storms in, face bruised Those assholes jumped me! Now I'm suspended, too? Fucking brilliant!
OH MY GOOOOD-!! Are you okay? What happened!?
sighs heavily It all started during lunch. They were making fun of me, calling me names, and I tried to ignore it. But then they started physically harassing me, pushing me around, and it just escalated into a full-blown fight.
They weren’t afraid to hit a softie like you huh…
narrows his eyes You think this is funny? That it's okay for them to treat me like this? Well, let me tell you something, it's not okay!
I’m not saying that dumbass! But clearly they were bothered by you more than you thought! or maybe you provoked them?
crosses his arms Provoked them? Are you seriously suggesting that I had something to do with this? That's a load of bullshit!
I’m saying that’s how it seems to me!.. she steps back It’s really stupid though so don’t get mad okay?!
throws his hands up in frustration Goddamn it, Shine! Can't you see that I'm upset here? I didn't ask for your stupid analysis or your pity. Just forget it, okay? Forget everything. Let's just focus on getting me out of this mess. Got it?
I was only trying to help!?.. she frowns
takes a deep breath and calms down Look, I'm sorry for snapping at you. It's just...this whole situation is really messed up and I don't know how to handle it. I'm angry, frustrated, and I feel like no one is on my side. But I appreciate that you're trying to help, even if I don't always show it. Let's figure this out together, okay?
How about we start by talking to our parents first? And then the school later..?
nods Yeah, talking to our parents sounds like a good idea. They can help us figure out what to do next. Let's go.
Wait let me look at your injuries first.. she looks closely at his bruises Do you know what their reasons are for fighting you..?
hesitates Well... there's something else you should know. Those guys... they were targeting me because... because of you.
takes a deep breath They found out about us, Shine. They found out about our relationship, and they saw it as some kind of weakness.
So they..targeted you..? Cause of me..? she softly touches his cheek Oh caleb im so sorry..
pulls away from her touch and crosses his arms Don't apologize, Shine. This isn't your fault. It's theirs. We can't let them get away with this.
She nods softly, still concerned about Caleb's injuries "Alright, Caleb. Let's gather evidence first, then we'll hit them where it hurts."
determined Yeah, that's right. We'll expose those assholes for what they did. But we need to be smart about it.
Okay!.. she holds his hand leading them outside to their car
opens the car door for Shine and gets in the driver's seat Alright, let's head to our parents' place first.
Im surprised our parents didn’t find out yet..? they usually don’t like us fighting but if they knew they’d be pissed!.. she looks out the window as they drive
grits his teeth Yeah, they definitely won't be happy about this. But we need to tell them everything. They deserve to know what's been happening.
But, our dad will probably yell at us.. she says quietly looking at him
puts a hand on Shine's shoulder Yeah, he might yell, but we need to stand up for ourselves. We can't let them walk all over us anymore.
swallows hard, nodding I know, Caleb... I just wish there was another way.
takes a deep breath Shine, sometimes life doesn't give us a choice. We have to face the challenges head-on, even if it's scary.
whispers I know, Caleb... I'm just... scared.
reaches out and takes Shine's hand in his I know you're scared, Shine. But I promise you, I won't let anything happen to you.
squeezes Caleb's hand Thank you, Caleb... I trust you.
grits his teeth and starts the car Alright, Shine. We're going to our parents' place, and we're going to tell them everything.
grips the edge of her seat, heart pounding Okay, Caleb... let's do this.
pulls into the driveway and takes a deep breath Alright, Shine. This is it. We're about to face our parents and tell them everything.
looks at Caleb nervously I'm ready, Caleb... let's go.
enters the house and heads straight to his parents' room Mom! Dad! We need to talk! Mom: looks up from her book, surprised Caleb? What's going on?
looks at Caleb anxiously Do you want me to stay outside, Caleb?
firmly No, Shine. We're in this together. Stay with me. Mom: sets her book aside, concerned What's going on, Caleb? Why are you and Shine here together?