For The Love Of A Bad Boy

XXIV

At school on Friday, Mike walked me to homeroom. I didn't dare argue.

"What's wrong?" He asked gently as we walked to class.

I was literally his hostage and he had the nerve to ask me what was wrong.

"Headache." I lied.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

I felt like crying all over again. I couldn't break free from Mike and I accepted that. I had to. He'd never let me go. I could never break free.

He held my hand the entire time we went into class. I wore long sleeves to cover the old bruise that was already on my wrist along with the new ones on both wrists from the day before.

My shoulders ached where Mike grabbed them. But I knew he wouldn't stop there.

"Um, Mike?" I said shyly.
He sat in my seat, pulling me into his lap.

"Yes?"

"You know...yesterday...you kind of hurt me." I winced, waiting for the pain.

"We already talked about this."

"But you said y-you wouldn't a-and you d-did."

"I said sorry. I didn't hurt you that bad."

"You're right," I shrugged, "I shouldn't of brought it up."

"If you want to talk about it again, we can." It sounded so much like a threat. I shook my head rapidly, not wanting to anger him.

He kissed me. I had to fight the urge to push him away.

"I love you." He told me, kissing my temple.

"I love you too." I said quickly, afraid he'd hit me.

I was so disgusted. I knew then and there I would never get the feeling of Mike's hands off me, no matter how many times I tried to wash it away.

"I have a game today, so I probably won't call you."

"Okay."

"But I probably will."

"Okay."

"Are you listening?"

I nodded mindlessly.
Thankfully, the bell rang. Mike went to his side of the room and I could breathe again.

~

-Jeremy's Point Of View-

It's difficult to admit that I'm wrong. It's always been.

As long as nobody was mad at me, I was stubborn. So stubborn. Mom said I inherited it from Dad.

And what I did to Sam was one of the worst things I could of done to him. Sam was fragile. I pushed him so hard to be different.

What kind of brother was I?

"Do you think I'm a good person?" I asked Noah.

"Of course I do."

"Be honest."

"I am. You're a good person. Where is this coming from?"

"I did something horrible."

"What'd you do?"

"I might of, I think, sort of neglected my little brother."

"How did you do that?"

"I ignored him."

"Jeremy, it's not as horrible as you're making it. Ignoring Sam does not make you a bad person."

"No, you don't get it. He's really sensitive and I'm afraid I hurt him too much."

"Still. There are worst things."

"I'm the worst person in the world."

"You are not. Drama queen."

"Please take me seriously."

"Okay, here's my serious advice. Instead of getting depressed about hurting your brother's feelings, maybe you should apologize to him."

"He won't believe me."

"You won't know that until you say sorry."

I shook my head, turning my face from him.

"Don't be like that, Jeremy."

"Like what?"

Noah sat beside me and took my hand to pull me up to a sitting position on the couch.

"If he doesn't accept your apology now, he will later. He can't stay mad at you forever. I know he loves you as much you love him."

"You mean it?"

"No. I'm secretly a pathological liar and I get off on lying to your face."

"Okay, I'm happy you were honest with me, but you are very weird."

Noah laughed, "I know. It's my best quality."

I kissed his cheek, "Thank you."

"No, I want a real kiss."

"I thought that was a real kiss, but I guess not. Sucks to be you."

"Please? Don't make me beg."

"I'd actually like to hear that."

"Jeremy!"

"Okay, calm down."

I gave him a kiss, "Happy?"

"Very."

~

-Sam's Point Of View-

I had to tell Jeremy the truth about Mike before it went too far. I wouldn't be defenseless.

I waited for him to get home from Noah's house Friday afternoon. Seemed like ages before I heard his car in the driveway.

I didn't go downstairs until I was sure he was in the house.

"Jeremy, I know you hate me right now, but-"

I stopped mid-sentence.

Jeremy, the sturdiest person I knew, was leaning on the front door with his head in his hands.

"Jeremy?" I questioned, taking a shy step towards him.

"What?" He said, his voice muffled.

"Um, what are you doing?"

"I don't hate you." He admitted, looking at me.

"Oh. Then...why did you ignore me?"

"You're just....you're a lot of work, Sam."

"So it's my fault?"

"No, that's not what I'm trying to say."

"I don't understand."

"I hurt you. I know I did. I didn't want to make you feel like I hated you, but I did. I'm supposed to be taking care of you...and I'm not."

"Don't blame yourself. I said those stupid things about Noah. I should of been supportive of you."

Jeremy shrugged, "I'm over it."

"So, what'd you do with Noah?"

"None of your business." He smiled.

"Okay." I smirked.

"I didn't!"

"Whatever. You don't need to prove anything to me."

"You sounded like you wanted to talk to me earlier."

"Never mind. I forgot."

I couldn't give Jeremy my problem. He would of been so disappointed in me for letting Mike walk all over me. Jeremy didn't need all my pain. I'd carry it all on my own.