After their conversation, Clay was soon on his way to class. As the boy walked through the halls, students he didn't know would briefly stop him and say how sorry they were for what had happened to him, as they had most likely heard about it on the news or from their parents. Clay didn't really know what to think about it. Sure, he was grateful for their acknowledgment, but then again, they were kids that he didn't know and who probably didn't even know him. It was almost like those students didn't even know he existed until after everything that happened to him. Brushing it off, Clay turned the corner and soon entered the desired classroom for his first period class, or what remained of it. 
Entering the room, all eyes almost instantly darted towards the boy. "Clay! Come on in. Why don't you take a seat over there by Hannah?" Ms. Bradley said kindly, gesturing towards an empty seat next to Hannah. Clay gave a small smile at the teacher before making his way to the empty desk and sitting down, placing his bag on the floor beside him. The teen couldn't help but notice the girl watching him with what seemed like a caring look in her eyes as she gave him a kind smile. Ms. Bradley started talking again, picking up where she left off when Clay had entered the classroom. Though the boy was paying attention, he could feel everyone watching him, and he could see Hannah stealing glances at him every now and again. Clay tried his best as he ignored the other students and focused on what the teacher was going on about in her lesson. 
                          
When the lunch period finally came around, Clay had been quick to find an empty table as his mother had packed a lunch for him before he left earlier that morning. Clay sat at the small rectangular table in the cafeteria, happy that he was finally alone for a little bit with no one to express pitty or sympathy for him. He placed the brown paper bag and soda can down in front of him before pulling out what his mother had packed him - a simple sandwhich with a bag of chips and his favorite candy, a pack of skittles. Clay smiled down at the items that had been packed, silently thanking his mother for the food that was easily better than Liberty High's cafeteria food. "Hey, Clay." A voice sounded, grabbing the boy's attention. "Hey, Alex." Clay greeted after looking up to see who the voice belonged to. "Is it ok if I sit here with you?" The Standall boy asked kindly, gesturing to the lunch table. Clay gave a small smile towards the boy. "Sure." He simply stated. Alex smiled brightly, taking a seat next to his friend and setting his tray of food on the table in front of him. 
                          
"So, how's your first day back been so far?" Alex asked after a few seconds of silence. Clay shrugged. "It's been alright so far, I guess. A bunch of people I don't even know have been sympathetic towards me all day, though." He said. Before Alex could reply, the two boys felt a presence in front of them. "Hey, guys. Can we sit with you?" A feminine voice asked. Clay and Alex glanced up to see Courtney and Ryan standing there with lunch trays in their hands glancing down at the pair with hopefull looks. "Yeah, sure." Clay said, not minding the extra company. Pretty soon, Clay's table was occupied by himself, Alex, Courtney, Ryan, Hannah, Tony, Caleb, Jessica, Nina, Sheri, and Justin. Much to Clay's appreciation, no one asked about how he was doing or showed sympathy towards him. In fact, no one even brought it up as they all felt like Clay didn't really want to talk about it. And their hunches were right as Clay really didn't want to talk about it anymore for the rest of the day. Random students constantly showing sympathy or pitty towards him was enough for him to deal with for one morning, let alone a whole school day. Clay was suddenly pulled out of his thoughts when he heard his phone's ringer go off, the new and sudden sound slightly startling the boy as he slightly jumped in his seat. Removing his phone from his pocket, Clay instantly beamed at seeing the caller I.D. "Hey, Skye." Clay spoke happily as he answered the phone, getting up from his seat and leaving the cafeteria, his friends watching the boy until he was out of sight.
                          
"I don't know. My day's been ok so far, I guess. I just hate how people I don't know suddenly talk to me, giving me sympathy or pitying me about what happened." The boy spoke as he stepped outside the school and away from other students. "I wish I could be there with you." Skye's voice spoke after a small sigh. Hearing her words, Clay sighed too. "I know. I wish you could've been here with me too." He said. "I did talk with Mr. Porter earlier, though." The teen added after a moment of silence. "You did? What did he say?" Skye asked, sounding curious. "He just said that he felt bad about that year I got teased and beat up a lot. He basically told me how he wanted to make up for his past mistakes of not doing all that he probably could've done, and that he'd always be there for me if I ever needed anything or if I just wanted to talk." Clay explained. "Sounds like what happened to you made him realize how important his job really is, and that he wants to do better by being a better counselor." Skye said. Clay gave a small smile. "Yeah. It does sound like that." He said in agreement.