Heyyyy //OxO// LGBTQ+???//CLOSED

"Irene… l-let's just leave, please…" Lloyd cowered a bit under the taller boys' glares. The guys didn't answer Irene, but the pieces were starting to fall into place.

Irene realized what was obvious. "Ohh… Yeah, uh, we should go…" She turned around and started to leave.

One of the guys grabbed Lloyd's arm, preventing him from leaving. "P-Please, Kaden… I… I-I don't want any trouble…" "So you'll do it?" "Y-Yes! Yes, just… please don't hurt me…" Lloyd's arm trembled in Kaden's grasp.

(Also, feel free to do something to Irene… only if you would like lol)
Irene spun around, confused and angry. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?! Kaden, is it, I don't know what you are trying to accomplish here, but I assure you it's not a good idea." Inside Irene was terrified for Lloyd and possibly herself, but she could never let them know, not even a little.

"It's none of your business." Lloyd glanced over at Irene helplessly before he got punched, first in the face, then in the chest. "K-Kaden! I said I'd do it! Please… s-stop…" Another of the guys was slowly approaching Irene.

Irene went in front of Lloyd, facing him. "L-Lloyd?! Are you okay!?" Irene lowered her voice. "What is going on? I-I mean what do they want from you? Also, why have you neglected to tell me any of this?"

"It's nothing serious… t-they just want me to do their homework." Lloyd spotted the guy coming up behind Irene. "Irene!" He pulled her back, getting punched in the shoulder and falling backwards roughly with Irene.

Irene fell with Lloyd and tried to catch herself as well as Lloyd, she slowed down the fall but didn't catch herself. She quickly stood back up and tried to help Lloyd up as well.

Lloyd was breathing heavily at this point, clearly starting to panic. He shakily took Irene's hand, pulled himself up, and started to run.

Irene turned towards the group of guys. "Don't you freaking dare touch him again!" Damn, that wasn't threatening at all… Nonetheless, Irene followed Lloyd in a sprint.

Lloyd turned back to make sure Irene was following, blinking away tears as he started to hyperventilate. Once she caught up, he stayed by her side until they'd run all the way back to her house.

Irene quickly unlocked the door and took Lloyd inside. She lead him to the couch and curled up next to him, making sure to hold him tight in a hug.

Lloyd trembled violently, just letting Irene hug him as he tried to force himself to calm down. "I'm sorry… I-I'm so sorry…" He whispered repeatedly.

For every apology Lloyd said, Irene, countered it with an "It's ok… no need to apologize…"

Eventually, Lloyd started weakly hugging Irene back, though he was still shaking. "D-Did they hurt you?"

"I… I don't think so, but I know they hurt you…" Irene hesitantly let go and went to get something to help his wounds. "So where did they punch you?" Irene came back and sat down on the couch again.

Lloyd gestured to his forming black eye and his chest quietly, trying to control his breathing.

"Oh… let me go get some ice actually." Irene ran to the kitchen, got some ice and put it in a bag, then ran back. She gave some to Lloyd for his eye and she placed the other on his chest.

"T-Thanks…" Lloyd held the ice up to his eye, wincing at its cold sting at first. "You don't have to worry about me… I-I'm used to this kind of thing by now…"

"You know I will stop at anything to help you, right? It is physically impossible to not help you. I don't care if you're used to it, I'm going to help you no matter what."

Lloyd nodded, looking down at the couch guiltily. "I'm sorry…"

"And there's no need to be sorry, that's just what friends do." Irene held Lloyd in a hug again.

"I know, but you didn't have to get tangled up in that whole mess… you could've gotten hurt." Lloyd hugged her back gently.

"I'm glad I know now though. Yes, I could have been hurt, but you've been hurt way more than me and I don't want you to be anymore."

Lloyd nodded shakily. "It's… th-they've been doing it since the beginning of the year… since they knew I skipped a grade…" He admitted in a whisper, still hugging Irene.

Irene lightly rubbed Lloyd's back. "That's terrible! How can anyone stand that for this long? I can tell a teacher or maybe the principal for you… you would have to come with me, of course."

"Okay… I-I'm just scared they'd get worse if I turned them in…" Lloyd closed his eyes, sighing.

Irene slowly breathed and thought for a moment. "But they could also be suspended and if it continues after they get back from suspension, then they could be expelled."

Lloyd nodded again. "I… Alright. But I'm definitely going to need you to come with me. You know how I can't speak properly when I get nervous."

"As I said, I can talk to them for you if you would like since it's hard for you to talk when you get nervous." Irene smiled.