Jesse gazed at the simple silver ring on his finger, occasionally twisting it as he thought about what had happened.

There were some questions from the teachers and the random smirks and snickers from his classmates but he didn't care. If he didn't care, maybe they'd all leave him alone.

Maybe they'd understand that he wanted to be left alone.

It's been a week since him and Aiden fought. They had heated arguments. They threw things. Cried. Shouted. All because Aiden thought Jesse was cheating on him. As if he would ever cheat. Cheating on him with a girl. As if that wasn't insulting enough.

Jesse scowled, twisting the ring again. It was a gift from Aiden. A simple silver ring but to Jesse, it meant the world to him. And a promise.

The two boys had been getting teased in school for being together. Some said that they were strange and it just wasn't normal for two boys to date. Pathetic, Jesse sighed, looking down at his shoes.

Maybe it was a good thing Aiden and Jesse just some time apart. Jesse took his phone out of his pocket, deleting the messages from Aiden without opening them. Maybe Aiden would get the message some day.

Jesse stood up and flagged down the bus, which was pulling up. He slipped on his headphones and made his way to school, rubbing his cheek where the bully had punched him. But he didn't care.

************************

"Where's your boyfriend? He's not here to protect you?" Petra smiled wryly, holding a hand against the wall as she cornered Jesse. He didn't say anything, he just stared at her with his green eyes, making her a little uncomfortable.

"Are you retarded or what? I asked you a question." Petra snapped, slamming her hand against the wall, but Jesse didn't flinch. He was used to her behaviour by now. And he was definitely used to the sting of her pain as she slapped him.

Jesse gripped the wall behind him, mustering up the energy to stop himself from lashing out at her. He didn't want to get in trouble after all. "You're a useless human, Jesse. You're nothing, understand?" Petra's words cut through Jesse's thoughts as she began to hit him.

After awhile, Jesse held a hand up to his nose and looked down, just to see blood, streaked on his fingers. Petra stepped back, satisfied as Jesse kept quiet. "Looks like your boyfriend can't save you now, bastard." Petra said. Jesse clenched his fists.

"Shut up." he murmured, rubbing his nose with the sleeve of his jacket. Blood stained against the cotton as Jesse stared at it, feeling lightheaded. He could never stand the sight of blood. He and Aiden used to tease each other about that for the longest time.

"What?" Petra replied as Axel and Olivia, who were obediently standing behind their leader glanced at each other. Petra clenched her own fist, ready to hit Jesse but he had enough.

"I said, SHUT UP!" he yelled, swinging his right fist and hitting Petra, right at the side of her face, making the three of them gasp.

Jesse stepped back, trying to breathe as he watched Petra hold her jaw. "What the fuck, Jesse." she murmured as blood spilled from her mouth and onto the grass. She had a missing tooth, which she spat out.

"That does it." she snarled as Jesse stepped back against the hard bricked wall, feeling dizzy with the lack of oxygen. Not now. He couldn't have an attack now. "Petra, he looks sick." Axel spoke up, his voice shaking as Olivia helped Petra wipe off the blood.

"I don't care!" she snapped. "Beat him up-!"

Jesse cupped his hands to his mouth, shaking as he tried to breathe. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" he heard Petra demand.

And he looked up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. Aiden's eyes. "Breathe." he said, as Jesse blearily watched Maya and Gill herd the three bullies away. Aiden pressed an inhaler in Jesse's shaking palms. But he couldn't find the energy to bring the inhaler up to his mouth.

Jesse tasted blood as he coughed, shakily leaning against Aiden for support. "Jesse, just breathe! Help is on the-." after that he couldn't hear Aiden, just watching him move his mouth as Jesse tried to stay conscious.

But everything went blurry as he passed out.

************************

Aiden sat at the side of Jesse's hospital bed, counting the times he heard Jesse take a breath. "Are you sure you want to stay the night, honey? He's not gonna wake up anytime soon." a nurse said to Aiden, who nodded politely.

"I'll stay with him."

The nurse nodded as well and drew the curtains around the bed, isolating the two boys. Aiden sighed. Jesse rarely had asthma attacks. And according to the doctors, this was his worst one yet. He nearly died...

Aiden looked at Jesse's hands, and saw... a silver ring. The same ring he gave to Jesse when they started going out. Aiden felt his face heat a little as tears brimmed in his eyes. Jesse nearly died.

"I'm sorry." he heard his voice shake as he leaned towards Jesse. "I'm so so sorry, Jesse. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you." he pressed the side of his head against Jesse's and cried, feeling tears stream down his face.

"..." When he sat back, Jesse didn't move. Aiden wasn't hoping for much, so he wasn't surprised that Jesse didn't respond. But still...

"I still love you, Jesse." Aiden whispered, leaning his head against the metal railing of the hospital bed, taking his boyfriend's hand and closing his eyes. Praying for Jesse to wake up.

But little did he know, Jesse had his eyes slightly open, gazing away at the view outside as a single tear traced his cheek.

-End