Conflicted Eyes, Confusing Feelings | Complete

f i f t y - s e v e n

TW: sexual assault, towards end of chapter.

Well, here we go.

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Anger is nothing more than an outward expression of hurt, fear, and frustration

* * *

The whole school heard about it.

The big fight between the 'outcast' junior and the most popular boy in school, three days ago.

Nobody knew why it happened, how or who started it, but everyone knew that both boys ended up in the nurse's office, one treated for moderate wounds. Once it was settled that a hospital visit wasn't necessary, they ended up in the principal's office, where they were both slapped with the full suspension, a week max.

A week never felt longer.

Needless to say how Sage ditched his books at the speed of light and shot from his seat upon seeing Randall enter the library, even though they frequently saw each other at Taste Buds. The blond almost knocked him over as he engulfed the taller boy in a tight hug. That, of course, earned them stares from library occupants, as well as the librarian.

She cleared her throat.

"Take it outside, boys."

Sage grabbed Randall's hand, yanking him along as they exited the library, walking until they reached the courtyard. Eyes still followed after them, especially on Randall, but Sage ignored them for the sake of his friend; the only one who stood by him when he was subject to a similar situation.

They found their regular spot at the back, overlooking one half of the campus, but all the while throughout the walk, Sage noticed something.

The students.

They glared at the pair, sneering in disgust and disdain, worse than before. The nasty looks were especially geared towards Randall, and one boy even purposely shoved himself into him, but the junior ignored them all, only pulled the timid blond boy along.

Sage forced him to sit down, after which he surveyed his friend's face, surveyingfor any signs of more injuries that magically appeared over the last 24 hours. Besides the covered bruise on the top right corner of his head and a minatue version of a black eye, he appeared to be okay.

Thankfully.

"How bad is it?" Sage quietly asked, meeting Randall's eyes.

Randall stopped him, grinning broadly.

"Sage, cheer up. I'm okay."

Sage's lower lip crinkled as he eyed the band-aid on Randall's forehead, as well as the one around his wrist and knuckles. "I-it doesn't look like it."

Sighing heavily, Randall lifted his hand to the wound on his head, grazing his fingers over it. He winced slightly. "I'm fine though, honest. Don't worry about it." Randall convinced Sage, using the words he would have used. "The fücker didn't even hit hard."

Unforeseen, Randall flinched when Sage slammed his hands to the table, drawing a few eyes to their table. Sage didn't seem to care though, for when Randall looked up at him, he realized that Sage's eyes were angry, pooling with tears. "W-what were you thinking, f-fighting? A-are you crazy?!" he admonished. A sob tore from him and he rushed over to Randall, hauling him in for a tight hug. "I-I'm so glad you're okay."

"Sage, don't you understand why I did it?" Randall questioned him once Sage pulled back. The blond blinked away the tears he didn't let fall, shaking his head at Randall. "He played you, Sage. He used you for whatever he could get, and when he couldn't get anything else, he ditched you. Just like I told you he would. He's a fücking dick."