Chapter 21

Adien POV

It's my last day at the hospital and I haven't spoken to Nick since he left. To be honest he hasn't spoken to me. I have partially blown up his phone and I'm becoming increasingly worried about him. Even triple texted and called, but he still hasn't replied.

"Ready?" Mum asked grabbing my bag from the floor, I take it out of her hand trying to be helpful. She's been under a lot of stress lately so I'm trying everything in my power to help her out. I nod and smile weakly, that's all I seem to be able to do lately. Smiling weakly.

"Hold on," Doctor Alex Gilmore spoke bringing his clipboard; that never seemed to leave his side. "Here are some tablets you'll have to take for the next month, If you feel dizzy, weak or have any unusual symptoms, feel free to come and see me anytime. I hope you enjoyed your stay, is there anything else you want me to do for you?"

"No, I'm completely fine. Thank you very much" I smile, genuinely grateful for the great care I had received.

"Thank you for your hospitality, doctor" Mum thanked shaking his hand, they stayed hand in hand for a little bit too long. Staring up at each other making me feel awkward. "Well...bye and thank you again."

We leave the hospital in a hurry, the news report still fresh in our minds. We have to lay low for a while at least just until everyone has forgotten about the damn report. The ride home is silent and thoughtful we both don't know how to fill the thick air. We finally reach home it feels like centuries since I've been here. I collapse onto the bed sighing with happiness, I'm so glad to finally be home and be able to lay in my comfortable bed, unlike the foreign hospital bed.

I take out my phone and decide to call Nick again, he doesn't answer. The phone doesn't even ring. He must have his phone off. I would walk to his house but I don't know where it is. It has been dreadful I hate that he is ignoring me, I dont know what I've done. I shrug it off and tell myself I don't care. I never used to have friends so it shouldn't affect me now. I mean who needs friends when they ditch and ignore you at your time of need.

Yeah...Yeah. I don't need him...

***************

I wake up to the irritating shrill of my alarm; it's Wednesday and it's time for school. I get up and go to the bathroom feeling myself loosen as I feel the warm water caresses my sleepy body. I get out of the shower feeling refreshed. I walk down the stairs and skip breakfast; I don't feel hungry. I give up on the idea that nick is going to show up when the clock turns 8:00.

I shrug and begin my journey to school. I grab my headphones listening to music as I walk. It's a bright day I can feel the warm breeze on my face and I can hear the birds chirping a beautiful melody.

I wish I was a bird, I wouldn't have to worry about society or what people think about others. I wouldn't have to live in this poor excuse of a world. Where civil hands leave civil hands unclean. English Lit has taught me well. Inequality and discrimination rule every mind. You hear stories on the news about kids being killed in war-torn countries, immigrant families being separated at the hands of the government they are seeking asylum from. But no one really cares about that, they'd rather talk about the Kardashians or whatever celebrity drama is going on. It's grossly dehumanising how as a society we don't give a shit about the real things going on in the world.

I want to leave, but I could never do that to my mum. I dont want to die, I just dont want to be...here. I struggle to see a place for myself in this world. The worst thing is every time things get good for me something bad has to happen and mess things up for me. Then I'm back to the start, lonely and vulnerable. Depressed, suicidal.

I reach school slightly late which is unusual for me. I have English first, a class with Nick. I feel sweat prickling my back, I'm scared I might see him or he might see me and then what will happen? Will he just ignore me and pretend we never had any type of relationship?

I reach class, surprisingly everyone is already sitting down, I enter the teacher unfazed by my lateness. Probably because I've never been late before. I sit down at the back next to Jared, it's the only space left, aside from one near the front. I'm shocked to see Nick not here.

"Do you know where Nick is?" Jared asked leaning over trying not to talk too loudly.

"No. He hasn't spoken to me since the hospital,"

"Oh okay. I forgot to ask, how are you, mate? I hope your feeling better"

"Yeah, fine thanks"

"Some of the other boys are going out at lunch, we're going to ditch school. Do you want to come along?"

"No thanks...I...I'm still feeling quite weak" I lie, convincing him instantly. He nods completely understanding. We don't talk for most of the lesson, he can tell I need my space. The day goes by uninterestingly until lunch. It's nearly time to get back to class so I take a detour to the bathroom. Knowing full well that Mr. Charles, my maths teacher, doesn't let people go to the toilet during class.

It's a short trip to the empty toilets. I make sure I go to the toilets no one ever goes in so that I don't have to face anyone. I wash my face feeling drained from the action and regretting letting my mind wander. Wander to things I don't want to think about.

"Funny to see you in here," The familiar voice booms sending chills down my back. "I've missed our thrilling encounters."

I turn to face David, I'm shaking and sweating with fear. I look down not wanting to catch his eye, I don't want to show him I'm scared. The funny thing is I am scared and he knows it.

"David, I don't want to fight" I stutter fearfully.

"You don't have to fight...just stand there while I beat you," he smirks but his smile doesn't reach his eyes. I can see something else lurking beneath them. Fear. It was hatred but a different kind.

"I've been waiting, waiting for the right moment. It's funny that. I'm the predator and you're the prey. Now Nick and Jared aren't here, now I can pounce" he laughed lunging forward towards me, I scatter like a deer in headlights. My heart almost lunging out of my chest altogether.

It's a child's game to him, but to me it much more serious. Life and death maybe. I throw as many punches and kicks as possible missing nearly every time.

Every hand I lay on him he lays hundreds in return. I can feel the corners of my vision blackening every time he punches me.

He rams his hand into my rib making me double over. I gasp for air as he grabs a fistful of my hair before making me look upwards towards him.

"Why do you hate me?" I manage to say, blood oozing from my nose. I was numb, completely unable to feel the sensation in my body, it's almost like the last straw; To feel this trapped, lonely...hopeless. He was murdering every last bit of me that was holding onto living a happy life.

"Because...you did this to me. It's all your fault" he spat, ambiguously. I've never done anything to him. Tears spring to my eyes making my nose prickle. "Kiss me"

My eyes widen at his command, at first I think he's teasing me, taunting me.  But I can hear the seriousness in his voice. The strain of reluctance, every drip of hatred not only towards me but to himself oozed from those two words.

"Kiss me!" He shouted grabbing my face and bringing it towards him. I resist trying to push him away. He slaps me around the face, eventually connecting our lips. I feel numb unable to control this unexpected turn of events. I'd rather have him beat me up than this. He finally releases me, I fall back weak.

"If you tell anyone about this, Adien Lester... I WILL end you" with that he punches me one more time in the gut, winding me. I feel the blood running down my eyes. I attempt to stand, almost unable to move. Making sure David was gone, I find myself outside the school sitting on a bench.

I reach into my pocket and grab my phone. This action almost making me throw up. I feel dizzy and disoriented.

I switch my phone on before absentmindedly calling the only person that was on my mind...