[ON HOLD] One Last Chance - Phan

Chapter 1

Trigger warning - Suicide

Phil's POV

I walk towards school, BTS blaring through my earphones. I don't know what the words mean, but I can sing along well enough, so it's good for me.

I reach the gates and take out my earphones, quickly shoving them and my phone in my bag when I notice Waverly and sat on the bench in front of the Language block. I pick up my pace a bit just in time for her to see me and stand up. She straightens her black pencil skirt, which has creased from where she's been sat down and adjusts her dark purple, cold shoulder, long sleeve top, which seems to have twisted to the side a bit.

"Hey Phil!" Waverly yells from across the field, waving enthusiastically. Her sleeve starts slipping down, revealing the black line with fading edges marked on her wrist and she rushes to tug it back up. I giggle as I run towards her.

"Hi Wave," I say once I reach her. "You know you don't have to hide your line." I comment as her hand stays clutched around the cuff of her sleeve.

"I know, but..." Waverly quietly says, not wanting to bring up the subject. "You know I don't like seeing it. I reminds me of the fact that this is my last life and I don't have another shot after this. And we know this life might be cut short..."

"Yeah, I know. But why don't you just focus on now instead of worrying about later? It's a lot easier and better for your mental health." I state.

"Easy for you to say." Waverly mumbles and I remember there's one more line on my wrist and the line marking my current life is solid black and bold. No fading.

Quickly, I divert from the conversation and change the topic to distract her.

"No PJ?" I ask her, a smirk forms on my lips as her cheeks flush with colour and her gaze diverts to her feet.

"Sh-shut up!" She says, playfully shoving me backwards.

"Ok, ok," I laugh, raising my arms in surrender. "But seriously, where is he?"

"With Chris I think."

"Chris? Isn't he the jerk that hangs out with Charlie and Alfie?" I puzzle, raising an eyebrow and tilting my head to the left slightly.

"What? No, Chris is cool!" Waverly laughs at my stupidity. It's my turn to blush. "You're thinking of Joe."

"Oh yeah, of course," I try to laugh my embarrassment away. "Wait, so which one is Chris then?"

"I'll point him out when I next see him. We should probably get to tutor now, we don't want to be late." Waverly nudges my arm with her elbow as we start walking to the Math block.

* * *

"What's wrong Howell? Too much of a wimp to fight back?" A voice mocks from around the corner.

"It wouldn't surprise me, seeing as he's too weak to stay on his own two feet." Another laughs, causing others to snicker as well.

I give Waverly a concerned look, which she mirrors back to me.

We turn the corner to see Charlie, Alfie and Joe crowded around a crouched down boy who looks like he's been hit several times, maybe even against the lockers that he's pressed up against. I instantly feel sympathy towards him and, before I know it, my body acts before my mind and I find myself intervening.

"Hey!" I shout, running in between the boy on the floor and the three bullies. I hold my arms out to the side, protectively guarding the boy on the floor.

"What do you think you're doing Lester?" Charlie snaps.

"Are you actually sticking up for Howell?" Alfie questions, a tone of sarcastic shock in his voice.