(A/N: I know that some of the chapter names are strange, but they're kind of a kitchen sink. They each mean something to me and relate to the chapter in a way.)
P.S. I also feel like I'm moving up in life because earlier I had a bag of popcorn with my lunch, but I didn't finish it, so I stapled it closed to keep it from spilling in my backpack XD. Ok, enough about my weird life....

•Jenna•

Notes that say things like "Leave him" and "he's cheating on you" and "you know he's gonna kill himself" all in the same handwriting appear simultaneously in my locker at the end of November. I know exactly who they're from, yet I still don't tell anyone out of the fear of being a burden.
I crumple up today's note of "he's dating a girl online" in my fist right as Josh approaches me in Home Ec. Too late-he sees it.
His brow furrows. "What was that?"
I shake my head and shove the paper into my pocket. "Trash. Just trash." I lean forward in my desk, trying to act casual. "So, what's up?"
"I-" He's cut off by the tardy bell ringing. "I'll talk to you when we pair up," he whispers, then hurries to his seat.
Mrs. Nora instructs us to pick a partner and wait at a cooking station for further instruction. Josh and I look at each other, then rise out of our chairs and walk over to a counter.
"As I was saying before the bell cut me off," Josh says,"I was wondering if I could get your number."
I laugh, trying to mask my confusion. "Umm...you do realize I'm dating Tyler, right?"
He chuckles. "Of course I do. I just want your number so I can text you party plans."
"...Party plans?"
Josh punches my arm playfully. "Tyler hasn't told you about his birthday!?"
"I've asked him, but he refused to tell me because he didn't want me to make a big deal about it."
Josh grins wickedly. "Even better. He won't be expecting it, then. Anyways, I want your number so I text you party ideas. His birthday is December first."
"Next Friday!? That's a week from now! Will we have enough time to plan?"
"Well, I booked Green Day back in April to play at the party, so yeah, I would say I've had enough time to plan." I give him a please-tell-me-you're-joking look, and he laughs. "What's even better is Mark's birthday is the tenth, so we can throw a party for the both of them. So, can I get your number?"
I roll my eyes and pull my phone out of my pocket. "Fine."
Josh punches in the number and returns my phone. I laugh at his contact name-DJ SpookyJim-as the boy's eyes dart to our feet. He stoops and picks up something from the floor.
"'He's dating a girl online'?" Josh gives me a questioning look as I try to snatch the sickening yellow sticky note from his hand. He holds it out of my reach. "Jenna, what is this?"
"Hate mail," I mumble, avoiding his gaze. He's sure to tell Tyler now.
A knowing, meaningful look crosses his face. "There's a boy that's been bothering me about Tyler, too."
I catch my breath, and I can feel my eyes widening in shock. Who would pick on Josh Dun?? "I-I just don't want to burden him," he frets, running a hand through his hair. Guys do that a lot, I've noticed.
"I won't tell if you don't," I respond, surprising myself. Since when do two people conspire to keep a secret from their best friend?
He nods. "Okay. I just don't want to stress him out since he's trying to get our band off the ground and everything. He also has basketball."
"Exactly!" I exclaim.
"Is he a black-haired dude?" he asks.
I nod. "Do you know his name?"
Josh shakes his head. "No, but if he picks on you anymore, tell me, and I'll take care of him."
I give a small smile. "Thanks." We're silent for a brief moment. "So...are you gonna text me this next week to plan the party?"
Josh nods. "Yeah. And don't tell Tyler that you know his birthday is coming up."

"Okay," I agree while mentally sighing. So many secrets.

I take a detour through the hallway leading past the gym on the way to lunch so I could pick up math homework that I forgot about when I hear crying coming from one of the bathrooms. I stop for a moment, listening carefully, then approach the doorway of the boys bathroom. The voice behind the muffled sobs seem very familiar.
"Hello?" I ask carefully. "D-Do you need help?"
The sobbing ceases, and the person sniffs. "J-Jenna?"
My heart jumps to my throat, and my stomach plummets. "Tyler!?"
The brown-haired boy appears in the doorway, a paper towel pressed to his nose, tears still streaming down his face. "Jenna? H-How did you find me here?"
"I took a detour to pick up my math homework and heard crying, but that's beside the point. What happened?" I take his arm and gently guide him to the floor beside a set of lockers. He lifts the crimson-stained paper towel away from his face to reveal a bloody nose.
"I-I left my athletic bag in my gym locker this morning, so I went to get it, and someone hit me in the face with a basketball. And the guy that did it doesn't even play! I guess he just happened to be in the gym, and I just so happened to be in the way." He puts his head in his hands, and I rub his shoulder. "I was hoping you wouldn't find me like this."
"Tyler, you know I only want to help you. Why don't we go to the nurse?" I put an arm around his shoulder and guide him to his feet.
"You should go to lunch. I don't want the other guys getting worried," he insists.
"Let's both go, so you can tell them in person," I suggest. I lead him toward the cafeteria before he can protest anymore.
"Do you know if the boy threw the ball at your face on purpose?" I ask as the cafeteria doors appear in my field of vision.
He runs a hand through his hair and sighs. "I don't even know. It's....it's not that big of a deal, okay?"
"Well it is to me," I declare firmly. "Because no one messes with my boyfriend." I hold open a cafeteria door and guide him toward our table at the edge of the sea of people. Josh rises from his chair when he sees us and walks over to us, Mark not far behind him.
"Tyler!? What happened!?" He gently lifts the bloodied paper-towel away from his friend's face.
"I got hit in the face with a basketball last period, no big deal."
"No big deal!?" Josh cries. "And I thought you had basketball first period!?"
Tyler shrugs. "I left my gym bag in the locker room on accident and someone passed a ball in there. I'll be fine guys, really."
Josh shakes his head stubbornly. "Uh-uh, you're going to the nurse, even if the three of us have to drag you there. Now, who hurt you?"
Tyler sighs, a hint of irritation in his voice. "Just some guy, okay!? Does it really even matter!?"
"Yes," Josh, Mark, and I all respond in unison.
"Now, let's get you to the nurse," Josh says, turning Tyler back toward the door. He looks at me over Tyler's shoulder, and we share a look that says we both know who the source of this mess is.
The black-haired boy.