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The Runaway Boy


Description: There's a boy who always runs home, Phil is determined to find out why.

TW: Mentions of self harm (only for about a few seconds but, I couldn't exactly say it wasn't mentioned, could I?)

EDITED

Phil's point of view

The bell rang, causing a few people to jerk their heads up suddenly, probably secretly sleeping. Everyone put their stuff away, including me, excited to go home, it was Friday. Then I spotted Dan, who was rushing, just like every day. He fascinated me. The boys always teased and pushed him around but he never defended himself and every day, he'd run home like he was running from some sort of danger. Dan grabbed his bag and put it over his shoulder, making a dash to the door but Jason, Adam and Charlie stood in his way, causing him to stumble into them. Fear filled his hazel eyes and I knew I had to save the mysterious boy. I walked forward and glared at the three bullies. "Leave him alone. He obviously needs to get home." I complained and they cackled like witches.

"No way, Lester, we'll let you go but Howell needs to be taught a little lesson." Jason chuckled, moving over so there was space for me to get past. I shook my head, raising a fist. I hit Jason, stunning him for a few seconds, grabbed Dan's arm and made a run for it. As soon as we got out of the school gates, he looked at me fearfully and sprinted off. Well maybe I'd have to talk to him another time.

I closed my front door, my head clouded with thoughts about Dan.

Why did he always run home?

Did he not have any friends?

Why is he always so scared?

I was too busy thinking that I didn't realise I had walked straight into my brother who was holding a glass of water, it didn't go down well. His shirt was now drenched and I was a dark shade of red in embarrassment. "Sorry." I muttered, stepping away from my brother slowly.

"It's okay, little brother, what's so important that you don't look where you are going?" He said, surprising me a lot. Could I talk to him about Dan? He might know what was up with him...

"Um... There's this boy in my class. He always runs from school, every day and these kids make fun of him. I saved him from it today but he didn't even thank me, he just shot off home. I'm not even sure why. I'm also suspecting that he's depressed and maybe even... Self harming. He always wears long sleeved shirts and I can't remember the last time he smiled or laughed... I want to help him but I'm not sure how." I scratched the back of my head, not wanting to look my brother in the eye.

"Oh, that's bad. I guess you could just confront him during the day instead of after school because he wouldn't have to run. I'm no good with advice but I know the best thing to do is to speak to him. He's obviously troubled in some way. Anyways, has mum told you about her coworker coming over for dinner tonight?"

"No, I haven't seen her yet, oh great."

"Oh and he's bringing his son, apparently you guys go to the same school and are in the same year or something."

"I might know him then." I half-smiled, pushing past my brother to go upstairs. Once I got to my room, I layed down on my bed and stared at the ceiling. All that was going through my head was... Dan.

Why would you run home? Unless there was something going on at home, could he get in trouble with his family if he was late? Did he have to look after someone? I couldn't think of any other logical reason so I stood up, just as my mum called me downstairs. I wandered downstairs, my mind still on the boy but I was stopped in my tracks by my mum, her coworker and Dan. "Take Dan upstairs and keep him company, dinner's almost done." My mum smiled and I walked back upstairs, Dan trailing behind me.

"Why did you run away earlier?" I asked, sitting on my bed. He shrugged, standing in the doorframe and frantically looking around. "You can sit down, you know."

"Oh, yeah, sorry." He practically ran by my side and I shot him a confused look.

"Dinner!" My mum yelled and Dan flinched.

"Are you okay?" I asked him and you'd think I punched him in the face by the way he ran from the room. It was silent at the dinner table with the exception of the cutlery clattering against the plate, it was really awkward and my mum looked rather worried. I heard a tiny thump and saw Dan bite his lip.

"This is delicious, thank you Mrs Lester." Dan said, a small smile (which was obviously fake, may I add) on his face.

"Thank you, Dan." My mum grinned, happy that a conversation was starting. "How's school for you?"

"It's okay." Dan barely whispered, I knew he was lying. It was hell for the poor boy, he was verbally bullied and maybe physically, I had seen a few odd bruises but never witnessed the bullies hurting him..

"I'm guessing a handsome boy like you is rather popular, am I right?"

"No, not really," Dan squeaked and I watched his eyes gloss over. "I don't have many friends actually." I knew he didn't have anyone, he always sat alone in class and at lunch he'd sit in the library, his only company a book. I could tell this was a sensitive topic because he blinked rapidly, as if he was holding back tears. Dan stood up and took his plate to the sink, I did the same. I washed mine and Dan's plates up and put them away.

"Dan, you can go upstairs again, I want to have a quick chat with Phil." My brother said, offering me a small teary smile. He nodded, heading upstairs while my brother pulled me into the hall. "Is this the boy you were talking about?"

"Yeah, how did you know?" I asked and he shook his head.

"You were staring at him the whole time but Phil, you need to help him. While he was eating, his sleeve rid up and..." He paused, exhaling out heavily. "I saw scars, Phil. He self harms." A small tear fell down my cheek and my brother smiled weakly, hugging me. I started to sob into his chest and he stoked my hair.

"I didn't know, I want to help him but what can I do if I don't know the problem?" I sobbed, letting it all out.

"Like I said earlier, talk to him."

"But I've already asked and he ignored me! It's easier said than done!" He pushed me away, his hands on my shoulders. He shook me as if to get me back to reality.

"It is, you'll see." With that, he walked away and I headed to my room to see Dan had his head in my pillow. He was crying and I knew this was my chance. I quietly walked over to him and placed a hand on his back. He jolted up, looking at me through his afraid, hazel coloured eyes.

"Are you okay and don't lie this time; I know you aren't." I whispered and he shook his head, closing his eyes as a tear trailed down from his eyes.

"I'm not. You caught me, now you'll go talk about me behind my back and get people to make fun of me! It's not funny anymore! I hate it when people call me a freak or a loser, who do they think I am? I'm not some rock, I have feelings! I can't take it anymore, I give up." He threw his hands into the air before collapsing to the ground in sobs. I immediately ran to him and wrapped him in my warm embrace. He melted into my arms like ice in the heat. "I'm making your shirt wet." He cried and I stroked his hair.

"It's okay, I don't mind..."

"You probably hate me. I am ugly, a freak, worthless and an idiot, who would like me anyway?" His face broke my heart, he just looked so unhappy.

"I do like you, Dan."

"If you liked me, you would have saved me." He whimpered and I shook my head, pressing my lips to his forehead.

"I was afraid to but now I know. I will be the glue to fix your broken pieces together..." I whispered and he paused, looking into my crystal eyes, it was as if he was looking straight into my soul.

"Can I trust you?"

"Yes, you can." I hugged him closer (if that was even possible) and he whimpered.

"Thank you." He shut his eyes and a few seconds later, I heard his light snores. It was the cutest thing ever but he must have been exhausted to have dozed off that fast. I heard an 'aw' from my door and looked up to see none other than my big brother.

"Did you get him to open up?" He asked, glancing at the frail boy asleep in my arms.

"I guess."

"He's pretty cute, but Phil?"

"Yeah?"

"Make sure you don't hurt him, he's already troubled..."

"I won't." I promised and he nodded, exiting the room. Dan started to tremble in my arms and mumbled some things like he was having a nightmare. I frowned when I caught a sentence, "No, dad, don't hurt me!". I shook him lightly and his eyes burst open, filled with tears. He started crying again so I unwrapped his arms from myself and sat by his side. "Does your dad hurt you?" I whispered and his sobs only got louder.

"Don't tell anyone! He'll kill me, Phil! Please don't!" He cried and I shook my head.

"It's okay, Dan, come here..." He moved a little closer and I put my arm around him.

"DAN!" Dan's dad called up the stairs and he started to cry again as I rubbed his back.

"Dan, I'll tell my mum and we'll help you."

"I'm scared." He sniffed and I nodded.

"I know but we'll fix this." I smiled and for the first time in forever, I saw him waver a smile.

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