Chapter Text
Now that he thinks about it for a bit longer than five seconds, he has to admit that it was a pretty stupid idea. The freaks in the music club aren't exactly known to take anti-anger issue seminars or anything. Still, how was Drew supposed to foresee this? The few seconds between Zander pushing him and him falling head first against a table were not long, but to Drew they felt like an eternity. Since when can Zander push that hard?
He blacked out. The others acted fast, well most of them, Henry and Liam were at his side in an instant, trying to shake him awake desperately. Hitting your head and then passing out is almost always guaranteed brain damage, after all. Jake rushed forward as well, too worried about his former friend to care about the falling out they had prior. Well, at least he was looking at Drew again... I guess?
The music freaks took a bit longer to process everything. The person who had just been teasing them was now passed out on the floor because of them, not really something that happens often. And if he's honest, he probably wouldn't have helped himself if he was in their shoes. But of course they have to act all nice and totally helpful with people they hate too, so it didn't take that long. Zander was staring at his passed out face- a little too terrified he had just done irreversible damage and will get sued by his parents to do anything. Luke immediately turned towards him when he realised the same thing and started having a hushed conversation, probably just comforting him or something.
Hailey, ever the guilt complex, came to his side next, performing some standard first aid test, that probably wasn't even for head trauma accidents, to make sure he wasn't in any life or death situation right now. Sean, who hadn't even originally been there, had rounded the corner with Milly just in time to see him slumping down to the floor and upon seeing a student on the floor, even if it was some bully, had started telling people to get the nurse and rushed to the group to help hoist Drew up with Jake, Liam and Henry aiding him in his task. Milly tried to diffuse the panic, but she admittedly wasn't very great at it since she started panicking alongside the others halfway through.
With everyone's, well almost everyones, help they made it to the infirmary where the nurse was already halfway down the corridor and ushering them inside, instructing them to lay him on a bed before shooing them away, though they all kept standing behind her, and starting to perform standard tests to see if there was any need to call a hospital. Hailey was frantically ranting to her, telling her everything that happened while Zander was busy googling about lawyer fees. Sean, the only responsible one in the whole group, forced Milly to help keep people out, trying to distract her while also, well, keeping people away.
Henry and Liam have since made it to the other side of the bed, looking at Drew worriedly and shaking his arm as if that would help at all. The nurse glared at them from across the bed, obviously irritated by the interruptions, though the shaking soon stopped as Jake made it across the bed too and Liam started arguing with him, which then also made Henry start yelling out insane stuff with Jake trying to ensure them he didn't have any ulterior motives. Luke just stood there, tense and unsure what to do.
Long story short, it was chaos.
Luckily it didn't take long before the nurse was done checking everything and realising that nothing serious had happened to him. She stood up abruptly, causing everyone to freeze and stare at her like children who had been caught stealing cookies. She rubbed her temple. "He's fine.", she started, voice softening as she heard the sighs of relief around her "the blow was enough to knock him out but didn't cause any serious damage, he's probably going to be passed out for maybe half an hour more. You are all welcome to stay, I'll write a note to your teachers."
Zander cringed at the thought, "that won't be necessary. Thank you though." He declined, not wanting to stay with his bullies even if he was the one that caused this in the first place. Upon hearing what he said, Hailey elbowed him in the sides causing Zander to yelp. "What was that for?!" He asked, rubbing his side dramatically. "We're the reason he's here Zander! Might as well stay until he wakes up." To everyone else she seemed calm, but Zander can see the unease tainting her features softly. Wether it was from Drew being passed out or from her guilt refusing to let her leave, he doesn't know. He gripped her hand, squeezing once to let her know he will try to keep himself in check a bit.
"Sappyyyyy...." Came a voice, practically a groan with the way they said it. Everyone turned to look at Henry, who apparently hadn't realised he said it that loud and began to rub at his neck sheepishly. "Leave some feelings for the rest of us", Liam quickly continued Henry's insult, flawlessly souring the mood together. "I mean it is our friend lying here passed out not one of you", he said, shaking his head and raising an eyebrow. "Yeah have some dignity!" Henry recovered, rolling his eyes as the others all glared at them.
Jake was conflicted, on one hand wanting to defend his new friends but also not wanting to start conflict while there was an unconscious person was literally right next to them. "Guys...", he started, unsure himself who exactly he was talking to. Both groups turned to glare at him, well more like Henry, Liam and Zander glared at him, the others just looked in his direction, waiting for him to continue. 'Awkward..', Jake cringed internally, thinking of the correct way to continue his sentence without offending anyone here. Luckily he didn't have to think long, because Drew suddenly shot up, eyes wide and looking around frantically at all the faces gaping at him.
"WHAT THE FUCK?" First thing he said after waking up, by the way. Interesting choice of words.
-
"Like when you used to bully me?" Came a light voice, carrying through the house with a laugh. Drew softly rolled his eyes where he was walking around with a watering can for their plants. He and Jake were currently discussing their high school times and all the memories they made. Of course Jake couldn't go five minutes without mentioning his past bullying schemes, not that he blames him. Looking back, the whole thing is as sad as it is funny.
"Yea yea..." He said in retaliation. "At least I didn't have such a big crush on a girl that I changed my entire life around!" He called to his husband in the other room, before focusing on the plants infront of him. From the living room he can hear Jake laugh at the absurdity of their teenage lives. High school was crazy. Hes just glad that they were able to move on and build a life together even after all that happened.
Jake was scrolling through his phone, thinking about old times while lounging on the couch as he heard Drew curse from the next room. He immediately shot to attention, not getting up just yet but still on alarm. Drew didn't curse often, well not anymore, he only really cursed when he got hurt or something shitty happened. "Drew? Everything okay?" He yelled in his direction. Maybe a flower pot fell, even though he didn't hear anything crash to the ground. Drew didn't reply, which made him even more anxious.
Deciding to go investigate, he stood up from the couch and made his way towards the hallway where Drew should be. "Drew?" He called out again, still not receiving an answer. As he rounded the corner he saw Drew standing there, clutching his head and gripping the shelf infront of him with the watering can resting on the next to his hand. "Drew!" Jake rushed towards him but it was too late. Drew fell backwards, hitting his head on the wall and only being prevented from full falling on the ground by Jake finally reaching him and easing him down gently.
"Woah. Ok, ok. Fuck", Jake checked his pulse first. Everything fine there. And he knew Drew had drank something earlier, plus they had a filling breakfast together this morning. So what was the problem?
Jake checked him for any injuries but there were none. Was now the appropriate time to start panicking? Because Jake was about to start. He heaved Drew up as best as he could on his own, dragging him to the couch with strained effort. Maybe going to the gym wasn't too bad of an idea after all... After he got the shorter lying somewhat comfortably on the sofa he started trying to wake him up. He shook him, gently slapped him and even got some water to splash on his face. But Drew didn't stir.
Now the panic was returning tenfold. The blonde pulled out his phone, ready to call an ambulance before Drew suddenly shot up.
"ZANDER YOU BITCH!"
What?