Chapter 1

"How's the medication going?"

Blaine looked up, his brow furrowed. "What medication?"

The other boy's smirk slipped from his face. "It was a joke, stupid."

"Aren't jokes supposed to be funny?" asked the girl to Blaine's left, glancing at the other boy like he wasn't worth her time.

Blaine's mind slowly grew less foggy, and he realized he had been insulted. He got to his feet, staring down the other boy as he opened his mouth to retort.

"Want to say that again?" he asked, his voice barely a whisper as he leaned in.

The other boy shook his head, angry. "Whatever! Weirdos!"

Blaine turned to the girl as the boy hurried off.

"I don't-"

"Need you to fight my battles. Yeah, I know." said the girl, standing up and brushing off her skirt. "But you looked... out of it. So. Anyway, my name is Harlow." She stuck out her hand.

Blaine scoffed. "I don't care. Leave me alone."

Harlow retracted her hand dramatically. "Fine. But I won't leave you alone. You'll be needing my help soon."

"No, I won't. Bye."

Blaine hooked his backpack over his shoulder and stalked off, and Harlow tilted her head, wondering when he would come back.

Because she knew he would.

"Another C! What's wrong with you, Blaine?"

Blaine shrank back at the loud words, trying not to let their eyes water.

"I studied! I promise, I just-"

A sharp slap sent them tumbling to the ground.

His mother stood over him, pointing accusingly.

"I said no more! No more grades below a B! And you can't even do that! What's wrong with you?"

Blaine stayed silent, clenching their jaw in pain.

"Answer me!"

"I- I tried! I just, the test was hard! Everyone got below a C! My grade was-"

"I. Didn't. Ask. About. Other. Kids!" Yelled their mom, punctuating each word with a slap.

Blaine kept their teeth clenched, trying not to cry.

Their mom sat down hard on the couch, sighing. Blaine took his chance and hurried off, trying to hide his tears.

"And you better not be crying! If you cry, I'll give you something to cry about!" Called their mother.

Blaine collapsed on his bed, shaking with anger and fear as he held his cheek.

Harlow's head shot up as she felt a pain pulse through her face. She knew what was happening, but she also knew she couldn't do anything about it. Not yet.

Still, she felt horrible for doing nothing.

She resolved to bring him ice the next day. It wouldn't do much, but it was all she could do for the time being.