The Boy Who Cared For My Bruises And Scars

Part 3

I huffed and puffed as I tried to keep up with Teddy. The staircase was tall and never seemed to end. But finally we reached a double door that led to secrets. Clueless as to why I was here, I looked to the boy for answers.

"So this school has a really cool tradition. You might just want to get a private tour though." Teddy opened the doors and flipped the light switch to display a hall of pictures and awards. I saw faces of many students that must have gone to this school. Some looked famous, some looked cool, some looked like they shopped at their grandma's closet, and some looked kind. Then I noticed a familiar face and saw that it was Teddy. 

It read: Ted Parker recieving the King award. 

"Whats the King award?" I asked the proud award winner. He crossed his arms and looked across the room to see all of the faces. 

"There was a student here, about 20 years ago, that saved someone's life here. A man came into the school with a gun and started shooting people. But there was one girl, that never talked to anyone, that didn't have many friends, and she was face to face with this man. This studen, John King, saw what was happening and jumped in front of her. He was shot and died right there. He didn't even know the girl. So every year, if the nominees are worthy of the award, the school awards people of courage, boldness, and kindness to their classmates with the King award. It's really special. But not a  lof of people know about it."

"That's such a cool story." I walked around the room and came across John King's picture. "This is him? This is the king?" Teddy walked over and stood beside me. 

"Yeah, thats him." John had glasses, but was very good looking. His clothes looked like they were appropriate 20 years ago but certainly not now. I could see the kindness in his eyes. 

"So how did you get this award? You know, the person who spills mashed potatoes on the new kid?" I nudged him with my elbow. He grinned, then shrugged. We both suddenly looked at the clock.

"We better get to class. I don't know what Mr. Mary will think of me being gone this late," Teddy grabbed my hand and led me to the door. The lights died out as we left.

~

Teddy and I became friends after that day. We talked between classes, studied during study hall, and he even invited me to sit by him at lunch. I usually sat by Rachel, but she didn't talk as much as Teddy did. She was my only friend besides him, so I invited her to sit by us too. We felt out of place with all of the football players, but they soon accepted us because Teddy did. The girls did not like us though.

Whats probably really obvious, is Teddy is very good looking. He's very popular, plays sports, gets decent grades, and is genuinly a nice guy. So the ladies fall head over heels for him. The best part is, he is clueless of the fact. It's like he ignores the drooling girls completely. I, on the other hand, notice it a lot. Every time I'm with him, I get glares from every angle in the room.

At lunch, the cheerleaders will make a deal to take up all the seats at Teddy's table so I won't sit there. But Teddy will either move or ask them to move. Which makes me smile with victory. Because all the girls know I've won. But I didn't know why I had to win. Because there was Rob.

He was at home, texting and calling me every second he could. He was worried that I had found someone else. I could hear it in his voice every time he called. There were no hints that I had found someone else. Those were just his protective instincts. It was hard enough for me to live 2 hours away from him. Now his play toy was too far for play dates every weekend.

But whenever I was with Teddy, I ignored those nagging thoughts in the back of my mind. I blocked out those images of Rob's steaming red face as he saw me and Teddy talking on his visits. Teddy made it all go away. He was a friend I needed. And I couldn't help but like him a little more than a friend.

Wednesday, we were walking each other to our rides home from school.

"So I was thinking," he said. "we talk a lot, right? We're pretty good friends. So why don't I have your number?" I couldn't help but blush at the question. But the friends part, made my heart sink a little.

So I gave him my number, and we talked that night. For hours. I didn't get to bed until 2 AM. But I was okay with that.

~

Thursday night, I had nothing to do. Rachel and I were better friends. But we hadn't got to the point of hanging out outside of school. Which was dissapointing because she was my only girl friend at this new school. Then I got a text from Teddy. He told me that day that he would text me after football practice. I had been awaiting for that text since I had gotten on the bus. It was now 8:30.

The conversation started off with casual conversation. "How was your day", "How was practice", "Homework", etc. Then he didn't answer for about 10 minutes. As if he was thinking of something.

"What are you doing," he said.

"Finishing homework," I lied.

"Could you come meet me somewhere," he asked. I looked at the clock. 9:30 PM. Dana had already said good night, but I wasn't done with my homework. I hadn't even started it. My eyes stared at my english homework. Then I started getting cross eyed.

"Yeah. Where?" I quickly answered.

"Brown Park".