flatsound || newtmas

twenty-two

t.w - mentions of sexual harassment/assult/abuse, bullying, stalking, death, and suicide attempts.

there is a description and mention of rape; please do not continue if this will trigger you. i will put a ~ warning before and after. love you all.

A week later, Newt was back at WICKED; eyes locked on the white and green patterns on the floor. Nothing more than another day, even with the whispering students that surrounded him as he passed.

Newt Issacs soon became the hot gossip of the school, which wasn't surprising. He was stalked and harrassed for years by the same person, who led him to attempt suicide; why wouldn't they be curious?

His locker was at the end of the second hall, too far in his opinion. Thomas told him he wasn't going to be there until the end of first block because he had a doctor's appointment. After what had happened, administration thought it would be best to do block schedules to moderate students on a higher level.

Newt saw his locker, covered in pity cards and some hateful messages. The cards were from friends, peers, and even strangers. Of course, the hatefulness came from the group of students down the hall; sending him dirty looks for having their friend on an ankle monitor. Aris stood there, gazing him with pure hatred, eyes burning his into his skull.

Newt was terrified to see him, but he knew that there was police standing at every corner of the school, ready to pounce if he tried anything. He couldn't be within thirty feet of him, so his schedule was changed. They didn't have a concrete case so they couldn't arrest him, yet.

He picked some of the letters off of his locker, before he tore off the dirty and hateful messages. One of them saying, 'I bet Aris wasn't the only one.' Newt wasn't going to give them what they wanted; to see him cry, as much as he wanted to.

The boy quickly opened his locker, grabbing his first block books. Newt made his way down the hall, hoping to find one of his friends in the midst of people.

"Newt! Over here!" He knew that voice from anywhere. It was Athe, flagging him down with frantic hands; the rest behind her with slight smiles on their faces. He made his way, heart throbbing with the love from his friends.

Athe threw her arms around him, standing on her tiptoes to reach his height. "I missed you so much," she whispered, hugging him tighter. Before you say anything, they did visit him in the hospital and call him on the phone, but didn't go to his house.

Newt was grateful, knowing that he didn't want a meet up at his house after what happened. Athe let go, allowing the rest to budge in. "I'm glad you're okay," Minho said, pulling him into a hug, a real hug. Minho wasn't really a full-on hugger so he appreciated the gesture. Newt squeezed back, thankful for him.

The rest of them came in tow, telling him good affirmations and other things he couldn't really make out. Lastly, Teresa walked up to him. "I'm sorry."

Newt heard what she said, but wasn't looking for anything pitiful. He would have reacted the same; maybe a little less to the degree she went. She was only trying to protect Thomas. "It's okay."

"Newt, it's not okay. What I did was fucked up and shitty and you definitely shouldn't have had to go through that when all I should have done was talked to you about-" Teresa was cut off by arms wrapping around her shoulders. "I told you, it's okay."

Teresa felt a tear fall down her pale cheek, dripping down onto her classic ebony clothing. She hugged him as tight as she could, never wanting to let go of him again.

***

Newt missed a lot in the two weeks he was gone. Minho and Gally got closer, much to Thomas' digression. Athe ended up getting a girlfriend named Bailey. Newt attacked her with questions, wanting to know more. She promised to show her to him.