Panicked, Kennedy called the first person she could think of. Maxon knelt beside his unconscious best friend. His lips were slightly blue and his skin was as cold as ice. "What happened to you man?"

Kennedy rushed back, tears brimming in her eyes. "Leonie's Mum is on her way. It's a quick drive to the hospital from here."

Maxon nodded. "I think he's got hypothermia", he said. His mother had told him about it before, and it took him while to remember the name. "We need to make him warm."

Kennedy nodded and quickly took her coat off, handing it to Maxon. "Ms Miller said she'll call Leonie so the group will probably be here soon."

Maxon nodded as he was trying to put his jacket around Darius' legs. "Get some hot chocolate from the café. If he wakes up we'll give it to him to help keep him warm."

"Darius!", exclaimed Miss Laine, rushing to him. Stanley beat her to it, collapsing to the ground when he saw Darius. "Darius, wake up!"

Kennedy tried to hug Stanley, struggling against his grip before finally achieving her goal.

"What happened?", questioned Miss Laine. She gestured for everyone to take their coats off, but they already had the same idea. Amethyst placed her fluffy coat around Darius, her hand resting on his shoulder for a moment.

She felt an immense amount of guilt for not taking Darius serious.

"We just found him like this", said Maxon. "I think he's hypothermic."

Miss Laine nodded. "Ms Miller mentioned something about that."

On cue, Ms Miller pulled up in her car and rolled her window down. "Where is he?"

Maxon and Stanley carried an unconscious Darius into the car. Ms Miller's eyes brimmed with sadness. "Poor baby. I'll get him to the Hospital."

"I'm coming too", said Stanley. Miss Laine held her arm out. "No, that's not a good idea sweetie. He'll need rest, and so do you all. It's been a long day."

Stanley shook his head. "No, he's my best friend! I'm not gonna leave him."

"I'll have Leonie text me your Dad's number so I can keep you updated", said Ms. Miller.

Stanley hated this. He wanted to be there for his friend. But his Dad did expect him home on time. Anger building up inside him, Stanley kicked the nearby rubbish bin. "Ugh!"

Eli frowned and placed a hand on his shoulder. "He's in good hands."

-

Stanley was supposed to be getting ready to go to the cinema with Rhys. Their first time hanging out properly since they kissed. But all Stanley could think about was Darius.

And how he let him down.

Stanley: Can't make it

Stanley: Sorry

Glitter Boi❤: Are you ok?

Stanley: I'm fine

Glitter Boi❤: Are you sure? I can come over if you'd like?

Stanley: No. I just need to be alone.

Glitter Boi❤: Ok. Well I'm here for you if you need me.

Stanley rolled his eyes. That's what he said to Darius. Now his best friend's in a hospital bed. All alone.

-

Ms Miller wrote out a letter and placed it under Darius' pillow. She watched as the fluids entered his cannula. She never told anyone this, but she wished for a baby boy.

She loved Leonie, but after her father left, Ms Miller wanted to have a boy so badly, so she could raise them to be a good father.

Staring at Darius and his pain only fuelled this dream. "Rest up, sweetheart. You're safe now."

-

Anger boiling away in his body, Stanley stormed over to Darius' house. Seeing a shadow inside, he pounded on the door. "Open up! I thought you were meant to be good parents? Why weren't you out looking for your son?"

After a few more seconds, Darius' father opened the door. Stanley was ready to unleash Hell, but he stopped himself when he saw Darius' dad. His eyes were stripped of their usual charismatic glow. His head was lowered, making him seem frail and tired. "Mr. Everett?"

Mr. Everett looked up, as if he were seeing Stanley for the first time. "Stanley? Did you need something, son?"

Stanley searched for a response. His eyes landed on a 'Missing Person' poster with Darius on it. Mr. Everett clutched it. "Y-You've been looking for Darius?"

Mr. Everett nodded. "For the past few days. We've found nothing. We're going to get the police involved."

Stanley shook his head. "No! Don't do that."

"He's my son. I can't lose him, Stanley. Forget the company, we need him. I just can't... I can't bring myself to think about how terrifed he must be."

Stanley's eyes filled with tears. "Mr. Everett... we found Darius."

-

We'll cover some other plot points whilst Darius is in hospital, but we will revisit his story. We'll also get a special re-telling of the events that led to him being found unconscious, from his perspective.

Hypothermia is a big cause of death for homeless people. What Maxon did is actual advice from a medical website. If you suspect someone has hypothermia, do NOT give them alcohol, or apply hot water bottles anywhere. DO keep them warm by adding layers and removing any wet clothing. You can give them a warm NON- ALCOHOLIC drink if they are conscious. More needs to be done to get homeless people off the streets and into shelters, homes and given a chance to work and build their lives back up again.

You may see homelessness as a choice but the reality is it isn't. Darius may have left, but all he really wanted was a way out. He doesn't want to live on the streets. Please, look after those who live on the streets. Now more than ever. 

A strain has been placed on Rhys and Stanley's blossoming relationship. Will the pair decide to stay friends, or will they become enemies? After all, a lot is riding on the school's performances.

Amethyst is definitely feeling guilty. She should've told the others about what Darius said, but she wasn't to know he'd leave home. It's a messy and sad situation.

Round of applause for Maxon! He's using his Mum's medical advice to help others.

What are your thoughts on this chapter?

yeonskosmos

-cherrysvalanxe

CaptainHermioneSwan

The_Slytherclaw

DoodleYeet

gillioddities

starryeyedturtle