Cory's dad was really mad when he got home, he didn't question why but he knew that he was furious.

Almost immediately he was grabbed by his wrist and in a choke hold by his father upstairs. His father shattered a beer bottle on Cory's arm. The glass went flying into his arm and some pelted off his camera. Then he left.

    Lucky for him he didn't get locked in. Instead he got out his backpack and started to read a book he got from the library. Some kids made fun of him because of this but he didn't care.

After a few hours of reading he heard his father yelling about something, and then had a sense of dread as he felt him coming near.

Oh no. That was never a good sign, especially when he hears a knife being pulled out from the kitchen. The door makes a specific sound letting him know. Cory knows that that compartment only holds knives.

    He tried to calm his breathing as his father came to his room with a wicked smile, knife in hand.

<~LB~>

To Uni's slight surprise, when he was approaching the bus stop he saw Cory already there waiting.

"Hey Cory!" He greeted. His only response was a small wave.

Cory was sitting down with a book in his hands.

Nick came from around the corner with Jon in tow. "Wow, already had a visit to the library? Isn't it a bit to soon?"

Jon playfully punched him in the shoulder. "He just likes reading. Is that a crime?"

    "Just asking man."

    Dawn discreetly rolled his eyes. Cory was acting suspicious. "Are you okay?" He asked.

    Cory gave him a nod in response, he's eyes not leaving the book. Dawn wasn't fooled though, he saw how pale looking Cory was and a bit out of it. "You sure?" He pressed.

    Cory sighed. "I'm fine."

    Tommy tried to lighten the mood. "Hey, you into video games?" A shrug in response. "What kinds?"

    Cory shut his book and out in his bag. "Just some, like Undertale." He mumbled.

    "I like that game to!" Ashlie exclaimed. "My favorite character is Undyne!"

  The bus came before Cory could reply. "Man, the bus has terrible timing." Tommy stated.

    "You said it." Said Jon.

    They boarded the school bus, assuming their seats from the last ride. Cory shifted uncomfortably. Why are they hanging around him? The Camera-Faced freak?

    He leaned against the window and tuned the talking out. He felt a poke on the shoulder and forced himself not to flinch. He looked at Nick. "Yes?"

"I asked you a question." Said Nick.

"Spaced out on us dude." Tommy smiled. "Didja see the North Star out there?"

Cory shook his head. "Sorry. What was your question?"

Ashlie leaned in. "We were wondering if you would want to hang out with us after school today?"

He was shocked. "Unless you have other plans." Jon said waving his hand.

He remained silent. Why would they invite him to stay with them? Why are asking him of all people? He furrowed his brow, what would they gain from doing this?

"Um..." He started. Cory pushed down the uneasy feeling. "S-Sure."

"Awesome!" Ashlie screamed, earning the attention of other people. Cory sunk more in his seat, not wanting to have it attracting to him.

Nick nudged him worriedly. "Hey bud, you okay?"

His only response was him pulling on his grey hood, trying to hide his face.

Dawn frowned. "You don't have to hide you know."

"Yeah! We don't care how you look!" Ashlie said enthusiastically.

The bus stopped abruptly, making many students fall forward. They steadied theirselves in different ways.

"Everyone okay?" Asked Uni.

They muttered their positive answers while Cory stayed silent. No one noticed as he hissed in pain and rubbed his arms.

"Cory?"

He slowly nodded, ignoring the throbbing in his arms.

"Sorry!" They heard the driver call back. "Someone pulled in front."

Uni narrowed his eyes. "That idiot, he could have killed us!"

"Cream dip." Muttered Tommy.

"Mother hen mode! Alert alert!" Laughed Ashlie.

"Oh my goodness." Said Jon, changing his voice to a somewhat strained one.

Finally they arrived at the school. They exchanged goodbyes and departed.

The day went by fast. Cory barely had trouble with the bully. The only thing he did was threaten him a few times and shoved him.

What was unexpected was that a stranger punched him for no reason, and dug his nails down on his right arm. He had to bite back a scream because he already had wounds in that place. He sleeves were rolled up, showing his white bandages.

The kid saw this and barked a laugh. "Look! The clumsy camera already has his scraps and bruises. What did you trip on? Your stupid excuse to live?"

Cory said nothing as he walked out to the buses as he heard laughter from behind. Now his "little cuts" flamed with pain which he ignored.

What that person said brung up unpleasant memories with his father. Not that anyone would care.

"I don't know why we keep you alive! The world would be better off if you were dead and gone!"

The scars that plagues his mind hurts more then the ones shown on his body.

He looked up and saw Dawn, Nick, and Uni talking and waiting for the others.

Cory decided to hang back and hope that his father wouldn't do anything to damaging. Same goes for his mom. He looked down at his arm to see blood soaking through the dressing of cloth. He'd have to change them later before he goes to meet with...what can he address them by? Friends?

"No." He scolded himself. "No one will accept you. They aren't any different. They want something out of this." He sighed. "I just know them. So..." He tried to think of something to call them. "Acquaintances? Um..." He started to tap his foot. "I'll think of something."

"I knew you were a freak when we first met. But I didn't know you were mentally unstable." He heard a voice sneer.

Ched. His group was marching towards him almost cockily, wearing ugly smiles.

Cory lifted an eyebrow. "Excuse me?"

"Muttering to ya self. Something a crazy person would do." Tony said in a matter of factly.

Cory blushed of embarrassment. He was thinking out loud. "Mentally unstable? That's a new one." He mused in his head.

He shook his head and walked toward the bus.

"Hey! Come back you camera face!"

"Mikey I said you have to be original!" He heard Tony yell.

"Oh, okay. Come back camera camera face!"

Cory rolled his eyes as the three started to bicker. Well, now he can at least concentrate on how he'll cope with a hang out. His first ever.

~0oOo0~

Word Count: 1139

Hello my stars! I must apologize that I have suddenly became a bit less active. Well I have two explanations. The one main one was that I started to read more instead of writing and the other was that I got a bit of writers block. So yeah, remember I have a life to! Anyway, for anyone who reads my descriptions I need OCs from you guys! So just submit one in the comments, you will be a teacher. Remember, this is no fantasy and you will be human, also I need to know what subject you would want to teach. Science is already taken. You also must state traits that a teacher would have, like strict or kind. Anyway, please vote, comment, and follow! I'll see you in the next universe! CYA! <3 (If no one submits an OC I'll tag a few people)