MCR Highschool [highschool AU]

Chapter 23

"What do you mean?" Mrs. Way said.

"I mean there's bruising and some cuts and scrapes and traces of a previously sprained ankle. Does anyone know how this could have happened?" the doctor said, looking around at the family. 

"No sir.  We don't." Mr. Way said. 

"No." Mrs. Way agreed.

Everyone looked to Mikey.

"Mikes?" Mr. Way said questioningly.

"...It was Dustin." Mikey said quietly.

"What do you mean by that." the doctor asked, taking out a notebook and pen. 

"Dustin. And Jason. Two bullies at our school. Gerard's been their target all year. He'd get beat up, threatening notes, public humiliation. It's been bad but not as bad as the past week." Mikey explained quietly. He took a breath and continued. "They had been hurting him everyday. Me, Ray and Frank would try to stop them but it was during class when Gerard had to leave for something, or we didn't get there fast enough. So earlier today we went to the principle and showed him the notes that Dustin and Jason had been giving Gee all year. We were walking back to class when we heard screams. We ran down the hall and saw them on the floor at the bottom of the stairs." 

By this time Mrs. Way and Mikey both had tears in their eyes.

"Thank you for telling me this." the doctor said. 

Mikey just nodded.

"We can go see your son in a minute." the doctor said. "At the moment he is asleep and probably will be for a few days as his body tries to heal itself. He should wake up at the most, four days. At the least, tomorrow night. Now when he wakes up he's going to be in pain so call us in as soon as possible so we can give him the pain meds. He most likely has a concussion, but he should remember everything. Now if you'd follow me we can go to his room."

They all stood up and followed the doctor out of the office and to the hospital room. Mrs. Way burst into a new round of tears when she saw here son. Gerard had bandages around his right wrist, his left arm in a cast, stitches in his forehead and bruises everywhere. There was an IV in his right hand and an oxygen mask over his face. 

The doctor quietly left the room to give the family their space. 

Mikey went to his brothers side, sat down and put his hand on his forehead. "I'm sorry we couldn't protect you more. That we couldn't keep you safe. We should have gone to the principle a lot sooner but we didn't. And for that I am sorry."

Mr. and Mrs. Way watched their youngest as he did this. They may not understand why he didn't tell them, but they couldn't be mad. From what they heard, he and his friends had tried their best. Sometimes the best just isn't good enough.