The blonde boy

Chapter 3 ~ Let me help you

Rye's POV
I'd heard what Jack said to Andy in class, and I was very worried for him. Then I saw Andy running through the hallway to the washroom, and when I saw a razor blade in his hand my heart dropped. I knew what he was gonna do. I tried calling his name but he was crying so much he didn't hear me, so I followed him into the washroom. I heard him sobbing in a stall, but he went quiet when he realized someone was there.

"Andy, please come out." I said. "It's Rye, let me help you." It was silent. I didn't think he was gonna reply when I heard him say "Rye? Why are you here?" "I was worried about you." I replied. "I saw you run to the washroom and I thought I would follow you. You looked sad." "I'm...I'm fine." He said, but I knew it was a lie. "Please Andy, I know you're not. I saw you holding a razor blade, I'm really worried." "Why do you even care?" He said. My heart shattered, Of course I cared. But how was he supposed to know that? "Because I see it Andy. I see your pain. I see the bruises on your arms, and I see your eyes get duller every day. I know something's happening, and I know you're not ok. So please, let me in" He went silent, but then I heard the click of the lock on the stall. I opened the stall door to see him standing there with cuts all over both of his arms, and bruises on his face. I couldn't believe this had happened to him, the once happy boy I knew was gone. I didn't know what to say. "Oh god Andy, why would you do this to yourself?" I said. "Because I'm worthless." He replied, tears forming in his eyes. "No one likes me and I don't like me either." "Oh Andy, that's not true. I like you!" "Then why don't you talk to me?" He said, tears now streaming down his face. "Why did you abandon me? Why did you leave me for Sonny?!" "Because I was stupid!" I replied. "I wanted to be popular. I made a mistake and now I have to deal with it. I'm so sorry Andy." He looked into my eyes and quietly said "It's ok." I went over to embrace him but he flinched away like he thought I was going to hit him. That's when I noticed the bruises. There were new ones. "Andy, who did this to you?" I asked. He looked down. "Please, tell me. I'm here for you." "I...I can't." He said "Why?" I asked "I just can't. They'll get mad at me if I say anything and then-" He started to cry even more, and he was shaking. I put my arm around him slowly. "Shhh, you're gonna be ok." I said. "Two breaths in, two breaths out, ok? Like this" I showed him what to do and he followed me. After a few minutes he calmed down. "Are you ok?" I asked. "Yeah" He replied. I heard the bell ring and I was about to leave when he said "It was my Uncle. And Sonny. They're the ones that made the bruises." I turned around to face him. "Oh god Andy, I'm so sorry." I said.

I was about to say more and comfort him, when suddenly I heard a booming voice from behind me say "What are you doing talking to that loser Ryan?" I turned around to see Sonny. "I-I" I didn't know what to say, so I kept stuttering. I knew if I told Sonny the truth he would kill me, but if I lied then Andy would be crushed. I had somehow won Andy's trust back after years of ignoring him, and I wasn't going to lose it now. All I could say was "I don't know. I'm sorry". "You should be." Said Sonny. "Now go wait for me outside." I didn't wanna leave Andy but I knew what would happen if I stayed. "Ok." I replied, and with one last look at Andy I walked out of the bathroom. I then heard Sonny yelling at Andy, and I decided to listen in. "Now what did I tell you about Rye?" Sonny said. "I told you to stay away from him! He hates you so much, that's why he chose me over you!!" I could tell that Andy was holding back tears. He said "I know, I'm sorry, he came into the bathroom to talk to me, I didn't mean to start a fight!" "Well you did" Said Sonny angrily. "And now you are going to pay." I watched as Sonny grabbed Andy by the collar of his shirt and I heard Andy pleading with Sonny. "No please not again!" he said. I saw Sonny coming to the door and quickly dashed outside.
Sonny came to me soon after, dragging Andy along too. He then turned to Andy. "Andrew Fowler, you seem to think it's ok to keep talking to Rye even after I told you not to.  And Rye, you seem to be disobeying me and talking to Andy anyways even though I told you not to. Well, I'm gonna teach you both a lesson." Sonny delivered a quick punch to Andy's face, and Andy cried out in pain. Then Sonny said to me "Now you're going to finish the job, aren't you Ryan?"

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Sorry for taking so long to publish another chapter, I just didn't have much motivation. I'm back now though and I'm gonna keep writing! I hope you enjoyed this chapter :)
~ Claire