[Photo not mine- From Reddit. Wattpad deleted it again 😐 it was- Dark after school aesthetic]

(I had an idea but it took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to write and how.
Writers block bro 😩)

Original story, created by- Dakotahstacy3. ONLY on Wattpad.
Anywhere else, it has been stolen, without permission. Support real artists and writers!
(Written back in March 2024)

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Cole's pov
<><><><>

Since the fight last week, people have been on edge. The students, teachers, police and even the town. Apparently news travels fast here.
The guy that got beat up, is in the hospital. Still in critical condition.

Thoughts of my old self hurting Peter wouldn't leave me alone. Constantly bombarding my head all day and night. Even when I tried to hide it from Peter, he was probably thinking about the same thing. We could read each other pretty well, meaning we didn't have many secrets.

"Are you gonna be alright?" I asked Peter, holding his hand as we stood outside the school.

He took a few deep breaths, "I think so. But the sooner I get through this day, the sooner I can see you again." He smiled, kissed me then we continued walking to school.
His hand slipping away from mine. The warmth fading away.
We tried to keep our relationship a secret since there was already enough going on. But I know that one day, we'll be happy together and not care who sees or knows.
We'll be far away from here, on our own little island.

🍂

Peter's pov
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"Did everyone do the homework? I hope so." The teacher said.

Oh, no. I forgot. There was just so much going on.

"Time for a pop quiz!" The teacher shouted happily.
I swear he liked torturing us.

Pop quizzes were passed out to everyone. Their faces dropping as they were handed the paper.
Hopefully this won't be to hard. I mean, I do actually enjoy pop quizzes sometimes. It can be fun, unless its... anyways, let's just get this done with.

—

Ugh! Is it lunch time yet! Why are teachers making us do so much in a Monday!?

{{{Bell ringing

Ugh, finally! I grabbed my stuff and headed out into the cramped hallways. Excited to finally be in the cafeteria, eat some food and talk to Cole.

Oh...
Why is the line that long!? How will I even have time to eat!?

After spending half of the allowed lunch time, I finally got my food. Now I just have to find a place to sit and eat. Usually me and Cole hide out in the corner, most of the time it's empty.

Today it was pretty full. Cole saw me, he patted the sit beside him, the only space that was left. The rest of the table was full, but at least I was beside him.

There was me, Cole, Keith, Spencer, and his friend Sahar.
Well, Spencer actually had a lot of friends. Even though a lot of the students here were homophobic jerks, he still some how found all the gays.

Anyways, Sahar is pretty cool, she plays bass in the band and she's Bi. Also she never fails to make us laugh with her quick witted jokes.
But Keith seems a little jealous. Him and Spencer have been hanging out, a lot...and they always smile around each other. Reminds me of someone, someone that's sitting beside me.

I couldn't help but smile while I looked over at him. Arguing about something that was better than something else, I dunno. Don't really care, I just wanna watch him. Oh and eat my lunch, I've literally only have like 5 minutes before the next class.

—

#Unknown pov

It had already been about 2 hours since he got at the police station. Stuck there.

"So why did you do it? What started the fight?" The officer asked.

He stayed quiet.

"How about a yes or no question? Did you know the student?"

"No." He mumbled.

"Was there a reason you attacked him personally?"

"Mm." He mumbled, shrugging his shoulders.

"Did the other student provoke you?"

He stayed quiet, zoning out in a thought.

"Did he start the fight? Or did you?" The officer asked, leaning forward. Tired and waiting for an answer.

But he didn't answer.

The officer checked the time. "Well, thanks for the conversation buddy. I'm already late for dinner, so I'm going to go home and eat. But you'll have to stay in a cell for now." The officer said, standing up and both of them walked out of the room. Leading the kid to the cell.

The officer left and turned the lights down. All of the other officer were already gone. Leaving just the security guard.

—

Really, they're just gonna throw me in a cold cell? No food or water. What about a phone call!? Ugh, sleeping going to be the worst. F##l this. I don't deserve this.

The cold metal bed frame was old, noisy, and so uncomfortable. I could feel the metal through the so called "mattress".
But it could be worse. At least I'm not there.

—

"Rise and shine, sunshine!" Someone said loudly, hitting the bars with something that made a annoying sharp sound.

The sudden noise waking me up from my sleep, just made the rough night worse. I'm so tired and just want to get out of here.

"You want some breakfast, kid?" The guy said.

I looked up at him annoyed.

"Your not scary, kid. I've seen worse." He said.

Ugh, stop saying that stupid word!? I'm so tired of it. I shouldn't even be here.

They gave me some breakfast, it wasn't to bad, a guess since it wasn't actually jail. Just a holding cell. It looked like the food was from the police station.
A small coffee in a paper cup, a dry croissant and some fruit. At least it's edible. I hated to admit or show it, but I was hungry.

Quickly scarfing down the food like a stray dog. I really wanted some water, but there was no way I would ask for it. So I downed the crappy coffee.

Why cofffee? Ugh. And don't cops eat donuts?

—

"So are you going to talk today?" The officer asked.

Back in the chair, being interrogated.
Moving my foot around and not making eye contact.

"The kid you beat up. He's in the hospital and will probably be there for awhile. He's badly hurt, in critical condition right now and in a coma." The officer said, pausing before he continued.
"Do you even care?"

I looked at him in the eyes, blankly staring, not saying anything.

"I've talked to a lot of criminals and stared into the eyes of psychopaths. So what are you kid? A bully, a common criminal, a thief or a psycho?" He asked.

I didn't answer. The cop got grabbed a cup of water and took a few gulps.
Thirst immediately hit me, my eyes feeling heavy and just wanting a sip.

"So what do you want to talk about today? Or instead of talking, will your write?" He asked.

Tapping my foot, leaning back in the chair, hands in my jacket pockets.

"Well I have to do a lot of paperwork, so either you can talk to me or sit in the cell." He said, leaning back in his chair.

My throat felt so dry, gulping at the thought of water.

"You thirsty?" He asked, noticing.

My foot tapped quicker, I don't need anything from anyone.

"Here." He said, handing me a cup of water then turning to his desk. Why would he turn his back to me? There was other people here, but shouldn't he be worried I'll do something?

Even if my pride didn't want me to take the water, my body wanted it so bad. So I drank it, still wanting more but at least I had something to drink.

"When you want to talk, then you can tell me whatever's you want." The officer said while still facing away.

/Flashback/ *

"Get your a## over here! This house is a mess! Clean it up, now!" He yelled loudly, his voice traveling through the house.

"Hahaha, look at that loser!" Some student yelled out.

"He such a pushover, look at him!" Another student yelled.

"Where were you!? Your supposed to do what I say!" His loud, rough voice, yelled.

"Hey, watch this." A student said then threw something at me. The object hitting me with hard.

Thoughts racing through my mind, feeling waves of pain hit at every memory. Fighting back tears.
Then finally snapping out of it.

Glancing around the room, hoping no one noticed. Hiding and rubbing my face so no one saw.

—

I still didn't say anything to the cop, just back in the cell. Immediately laying on the cold hard cot, my body and mind was so tired, I just past out at some point.
Until nightmares woke me up.

The same thoughts racing through my head, feeling a pounding headache for what felt like hours. Miserably trying to get comfortable, as tears flowed out, hoping no one would could see or hear.
But a part of me wanted to scream for help. I've been wanting help for so long, but I always shut up and took it. I'm just so tired.

By the time I knew it, the sun was up again. Barely managing to get a few short hours of sleep, before the new day started.

So let me guess, a cop is going to try and question me again, I won't answer, then I'll be put back in this cell. Is this my routine now? Is this really my life?

"Come on, kid. You've stayed in there two night already. Are you going to tell me anything?" The officer asked.

Not making eye contact with him and trying to zone out.

"You do want to get out of here right?" He asked.

Pausing while I thought, then looking towards him, "Yeah." I said quietly.

"Okay, then. Why don't you just give me some answers, then you can go home." He said.

Sighing, "Fine. The guy was bugging me, so I punched him. Then I kept punching him. That's it." I shrugged off.

"How was he bugging you? What was he doing? Did he hurt you? Or something?" He asked curiously.

"He was saying some stuff, that I didn't like. I got mad and hurt him." I explained.

The officer paused for a second, "What did he say?"
He leaned forward, "It's okay, you can tell me."

Ugh, I might as well tell him...

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