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Chapter 72 - "Can You Punch Me?"

- Chapter 72 - Check Ins and Check Ups-
Warnings: mentions of getting overwhelmed and overstimulated, bullying, toxic relationships, getting punched, bruises, etc.
Third Person POV

Grayson looked up when they saw someone walk past them. "Oh, Jesse!"

Jesse paused and turned around to face them. "Yeah?"

"How's Lio doing?" Grayson asked, looking up at him. "He had a rough day yesterday."

Jesse smiled. "Much better," he answered. "We had a chill night and he baked for a bit, before cuddling in clothes and blankets that didn't bother him, talking about the night before, and assuring him that no one was mad," he informed them.

Grayson smiled. "I haven't seen him around today; is he here?" they asked, looking around the room again.

Jesse nodded. "He is here, but he's chilling in Dad's office before rehearsal so he can calm down from the day," he explained. "We said he could take a mental health day, but he insisted, so Dad is making him take a break in between school and rehearsal so he doesn't get overwhelmed," he informed him.

"Okay." Grayson nodded. "I just wanted to make sure he was okay," they said.

Jesse smiled. "Thank you."

Grayson nodded.

Jesse walked off again.

After a few more minutes, Grayson was still sitting on the floor where they had been before and was now drinking water.

Rehearsal hadn't technically started yet. It started at 3:15 p.m., and it was 2:40, so they had a bit to go.

Rehearsal always started a bit after school ended for students who were in other clubs (like Aurora and Aliyah had Choir after school some days, and Jada had a science club).

Not too long passed before Nathan sat down next to Grayson.

Grayson looked over at him. They finished their sip of water and swallowed, putting the cap back on the bottle. "Hey, Nate."

Nathan hummed. "Hi."

"How are you?"

"I'm okay."

Grayson's eyebrows furrowed as they put their water bottle back into their bag. "You sound troubled," they pointed out.

Nathan sighed, looking over at them. "Can you punch me?"

Grayson paused. They looked at Nathan, their eyebrows furrowed. "What?"

"You know, punch me." Nathan pretended to demonstrate it on himself, lightly punching his arm to show Grayson. "Hard."

"Yeah, I heard that, though I was hoping I misheard it," Grayson responded, zipping their bag up. "Why?" they asked.

"Because Noah said that friends shouldn't punch you, especially not hard, unless it's jokingly, and even then not hard," Nathan answered, seeming to be thinking deeply. "I need you to prove him wrong," he stated.

Grayson's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "But he's right..."

Nathan looked at them, seeming confused. "No, he's not..." he mumbled, "my friends do it to me. They said it means they're toughening me up and it shows they care about me," he said softly.

Grayson felt anger flow through their body. They breathed out through their nose to calm themself. "Who, Nate?" they questioned.

Nathan hesitated. "No on-" he started.

"Who?" Grayson's voice was as stern as their gaze as they stared at Nathan.

Nathan swallowed hard. "Why?" His voice got softer.