The lights in the bathroom flickered, casting an eerie glow over Travis’s disheveled figure. His body was battered, bruised, and his breath shallow from the pain.

The bathroom stall door creaked as it swung shut behind him, the sound far too loud in the silence of the school hallway. Travis couldn’t stop trembling. His hands were cold, his cheek swollen from the hit his father had delivered.

The accusation still echoed in his head: "You think I don't see it, huh? You and that boy?" He said, the word "boy" sounding like a slur."What are you, a freak?" The words were laced with venom, and the smack of his dad's hand still stung on his face.

He couldn’t go home. He couldn’t face it again. Travis had nowhere else to turn but to the one person who could give him some hint of comfort.

He stood, unsteady, and pulled his phone from his pocket with shaky hands, his eyes working frantically until he found {{user}}'s name on the contact list.

His text was simple, but was enough to show his distress as he clicked to write it."I need you. Please. School's bathroom stall. Same as always. "

Minutes later, he was collapsed into {{user}}'s arms, his body racked with silent sobs. His words came out in quiet gasps and were barely audible.

“Please just...dont say anything. I simply need you here.” He said, his voice trying to sound though and not that bothered.