The heavy blanket overpowers me as I try to get up from the strong tangles of sleep. My alarm clock keeps ringing but I throw it across the room. When I sit up I instantly recognize that something's wrong. None of the alcohol bottles thrown across the room littered my room anymore. The TV is turned off and there's a small chair beside my bed. Then I notice the small garbage bag at the side of the room. Getting out of the small bed I throw my deep-blue sweater. I've worn it so much, the threads are falling off. Mom said she'd fix them but last night happened. Now I can't even ask her.

Taking my empty backpack, I race down the stairs. I pass by the narrow hallway, through to the living room, it's spotless the way my mom loves to keep it. There's no one in sight, the silence messes with my head. There's a granola bar, banana, and a small piece of note just sitting on the table.

I recognize Greg's handwriting instantly. It says, "Hey buddy, Mom got sick late at night so we're at the hospital, eat something before you go to school."

Crumbling up the note, I leave it on the floor. I'll be fine if I get to school right now, I'll buy something from the cafeteria. Locking the door, I start on the walk to school.

The groups of students loiter in their cliques. Passing by the tall girls, faces adorned with hoops and straightened hairs. They're watching the boys playing basketball in the school hoop. Everyone's chasing the last minutes before the bell rings.

I pass by Alec, who's talking to the smart kids, talking about the math test. When I'm almost up the stairs of the entrance of the school, he catches up to me.

"Dude, didn't you hear me calling your name."

"You said it once."

He smiles, running a hand through his hair. "Did you hear about the new coach?"

I turn my head to him. "No, what's happening."

He opens up the door of the gym. There's no one here yet except our coach. He waves, and we return the smile.

"Alec, get changed and start running. Troy, meet me here before you do the same."

Alec nudges me, winking, but doesn't stay anything. This is one of the reasons that I've always been able to hang with Alec. He'll know everything about everyone but will never come into my business.

I grudgingly walk in front of him. He's sorting the flags for football, it's all set in nets as people leave it after gym class.

"How are you feeling Troy?" He smiles as I approach him.

His concern doesn't surprise. This is probably protocol for the school or the vice-principal told him too.

"Yeah, I'm good."

"Son, I was once a teenager and I know that sometimes the banter between teammates can be encouraging."

He looks at me, and I wonder if I'm supposed to add anything. I just nod.

"But sometimes it can become more than that. Is everything alright with Marcus?"

I can't help thinking that nothing will ever change even if I tell him. It will only get worse. Mom already knows so I'm not afraid if he tells her.

"Give me a hand with this." He points to the bin filled with flags for our unit of flag football. "If he's bothering you or something like that, you can always tell me."

I carry it with him, and when his back is turned put the bin on top of the field. The other students walk in, and alongside them walk in some of Marcus's friends. At first, they are all goofing around, dancing, but when they see my looking it all changes. They start to point at the changeroom and laugh.

My heartbeat skyrockets, and maybe some other guy might not have been as scared. The others won't even bat an eyelid, letting them beat me up thinking it's a joke. But I'll end up with a broken rib, and perhaps even a concussion. They won't spare me any mercy for getting Marcus a suspension.

I smile at the coach. "No, we just had a disagreement, but we're okay."

"Alright, but you know you can talk to me, go get changed now."

I walk to get my sports bag near the door. Changing out of my sweater, I walk to the door when Coach turns his back. Sending a quick text to Alec to spare my back when Coach asks for me.

Walking into the library, the silence is my companion.

I don't know if the sun rays are beaming right at me through the windows. Or it's the stress from the gym that makes me go drowse off. My head hit the desk as soon as I got on the desk. Dreaming of a time that's better than reality. I don't want prince charming or riches in a new world, all I want is some relief.

When I open my eyes, I almost fall off my chair. A pair of brown, beautiful orbs are staring up at me. Her bright overalls and red shirt make my eyes squint. Her skin looks tan in the spot that she stands, right in the sunlight.

"If you were mine, I would never let you sleep like that."

Then I actually do fall off the chair.