Besties I have finals tomorrow and Monday and I'm not ready

Tomorrow I have AP bio and honors physics and honestly?? Might just take a nap. Fuck school I'm so done with it

Anyways on with the pain

!!!note pov change!!!

TW: mentions of PTSD symptoms, suggested mention of abuse

Previously...

It's all my fault. Maybe I do deserve this.

Either way, Cole is going to be here soon. I strip down with trembling hands, letting out a sob as I lay flat against the bed. When the knob jiggles, I quickly pull my knees closer, propped up on all fours so Cole doesn't punish me further.

Please, just let this be over quick.

**Dream's P.O.V.**

Well, I guess I won't be staying at George's place then. But that created an issue, because I was now alone in an unfamiliar country with no idea of what I'm doing.

Thank god I know some other people close by. I picked up my phone, glancing quickly at the message George had typed out for me before hearing a familiar ring.

"Hello?"

"Hi Wilbur," I greet, sighing.

"Dream! Hey man, what's up?"

"It's a long story, but I'll explain later. Remember when you asked me to go to Pizza Hut with you?" There was a long pause before Wilbur spoke again.

"...No way..."

"Well..."

"Wait, you're actually here? In England? To go on that Pizza Hut date?" He spouts off questions, speaking quickly and expertly. "You know I was kidding, right?"

"I said I'd explain later. Can you just meet me there? I need to get an uber or something," I sighed.

"Uh... sure, yeah. I can be there in 15 minutes," Wilbur agreed. "But this is crazy."

"Tell me about it," I groaned. "I'll see you soon... that felt weird to say."

"Yeah. But let's get going, cause I really want to hear you explain this," he chuckled. "Bye, Dream."

"Bye." I hung up, looking around for some idea of what to do. A taxi was driving down the street, and I frantically waved my arms at it- I had no idea how to hail a cab. I'm from Florida, not New York.

"Hi, can you take me to the closest Pizza Hut?" I ask. The driver shrugs, pointing toward the back seat. "Uhmm... ok." It all seems awfully shady to me, but maybe it's because I've never taken a cab before.

I'm in the back seat, and the driver starts to pull out towards the street. I let him drive in peace- after all, it's his job, and I have no idea where we're going. When we finally pull up in front of a large Pizza Hut, I exhale softly, thanking him and handing him $20 before stepping out. He just looks at the bill, then at me, like he's trying to make a decision. With a scoff, he drives off, shaking his head and grumbling about Americans.

"Did you pay him with American money?" A voice asks from behind me. I turn around quickly, finding myself face to face with Wilbur.

"Oh..." I look at the taxi driving away, feeling guilty. "Yeah. How'd you know it was me?" It's a question only he would understand.

"Well, first of all, you're tall and clearly not from here. And I was already looking for you, so..." Wilbur shrugged, grinning. "I can't believe you're actually here. Why are you here?"

"Let's sit down, get some pizza. I'm starving," I exaggerate, putting a hand over my stomach dramatically. Wilbur nods, both of us heading inside to order some food.

We sat down at a table with our pizza, quickly digging in. After finishing his slice, Wilbur spoke up.

"Alright, no more stalling. Why are you here?" I finished the crust of my pizza, wiping my hands on a napkin with a sigh.

"Right, well..." How should I even word this? "You know how George hasn't been answering anyone lately?" Wilbur frowns, nodding.

"Don't tell me you just showed up." I rub the back of my neck awkwardly, shrugging.

"Heh, well..." Wilbur shakes his head, sighing.

"Oh my god, Dream, what the fuck? You didn't even ask?"

"No... but hear me out. It's not like him to ignore everyone. And he doesn't hate us, either, because when I visited him earlier, he practically jumped into my arms," I explained. "But something's really wrong with him. I just don't know, I don't want to assume things..."

"What do you mean? What did he say?"

"That's the thing. He didn't say anything. He did type this out though." I opened the notes app, turning the screen toward Wilbur so he could read the message. I watched his expression go from interest, to confusion, to concern.

hi dream, thanks for visiting me, but you really can't be here. it's too risky. i'm sorry that i haven't said anything, but i'm not allowed to and i don't want to break the rules. you really need to leave, trust me it's better this way. i'm sorry that you came all this way for nothing.

"Wait, what? What is he talking about? What rules, why is it risky for you to be there?" I put my phone away, shrugging.

"That's the thing, I don't know. He didn't speak at all, like he was silent. Not a word!"

"Ok... well hold on, let's think about this. He said something about the rules not letting him? So... maybe someone made him promise not to talk?" Wilbur may have been a strange, goofy person, but when it came to his friends, he was deadly serious.

"Maybe. But who would do that?" As soon as the words leave my mouth, I'm reminded of the first time I knocked on George's door. How his boyfriend answered, looking furious.

"Dream?"

"Holy shit," I murmur, looking at Wilbur with horror. "I think his boyfriend is making the rules."

"Is he...?" Wilbur seemed skeptical. "I've met Cole, he seemed like a good guy."

"I knocked on the door and he slammed it in my face. All I did was ask to see George!" Wilbur frowned, taking a long time to respond.

"You said you saw George, right? Did you... ugh, I hate to ask this... did you see anything physically wrong?" I felt my breath catch in my throat, feeling sick to my stomach.

"He was limping. He flinched away really violently when I tried to reach out for him... fuck, Wilbur, do you think-"

"I don't want to jump to conclusions, but..." He sighed, looking miserable. "I think we should go back to his house and check in." I nod, determined to help.

"Can I keep my luggage in your car? I haven't really been able to put it anywhere and I don't think I'll need it for this."

"Yeah, sure, of course. I'll drive us." He stood up, and I followed close behind, luggage in tow. "Oh, and I'm figuring you don't have anywhere to stay..."

"Yeah, heh," I chuckle awkwardly, looking down.

"You can stay at my place if you need. I don't care, as long as you're ok with the possibility of Tommy just randomly showing up," he offered.

"Thank you! If George won't let me stay, I might take you up on that offer." I smile at Wilbur, thankful to have such wonderful friends.

"Alright, time to go see George..."

Oh no what will they find????? 😀😀

Also yay this was a good length chapter finally