Conflict Of Emotions (Junior x Cody)

Chapter 3: Sorry...

Junior's POV

"Arright, Junior. Cody, get the fuck out for a minute," Jackie Chu replied to me. Cody nodded and left. "So, what is it?" I looked at my teacher nervously. "W-Well, I didn't know who to tell, b-but Cody's dad hits his mom sometimes, and he beats Cody. His mom wanted me to tell you she needs help," I said in an anxious rush. "Ah, I don't know about that. Let me ask Cody, okay Junior?" I nod shakily. Is he gonna be mad? Damn. Why did I open my big mouth?

Cody's POV

I sat on the cold linoleum floor in the hall outside of the classroom. What did Junior want to talk to the teacher about? I twiddled my thumbs nervously. "Shit. I bet it's about mom." I shift Ken a bit closer to me. "Cody! Get back in here." I jumped up, grabbing Ken by the waist. We reentered the room, seeing a flustered and nervous Junior sitting at his desk. I walked over to the teacher, glancing at Junior. "Yes, teacher?" Jackie Chu looked at me with a raised brow. "Your parents fight?" I shook my head, "No." Jackie Chu sighed. "Junior, don't lie again." I glared at the boy in question. Junior averted his gaze. I walked back to my desk, sitting Ken on the hard wooden surface. The bell rang and class began.

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The school day ended, and I exited the classroom swiftly. I had sat there all day thinking about what Junior had told the teacher. I heard footsteps behind me. I turned to glare sharply at the boy. "Cody, I-" "Shut up, Junior." My voice was flat and cold. Sadness welled in Junior's eyes. "Just," I sighed, "Don't talk to me." I knew where he was coming from, but he just didn't realize that it's always been this way for me. I tried many times before to "save" my mom, but in the end, she clearly didn't want to be. I shuddered, thinking of those memories, the bruises, made me feel cold and sick.

Junior's POV

Cody paled, a cloudy look in his eyes. "C-Cody?" He didn't answer, only blinked and walked away. I followed him out of the school building. His mom was waiting in the car with some Chick-fil-A and some really dumb rap song playing on the radio. Cody climbed in the back, not looking his mom in the eyes. I sat in the back too, opposite him. Judy passed us the food, and we hesitantly took it. I looked in my bag. She got me nuggets and fries. I looked at Cody. He hadn't even opened his bag. His mom noticed we weren't eating. "Boys, you need to eat. We've gotta ditch the trash before we get home." I felt goosebumps on my skin. Why was Cody's dad so scary? He was just a person, after all. I opened my bag and began to eat a little. I didn't want to go to bed hungry. Cody tore open his bag and started eating quickly. The fear in his eyes spoke louder than anything he could've said in that very moment. 

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We made it back to Cody's house after ditching our garbage at a car wash. I followed Cody to his room. He threw Ken on his bed rather aggressively. I watched him as he flopped on his bed. I sat down on the floor, criss-crossed-applesauced. He's really mad at me. How do I fix this? I sighed quietly to myself, huffing heavily. "What," Cody said flatly. "N-nothing." My hands shook slightly. "Stop lying." I swallowed hard. "I'm sorry, Cody," I mumbled under my breath. "Whatever." Cody's tone was so cold. This change in him was so different than his usual dorky attitude. It was almost scarier than his dad. "No," I whispered. He rolled over and looked directly at me. "What," he spoke sharply. I turned to look him in the eyes. "It's not whatever. Dammit, Cody. I thought I was doing a good thing. I know he treats y'all badly. I know he hurts you. I guess I just... I don't know. I'm sorry." I spilled my feelings to him. It felt like a weight was lifted off my chest, but there was still this lingering feeling that there was something more. Cody's gaze softened a little. "You can't change it now. I just hope Dad doesn't find out about it."