice. He smiled at me and I squeezed his hand, which was still in mine around my phone. He pulled me into a light hug.

"Don't ever scare me like that again dood." he said, laughing slightly. I smiled and patted his back reassuringly.

We pulled away and he sat perched on the side of the bed. We just stayed there smiling at each other like idiots while a nurse came in to check some equipment.

When she left, Brice closed the door and locked it carefully. He came back over and sat down again. He took a deep breath.

"S-Seto... the doctor said that y-you showed s-signs o-of..." he began shakily.

He couldn't finish as he choked back tears. He knew. I knew that he knew, I should have expected it.

I sighed and bit my lip. I squeezed his hand again and he looked deep into my eyes. I teared up slightly as I nodded. I didn't need to say it (or text it), he knew.

We both sat there as I blinked back tears, him crying silently. He stopped and got off the bed.

Standing, he pulled me into another hug. I didn't hold back this time. I put my head against his chest and sobbed. He squeezed me tighter and began to sing, his voice soft and soothing.

All her life she has seen

All the meaner side of me

They took away the prophet's dream for a profit on the street

Now she's stronger than you know

A heart of steel starts to grow

All his life he's been told

He'll be nothing when he's old

All the kicks and all the blows

He won't ever let it show

'Cause he's stronger than you know

A heart of steel starts to grow

When you've been fighting for it all your life

You've been struggling to make things right

That's how a superhero learns to fly

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

When you've been fighting for it all your life

You've been working every day and night

That's how a superhero learns to fly

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

All the hurt, all the lies

All the tears that they cry

When the moment is just right

You see fire in their eyes

'Cause he's stronger than you know

A heart of steel starts to grow

When you've been fighting for it all your life

You've been struggling to make things right

That's how a superhero learns to fly

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

When you've been fighting for it all your life

You've been working every day and night

That's how a superhero learns to fly

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

She's got lions in her heart

A fire in her soul

He's a got a beast in his belly

That's so hard to control

'Cause they've taken too much hits

Taking blow by blow

Now light a match, stand back, watch them explode

She's got lions in her heart

A fire in her soul

He's a got a beast in his belly

That's so hard to control

'Cause they've taken too much hits

Taking blow by blow

Now light a match, stand back, watch them explode

When you've been fighting for it all your life

You've been struggling to make things right

That's a how a superhero learns to fly

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

When you've been fighting for it all your life

You've been working every day and night

That's a how a superhero learns to fly

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

Oh, yeah...

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

Ooh, yeah

Whoa

Every day, every hour

Turn the pain into power

When you've been fighting for it all your life

You've been struggling to make things right

That's how a superhero learns to fly.

As he sang, I slowly stopped crying and just sat there, being comforted, still in his arms. He rested his chin on my head and whispered softly

"Tell me what's going on Seto. I want to help you, please." he pleaded, voice hoarse.

I shook my head furiously. I didn't want him to pity me. I couldn't let my self be this weak. I had to handle this on my own, right?

"Please Seto. You don't have to be alone. You can trust me. I'm here for you. I won't treat you any different, you just need to tell me. C'mon dood." he begged, and I giggled slightly at the way he said 'dude' and I could feel him smile.

I knew I could tell him, I had to, but I didn't think I could at this very moment. I pulled back and picked up my phone.

'I will Brice, but later. I'm not ready just yet.'

I didn't send it just showed him the screen. He looked at it then nodded.

"I understand Seto. Whenever you're ready." he smiled weakly. He then frowned as he pulled back and once again sat down on the bed next to me.

"Just one more thing Seto." he whispered. He looked down at my wrist, and I looked too, wincing as I saw the ugly scars trailing up and down my arm. I looked back up at him. He had tears in his eyes again.

"P-promise me Seto. Never again."

I gulped and hesitated. I didn't know if I could keep that promise. I ran a hand through my hair before nodding. He immediately relaxed, beaming at me.

"So, what do you wanna do? I mean, you're stuck here overnight and-" I cut him off by clutching his arm.

Overnight? What would my dad say?

-Brice's POV-

"So, what do you wanna do? I mean, you're stuck here overnight and-" I began.

As soon as he heard he was staying in hospital overnight he sat bolt right up and grabbed me by the arm.

Wide eyed he frantically shook his head, tugging on my arm, tears once again streaming down his face.

I sat there flabbergasted, until it finally hit me. I mentally face-palmed. Idiot! How could I be so stupid?

"Your parents, Seto. Is that it?" I asked quietly. This could go either way I thought. Either he's worried about them not knowing where he is, or...

I felt my phone vibrate and looked to see that Seto had texted me.

'I need to get home. My dad very strict about when I get home.'

There were spelling mistake through out, which was very unlike him. I shook my head and stared back at him solemnly.

He had stopped crying and was trying to get up. I took him and pushed him gently back down onto his bed.

"You're not going anywhere. You need to rest, here." I scolded lightly. I paused for a second as Seto groped around the bed for his phone.

In his struggle he had knocked it on the floor. I stooped over and picked it up. I gasped when I saw it. It was smashed beyond repair.

Seto saw too. He slumped back down and lay there, staring at the ceiling defeated.

Still standing, I had an idea. I searched around the room. I walked to the end of Seto's bed and pulled out the whiteboard chart.

Flipping it over I saw that one side was clean. I picked up the accompanying marker and went back to Seto's side.

He was still staring at the ceiling, broken phone in his hand, fingering it absentmindedly. I waved the board at his face and he turned.

When he saw what I was holding he understood, quickly grabbing it and began writing. After a few seconds of silence and the squeaking of pen on whiteboard, he flipped it over and, tugging on my sleeve bashfully, shoved it into my hands.

'Please, you don't understand. I need to go home.' it read. I thought for a moment.

"Tell me what's bothering you at home Seto. Cut the BS. I'm trying to help you, so please, tell me the truth." I sighed.

He looked at me straight in the eye. It took a while for him to slowly respond, before giving a tiny nod, not breaking eye contact once. I handed him back the board.

"Explain. Now." I said, bluntly. He took a deep breath before he began shakily writing on the board.

Wow that was a long one. By the way, the song was 'Superheroes' by The Script if you're curious. :3