a/n: throwback to when I used to be able to update The Shifter every day, now I suck

TW: abuse, panic attack

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"Hey, Ty, where're you goin'?" someone yelled. Tyler started walking faster, ignoring the voice. "I asked you a question, you're gonna fuckin' answer me," the voice said, before Tyler felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned reluctantly, and the person's grip loosened.

"Hey, sweetheart, spare mama some cash?" the girl asked sweetly. "I'm a little low."

"What happened to your hair?" Tyler asked, somewhat in disbelief. Her hair was black and pink, and curled tightly. It was quite different from her normal, softly waved, brown hair.

"That's not important, hun, I just need a few bucks." Melanie crossed her arms in response to Tyler looking for needle marks. "I won't smoke, don't worry, I just need some money."

     "I'm not going to help feed your heroin addiction," Tyler said, looking at her sternly.

     "Oh, come on, darlin', just spare some change," Melanie said, giving him a gap-toothed smile. "Mama needs some cash. You always used to help me out, what happened?"

     "Now I know what you do with my cash, and we're not dating anymore. I'm not going to help you on this count."

     Melanie pouted. "Fine, have it your way. I'll find someone else."

     "Have fun with the Ways, tell 'em I said hi," Tyler said as he walked away.

     "I will!" she replied.

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     "So what's going on with you and that crazy boy from down the street?" Josh's mother hissed, crossing her arms and glaring at Josh.

"Nothin', Ma, it's nothing."

"Really? You think I'm going to believe that? Are you going crazy too? I think the gayness is getting to your head, you f-g."

"It's not."

"What'd you say?"

"I said it's not. Being gay isn't a disease, Ma." Oh, fuck. Josh immediately regretted his words when he saw the angry glint in his mom's eye.

"Do you think your dad wanted it like this? Do you think your dad would want you to suck dick? He fucking wouldn't, you little c-nt. If he knew you were gay, he would've beat it out of you, too," she growled. "Do you think your sister would've wanted you to be gay?"

"Don't tell me what Ashley would and wouldn't have wanted, you never knew her! You're the reason she's dead!" Josh yelled, his sister's name flaring a spark of anger in his gut. "It's your fault!"

"Listen, boy, she made her decision to hang herself like the fucking coward she was, you hear me?! Go to your room, you dumb f-g!"

Josh obeyed, glaring down at the floor and storming up the creaking, weak steps.

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A flicked note landed on Tyler's desk in Biology. He unfolded it, curious as to what it said.

Don't you know to respect Mel? Tyler looked up. Pete was looking in his direction pointedly. He was rumored to be in the same gang as Melanie, the Ways, Frank, Ray, and Bob. Some even said he was the leader, but Tyler found it hard to believe. Sure, he had the bad boy aesthetic, but he wasn't known to take responsibility for anything.

Tyler casually flipped Pete off, returning to the notes. Another flicked note hit him on the top of his head. She's pretty pissed at you. Tyler gave Pete the finger again, rolling his eyes and writing. He felt a shudder travel through him, his hand twitching, his pencil falling. The walls were closing in, the floor pushing him and the ceiling weighing down.

Josh looked over to Tyler as the skinny brunette got up and started sprinting to the hall, where he went to the bathroom. Ms. Dexter looked concerned. "Any of Tyler's friends in here? Call his parents."

Josh got up, and Ms. Dexter let him go. He ran to the bathroom, where Tyler was sitting in the corner, his knees up to his chin. He was shaking violently, his teeth chattering and his cheeks wet with tears.

Josh knelt next to him. "Tyler, are you okay?" Dumb question.

"Y-Yeah, it'll pass in a few minutes, I just..."

"Do you have your phone? I need to call your parents."

"No, it's fine, they don't need to worry, I'm fine." Tyler wiped his cheeks with his red sweatshirt's sleeve.

"Tyler, give me your phone, I need to call your parents."

Tyler reluctantly dug his phone out of his sweatshirt pocket, handing it to Josh with cold, shaking hands. He quickly returned to his balled-up position, holding his legs tightly. Josh expected a password, but Tyler's phone opened easily. He scrolled through the contacts until he found "Mama ❤️", which was right above a plain "mel", making Josh wonder. He ignored it and quickly called Tyler's mother.

The first ring barely sounded before, "Honey, what are you calling for in the middle of the day?"

"Hi, uh, this is Josh, and something's wrong with Tyler."

"Oh, Josh. I'm sorry. He has a panic disorder, it happens randomly. I'll be there to pick him up in 10, stay with him."

"Okay, thank you, I'll stay here." Click.