Not Like Before

Chapter 16

Trigger Warning ofc

Mature Language

Mature content

Uh

Idek at this point

Just be prepared

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Third Person POV

It had been a day since everything happened, and Chandler was still adjusting to it. He was thankfully able to stay with Andy, and the pictures Keith took were taken in as confidential evidence, so that was out of the way too.

They also hadn't broadcasted it to the news like they had before about Chandler's personal information, which he was thankful for.

So, for the most part, things were taken care of. Gena moved in and took the guest bedroom upstairs, and they were able to explain everything to Payton in a way that wouldn't traumatize her.

Thankfully Keith was shot in the kitchen, so no staining of the carpet that would have to be explained.

So it's good that one child was spared from the horror of what happened, but the other was not.

Chandler couldn't for the life of him figure out how or why it felt like the world had something against him, but it doesn't matter now he supposes.

He's going back to school today, and he knows people are going to be asking about the marks on him.

Everything that went down with Keith and his dad had happened on Saturday, Keith had abused him for the last time Friday night.

It was Monday, and he really hadn't had much time to recover from all the trauma.

"Hey, Chandler, you sure you wanna go back today? If you're not ready you can always go next week." Gena asked as he walked into the kitchen, looking at him sympathetically.

He just shrugged, he hadn't spoken more than a couple words in the last few days and he wasn't really planning on changing that.

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"How are you and Jamie?" Laura asked Zay as she put her books in her locker.

"We're really good, how are you and that Vince kid?" Zay responded, taking out his earphones.

"We're friends." Laura deadpanned and shut her locker.

"Sure." Zay smiled. Laura rolled her eyes.

"I mean he's a great guy and I'm not completely against dating him, I just don't think we click." She said honestly. Zay nodded in understanding.

"Well you never know, give it time." He suggested and Laura sighed.

"I don't even know if I wanna be in a relationship right now. I should probably just focus on my grades." She said as Chandler and Parker approached.

"Hey guys. Chandler it's good to see you back from the dead." Zay joked. Chandler managed a small smirk.

Laura noticed he looked more down than usual, the bags under his eyes were darker and the black eye that never seems to go away was looking especially purple today.