Partners [Eddworld High School AU]

Blood

WARNING: SELF HARM AND SUICIDE MENTION AHEAD
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"N-no, don't call my dad!"

Tom thrashed on the bed, his arms being held down by Edd. The nurse was holding a phone halfway to her ear, debating whether or not to actually call. Edd was trying to calm his friend down.

"Tom, you're a mess! You can't be at school today!"

"Let me go, I could just rest! Please, just don't call him!" His voice shook, the sentence ending with a small hiccup. Edd froze, looking down at him.

"P-please..." Tears threatened to fall from Tom's face. He looked absolutely helpless.

"... Alright." The nurse stood up, setting the phone down. She didn't know why he always insisted on not calling his father. "Edd, why don't you go back to class? He'll be okay." The boy opened his mouth, but closed it and just walked out.

"Alright then... Tom, what's wrong?" She kneeled down beside him, looking him in the eyes.

"N-nothing..."

"C'mon, kiddo. I need to know what's happening so I can help."

"Please..."

She sighed and patted his arm. "Fine. You go ahead and get some rest."She said softly, standing up once more and going over to her desk. Tom let his eyes slip shut, letting out a breath as he fell asleep.
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Tord sat at his desk and sighed. He looked over at the empty seat next to Matt, where Tom always sat. Something was wrong with him, but... he didn't know what. Maybe he would ask him when they worked on the project again.
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"... Yes, he will be fine- sir, please calm down. Your son is going to be okay. He's healthy- no, he's not sick..."

Tom slowly blinked his eyes open, looking around. He heard the nurse hang up the phone, and felt his heart drop. She wouldn't...

"Hey, Tom... Your dad'll come pick you up in a few minutes." She said softly as she walked in. She seemed... uneasy, and tense. He sighed, curling into a ball and hugging himself. He did not need this today. Tom felt a hand on his shoulder.

"Hey, it'll be okay." She whispered, even though it wasn't very reassuring. There was a knock on the door, and heavy footsteps walked into the room. The nurse gave his shoulder one last pat, before walking out of the room. There was soft murmuring, before a man walked in and stood next to Tom.

"Dad.." Tom muttered, forcing himself to sit up. A large hand grabbed his arm, and pulled him onto his feet with enough force to hurt his shoulder a bit. The teen watched him walk out, before slowly following him. Everything hurt, and he hated it.

As he trudged down the hall, a few groups of kids walked by as they transitioned into their next class, completely avoiding Tom and his father's path. A few kids looked over and whispered to each other, but most of them ignored them. Tom saw Edd and Matt walking together, and they each gave him a look that made him feel worse. Tord glanced over for half a second, before talking with his friends again. Tom stared at the floor, deciding not to look at anyone.

His dad got into the driver's seat, silently starting the engine as Tom got in. The drive was uncomfortable, and the instant they pulled into the driveway, the boy ran inside his house, into his room, and slammed the door shut, twisting the lock. He stepped over to his bed, reaching under and pulling out his precious box.

He sat on the edge of the small mattress, opening the lid of the shoebox and throwing it aside. The teen grabbed a hold of the old pocket knife, instantly flicking it open and pulling up his sleeve.

His lower arm was laced with cuts and scars. Some were red and irritated, others were white and silvery. Didn't matter. No one cared. This was the only relief he could get.

The blade was pressed to his skin, beads of blood bubbling up a bit. Emotionless, he sliced the knife down his arm, the blood quickly beginning to flow. Tom frowned when there was no pain. He needed the pain.

The blade went deeper, and the blood came faster. The teen suddenly froze, getting a thought. Smiling slightly, the pocket knife hovered over the visible vein. All he needed to do was cut deeper, in that one spot. Then it would all be over.

Just as the metal pressed against his flesh, his phone began ringing.