Bradley's POV

His mom brought us in quickly, his sister and father were sitting on the couch but when they saw Milo they stood up, his sister running off to go get something, probably a med-kit or something as his mother takes him from my arms and places him on the table to see what was wrong. Tears were streaming down my face and my hands were covered in blood, I watched them as his sister quickly returned and his mother and father kneel down next to him. They started to patch him up, worry in their eyes while I stood there, I was useless and so afraid, I didn't know what to do, nothing like this has ever happened to me before. They took off his shirt to see the wound on his back, making him sit up, I noticed so many stitches and scars on his body, long, short, deep, thin, small, so many, some overlapping overs.

There was bruises, old and new gashes, lightning scars, the whole lot, I covered my mouth in shock as they started to patch him up, whispering to themselves. His mother whispered something to his sister and she went running off again and came back with a wet towel as his parents finished off the bandage covering the wound around his torso, resting his on the couch. She started to wipe the words off his forehead, a frown on her lips as she stared sadly at his brother. I wondered if I should leave, not sure if I am wanted in such a personal moment but then his parents look at me and frown, not disapprovingly but more guilty or sympathetic as they walked up to me and the mother was the first to speak up, playing a hand a on my shoulder gently.

"I'm so sorry you had to see this, we knew that Milo hasn't been the most popular at school but we didn't think that it would get this bad..." She says, looking at Milo and I do too but then he noticed the word on my forward and all the cuts, bruise and gashes on my skin, she frowns, "You were there too, I'm so sorry, please sit down, tell us what happened,"

Her voice was gentle and I felt at peace as I hesitantly sat down, the feeling of begin in somewhere else and everything just begin okay after everything made me feel on edge but I tried to put that feeling away as his parents sat in front of me. I could tell on their faces that they had questions but they didn't want to bombard me with them, I probably look traumatized. I started to my lap, clucking my fist around the fabric of my jeans until my knuckles turned white, biting my lip. I could taste the metal taste of blood in my mouth, I had opened my split lip but I couldn't care less. I looked over at Milo, so scared, so worried for him before turning to his parents. His sister sat with her parents, they were all staring at me, it made me feel uneasy but I tried to talk anyway.

"I-I...I'm not sure where to start, I mean, I am still trying to comprehend what just happened but..." I say, trying to regain myself, not wanting to look back on those memories but I knew I had to, they look at each other before Milo's father spoke up.

"Well, who did this to you two...? How old were they..? How many people were there?" He wanted to ask more questions, I could tell by his face but as I started to remember, my head started to hurt, like a hammer was smashing my skull but I started to talk any way.

"There... There was at least 5 to 6 guys, all older than us, 8th graders, I think, there are the popular kids around school, I-I only know one of the kids though, his name is Jake Marshall, he is the leader, I guess..." I say, looking down at my lap, twiddling with my thumbs.

"8th graders..." his mother hides her face in her hands before looking at me and asking with a stern tone in her voice, "Where did this happen...? Where were Milo's other friends? Why did they hurt him? Why didn't you do anything?"

"Dear please calm down, the boy looks terrified, don't forget that he was in the fight too and he brought Milo back..." the father says, it was true, I was terrified, I was shaking and my skin was pale, I felt like crying, I could see bruises forming on my skin and she sighs.

"You're right, I'm sorry... Thank you for bringing back our son, not many people would be willing to be near Milo, it is very unfortunate..." the mother says and I look at them, a mix of feelings of pride and sympathy filling me.

"N-No, it's fine... I just wish I could do more, I'm the reason all of this has happened, it's my fault..." I say hesitantly with a guilty tone before quickly adding to clear something up, "I got in a fight with one of them and I knew something like this would happen but it wasn't my intention to get Milo tied up in this... I promise,"

"... I see, well we better get you cleaned up.." the father says and my frown deepens as I looked at the unconscious Milo on the couch, the guilt in my stomach was like a knot, I felt like I was going to be sick but I forced it down.

"I'll be fine, I'm more concerned about Milo than myself..." I say, fiddling with the edges of my shirt, pulling them down further as I looked back at them, a small weak smile on my lips to assure them that I was okay even if I wasn't.

"Milo is going to be fine, he is really tough but I am sure he would want you to be be okay too," the mother says, standing standing up from her seat, I looked at Milo again, my smile falling but I nodded anyway.

His sister got the cloth, re-wetting it first in the kitchen, and let me wipe the slur off my forehead as Milo's mother cleaned some of my wounds of dry blood, I winced a lot, it stung but I tried to keep quiet and be strong. There was a lot of small cuts on my body, some were kind of deep and were bleeding, I could see where I had cut myself on some of the rocks on the ground before, plasters where added on to those that were bleeding. But then I felt Milo's mother try and roll my sleeves up higher, probably to check if there was any other cuts there that were bleeding but almost like an reflex, I dropped the cloth, that was stained with black marker, that I was holding onto my lap and stopped her by pulling my sleeve down suddenly, blocking her, my eyes widening in fear.

She stops, flinching back in surprise, pulling her hand away from my shoulder as I looked at her, but now everyone was staring at me, towering over me. I felt queasy, sick to my stomach, I felt like there was something in my throat that stopped me from talking and my heart was racing, smashing against my rib cage, with every beat, so much that it hurt. I gulped, biting my bottom lip painfully, my eyes trying to avoid eye contact with them, staring down at my lap, my body was tensed as I reluctantly let go of my sleeve, wondering what was going to happen next, what were they going to do. I had messed up big, I made a huge mistake, they now know, they probably hate me now, oh god I messed up, I messed up bad. Why couldn't I say anything? Just say something!

But no matter how much I tried, I could get a single noise out of my useless mouth, not like I wouldn't say something dumb anyway. I stopped breathing for a second or two, the ticking of the clock was making my head pound, it may of been a few seconds but it felt like days, weeks, months, years. Say something! I was spiraling in self hatred thoughts that wouldn't end but then I felt a hand on my shoulder, I flinched a bit before I looked up to see that the owner of the hand was Milo's dad, he was smiling reassuring, I felt myself getting calmer and I sigh, blocking out the voices in my head as I looked back down at my lap. I had to say something. I can breath a little bit easier but I still struggled to say anything but I tried my best, stuttering and stammering, my throat was raspy and scratchy.

"I-I... I'm sorry... I think I should get home, it's getting kind of late, I-I think my parents will be excepting me back home soon..." I say reluctantly, I was lying as my parents were coming home way later and also I didn't want to leave, I wanted to be there for Milo but I couldn't stand my thoughts that I wasn't wanted there.

"Oh, of course, I understand that it must have been a long day for you, do you want me to drive you home?" His mother asked and I shook my head despite me hearing the rain started to piter-pater on their roof and I didn't have a hood or anything to protect myself from the rain.

"No, it's fine, I don't want to be a burden..." I say, only half lying and they nod as I stood up, looking at Milo again before looking at the door, I grabbed my backpack, that I had discarded on the floor a while ago and threw it on my shoulders.

"It would be fine really but if you're sure that you can get home on you're own safety then I wish you a good evening..." Milo's father said, trailing his words slightly, not knowing my name, I then realized that I had not introduced myself yet.

"Bradley, my name is Bradley," I say blank faced, griping the handles of my backpack tightly, my back to the door, ready to go, his mother though smiled wide and clasped her hands together and his sister immediately began to grin.

"Bradley? So you're Milo's new friend that he was talking about?" His mother asked with excitement in her tone, like a really proud mom, that's when Milo's father's face turns into confusion to why they were acting this way to a big smile.

"Oh my god! You're Milo's bo- I mean, new friend?!" His sister says, fan-girling but had messed a bit which made me panic for a second, yep she knew, Milo had told me that he had told her but I guess I had forgot.

"Um yeah, that's me... Look, It's been great to meet you, seriously, it's been a pleasure, but I've really got to get going, the rain is going to only get worse," I say, tugging of the edge of my shirt, not wanting to leave at all.

"Of course, the rain is getting heavier, are of sure you don't want me to drive you home?" His mother asks and I shake my head, looking up at them with a weak smile on my lips.

"No, it's fine, I don't live far," I say, only trying to convince them despite the fact that I wanted to stay but I was trying to be polite, I didn't want to be in the way.

"Alright then, I guess I will see you later Bradley,"  says Milo's dad, a happy tone in his voice that reminded me of Milo, I smile slightly and wave goodbye.

"Yeah, it was nice to meet you," I say as I open the door and walk out, they say their goodbyes and I walk away, the rain immediately soaking me, it was really chucking it down and it was dark too, the street lights the only bright source.

I hear the door close to Milo's house through the loud rain and I immediately frown, looking back at the door before sighing and started to walk home. It was so windy that I felt like I was getting lifted into the air, the pellets of rain felt like hail to my head and water blocked up my glasses. My hair got drenched and kept on falling into my face, I growl as I flicked it out of my eyesight. I am going to be honest, I have no idea where I was, it was too dark to tell but I just started to walk to where I think home was. I didn't lie when I said that I didn't live far but it was still a 5-10 minute walk from where I was right then. I sigh in annoyance as I continue to walk, speeding up as the rain got heavier and heavier, windier and windier. I could feel water slipping into my shoes and all my clothes were darker due to the water.

I just held onto my backpack handles tighter and pushed through. After a while, I could see my house in view. I took out my keys from my pocket as I got to my front door and unlocked it. I stepped inside, slipping off my damp shoes but held onto them as I needed a place where they could dry quicker. I place them under the heater as I walked into my bedroom and started to take off my wet clothes and get changed into something dry. I could show any evidence that I was outside as I was still grounded big time because of the fight. I place my soaked and ruined shirt and jeans under my bed, hidden by a box that was under there too. I sigh, I was exhausted, mentally and physically, everything felt like a dream, like nothing actually happened and it was all in my head.

I plopped into my bed and turned off the light, covering myself in the warm covers. I felt surreal, I felt numb, I didn't know what to feel, today had been so wild, so crazy, it's all starting to pile up and I finally get the full picture. It's all my fault, I was the one who threw the first punch, I got in trouble, it's my fault my parents hit me, it's my fault for making Milo care about me, I was too obvious, I was too much of an open book, I let my emotions take control of logic, I messed up, I asked Milo on that date, I didn't help him, It's my fault he got hurt, I am ruining his life. I felt tears slide down my cheek but I don't stop them, I just start to sob, my glasses falling off of my face and onto my bed as I put my knees to my chest and start to wail, tears streaming down my face, I couldn't stop them even if I tried.

I sobbed, burying my face into my arms, everything was starting to pile up and I just had to let it out. I was a gross crier, my lip was quivering, my face was probably bright red, I was gasping for air between sobs and my eyes burned like hell. After I could finally breath and I was left as a shaking, sniffling, tired mess, I stood up and started to open my drawers, where did I put it? I then found it, the other blade out of my sharpener in my bedside drawer. I looked at it, sitting on the edge of my bed, fiddling with it in my hands, the metal cold but my hands were too. I tried not to cut myself on the edge, I bit my lip, tears still escaping my eyes quietly, should I? I mean, I've gotten so far, it's been so long since I've done anything like this and I promised Milo that I would try and stop...

I sigh, lifting up my sleeves and look at the scars on my shoulders, they are so faint, you could barely see them if you didn't know they were there. I hesitated, wanting everything to just go away, I wanted to make everything better, I want everything to be okay, I want to Be okay, I'm not helping myself by doing this but if I hurt myself then maybe I'll stop hurting everyone around me but I'll be failing Milo, he believed in me and I failed again to control myself, he will dump me for sure when he finds out. He doesn't need to find out, he doesn't even care about me, he'll be probably already used to me letting him down, he hates me, everybody hates me and I'm stupid and useless, I can never do anything right... I feel numb, emotionless, just mentally tired. I look at the blade again before begin it up to my shoulder and to my skin...

.............

Milo's POV

My eyes flutter open, I was abruptly interrupted from my slumber by something. I wake up in my bed, my body sore, my body bandaged up, my head was killing me and the lights turned off. I groan, sitting up before wincing in pain, I can barely remember a thing. I look around at what had woke me, the sky was dark outside my window, it must be night time so the sun couldn't of woken me up. I realized that it was my phone, it had pinged as I had a new notification, I sigh, I was tired, aching and numb and didn't want to wake up for days, my body didn't like begin waked up. I opened up my phone, the blinding light made me groan again as I cover my eyes, turning down the brightness before checking the notification bar. I had gotten a new message from Bradley.

That's when all the memories came flooding back, painfully, like a bash to the head, everything that has happened with the older boys and me fainting and all I remember from then is Bradley's terrified face, tears starting to fall down his face and red, so much red, so much pain. I frown as I try and get the thoughts away, I don't want to remember. I open up my messages and read the newest one.

Bradley: I'm so sorry...

Milo: What are you on about? Is everything okay? :(

B: Oh

B: You're awake

M: Yeah, I just woke up, are you okay?

B: Sorry for waking up

M: Bradley please, something is wrong, what's going on? :(

B: Nothing

M: then why did you apologies?

There was a pause where he didn't respond, like he was thinking hard on what he would say. I was scared, I had no idea what was going on so there was nothing I could do to help, that's what scared me.

B: no reason

M: Bradley please! Just tell me, I need to know that you are okay..

B: Why?

M: Because I care about you

B: oh..

M: Bradley, please just talk to me..

B: I'm sorry, it's all my fault

M: What's your fault? :(

B: Everything. I threw the first punch. I asked you on that date. I didn't help you. I make everything worse.

M: Oh no no No! None of what just happened was your fault!

M: You may of threw the first punch but you did it because you were defending me and I couldn't be more proud of you for that.

M: You may of asked me on that date and I am happy you did, it was the best date ever for me and I'm not letting those other kids ruin that for us.

M: and you couldn't defend me because you were in the same situation,  you were getting beat up too, it wasn't your fault...

B: ...

B: Thank you...

M: no problem, I will always be there for you :)

Bradley is typing...

Bradley went offline.

I stared at my screen, frowning, was that really how he sees himself..? He thinks he messes everything up, the person is making my days happier, the person who fell in love with a jinx that ruins everything... I try and stop the thoughts as I turned off my phone and rolled over in my bed, trying to get to sleep. It's now the weekends, I'll only see Bradley or anyone else by Monday. I sigh, maybe it was for the better, I did need to recover, mentally and physically. I close my eyes on the darkness of my room, my headache keeping me awake but my fatigue over taking it as I drifted to sleep.

(Sorry this took so long, I've been very busy lately and these take a long time to write, thank you for understanding)