I felt mildly exhausted during lunch; I was practically blanking during every class. "Yo, Ad, do you want-" I noticed Justin come over, sliding into the seat across me. "Woah, you look like h*ll." He laughed as I rolled my eyes, sitting up. "I could say the same about you." I pointed to his black eyes, "Where did you even get that." I asked as he shrugged, "My dad punched me in the face." He said, "Jesus! Are you ok!" I panicked as he shrugged, "Nah, but it could be worse." He shrugged again, "why are you acting so casual about it?! Your dad assaulted you!" I yelled as he rolled his eyes.
"Look, it is a serious topic, but it's my life, and there isn't much I can do about it. All I have is hope, and if I don't- I might as well hang myself." Justin said as I widened my eyes, "Justin... Are you depressed? Do you need help?" I asked as he shook his head.
"Yeah, I think of suicide all the time. I might need help, but with that being said, this is just my everyday life. People who are abused no longer see their abuse as something different because it's all they know." He explained with a shrug. "What happened to you?" Justin asked me as I felt speechless, "I uh... I've been working extra hours for work since my dad lost his job and-" Justin closed my mouth, pulling out a cigarette box and a lighter.
He pulled out a cigarette and put one in front of me, "Just shut up and blow some steam." He explained, putting one in his mouth and lighting it. "But I-" "Look, dude, I won't tell anyone. It's honestly up to you whether you do it or not; no one is holding a gun to your head. And I surely won't make you, just be careful if you do it." He shrugged, getting up. "You're leaving?"
"Yeah, I gotta get to class. I promised Sue I would go so... Later." He left the lighter and one cigarette in front of me. I sighed, feeling tired and upset. "Sorry..." I picked up the cigarette, setting it on my lips.