What If They Find Out

Gerard's P.O.V.

The nurse had Bob start going to therapy for his violence, and anxiety issues. In the past week I had learned a lot about the kid between his records, and calls to his family. Apparently Bob was bullied in his old school so terribly that he moved here.

That would explain, his behavior.

Over the past two weeks, Bob had lost all of his friends, his mother abused him for the drop in his grades, and his girlfriend broke up with him in front of all of his peers. I was actually starting to feel bad for the kid. He really needed a friend and no one wanted to accept him.

He was now a really quiet guy, who sat in the back of the room and avoided everyone in the halls. Bob hadn't hurt anyone since the day I found him crying in my classroom.

Apparently the therapy wasn't helping him. By the looks of him, his anxiety was only getting worse and now he was developing a very severe case of depression. Someone needed to help him.

It was Sunday night and I was at home finishing grading last weeks assignments when I got an email. The Principle had sent an email to every staff member in the school. It read;

Dear Staff,

I am most sincere to inform you that a young Mr. Bob Bryar has committed suicide. The young man died last night of an overdose. The drugs were not illegal, but simple over the counter medication. Please inform your students during your third period class. Make sure that the children know that it was his own choice so that rumors do not spread of worse. We would not want to soil his memory with terrible lies. Thank you and have a good Evening.

Mr. Adam Jones.

I couldn't believe he was gone. He was really an awful person, but no one deserves to feel that they have to die. No one should have to feel like that is an answer.

The next day in my third period class I waited until everyone was in the room and then I told them to be quiet. "I need everyone to listen to me for a few minutes. I don't want anyone making comments or talking right now or you will have detention. If you say anything disrespectful you will have detention for two weeks. Got it?" I said sternly to my class. They all nodded and remained quiet. "Bob Bryar, killed himself on Saturday night. He swallowed some pills and died of an overdose. I know that not many people were close to him, but I would like if everyone could be respectful of him. How would you want to people to act if it were you? Now I want to make it very clear that no one should ever feel like suicide is the answer. There's nothing we can do to change what Mr. Bryar did, but we can prevent it from happening in the future. Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem. No one should ever want to die. If anyone ever feels down, please talk to someone. I would even listen to you. Now for today's class, I thought that we could all draw something that you don't want to lose. Something that you would miss. Or something that you are looking forward to. I want you to draw your reason to live. Feel free to use whatever materials you need. Just be sure to clean up when you are done." I said solemnly.

The class remained silent for the rest of the period. At the end of class I had everyone turn in their reasons to live. When the bell rang, everyone ran from the room, muttering to their friends.

Bob Bryar was gone. And he was only here for two months.

Notes

I'm sorry I did this. That hurt. But I want everyone to know that suicide is not an option. If you ever need to talk, message me. Chances are I'll be there and ready to talk. I love you guys. So tell me, what are your reasons to live? :)