(Brendon)

Relief flooded my body as the lunch bell rang throughout the school. Usually lunch made me feel slightly uncomfortable. I didn't like the mixing of all the grades. Freshmen should stay with freshmen. Seniors should stay with seniors. And the same went for everyone in between.

But today I was happy to escape the classroom and head to lunch. Every since this morning my phone was vibrating out of control. I swear my leg would have a permanent twitch in it if I hadn't put it on silent.

I grabbed the phone out of my pocket. The cracked screen lit up. It was so tacky to have a cracked phone. People would think I didn't care enough to be careful with my belongings. I was going to get my new one today though.

I gasped. Fifteen missed calls and thirty one messages. I scrolled through the missed calls. Twelve of them were from Ryan. All of the texts were from him as well. I scrolled down the messages. The first twenty six were just him sending me each letter of the alphabet separately. I laughed. That was until I read the other five. Those weren't as funny.

Ryan: I'm uncomfortable asf

Ryan: I feel like everyone keeps staring at me and whispering.

Ryan: People are talking about my suicide attempt. How do they even know?!

Ryan: I don't want to be here. I fucking swear to god it feels like I'm having a panic attack.

Ryan: Brendon are you there? I'm driving to your school as I type. I'll just wait in the parking lot for the rest of the school day.

I resisted the urge to tell him not to use the Lord's name in vain. Those darn kids at his school talking about him. Didn't they know you weren't supposed to judge others? It almost made me angry enough to swear. I read the time on his last message. Thirty minutes ago. He was probably in the parking lot now.

"Brendon?" Sarah touched my arm gently.

"Yes?" I glanced up from the phone.

"Aren't you heading to the lunch room?"

"Yes. Of course."

I held the phone tightly in my hand as we walked side by side into the lunch room. I was happy Sarah wasn't still upset with me from earlier. Instead of heading to the lunch line with her, I took a seat at our usual table. Nate and Spencer were already sitting down with their lunch trays in front of them.

"Aren't you going to get your lunch?"

I wasn't hungry. I was too worried about Ryan. His messages took away any appetite I may have had. I knew Sarah would be unhappy about that. We always made sure to get lunch everyday and thank the lunch ladies. They worked so hard to provide us with healthy yet tasty meals. But I didn't want to go up and get a tray knowing I wouldn't eat it. That was worse than not getting a tray at all.

"I'm not hungry today." I told her.

She frowned. "Okay." She walked to line by herself.

"Are you feeling okay, buddy?" Nate asked.

"I'm okay." It was true. I was fine. Ryan wasn't.

"Okay." He smiled.

I took my phone out of my pocket. There were three more messages from Ryan in such a short period of time.

Ryan: I wonder what you're doing.

Ryan: Knowing you, you probably don't even take your phone out during school.

Ryan: They boarded up the front and side door of the cafe.

I looked up from my phone when I felt Sarah take her seat beside me at the table. I know she didn't like when I used my phone in school. Even though it was allowed at lunch. She sat a napkin in front of me. And then placed an apple on the napkin.

"Pardon my rudeness. I know you said you weren't hungry. But it's not healthy to refrain from eating."

"Thank you." I lifted the apple up. I didn't want it. But I'd eat it if Sarah really wanted me to.

"Brendon." She gently pushed my hand. Making the apple drop back to the napkin. "We have to say our prayers."

The four of us bowed our heads. As always, Sarah led the short prayer. Thanking God for our food and asking him to bless the hands that prepared it. We ended in our chorus of amen. I lifted the apple and bit it. Sarah smiled in approval.

"Are you going to bible study tonight, Sarah?" Nate asked.

She shook her head. "It pains my soul to miss it, but I have a previous engagement."

"Oh?" Spencer asked. "What is it?"

"I have to volunteer at the hospital tonight until seven."

"I thought you volunteered on Tuesdays."

"I had to switch days because-"

I didn't hear the rest of what she said. I zoned out as my phone lit up again. I glanced at the new messages from Ryan.

Ryan: I'm thirsty as hell but I don't want to drive to the store and back here. Wasting gas.

"What about you, Brendon?" I heard her ask.

"I'm not sure." I had no idea what I was talking about. But they nodded.

Ryan: Gas is way too much now a days. Thanks Obama.

I laughed out loud. The other three at the table turned to look at me. Sarah lifted a brow when she saw my phone sitting on the table. I lifted it up. But before I could put it in my pocket, it lit up again. I glanced at the screen.

Ryan: UPDATE! I just found an old cough medicine bottle. Nearly full.

Ryan: Can I die if I drink this?

I quickly texted back.

Brendon: Don't drink that.

Ryan: Hey :)

Brendon: Do not drink the medicine. I'll be out in a few hours.

Ryan: I won't die. I have a strong immune system.

"Brendon you shouldn't use your phone in school." Sarah chided.

"Yeah. I know." I stood up. "I have to go do something."

"Do what?" Spencer asked.

"Something." I repeated.

I briskly walked away from the table. Looking around the lunch room for my brother. I spotted him at a crowded table. Covered in outside snacks and drinks. All junk, no actual food. I walked over to him. Taping his arm.

"Brendon?" He frowned. "What do you want?"

"I-I need your help."