Vulnerable

Four- Rye

After seeing the back of a broken looking running into school. Of course, I know where he went. He went to the library. He knew we couldn't disturb him there.

"Rye, get your ass up" I heard Sonny demand from inside the school gates. so I picked myself up and followed him. I was still very perplexed by the blood coming from his shoulder. It must have seeped through his shirt. I have no memory of ever doing that though, it would have had to be in the last day or so.

"Hey, any of you do something to Andy's shoulder recently?" I yelled at the boys.

"No" they replied in unison. I wondered what could have done that, it looked really bad. I mean it must have for it to seep through his jumper like that. I felt really bad, I wondered who could have done that to such a cute..no... an innocent guy like him. What was I thinking? I did NOT find him cute. I did not like guys.

"Why did you stop," Jack asked once Sonny and Mikey had walked quite a bit in front of us.

"what" I replied, I tried to sound oblivious to what he asked. Of course, I knew what he meant.

"Don't pretend you don't know what I mean. I know you Rye, what happened?" He quizzed. "Hey, don't pretend that you can't hear me!" he stepped out in front of me to block my path.

"I don't really know Jack, he was hurt really bad. I didn't do it, the others didn't do it either. I looked into his eyes... I just couldn't" I said. It was true.

"Sonny noticed the way you looked at him mate, be careful" Jack warned before hurrying to catch up with Sonny and Mikey. I felt my heart drop. Now he would do something worse to Andy because I showed weakness. I would have to help him.

I walked into my first lesson, which Andy was in, I saw him walk in. He ignored all the abuse thrown his way and went to his usual seat; in the back corner. I felt a twang in my heart. The knowledge that I caused this. I also still didn't know who else was hurting him. Then I remembered that I had shown weakness to Sonny and the comeuppance was going to be awful.

The rest of the day slid by, I had a constant fear for him. I had never felt this bad... ever. This has been going on for two years, what has changed. I cannot admit it to myself. I cannot be falling for the broken, blonde-haired, ocean blue-eyed boy.

As I walked out of lesson four Sonny grabbed my shirt and pinned me against the wall.

"Ready to make up for letting him go and that little lovey-dovey look" he snarled into my ear. I nodded in response to him, getting looks from people leaving the classroom. "Just stop him from moving and then it won't be your problem" I replied, again with a nod.

I saw him as he walked down the corridor and stepped out in front of him. I felt myself break inside as he grabbed his arms and pulled Andy into the locker room. I saw his heart break through his gaze. I heard muffled whines and laughs as I walked away.

He didn't turn up to the fifth lesson, again my heart twanged with a pain foreign to me. I tried to shut it away. I cannot have feelings for him. I have never felt this bad before, not this broken by another's pain.

I walked into the last lesson, not expecting to see what I saw. Andy was sat at the back, in his usual spot. He was curled around his desk in pain. I wanted to go over to him and hold him, I wanted to wrap myself around him and protect him from the outside. I realized that I was falling for him. I couldn't help falling for him. I was too weak to stop it. I walked out of the room and away to Sonny and Mikey as the bell went. I didn't trust myself with him anymore.

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a/n

told you I would be too impatient, thanks to everyone who is enjoying this book. lemme know whattcha thinking.

till' next time

B x