New Perspective -Ryden-

After the 'incident'

**Hope that last chapter was okay. It took me like almost two weeks to write!!**

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Brendon's POV:

****{A FEW DAYS LATER}****

Ryan was absent for a few days after we came over. The day he finally came back, he was really quiet and just not himself.

He usually talked at lunch and waved if we would see each other in the halls, but he didn't. Instead, he didn't eat or talk at lunch and walked with his head down in the halls.

Something was wrong.

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I noticed that the day after that he was really quiet, too.

"Do you know what's up with Ryan?" I ask Patrick and Spencer.

"No, we were gonna ask you the same thing." Patrick replied. "You should talk to him tomorrow if he is still like this."

"I will," I said back.

"Maybe he's just sick guys." Spencer said.

"Maybe..." I paused. "Im going to try to talk to him." I said before standing up and looking around for Ryan. He was nowhere to be found in the cafeteria, so I decided just to wait until tomorrow.

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Ryan was more like himself the next day. He gave a small, almost sad smile as we passed in the hallways, and sat with us as lunch.

"What happened to you, Ryan?" Pete asked as soon as he sat down.

"Yeah, we were super worried about you." Spencer added.

"I'm fine, guys. Thanks." Ryan gave another sad smile and looked at his feet.

"I'm glad you're okay," Patrick said and put a hand on Ryan's shoulder gently.

"Me too, it wasn't the same without you." I said and took a bite of my apple.

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Ryan's POV:

Ever since the incident with my father, I've found myself being sucked into the same depression that I had in my last town. Except, now I have friends to help me feel better.

After lunch I was walking to History alone because Spencer was in the restroom. I walked fast because I hated crowds and being alone made then worse. I'd usually hang on to Spencer's backpack and he would lead us.

I was doing fine up until I felt a strong hand on my shoulder. I knew it wasn't Spencer, because I had left him behind a while ago. I stopped dead and the hand turned me on my toes.

Before me stood Gerard. He was alone this time.

"Hey, look who it is." He smiled a devious smile and pulled me into the closest boys bathroom. I was trapped in a corner between the end stall and the wall.

"Hi, uh... What a coincidence seeing you here," I choked out nervously. I probably sounded like a complete idiot, but I was scared and didn't care at the moment.

Gerard leaned in close and whispered in my ear.

"Let's cut to the chase." He began. "I know what happened to you the other night."

"H-how d-did you find out?" I stuttered.

"A little birdie told me." He growled. "And I might just make sure that everyone knows you cut your wrists and get beat at home... Unless you're willing to pay a certain price." He leaned back and smiled again.

"What do you want from me?" I asked.

Gerard just stood there... Thinking about the price.

"Money?" I asked.

Gerard was silent.

"Money? Uh... My lunch?" I was getting really worried and my heart rate was rising.

"What do you want from me, Gerard?" I asked a little louder, about to cry but I held it in.

"I'll get back to you." He said with a smirk. He must have known exactly what he was doing. Then he backed off and left the bathroom.

I was sitting on the floor in tears. I couldn't stop thinking about what he was going to make me do. I hated Gerard so much. I hated everything, accept my friends.

I heard the tardy bell ring and got up. I pulled myself together and ran to class, hoping nobody would notice I had been crying.

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