Atticus didn’t tell James or his other friends it was his birthday. He felt awkward just announcing it, even though he knew they would want to know. He really hoped Riya hadn’t told anyone in her group. Although, if Blake wished him a happy birthday he was pretty sure he would feel a little happier.

Pushing that thought out of his mind, Atticus chatted with James in his next two classes, before eventually the lunch break arrived. Now was the time - he had to try touching Blake. He saw the man leave a classroom with Riya, and decided to head over to them.

Just as he was about to reach them, he felt the floor come up to meet him as he was forced onto the floor. Instinctively, he pushed his hands out to steady himself, but it only caused him to land heavily on his wrist, making him groan in pain.

Blake and Riya whipped around in time to see a familiar face, minus the broken nose, disappear around the corner. Riya swore in frustration, charging after Daniel’s vanishing figure. She wasn’t going to let him get away with this again.

Plus, if she left, Blake would have to help Atticus stand up. She didn’t realise he’d been injured in the fall, otherwise she would’ve never abandoned her friend. Nevertheless, Blake was left alone with Atticus groaning on the floor.

He instantly reached down, helping him to stand up. As soon as their hands touched, both boys felt a jolt through their bodies, heat and electricity and warmth. The two had eye contact, searching to see if the other had felt the same thing as them.

Atticus momentarily forgot about the pain in his wrist, his brain short-circuiting as he realised Blake was his mate. A massive grin spread across his face, which Blake couldn’t help but return. He had no idea what he’d just felt, but Atticus had felt it too, and seemed happy about whatever it was.

Regaining his balance, Atticus steadied himself using Blake’s arm, reluctant to let go. Blake wasn’t exactly about to move away from his touch, either.

And then the pain smashed into him, sending spasms of white-hot pain up the length of his arm. Atticus’s only reaction was a tiny wince, which Blake would have missed, had he not been staring into his eyes.

He decided to shelve what he’d seen in those eyes in the back of his mind whilst he got help for Atticus, who was clearly in pain. “Can I have a look?” He asked gently, his other arm still around Atticus’s back. The latter nodded, pulling back his sleeve gently to reveal a nasty bruise forming around the bone.

“That looks bad; let’s get you to the nurse’s office.” Atticus nodded, biting his lip in order to show as little reaction to the pain as possible.

Blake didn’t let go of him, even after they reached the office.

The nurse instructed Atticus to sit down on the bed so he could take a look at his wrist, and reluctantly, Blake released Atticus from his grasp. After a quick inspection, the verdict was in.

“How did this happen again? It’s quite bad, I’m surprised it doesn’t hurt. Either that or you have a great poker face. I can’t give you painkillers because you’re supposedly not in pain, but, you should go to the hospital for this.”

Atticus nodded, although he knew it’d be healed in a few days. If Daniel kept injuring him, people were going to notice his speedy healing. Standing up, Blake guided him out of the room, with his hand pressed gently to his back.

Delicious warmth spread from his touch, making Atticus smile despite the pain. Blake had texted Riya explaining what’d happened, and she had arranged for Ceyden to come pick Atticus up. Blake walked with him to the gate in complete silence, afraid that if he spoke even a single word, he wouldn’t be able to contain his anger towards Daniel.

And himself. He felt like he’d failed to protect him again. Like he could have prevented it, if only he’d turned around sooner. I could have caught him, and now he wouldn’t be hurting again. Reaching the gate, Blake saw Riya standing with a tall man whom had light brown hair and brown eyes, holding Riya’s hand.

As soon as the man saw Atticus, he let go of Riya’s hand and rushed over, checking his injury. His expression darkened to the same shade as the bruise. “I’m sorry Atti, but we have to tell dad.” Atticus’s eyes widened, and he shook his head.

“No! This isn’t that bad! He didn’t even do much, I tripped on my own.” Blake, Riya and the man all frowned. “That’s such bullshit and you know it,” Riya snapped. Atticus stared at the floor. “Why don’t you want to tell him?” The man asked, his eyes kind and affectionate.

“I- I just don’t want people to know.”

While the man seemed to understand Atticus’s worries, Riya was getting more and more frustrated. “Atti, listen. This isn’t going to stop. Yeah, maybe you can put up with the pain. You shouldn’t have to, but you could. But what if it becomes a repeat of two years ago?”

Blake felt Atticus’s absence immediately as he abruptly pulled away, his good hand shaking slightly. “Shut the fuck up, Riya.”

He walked quickly to the car, pulling open the door and sliding in. The man glanced at Riya, who looked like she was already regretting saying anything. “You didn’t tell me anything near the full story, did you.”

It wasn’t a question, and Riya laced her fingers together, trying to think of a response to her boyfriend. “Listen, Ceyden? He won’t talk about it. I shouldn’t have even brought it up. Atti isn’t ready to talk about it, and I- I’m just scared for him.”

Ceyden sighed, running a hand through his hair. “We’ll deal with this later. I’m getting him home, and you should apologise for bringing up a sensitive topic. I’ve never heard Atti sound so pissed.”

Riya hugged her arms around herself, grimacing before Ceyden kissed her on the cheek, and got in his car, driving off.