I threw open my front door and entered my house. Cujo barked and jumped up. My eyes widened in terror as he ran at me.

                “Cujo no!” I cried as he jumped on me, pushing me out of the house. I landed on my back on the front porch and groaned as Cujo barked and lick-raped my face.

                “Cuje, you broke my back,” I whined, shoving my giant dog off of me.

                Cujo sat down, his tail wagging and his tongue hanging out. He barked happily as I stood up and reentered the house, following me.

                I took my shoes off and made my way to the kitchen, hungry and thirsty. Afterschool snack, here comes-

                “NICHOLAS BRADLEY!”

                …Yea, here comes that guy.

                “Yes mother?” I asked, raising an eyebrow as she stormed over to me. She crossed her arms and glared at me.

                “Your facebook says you’re single. Don’t you lie to me Nicholas! I was stalking your freaking facebook!” she cried. “What happened to Nolan?”

                “We broke up,” I said, rolling my eyes.

                “Give me the details. Nick, you’re not telling me things anymore. I am your mother! I gave birth to you! TELL YOUR MOTHER DETAILS!”

                I winced as she started yelling. “Okay, okay!” I said quickly. “His ex-boyfriend moved back, and they’re getting back together! Happy?”

                “Nick, I think we need to have a long talk about boys, and trusting your momma,” mom said seriously. “Because, and honey, I mean this in the nicest of ways, but you’re turning into a deceitful slut.”

                “Gee thanks mom!” I cried. My mom. Gotta love her.

                “Nick, you’ve blown more boys than Spongebob has blown bubbles! Doesn’t your mouth ever get sick of it?”

                “Mom, I’m not having this conversation with you!”

                “SEE! YOU’RE DOING IT AGAIN! WHY DON’T YOU TRUST ME ANYMORE NICKY?”

                I groaned and face palmed myself. My mom was practically hyperventilating because I didn’t want to talk about my sex life with her. Oh my family…

                “Mom, I trust you. I’m just not over Nolan yet. I’m not ready to talk about it,” I lied quickly, wanting to calm her down. And it was sort of true. I wasn’t really over Nolan. I just didn’t want to talk to my mom about it, because she overreacted to things.

                “Okay Nick. I’m sorry. But please try to keep your mouth shut and your dick in your pants. I don’t want my baby to be a slut,” she said with a frown. “Well, anymore than he already is.”

                “Mom!” I said in irritation.

                I rolled my eyes, shaking my head. I turned and grabbed myself an Arnold Palmer out of the refrigerator and an apple.

                I went into my bedroom and locked the door in case my mom felt the need to come talk to me. I fell back on my bed and bit into the apple, trying to clear my thoughts. I didn’t want to think about the fact that I was dying tomorrow.

                Maybe I could just stay home from school…

                There was a knock on my door and made me jump. “Mom, go away! I’m a slut! I get it!” I called, slinging an arm over my eyes and closing them.

                “Nick, you’re a…what?”

                “Dad!” I said and jumped up, blushing deeply. I opened my door and my dad raised an eyebrow at me.

                “I don’t want to know,” he said, holding up a hand to stop me as I started to explain the slut thing. Oh great. I needed to learn how to respond with “Who’s there” when people knocked on my door.

                “Dad, can I stay home from school tomorrow?” I asked eagerly.

                “And why would I let you do that?” my dad asked.

                “I’m uh…I have…a stomach bug. I dry heave. I have strep throat. I have the flu. I have every disease in the world,” I said, giving my dad pleading eyes.

                “You have school. And I have work. If I find out you’re not at school tomorrow, you’re grounded,” he said pleasantly.

                “Did you need something?” I grumbled, falling back on my bed again and taking another bite of my apple. Psh. Not letting me skip school. What a terrible father.

                “Yes, actually. I want to know why you’re mother is hysterical and screaming about how you’re not trusting her anymore and blah, blah, blah,” he said, rolling his eyes.

                “Because I didn’t want to talk about me and Nolan breaking up,” I said.

                Dad shrugged and turned to leave my room. “If you need to talk, we are here for you Nick. And again, be in school. I mean it.” He gave me a stern look before leaving my bedroom.

                I sighed and finished eating my apple. I did my homework before taking a shower. My parents called me out for dinner and I went to our dining room.

                “Nick, are you ready to talk yet?” mom asked as she sat down across from me.

                “No mom,” I mumbled, slipping Cujo a carrot under the table.

                “OW!” I cried as my mom’s foot connected with my shin.

                “Don’t feed the dog,” she giggled.

                “Crazy,” I grumbled, rubbing my smarting shin.

                “He won’t talk to me! David, make him talk to us!” mom said, frowning at my dad.

                “I can’t make Nick talk if he doesn’t want to talk,” dad said, rolling his eyes. “OW!” he cried as mom kicked him in the shin. I snickered and groaned when she kicked me again.

                I ate quickly and hurried away from the dinner table so that my mom wouldn’t kick me again. I read until I got tired, and then let myself go to sleep.

                                                                                                ***

                “Today is the day I die. Rest In Peace, Nicholas Bradley,” I said miserably.

                “Cheer up. You’ll be fine! You just have to act tough, and Phil will back off. Just do it Nick,” Molly said with a smile, wrapping her arms around me.

                “Easy for you to say! He’s not trying to kill you!” I cried, shaking my head and glaring at her. “You are not a good person.”

                “And yet, I don’t lose sleep at night. Toughen up ya fag,” Molly said and slapped me playfully. I whined and stepped away from her.

                The warning bell rang and Molly and I made our way to first period together. The day began to blur by, much to my displeasure. With each minute, my anxiety grew. Any second now, Phil would jump out of nowhere and end my young life.

                But lunch came around, and there was still no incident with Phil. In fact, I hadn’t seen him at all today. I usually saw him at least once or twice between periods. Someone that sexy was kind of hard to miss.

                Molly came over to me with her lunch, looking upset. “Angel said he’s not here today,” she grumbled in annoyance.

                I jumped up onto the table. “WOOOOOOOO!” I shrieked, fist pumping. “I’M SAFE! ALIVE! DO YOU HEAR ME WORLD? I GET TO LIVE!”

                “Not if you don’t shut up Nick!” Molly snapped.

                I grinned and dropped next to her. “You’re just mad because I get to live,” I said, sticking my tongue out at her.

                “You would’ve lived anyways! Besides, Angel said Phil’s probably just sick. He’ll most likely be back tomorrow,” Molly said smugly.

                My face dropped at the thought of that, but I slapped the grin back on. I was not going to let Molly ruin this for me. I was alive, and I was happy to be in that condition.

                “Maybe I’ll be sick tomorrow,” I said, my grin getting wider.

                “Nick, please. I know your dad. The police chief would not let his son skip school,” Molly said, that smugness returning.

                Okay. So that was true…

                “That’s what you think!” I cried. “IT’S A CONSPIRACY!”

                Molly rolled her eyes and stood up. “Okay, whatever Nick. By the way, we have to turn in our projects seventh period. I’m going to go buy a slushie. You might want to go get your project,” she said.

                “Oh shit you’re right! This is why I love you Molly baby,” I said, kissing her cheek before hurrying inside to get my project.

                I went out to the hallway and walked towards my locker. I sighed and pulled out my phone to check how much time I had left this period.

                I clicked the unlock button on my phone, but didn’t get the chance to look at the time. Instead, something slammed into me, and the next thing I knew, my head made contact with the lockers and pain was shooting through my body.

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A.N.- Thank you guys so much for the positive feedback on this story! I really appreciate it :D