Growing Up Is Hard To Face

7th Grade history class POV Awsten

I sat down next to my best friend Remington in the corner of the library. I sigh and look over to him and whisper, "Hey...take the hood off and let me see."

He sighs as well but listens and pulls off his hood. I could see his black eye clearly now and his cheek was slightly pinker than his usual pale look. I grab his hand not noticing him blush. 

"You should tell a councilor or something...please Remmy I know it's hard and stuff but..I don't like it when you're hurt..." I say quietly turning to face him completely. 

"You know I can't do that Aws." Remington stated pulling his hood back up and standing. "Come on we have class to get to." he stated sighing. I followed along to our history class. We had the meanest teacher and I knew this was going to be a long day.

I sat in my seat next to Remington who kept his head down. 

"Mr. Kropp take off your hood now." Mrs. Armstrong snapped. Remington rolled his eyes and took his hood off covering his black eye with his bangs. I frowned watching him. I failed to focus in class because Remington wouldn't sit still. I scribbled onto a small piece of paper and slid it onto his desk. I looked back up at the teacher carefully. I glanced back to see Remington hesitate but write an answer and quickly slide it back to me, and I opened it.

'This morning my dad was pissed so he shoved us all out of the door early. I couldn't use the bathroom and now it kinda hurts.' 

I turned to him and sighed knowing fair well Mrs. Armstrong wasn't going to let him go. 

"Alright pop quiz everyone!" Mrs. Armstrong said evilly as she passed down the papers. I groaned along with the rest of the class as I passed back the quizzes. I wrote my name, which it's spelled 'Austin' but I like to spell it 'Awsten' at the top of my paper. I read through the first question which was easy and smiled to myself. A sudden whimper caught my attention though, as I turned to the sound. I saw my best friend with a hand in the pocket of his hoodie buried between his legs. I frowned. I've known him for what 9 years now and he's never had this kind of an issue since that one sleepover we had where he ended up wetting my bed.

"Remmy.." I whispered. I saw his face heat up as he pulled his hand away.

"What?" he whispered in an angry tone, he's never been mad at me before.

"I was just wondering if you're okay-"

"Fuck off Awsten." he growled lowly and gripped his pencil tighter.

I felt tears prick my eyes. I knew he didn't mean it and clearly he's just having a bad day but my feelings get hurt far to easily due to the amount of bullying I've endured. I keep my gaze down and continue my test. It started to smell kind of off and I heard some snickering so I looked up and saw Remington pissing his pants. He ran from the classroom to god knows where. The classroom burst into laughter and I felt fury in my heart. 

"Class settle down and finish your tests." Mrs. Armstrong growled as she called the janitor. I took that opportunity to run. She didn't even notice me leave which was a surprise but I honestly had no clue where Remington would go. I tried the nearest men's room and to my luck he was there. I could hear him angrily sobbing. 

"Remmy..?" I asked softly.

"God dammit Awsten I told you to FUCK OFF." I cringed at his voice being raised.

"Why are you so angry at me??" I asked hurt evident in my voice as I climbed under the stall. His face was red and tear stained and he pulled his hoodie down in attempt to hide his mess.

"I-i I'm not a-angry I- just.." He trailed off looking down. 

"Look you don't have to be embarrassed we've known each other for so long, I don't get why you're all shy and anxious around me all of a sudden. I'm not judging you, just why do you care what I think all of a sudden?"  I watch the look on his face for any sign of any emotion but I got nothing. 

"It's nothing.." he mumbled still not looking up at me. I sighed. 

"I'll go get you some pants okay?" I say softly before cupping his cheek gently. "I love you man okay?" Then I saw something in his eyes. Hope? Hope for what? I shrugged it off and went to grab spare clothes. 

~Time Skip To After School~

I waited outside and talked to my friend Ciara. She was fairly pretty and honestly I was probably gonna ask her out one day. I felt someone lean against me. I didn't flinch.

"Hey Remmy." I smiled and Ciara scoffed. I frowned at her.

"That's gay." she growled. I shrugged and felt Remington wince against me. He pulled my sleeve twice signaling me he was uncomfortable. 

"I gotta go Ci, me and Rem have to study. I'll text you later." I smiled and skipped off with Remington close next to me. 

I greeted my mom and sister, my dad was at work and brought Remington up to my room. We both sat on my bed, Remington was keeping distance from me so I pulled him in to cuddle me as we lie back on my bed.

"You've been really stressed recently. I feel like you've been keeping something from me." I say as I turn to my best friend whos now in tears. I sit up quickly. "Rem what's wrong..." I asked quickly, panicking and pulling him close. He just shook his head. I held him close and sighed. I kept him secure in my arms as he cried. I was really worried about him.