It’s been 2 days since Tegan was in hospital and Vic is already trying to help her. He has given her a packet of all the schools extracurricular activities to see if there’s anything she might find interesting. He’s offered to help with her studying, more than he already does. He really does want to see her get better and she is finally willing to accept the help.

People at school now know that they’re dating too. Vic and Tegan have always held hands during school but yesterday was the first time since they were dating that they did so, they may have also kissed in the corridor. One of Vic’s exes came over and questioned them. They both thought she would be angry for some reason but she was actually really calm.

“So you two are dating then?” Kelly asked

“Uh, yeah” Vic replied

“I always knew you two had something, even if neither of you saw it” The girl responded

“Apparently a lot of people did” They both laughed “When you came over I thought you’d go mad at me” Vic admitted

“Why would I? I’m actually happy you two finally saw what everyone else did. Besides I’m happy with Kevin now too” She comforted.

“Well, thanks I guess” Vic said. Tegan hadn’t said much since she didn’t really know what to say. She nodded in agreement though.

“Well I gotta go, you kids have fun” Kelly joked and went on her way.

“That was weird” Tegan said.

“Yeah, weird” Vic agreed.


Later that day Tegan went home on her own since Vic had some sort of club that he needed to attend.

“Will you be okay?” Vic asked as he walked Tegan to the doors of the school.

“Yes, I have some homework to do, so when I get in I’ll just sit in the kitchen and do that. Honestly you don’t have to worry?” Tegan loved how helpful Vic was being but wished that he would cool it down a little.

“Okay, be good” He gave her a wink and kissed her before going back to the classroom that he was needed in.


When Tegan got home she heard Mike’s music echo throughout the house.

“Great” She mumbled to herself as she made her way to the kitchen to make herself a snack.
She was about to start on her Math homework when she realised she just wouldn’t be able to concentrate with that ‘rap shit’ that Mike was playing, as she called it.

She decided she would see if he would turn it down, she knew how unlikely that would be but gave it a try anyway.

“MIKE” She called as she walked up the stairs “MIKE” She banged on his door. He wasn’t answering, “Probably smoked so much he passed out” she mumbled to herself.

Tegan decided to let herself in and turn his stereo off but when she opened the door Mike wasn’t in his room. She looked on both sides of the bed to see if he had fallen off, but nothing. She went and turned his stereo off anyway, thinking he must have gone out and left it on.

When she turned it off she heard someone crying, if Mike’s not here then who the hell is crying. She listened harder and noticed it was coming from Mike’s bathroom. Tegan tried to open the door but it was locked so she knocked on it.

“GO AWAY” He shouted through to her

“Mike, open the door” She demanded “Why are you crying?”

“I’m not, just fuck off” He said with as steady a voice as he could get.

“Mike don’t lie to me just open the fucking door” She was slightly worried “If you don’t I will break this door down” She threatened.

After a few minutes, Tegan gave up arguing and found the key to Mike’s bathroom in his bedside draw. She never understood why his bathroom had a lock and key but right now she was thankful for it. When she walked in she didn’t expect to see what she did. Never in a million years.

“Mike give me that” Tegan demanded as Mike was putting the blade against his leg once more.

“FUCK OFF” He screamed at her, tears cascading down his cheeks.

“No, Mike, I’m not just going to leave knowing that you’re doing this” She was knelt beside him and as he pulled his hand back Tegan took the opportunity and snatched the blade from his hand. She got up and before Mike could do anything he heard the toilet being flushed.

“What the fuck have you done?” He cried at her. She has never seen him this vulnerable.

Tegan then began to wet some tissues and knelt down once more, wiping at Mike’s thigh.
“Why would you do this Mike?” She looked up at him, hurt in her eyes. She may hate him to death but she wouldn’t wish this upon anyone, her worst enemy included.

“Well you said it yourself. I don’t care about anyone or anything but myself. I’m rude and nothing but a dick. Why wouldn’t I do this?” He looked away from her.

“You may be those things, I’m not going to say you’re not but shit Mike, that doesn’t mean you do this” Tegan got up and looked through the cupboards for some bandages. When she found them she placed them over Mike’s cuts.

“Think about how Vic or your parents would feel if they saw you doing this. How heartbroken they would be. You’re better than this” She gave him a reassuring smile but it wasn’t enough to convince him.

“Whatever, are you done because I would very much like you to fuck off now” Mike spat at her. She couldn’t believe him, but at the same time she understood. She pushed him away when he tried to help her.

“I was only trying to help” She whispered as she put the last piece of tape over the gauze and walked out of his bathroom.

“Well know you know how it feels” He called after her.

“Yeah and I also know how you’re feeling right now. See there’s a difference between the two situations Mike. You never did coke but I-“ She stopped herself and carried on walking but Mike wasn’t finished with the conversation.

“You what?” He pushed.

“Nothing, I have homework to do so keep your noise down” She walked out of his room and slammed his door shut. Tegan fought back the tears that she knew were about to fall. When back downstairs she couldn’t stomach her food, so threw away the sandwich she had made before putting on her headphones and starting on her homework.


Later that night, after dinner Tegan decided she would go for a walk. She wanted to tell Vic what happened with Mike, she knew she had to but she also needed to clear her head. She almost let slip on the thing that ONLY Vic knows about. She couldn’t believe she almost told another person and she needed to calm herself down.

Vic was in the basement, playing around on his guitar when Mike came down the steps and joined him.

“Uh hey Vic?” Mike ran a hand through his hair, Vic looked up at his brother and noticed how odd he was being.

“Yeah?” He asked cautiously

“Did uh, did Tegan used to, uh cut?” Vic was taken off guard, how the fuck did Mike know.

“What are you talking about Mike?” He couldn’t tell her secret.

“It’s just she said something earlier and it sounded like-“ Vic was now stood with worry across his face.

“Sounded like what Mike?” He shouted

“Like I don’t know, we were arguing over something earlier and it sounded like she… I don’t know” Mike had noticed the worry on Vic’s face and in his body language and he was suddenly scared. Even more scared than when Vic said he was going to the hospital with Tegan.

“Vic where’s Tegan?” Mike asked now letting the worry drip from his tongue.

Vic ran upstairs to find his phone in the kitchen, Mike quick on his heels. Vic’s hands were shaking when he pressed his speed dial. The phone kept ringing but no answer. He tried again and again when the front door opened and Tegan walked through it. Vic wasted no time pulling her into a, very, tight hug.

“I was so fucking worried. Why didn’t you answer your phone?” Vic asked after he let go, looking directly into her eyes. He could tell she’s been crying.

“I went for a walk Vic, no biggie and my phone died. Why are you so panicked? I told you I was going out” Tegan had no clue what was going on.

“Come with me” Vic took Tegan’s hand and led her to his room. Mike felt a rush of relief flow over him but from the actions of Vic in the last few minutes he knew that Tegan did in fact cut, well he didn’t know if she still does but he felt bad; bad that she had to clean his leg and throw away his blade. That must have been so triggering for her. He went up to his room and turned on the shower.

“Tegan let me see your wrists” Vic instructed.

“My god Vic, you can’t be serious?” Tegan protested, making herself look more guilty.

“Yes Tegan I am, somehow Mike knows that you used to do it and then you go out and you’ve clearly been crying so I’m worried” He said as softly as he could.

“Fine, here” She pulled up her sleeves to reveal no fresh cuts, just the very faint scars that surrounded her wrists. You wouldn’t even notice them unless you really looked or knew they were there.

“I haven’t done it in 2 years Vic. When you got me better, I stayed better. But Mike…” She trailed off, knowing how hard this was going to be to say and for Vic to hear.

“But Mike what?” He pushed just as Mike did to her earlier.

“He’ll hate me for doing this but it’s for the best” She said more to herself than anything.

“Tegan” Vic said firmly ushering her to go on. Tegan let out a sigh and continued.

“I found him earlier, his thighs. I helped him clean up and then we had an argument where I almost slipped up and told him. That’s why I had to go out because my mind was running a mile-a-minute and I needed some space. I’m not going to do that again and when I saw Mike doing it I got… I just… I don’t know” She couldn’t find the right words. Vic was now crying lightly and Tegan pulled him into an embrace. She knew he didn’t deserve to go through this again, with her it was enough. He shouldn’t have to see his baby brother go through it as well. Tegan felt like she really could use some drugs right now but shook the thought from her mind. Telling herself that it wasn't fair on Vic.

“I’m sorry you had to see him like that, it probably bought back so much” Vic whispered into her neck.

“Vic don’t worry about it, I’m fine. Maybe you should go and talk to Mike though, he could use you right now” Vic nodded, kissed Tegan on the forehead and went up to Mike’s room. He let himself in and sat on the bed, waiting for Mike to get out of the shower.

“Mike, please talk to me” Vic said as soon as his brother emerged.

“How’s Tegan?” Mike asked, they may not like each other but when something like this is involved things like petty hate for one another goes out the window.

“Tegan is fine but she told me what happened earlier. And before you get mad at her don’t. She’s looking out for you so don’t you dare go off at her. Now tell me”

Mike gave up and after getting dressed joined his brother on the bed. Mike told Vic about all the shit going on in his head. How he felt bad when Tegan was in the hospital because if only he had told Vic when he first found out, he could’ve prevented it. Vic got slightly mad that Mike didn’t tell him but let his brother carry on. Mike continued to say how he felt useless not only because of that but because he never does anything for his family, he just treats everyone like shit and has no real friends. People are only friends with Mike because he’s rude to teachers and gets high and throws wicked parties. Mike told Vic how he feels shallow and empty and he doesn’t like the person he’s become.

They shared a brotherly hug and both of them had tears coming down their face. By the time their talk was over it was 9:00pm and Vic wanted to cheer the 2 most important people in his life up so made them get dressed up.

“Why do I have to get dressed? I just got ready for bed” Tegan moaned as Vic changed his shirt.

“Because you, Mike and I are going to a party” There are these two guys that I want to ask to join the band with Mike and me and they’re having a party tonight and we could all do with some cheering up.

“Okay” Tegan stood up and pulled on a pair of shorts with one of Vic’s shirts and some Dr Martens. “How do I look?” Tegan asked as she spun around.

“Perfect, as always” Vic kissed her when they were interrupted by Mike clearing his throat in the doorway.

“Are you two lovebirds ready yet?” They both chuckled and nodded.

“Let’s go party” Tegan called as she followed the brothers out of the house, Vic had to run back indoors because he forgot his phone and Mike took this opportunity to talk to Tegan.

“Thank you, for telling Vic I mean and I’m sorry about all the stuff I said” He said from the backseat.

“Me too” She gave a half smile and Vic returned and started the car.

“Whose party did you say this was again?” Mike asked.

“Erm some guys I know, they go to a different school. Their names are Tony and Jaime, they’re the ones I told you about, that I want to ask to be part of the band” Vic reminded his brother.

“Oh yeah, well let’s hope their cool guys then” Mike joked and off to the party they went.

Notes

Oh no, poor Mike.
Jaime and Tony have finally been introduced.

Let me know what you guys think <3