So I went back to school the next day and I stayed there like my Uncle wanted but I wasn't happy to hear what my first period teacher wanted to talk about with me.
"I think it's time you bring your Uncle in for a conference." My teacher said.
"Why?" I asked.
"Because you've been missing school too much and i'm afraid that if you don't try to get your grades up by the time the semester ends, you'll have to go to summer school."
I sighed. "I don't think my Uncle can come."
"Why not?" She asked.
"Because...my Uncle is very busy with his fishing shop."
"I'm sure he can take 5-10 minutes out of his store to come and talk to me."
I pouted. I couldn't think of any other excuse so I just left the subject alone. That's pretty much how my day went. More kids kept teasing me of course but since I was more worried about my Uncle having a talk with my teacher, I barely listened to the teasing. And then when I got home, things weren't any easier.
"Nash! What the hell!? What happened to the fish!?" Uncle shouted.
"What do you mean?" I asked as I stood in the shop with a broom.
Uncle came out with a fish that fell out of the bucket that day when I met Cy.
"This! What happened!?" He asked as he held out the fish to me.
I sighed. "You wouldn't believe me..."
"Try me."
"Okay. Some guys walked by and tripped me." I said.
"That's it? THAT'S your excuse? I ought have you go out and catch more fish." He said then sighed. "Forget it. Just go back to sweeping." He said then disappeared into the locker room. I frowned then silently went back to sweeping.
***
"Nash! What's this I hear about a teacher conference!?" Uncle shouted at me as we both stood in the kitchen.
"Oh...that..."
"She tells me that you're in danger of failing the grade and have to go to summer school!?"
I avoided his gaze.
"What's with you these days? Is your head in the clouds?"
I didn't say anything.
"ANSWER ME!"
"Yeah well WHAT IF IT IS!?" I shouted back.
"Don't you raise your voice at me, boy!"
"WHY NOT!? WHY DO YOU CARE ABOUT ANYTHING I DO!?!" I shouted then ran out the door.
"NASH! GET BACK HERE! I'M NOT FINISHED WITH YOU YET!"
"YEAH? WELL I AM!" I shouted back and ran all the way to the docks. It was late at night so nobody was really around which is perfect because I need time to myself. I walked over to the edge of the dock and stared into the water. Things just seemed to be getting worse and worse for me and I don't know how to stop it. I started to feel tears run down my face. I sniffed and rubbed my eyes.
"I wish you were here mom and dad..."
Then, without thinking, I let myself fall into the water. I didn't struggle or anything. I just let the water take me into its clutches and quite frankly, I didn't want to be saved. I slowly closed my eyes and waited. My lungs started to burn from lack of oxygen but I didn't move or do anything. I just...kept floating. I felt the darkness taking me when someone jumped into the water and grabbed me. The person pulled me out of the water and laid me down on the dock. Then the person started to put presser on my chest and give me mouth to mouth.
After ten tries, I coughed up water and slowly opened up my eyes to see Cy. I blinked my eyes as I stared at him. He helped me sit up and that's when my Uncle came running up to us. I was waiting for Uncle to start shouting at me but he didn't. He just stood there and stared at me.
"You're foolish for doing this." He started.
"We should take him inside." Cy said.
Uncle didn't object. Cy and Uncle took me back to the house. Cy carried me upstairs to my room and laid me on my bed. Then he started to take my shoes and socks off. Uncle sighed as he watched me.
"I'm going to have a talk with your teacher and see what she has planned for you. YOU, however, stay in bed and get some rest okay?" He said then walked out of my room. That's when Cy turned to me and started to ask me questions.
"Why did you do it?" He asked, sitting on my bed.
"I couldn't take it anymore. My Uncle keeps yelling at me, kids at school keep picking on me. I couldn't take it." I explained.
"I wish you would've told me."
I nodded. "I know but I didn't want to become a burden to you."
Cy shook his head. "I don't care. I don't like seeing my friends hurt."
I smiled softly.
"Well, I should get going." He said, standing up. I quickly grabbed his hand.
"Stay with me...please?" I pleaded.
Cy watched me then nodded with a smile. "Sure."
I slowly sat up. "Lemme go get you something to sleep on."
Cy stopped me. "Lay back down. I'll get it."
I did what he said and watched him leave me room. Tonight was the first time I've ever let someone sleep over at my house. In MY bedroom. It was pretty exciting and comforting. Cy laid on blankets next to my bed. We both said goodbye and I went to sleep. Though, as I was sleeping, I didn't know that Cy had gotten up and left my house in the middle of the night.
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