Pray Before the Dawn

Chapter Thirteen

Author's Note: Sorry for the absence between publishing! However, you may be happy to know that I am back, so here's a surprise Tuesday publish. We'll be going back to a new chapter published every Friday, so stay tuned! I've also just learnt that at the time of writing this note, this book is trending at 22nd for Coldplay stories. I can't begin to tell you how much that amazes me, and I'm very grateful for all of you for reading this! We've got a long way to go, so buckle up and enjoy the ride. A quick reminder that I changed chapter twelve significantly, and it is vital that you read the most updated version to understand the rest of the story. Remember to comment, vote, and share!

Whistling along to a tune he made up as he went along, Jonny swung his sports bag around carelessly, wondering if the birds knew the difference between a human whistle and a bird whistle, and if he was going to get chicken nuggets for tea or if his Dad would try to make him eat another salad.

He was halfway back home to learn whether he would be forced to eat lettuce or not when he realised something terrible. He had, indeed, left his mum's favourite bakery tin in food technology. This was after had assured her this morning that he would be extra careful, and that, of course, he wouldn't leave it behind like he did with his football boots last Autumn.

Stopping dead in his tracks, Jonny let out a groan as he turned around, cursing himself for being so absent-minded. His sports bag flailed beside him. He stepped foot in the school, ran past the reception, and when he was finally running through the main corridor, he didn't notice at first that Andrew was mocking him.

"Running in the halls, Jonathan? Ooh you rebel, you."

Malcolm tripped him up. Jonny didn't fall, he only tottered a little further up the floor, with his arms outstretched. He was trying to stop himself from toppling over. Though Malcolm began to snicker at the tall, redheaded kid almost blowing over like a paper cup, Jonny didn't react.

Instead, he swung around, and noticed that Andrew's entire gang was there. Naturally, Andrew was at the front, tall and proud. Jeremiah stood to his left, and he couldn't seem to stop smiling. Neither could Malcolm, who pushed his glasses up with his signature vicious sneer. Owen and Francis stood on either side of the group with their arms folded, as if they were bodyguards.

Jonny straightened himself up, keeping the indifferent expression on his face and was about to walk past them when someone grabbed his arm. He startled, looking up and seeing that it was Liam who'd grabbed him. Jonny hadn't even noticed he was there.

"He's in the toilets," Liam whispered so low that Jonny nearly didn't hear him. It was then he noticed how Liam's hand was trembling as he held onto Jonny's arm, and how pale and sweaty his face was.

"What?" Jonny said, confused. Liam blinked as if realising he'd just made a mistake, and glared at Jonny, shoving him away.

Laughter roared as Liam stepped back into the group, welcome with encouraging slaps to his shoulders. "You picked the wrong side." He snapped, although there was a shake in his voice that convinced Jonny he wasn't as disgusted as he tried to be.

Andrew's gang left. Silence settled again. However, Jonny couldn't shake off the uneasy feeling that odd moment with Liam gave him. What did he mean? Who was in the toilets? What were they all doing in school, thirty minutes after the day was over?

Jonny stopped walking as it clicked, feeling fear dawn on him. But not fear for him; fear for someone else.

Chris.

Jonny turned around sharply, breaking into a full sprint. Toilets. He's in the toilets. Images raced in Jonny's mind of what they could've done to him. They looked so goddamn delighted, so proud of themselves. And Liam, every inch of him screamed of guilt.