“Do you really think you are the only person in this school who is figuring things out?"

☆

“A… Archie?” 

Archie outstretches his hand a little more. “Come on. Let's go.”

Bay finds his own hand reaching up to the other boy's. “Where have you been?” He is carefully pulled to standing without Archie letting go of his hand.

He pulls at Bay, taking the lead. “You're hurt…”  But Bay pulls back, pulling his hand away. 

“Where have you been? Do you even know why I'm like this? Do you know what this is all about?” 

“Of course I do.” Archie bites back. “I know everything and I should have been here but….” He takes Bay's hand once again. “I know we need to talk, but right now,  you are more important.”  With that, Bay feels the pull on his arm once again, as he is dragged along the passageway to the open space off the busy school grounds. He feels time slow as people turn to stare. Eyes watching, as Archie guides him through the groups of people, not once letting go of his hand. His eyes focussed on the blue double doors opposite where the nurses office resided. The words and mutterings repelling like water as if he were waterproof.

They make it to the doors, Archie pushes it open and heads to the school's student reception. The man behind the desk stands up on seeing the bruised boy standing just shy of Archie. “Is he ok?”

“What do you think?” Archie shouts in frustration, but he turns when his arm is pulled. 

“Calm down." Bay utters. “I'm ok.”

“In here, I'll get a first aider.” The man says as he moves around the desk in order to tap in a code. Soon both Bay and Archie are left alone, sat side by side on a hospital style bed. And at last, Archie lets go of Bay's hand. 

“Bay...” Archie looks at his friend. Bay's eyes were drawn to the ground. Too ashamed to look up. To show the tears that had been falling and had probably left a trail down his cheeks. “Bay… look at me.” He cups Bay's cheek, encouraging him to look back. Bay's eyes were puffy from crying, tears ready and waiting to fall once again. 

“Where were you?” Bay swallows down the lump in his throat. The tear becomes too heavy as it finally falls. 

Archie had so many words he wanted to say. So much explaining to do about the past 12 or so hours of his life but in that moment he had no words. He pulls Bay towards him and holds him close. Bay nestles into the comfort of Archie's blazer, his arms weave around his back and he holds onto him for dear life and sobs. “Bay, I'm sorry I wasn't here for you. I'm a shitty friend….”

Bay pulls back at hearing the words. “No you're not.” 

“I'll make it up to you. I just need to have a chat with Mark…” The sentence alone made Archie feel an overwhelming sense of rage, ready to burst. 

“Don't.” Bay interrupts. “I don't want anything to do with him anymore. Just leave it. Promise me.”

“But he…”

“Promise me, Archie. He made his choice. It wasn't me.” Bay rubs the fresh bruises on his stomach.

“Is it bad?” Archie wonders as he looks at the spot where Bay is rubbing. 

“I feel a bit sick.  That's all.” Bay drops his hand. He sighs heavily. 

“Will you report it?” Archie wonders, wanting some kind of justice for what had happened. 

“What's the point?” 

“Because he shouldn't get away with it. Why do you still want to protect him?” 

“Aren't you forgetting who he is? Plus, my mother doesn't need this. She has enough on her plate…”

“Stop thinking about everyone else and think about yourself for once.” Archie snaps, causing Bay by surprise. He places his hands on Bay's shoulders, catching his attention. “Now is your chance to shine.”

Bay looks back at Archie in confusion. “How do you mean, to shine. I'm nobody.“ 

“Do you really think you are the only person in this school who is figuring things out? You would be surprised, trust me.  It's up to you now whether you choose to play the victim or the pioneer.”

“You make it sound like I'm someone special.” Bay shakes his head. He wanted to dismiss the words Archie was saying. He was going off on one of his speeches again. 

“You are not alone, Bay. You have me. You will always have me.” Archie smiles, feeling embarrassed all of a sudden he pulls his hands away, as his eyes gravitate to the floor. “You're special to me.” It causes the other boy to tilt his head with interest. It wasn't like his friend to get shy so easily. That was more his thing. 

“Archie?...” Bay begins. “ There are rumours that you and Lena have ended it. What really happened between you and Lena?”

Archie feels a sudden rush fill his senses. A nervousness brought on by a race to his heart.  He dares to look back at Bay. “Bay. I….” The sentence is cut short with the door opening. A teacher and an assistant enter, making their way towards Bay. Archie shuffles along the edge of the bed, and finally stands out of the way as the two adults crowd around the other boy. “I'll wait outside.” He utters as he makes his way towards the door, silently exiting. 

“What happened to you sweetheart?” the older person of the two, a female asks as she takes a seat where Archie had been sitting. Bay looks at the closed door. Thinking of the words his friend had spoken. Wondering what he was going to say next. He swallows hard as he looks at the lady by his side and the other male before speaking. “I got beaten by Gus Benson…. and Mark Lester.”