"Meet at the stop, and go to Tommy's house." Cory thought as he went home. He couldn't believe this was happening. Why? What did he do? He shook his head. "Don't get your hopes up, when something is to good to be true, it probably is." He chided himself.

His parents were working outside, so he was clear to go to his room and redress his wound without any trouble.

As he was peeling of the bandages he chuckled bitterly. "My excuse to live?" He asked himself. "Hmph, I wish I had one." He grabbed his computer that he paid himself and went out the door.

He made it out of the house with a sneer from his father and a remark from his mother and started to walk to his destination.

Cory plugged in his earphones and let the music consume his head.

The song was "Come Alive". By Beth Crawly.

A few songs later he reached Tommy's house. It was a medium brick house with steps and a pathway up to the door.

Cory went to knock but didn't have to as Ashlie appeared in the doorway and opened it letting it in, putting out her arm to say "welcome".

Everyone was in the living room either watching T.V. or on their phone.

Dawn looked up from his screen. "Hello Cory."

He waved, and stood there feeling awkward.

"So..." Jon drew out, "whatcha want do?"

Cory shrugged. "What do you guys want to do?"

"You choose." Said Tommy.

    "I'm not sure."

    "How 'bout some Bed Wars?" Suggested Nick.

    "Have Minecraft Cory?" Asked Dawn.

    "Yes."

    "Well then plug in and party us!"

    They played for hours. They were surprised at how good Cory was with the bow. And how frustrated he could become.

"I have to go. I'll...see you on the bus."

    "Bye!" Waved Jon.

    "It was nice having you over Cory." Stated Dawn.

"We should do this again sometime!" Uni exclaimed.

Cory shrugged, and exited.

As soon as he was gone, Tommy slyly looked at Ashlie. "So-"

"Shut it."

<~LB~>

"I didn't give you permission to go to someone's house!" Cory's mom screamed at him.

"I-I'm sorry mom-"

"You are not my son! Don't you even dare-!"

His father cut his wife off. "Tell me, why does he still live under our roof?"

"Cause you'd get arrested for abandonment and abuse?" Cory muttered to himself.

"You little freak!" His mother screamed as she slapped him.

"I outta reach you some respect around here!" His father yanked Cory by the arm.

"Little nuisance." Said his mom as she went back to cooking.

<~LB~>

While on the bus the next morning, Cory's body was aching all over.

A very noticeable bruise was on his right check. He knew it attracted a lot of eyes on the bus, but ignored them.

Unfortunately, a few mouths couldn't shut it.

"Seriously, that looks nasty. What happened?" Questioned Nick.

"I...really don't want to talk about it."

"Naw?" Asked Tommy.

"No not really."

"Aw..."

Jon yawned. "I didn't get much sleep last night. I was binge watching Camp Camp."

Uni lifted a brow. "Seriously?"

"Yep."

Nick deadpanned. "You are unbelievable Jon."

    "I know I am."

    "Ugh..."

"GOOD MORNING CAMPERS!" Jon suddenly screamed obnoxiously.

Everyone was laughing on the bus.

The bus driver got on the mic and screamed in it. "Oi! Shat your traps!"

It was complete silence after that.

Cory rubbed the brides spot on his cheek, flinching from the pain. His stomach decided against his wishes, to growl. Very loudly.

His face flushed with red as a lot of heads turned his direction. He sunk lower in his seat.

    "Hey, can I ask you a question?" Asked Uni. "Well, other than these ones."

     Cory nodded. Then cracked his neck.

    Everyone cringed.

    "Mommy!" Groaned Tommy.

    Cory flinched. "Sorry." He apologized.

    "Ignoring that. Um...so, Cory." Uni had a sly look on his face. "Have any crushes?"

    "Uni!" Ashlie hissed.

Cory's whole face could be questioned as a tomato. "The first day of school was literally a few days ago. Why would I? It's not like it'll work out anyway."

Nick chuckled. "What can I say, love at first sight." He earned a sharp jab to the rib by Ashlie.

    "No, I don't." He a answered simply.

    Ashlie lost a bit of light to her face, but smiled. "Well, everyone finds love somewhere."

    Cory shrugged.

    "Why did you ask that?" Whispered Dawn.

    "Look dude, I wanted to know."

~0oOo0~

Word Count: 746

Extreme writers block with this as you can probably tell.