Regret.

Blood fell from Bryce's now swollen lips and the bruises on his body were covered in open cuts yet he didn't even bother to let out a cry. More punches followed onto the blondes face and he could feel his caution fading from each blow.

"Alright Bryce," the man panted out, backing away from the blonde who now laid on his back. "You're lucky I don't beat your eyes in..might as well give someone something to look at.."

Bryce only rolled over on his bleeding side and he bit his swollen lip to keep from howling out in pain. He closed his eyes tightly as he was sat up against the side of a house. "One good kick Bryce and I'll leave you to bleed." He whispered into the boys ear, kissing his neck as he pulled away.

"Oh fuck!" Someone yelled causing Bryce to slowly look over to where a girl stood, holding a knife to the man's throat. The men all froze in the spot as she pressed it harder against him. "Leave him alone or I swear to god I'll fuck this guy up." Her voice was serious and held seriousness.

The men slowly held up their hands and she pulled the knife away knowing the man's next move she swapped hands and ended up stabbing the boys shoulder. He let out a cry and pulled out the knife while the woman made her way to Bryce.

Bryce's vision cut out.

<–||

When Bryce woke up he was in the hospital bed with his mother weeping beside him. Her hands were collapsed togeather and her blonde hair was covering her pale face. He wanted to speak but for some reason he couldn't find his voice. Bryce forced his hand to move over hers and he watched as her blue eyes locked with his and a flicker of relief was through them. "Oh thank god!" She cried, tackling him in a hug.

Bryce groaned in pain and she immediately pulled away with a frown on her face. She didn't say anything but the look on her face told Bryce she was blaming herself for what had happened to him. Which he knew it wasn't. It was no ones fault but his own for not listening to Ryan and taking the shortcut.

"Mom it's not your fault okay?"

His mother stayed silent and he knew she was debating on arguing with him on that but when she opened her mouth and quickly closed it and nodded. He smiled and held her hand again, rubbing his thumb in circles on the back to help calm her down. It was a trick he took from Ryan. "There's others here to see you.."

Just as she said that the door opened and the guys flooded into the room taking about how worried they had been and so fourth. Bryce could feel the love but he didn't see the person he wanted to see, Ryan. He tried not to let it affect his friends so he forced a smile and they began to talk nonstop about what happened.

When it came time for everyone to leave his mother had to go to work and leave him alone again. She told him he would be out tomorrow and that she would be here to get him. As she left a male entered the room and he immediately smiled at who it was. "You came.." He whispered, feeling his heartbeat quicken.

"Of course I did..Oh these are for you. The nurse was bringing them up and since I was coming here I offered to bring them by. I got you a rose." Ryan smiled weakly as he showed the blonde the two items in his hand. In the left was a thing full of sunflowers and the other held a rose in his free one. Bryce couldn't help but smile once he seen the letter shoved in the middle,

"Thanks Ryan," Bryce took the rose from Ryan who was just staring at him. He noticed that the older male was slightly shaking and that the look of guilt had washed over him in an instant. "What's-" he was cut off by the older male hugging him tightly. This might seem cute and romantic but it actually was very painful for Bryce because of his stitched up side.

"I'm so sorry Bryce. I should've walked you home."

Bryce literally tore Ryan off him and gave him a weak smile. "It's not your fault..why do I get the feeling you had something to do with that sudden save I got?" Bryce watched Ryan's trembling hand go to the back of his neck were he rubbed. His hazel eyes avoiding his gaze. "That was Michelle..I may or may not have asked her to follow you home..she said she got lost and panicked but when she saw you she immediately rushed in." He sighed.

"She did. I'm actually really thankful for it.." Bryce admitted. Even thinking about what could've happened to him ate at him like a parasite and was enough to send a cold shiver down his spine. "So what happened to the guys?" Ryan furrowed his brow, "Going to jail for sure.."

Relief shot through Bryce like a bullet and he couldn't help but smile. It was nice knowing he may be safe for now. Ryan pulled the letter from the flowers and handed it to Bryce, "I don't know who it's from but.." Bryce took it and opened it to read what it had written in fine cursive.

Dear McQuaid,

I caught wind of what happened and I want you to know I am so sorry. I wish I could've been there at the time this all fell. God I feel like such a fail, I wanted to keep you safe but look what happened. Bryce, I'm going to keep my eyes on your from now on okay? I hope you get to feeling better. Also, to cheer things up, just a few more days Bryce..
Till next time Bryce..