I've Never Been On The Outside... (Salvis)

just breathe, just relax, it'll be okay.

Hii soo I have another fic now!!! I told you I really like Salvis so buckle up. I'm currently writing this on the phone with my friend so I have absolutely no idea how this is gonna go but idk we'll see. I'll update you with trigger warnings each chapter as always. <333 Also the title of the fic is from Taylor Swift's song, "The Outside" and this chapter's title is from the Taylor Swift song, "Electric Touch" THANK YOU HARPER FOR HELPING WITH MY PLOT YOU'RE MY PLATONIC POOKIE <333 TW: implied child abuse and the f slur.

May second. The spring air brought a sweet sent throughout the hallways of Nockfell High. The rain pounded on the windows of Mrs. Packertons room. In said classroom, sat Travis Phelps. Travis with the bloody knees. Travis with the rosary. Travis with the bleached blonde hair and dark roots. He tried to focus on what the teacher was saying or the rain on the windows but there was something else that his eyes couldn't seem to pry away from. Sal Fisher, or Sally Face as most people called him. There was always something about him that set Travis off. He couldn't pinpoint it though. Maybe it was how his hair was always in those childish pigtails. Maybe it was how he would throw his head back laughing like a little kid. Whatever it was, it always seemed to make Travis feel...funny. His train of thought was interrupted by Mrs. Packerton's voice.

"Mr. Phelps, keep your eyes on your own paper."

Travis simply rolled his eyes in response and continued trying to listen to what the teacher had to say.

"Now that our lesson is over I thought that I should inform you on what is happening tomorrow. We will be going out of state for a four day trip. We're on a budget this year so instead of going on our usual senior trip, we'll be going to Cowen Lake in Ohio." Mrs. Packerton explained.

The class turned to each other and whispered. The whispers stopped eventually and thats when she spoke again. "All you need to do is get your parent or guardian to sign this slip and pack whats on the list." She walked around the classroom and handed out the slips. She laid the paper on Travis's desk and he looked it over.

The list was quite simple. It had personal hygiene items, weather appropriate clothes, bug spray, and a stuffed animal which was optional. Travis smiled slightly at the last item and thought of the stuffed animal he was going to bring. He only had one but it was very important to him. It's a tiny shark that he sleeps with every night. As he was looking down at the paper, the bell rang for lunch. Mrs. Packerton said her goodbyes and the class walked out. Travis was the last one to walk out before making a beeline to the bathroom.

When he reached the bathroom he walked over to the mirror. He checked his lip to see if it was still bleeding after this morning. He took a paper towel and ran it under some water before cleaning his lip up some more. His head turned to the door when he heard it open and- Sal. It was Sal Fisher.

Sal waved awkwardly to Travis before seeing his bloody lip. "Hi." He said quietly. Travis just rolled his eyes and continued cleaning up his lip. "Sorry if this is too personal but what happened to your lip? I was wondering about it in Mrs. Packerton's class." He walked a bit closer to the blonde.

"None of your concern, Sally Face." Travis replied. Sal and Travis never got along. Sal was a sinner and a faggot. Why would Travis try to treat him with respect?

Sal put his hands in the air. "Sorry man, I was just worried."

Travis sighed and looked down at the paper towel which now had a big splotch of red on it.He quickly disposed of the towel and looked in the mirror for anything he could have missed before Sal spoke up again. "You know, you can always talk to me. I'm not gonna go around and spread your secrets." Travis stayed silent and looked down at the floor. He wouldn't let his eyes pry from the floor. "I have to get to lunch but don't hesitate to talk to me if you need someone." Sal said before walking out of the bathroom leaving Travis.

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When Travis got off of the bus he walked up to his front door and opened it to see his father sitting at the dinner table. He always seemed to be waiting at the table for him. "Good afternoon, father." Travis greeted. His father gave a simple nod and Travis handed him the paper for the school trip. His father looked down at the paper, reading the list and time that they will leave. "This is for school, correct?" He asked. Travis nodded before speaking. "Yes, father." A few more moments of silence passed. His father picked up a pen from beside him and signed the paper. "Be good, son. The Lord is watching." Travis nodded in response and took the paper up to his room. He took down the suitcase from the top shelf of his closet and began packing what was on the list. He closed the suitcase and sat on his bed to think. He thought of the interaction he had with Sal earlier that day. He seemed like he genuinely cared. He walked closer to Travis and wanted to know what happened to him. But why? Travis has been nothing but a dick to Sal forever. Maybe if he could just tell Sal what he truly thinks of him. Travis took out his notebook and wrote what he wished he could say. He looked at the paper before tears stung his eyes.

No. No thats a sin. Travis is a sinner. He crumpled the note before shoving it into his suitcase, hoping that it never sees the light of day. He began to pace his room wondering why he had to write those words.

"Just breathe, just relax, it'll be okay." He quietly repeated to himself before shutting the lights off to go to sleep early.

Authors Note: EEEEEE I'm so excited about this fic!! I feel like it's 10 times better than the last one I wrote. Thank you guys so much for reading my last fic and I hope you guys like this one too! Also again thank you to my friend Harper who helped with a lot of plot points for this story. Knowing them, they'll probably comment on this so yeah lol. I can't wait to see what I come up with for the next chapter!!!!