And Then I Go

As the relentless drudgery of high school life wears on, Edwin (character name) and his sole confidant, Flake, find themselves trapped in a never-ending cycle of torment. The constant barrage of bullying and self-imposed isolation exacts a profound toll on their fragile psyches, with Edwin's sensitive nature rendering him increasingly withdrawn, while Flake's impulsive temperament precipitates emotional outbursts that only serve to exacerbate the chaos. Amidst this maelstrom of pressure, the faculty and parental units converge to heap blame upon the hapless duo, oblivious to the fact that the "fights" they're witnessing are one-sided beatings orchestrated by their tormentors.

The weight of these assumptions crushes Edwin beneath its crushing burden, as his parents, particularly his father, dismiss every attempt at communication as mere teenage angst, only awakening to concern when the vice principal summons them for a meeting. Meanwhile, Flake's home becomes an unlikely sanctuary during afterschool hangouts, where he confides in Edwin about his own struggles and reveals his father's arsenal of guns. As Flake floats the idea of exacting revenge by shooting up their school, Edwin is reluctantly drawn into the scheme out of loyalty to his childhood friend, unaware that this fateful decision will set off a chain reaction with far-reaching consequences.

As Edwin's artistic talents begin to flourish under the guidance of his art teacher, he catches the attention of two classmates who invite him to join their team for an upcoming competition. With a hint of a smile, Edwin accepts the offer, while Flake, ever the cynic, mocks the girls' enthusiasm. Throughout this period of creative growth, Edwin's self-esteem gradually builds, though the constant threat of bullying from Flake and others continues to weigh heavily on his shoulders.

Despite their shared struggles, Flake refuses to abandon their "project," and the two friends are still targeted by their tormentors. The tension comes to a head one afternoon at Flake's house, where a physical confrontation between Edwin and Flake ends with Edwin emerging battered and distraught. In the aftermath of this incident, Edwin's mood and mental well-being noticeably improve.

One evening, while watching a father and son play in a field, Edwin politely asks them to stop using Gus's cherished ball, only to be met with disdain when they refuse to comply. The ensuing outburst of frustration prompts Edwin to curse, which sparks an aggressive reaction from the man, who shoves him to the ground before leaving with the coveted ball. This traumatic experience has a profound impact on Edwin, pushing him further towards a mentality of seeking retribution.

As Flake and Edwin reconcile and continue to refine their plan, they encounter Herman, another victim of bullying in the seventh grade at the hands of Budzinski. Despite Flake's failed attempts to intimidate Budzinski into ceasing his harassment, Budzinski instead targets Herman with even greater ferocity. Sporting a black eye, Herman turns to Edwin with a sense of desperation, urging him to take action and declaring his desire to get a gun. This unsettling revelation alarms Edwin, who is concerned about the escalating situation. Flake, however, remains resolute in including Herman in their scheme, further complicating the already treacherous landscape.

As the anticipated school assembly draws near, a poignant convergence of events unfolds. The approaching birthday of Edwin's father serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of familial relationships, particularly between Edwin and his mother, who endeavors to bridge the gap by planning a family outing to the lake on their trusty sailboat. However, this seemingly idyllic plan is fraught with tension for Edwin, whose inner turmoil reaches a boiling point when he learns that the trip coincides with the day of the fateful shooting. Flake's menacing warning to Edwin not to renege on their plan only serves to exacerbate his emotional distress.

As night falls, Edwin's maternal instincts take precedence as he quietly watches over his younger brother Gus, whose innocence and vulnerability are a poignant reminder of the fragility of life. Later that evening, Edwin accompanies Flake to the school, where they systematically block off most of the doors and conceal their weapons in lockers. The following morning, Edwin wishes his father good luck on his lecture, only to be reminded by his mother about the pending lake trip.

As the day unfolds, Flake reinforces their plan with Edwin, emphasizing the importance of sticking to it. With a sense of foreboding, Edwin is tasked with retrieving the duffel bag containing the guns while students filter into the gym for the assembly. However, as chaos erupts and the audience is sent fleeing in terror, Edwin's resolve falters, and he is unable to muster the courage to raise his gun. In a tragic turn of events, Flake meets his demise at the hands of police while struggling to reload his rifle.

As the dust settles on this senseless tragedy, a haunting flashback transports us back to Edwin's family outing at the lake, where the sounds of laughter and joy mingle with the gentle lapping of waves against the shore. In a poignant moment of introspection, Edwin's voiceover narrative weaves a tale of their having towed another boat to safety, his paternal instincts shining through as he reflects on the carefree expression of a child passenger: "Good for you, kid. Good for you."