In Too Deep

It was a beautiful day in California. Even in December, the sun was shining bright and only a small chill in the air wrapped its embrace around the teenagers that were making a path into Claremont High School. It was a normal day beside the excitement that was radiating from winter formal and the fact that it was the last day until Winter break.
"Did you hear that Kellin and Amy hooked up at the dance?"
"I heard that Vic Fuentes came out as gay. I always knew he was a faggot." The chatter of rumors floated around outdoor hall ways. The teenagers were at their lockers when one of the big source of the rumors, Kellin Quinn, walked in the entrance with his usual flock of friends and Amy on his arms. They were seen as the perfect couple. He was rich, smart, and handsome while she had blonde hair, perfect body, and gorgeous looks. Kellin was the guy every man wanted to be and every girl wanted to sleep with. As Kellin was making his way to his locker, he bumped into someone.
"Hey watch where you're fucking going?" Kellin snapped. His friends laughed behind him. The other boy kept his face hidden behind his shoulder length brown hair. He muttered something and started to pick up his belongings that where scattered around Kellin's feet. The halls were hushed as they looked at the scene that was playing out in front of them. Kellin glared at everyone. He tried to make his way around the boy on the ground but Amy gripped his arm. He looked at her and saw she was looking at the boy on the ground with evil delight.
"You're Vic, right?" The boy look up with fear flashing in his eyes. Kellin felt sympathy for Vic. Amy's voice was high and snobby as she looked at Vic with total disgust. "Hey Jake." She looked at one of the people that is always attached to Kellin's side. "Let's show Vic here what we do with fags." She made a motion with her fingers and next thing everyone knew, a very frightened Vic was shoved into a locker. As the locker slammed shut, Vic started banging on the metal while screaming. Kellin closed his eyes and turned his head away. He hated this but he could never stand up to his so-called friends.
"Let's just get out of here. Please." Kellin whispered the last part to himself. He felt sorry for Vic. Kellin said goodbye to Amy and his friends, going to his locker he glanced back at where Vic was still locked up. He saw four boys surrounding the locker trying to open it. He saw a familiar face. Kellin felt his breathing hitch. It couldn't be him. He looked so broken. Kellin made his way into his first period class, not caring if he was really early. Before he could go through the door he felt he was being watched. Right as the door closed to the classroom, Kellin got a good look of Vic Fuentes glaring at him with such hatred.

Vic couldn't believe that he was just shoved into a locker. It was such a cliché thing to do. He was just glad that Tony was good a picking locks. All this because he was gay. He thanked his friends and started towards his first period class that, much to his distaste, he had with Kellin. He felt someone grab his hand and pull him into a bone crushing hug. He could see the person so he took a second to breathe in a familiar scent.
"Oli? What ar..." Vic had a finger pressed on his lips before he could say anymore. Oli gave him a small sad smile. The thin teenager looked so broken. His tattooed arms were hidden by his winter hoodie and his brown short hair was starting to fall into his eyes. His very sad hazel eyes. Vic noticed he was avoiding eye contact and playing with something in his pocket. "Oli? What's wrong? You look like you are going to cry?" Vic place his hands on either side of Oli's face making their eyes lock.
"Vic you have to promise me something?" Oli wrapped his arms around Vic's waist, pulling them together so their chests were touching. Vic was looking up at Oli, considering that Oli had 5 inches or more on Vic. Vic heard somebody mutter fag as they walked by but Vic chose to ignore them. Oli put their foreheads together, he sighed.
"What d-do you n-need me t-t-to pro-m-mise?" Vic mentally facepalmed. Even though Oli and him didn't have that sort of relationship, he couldn't help but get flustered when someone touched him with such affection. Oli kissed his cheek lightly causing Vic's face to burn bright red.
"I need you to promise that you'll get better. That you will stop hurting yourself. I want you to be happy Vic. I want you to get your first kiss and fall in love. And I want you to know," Oli paused. Vic wiped away the stray tears that were falling down Oli's face. "It's not your fault Vic. You couldn't have stopped this if you tried." Vic felt a red flag go up at Oli's words. Oli removed his hands from Vic's waist as the warning bell rang.
"Oli, what are you saying?" Oli shrugged and started to walk away from where they were once standing. Vic shivered as the wind blew around him reminding that Oli's embrace was so warm. He watch as Oli opened the door to his first period class. "Oliver! What the fuck did you mean?!" Vic yelled at his friend.
"You'll find out soon enough Vic." He said with a sad smile. "You better go. You don't want to be late to class." And with that Oli left a very confused Vic, walking into his class to his normal seat in the back. He had to talk to Oli. And soon. But Vic would have to swallow his nerves and get through three class periods with Kellin to see Oli again. Vic need to know what the hell was going on.

*Lunch Time*

The chatter of teenagers filled his head. His thoughts were clouded. Was he really doing this? Did he really want to scar people for life? Yes, he decided, that's what he would do. He would teach people that the things they say and what they do, even in high school, could cause a person to be so broken.
He walked past the girls who were taking down flyers and posters from Winter Formal. He remembered that night. It was one of his fondest memories with his friends. He smiled to himself as he made his way into the loud quad. He stood in the middle of the grass and looked around. Kellin wasn't far away. He was sitting at the base of a small tree, not eating anything, and staring blankly into the sky. He scanned some more. He found his friends. They started waving him over. He looked at Vic. He felt the tears welling back up into his eyes. Vic was worried about him. The boy he loved was worried.
"I have something to say!" The boy screamed. Everyone's eyes were on him. He pulled his hoodie over his head. He planned this and wasn't wearing a shirt. Everyone gasped as they look at the teenager in front of them. It looked as if he hadn't eaten in weeks and there were cuts fresh and old all over his arms and hips. He was broken. He bent down and pulled a small handgun from his hoodie pocket. He fired a shot into the air. Kellin and Vic shot up from their seats on opposite side of the quad. Vic stopped short as the boy pointed the gun at Kellin. Kellin paused and put his hands up in defense.
"Oli? What are you doing man?" Kellin watched as tears pooled around Oli's face. He started waving the gun around causing people to duck and scream. "Don't do this. Think about it."
"I called the police!" Someone called in the middle of the crowd. Vic took a few steps closer to Oli. If he could get the gun out of Oli's hands, he would be safe. Oli's dry laugh stopped Vic in his tracks.
"You don't get it do you. I have thought about this." Oli gave a strangled sob. "I can't keep pretending I'm okay. Not even for the boy I love." Oli looked at Vic. Tears were flowing out of all three of the boys. Kellin took a step forward. Oli clicked the gun. Making sure the safety was off. Kellin looked at him with wide eyes.
"Oli, we can talk about this. Come on we are friends. Just put down the gun." Oli laughed. He could hear police sirens getting closer. That was quicker than Oli expected.
"Friends? Kellin, really?!" He started waving the gun around. "You left me! I save your life and you left me to rot! You wanted to be mister popular and star quarterback! I did everything I possibly could to make sure that you made it out on top and you left me in the dust. And for what? To go fuck random girls and get wasted. Fucking brilliant, mate!" Kellin shook his head. He didn't want to hear this. This was all a bad dream. Kellin would wake up and go to school where Oli and him were best friends again. This couldn't be happening.
"Oli?" Kellin and Oli looked over to a very shaken up Vic. Kellin could see from hear that Vic was trembling. His eyes were over flowing with tears. Oli's face softened when he saw the state Vic was in.
"Vic, do you want to know what good came from me being thrown away?" Vic nodded, letting silent whimpers fall from his lips. "I met you." Vic would give anything to run forward and wrap his arms around the boy who was looking at him with such fondness, to receive his first kiss from this boy. Oli turned his focus to Kellin. "I need you to do something for me Kellin." Kellin let in a shaky breath as tear silent fell down his face.
"Anything. If you put the gun down." Oli chuckled.
"Oh dont worry the gun will be put down." He looked up at Kellin with a serious face. "I want you to piece Vic here back together. And for fuck sakes, let him know the real you, mate. It will be good for you. Both of you." Oli could hear the police running towards the quad. He put the gun under his jaw. "Vic look away." Kellin looked at Vic, who looke like he was going to collapse onto the ground. He wanted nothing more than to run and wrap his arms around his wonderful body, telling him everything will be okay. Wait, wonderful? Kellin returned his eyes to Oli catching a very confusing but knowing smile.
"Please. I'm begging you. Don't do this Oli." The police ran in to the scene guns pointed at the shirtless scrawny boy.
"You are too late. Goodbye Kellin." A police man was running towards Oli. Everything seemed like it was in slow motion. Oli closing his eyes, the police man jumping towards him, Vic falling on the ground sobbing, and the undenialable sound of a gun fire ringing though the school.
"Nooo!!" Vic and Kellin scream at the same time. Vic collects himself and starts running towards Oli. Kellin was faster though and caught Vic in a warm embrace. Vic started struggling against him.
"Get off of me Kellin! I need to see if he is okay." Kellin tightened his grip and grabbed his head.
"Vic! Stop! The officer didn't get there in time. He's dead." Vic stopped struggling. Kellin turn so he was looking at Oli. "I don't think you should see this Vic." Vic tightened his grip on Kellin's jacket. Kellin glance at him and saw he was looking at Oli as well. He pulled Vic closer in his arms.
"He looks so peaceful. So happy." Vic whispered into Kellin's neck. Kellin looked back at Oli's corpse. Oli had a small smile on his lips. It looked as if he was sleeping while having the best dream of his life. The only think that gave him away was the blood that was pooled around him and the nasty exit wound. All Kellin could do was nodded to acknowledge that he heard what Vic said.
"You son of a bitch." Kellin whispered. "You were my only true friend and you are just going to leave me here." Kellin felt Vic tighten his grip and start crying harder. Kellin looked back to the corpse and then his gaze fell to the gun. It was down. Kellin choked back a sob. He would keep his promise. He would pick Vic back up and hopefully he could help himself. He would let his walls down little by little. He felt Vic's arms wrap around his back and pull him closer.
"Please, d-d-don't ev-ev-ever le-le-ave m-me." He heard Vic sob into the crook of his neck. Kellin kissed Vic on the top of the head. He looked back at Oli then back to the broken boy in his arms. Could he keep his promise? Could he accomplish what Oli so desperately asked for?
"I won't ever leave you Vic. I promise."