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BLAME.
The clock ticked like a metronome for tension. Every second hit the air too hard, sharp enough to keep him aware of how long he'd been sitting here.
Anger management was always the same, the circle of chairs, the counselor with a too-soft voice, the stale smell of coffee that clung to the walls. Chris sat in his usual spot, second from the left. It gave him a clear view of the exit and a little shadow to hide in.
The others spoke too much. He didn't speak at all.
He didn't need to.
He wasn't here to make friends or share feelings; he was here because he threw the first punch, because he didn't stop when he should have.
And even if he could go back, he wouldn't change it.
Because Wesley had needed him.
He could still hear Andrew's voice that day. Shaky, too fast. The sound of footsteps pounding the floor before the classroom door flew open.
Chris had been sitting at his desk, half-listening to Seth argue with the teacher about something stupid when Andrew appeared in the doorway, pale and breathless.
Their eyes locked, and Andrew said just two words:
"It's Jasper."
He didn't need to explain.
Seth's chair scraped the floor. Chris was already on his feet.
They didn't ask where or why. They just ran.
Andrew led the way down the hall, the sound of their shoes echoing off the walls. The air felt tight, like it was closing in around them. Chris didn't even realize he'd started clenching his fists until they reached the bathroom.
The door was locked.
Andrew was pounding on it, yelling Wesley's name.
From the other side came muffled noise. The struggling, something crashing.
Chris didn't wait. He slammed his shoulder into the door once, twice, until the hinges gave.
The scene inside made everything go quiet for a heartbeat.
Jasper had Wesley cornered, his hand on his wrist, too close, too calm.
Seth moved first, fast, all instinct and fury shoving Jasper away with enough force to send him sprawling. The next second, Chris was there, and everything after that blurred.
Fists. Shouting. Blood.
Jasper tried to speak, but Chris didn't care what he had to say. The world had narrowed to one simple truth he wasn't going to let that happen.
By the time the teachers arrived, Jasper was on the floor, and Seth was shaking, breathing too fast. Chris stepped in front of him automatically.
When they demanded to know who started it, Seth opened his mouth, but Chris cut him off.
