Monsters Within

Chapter 12

Cole's POV

I sit in a seat directly across the room from Kay. My confusion for why she broke up with me can't cover up my sadness about it. Looking down at my desk to stop myself from staring I am handed a paper. When I look up again I see, of all people, Gale, sit next to Kay. Will he ever learn? I hope he's not bothering her. He scoots nearer to Kay to whisper in her ear, she doesn't respond, she looks annoyed.

All right, I've had enough, I stand up and walk over to them.

"Gale why don't you just leave-" I start.

"Cole, calm down, it's fine. He's not doing any harm, I asked him to sit with me." Says Kay.

"Oh... sorry." I say embarrassed, Gale just watches, half mad, half mocking me.

I turn to leave and stop. Turning back to face her I speak, my eyes on the ground.

"Hey Kay, umm, I was wondering, maybe, would you meet me at the park, around five. Please" I still don't look up.

"Well, I don't know..." she says drifting off.

"Just, please, I'll be waiting by the tree. You can come, or not, it's up to you." Then I turn and walk back to my seat.

I can feel Gale's eyes burning on my back, and hear the whispers that start as I walk. I really hope she decides to come.

Kay's POV

"You shouldn't go," says Gale, "you broke up with him, he should respect that."

"Yeah but he deserves to know why, this is my chance to tell him." I reply, Gale only nods slightly, showing how much he disapproves.

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When I reach the park I see Cole pacing nervously underneath the tree. I walk over and Cole turns to face me, he takes a step toward me, then stops, looking at the ground.

"Hi." I say with a shy smile.

"Hi." He replies now looking up. "Listen, I'm sorry for whatever I did to hurt you, but I'm just so confused."

I cringe slightly, I never meant for him to blame himself.

"It's not your fault, at all, don't blame yourself." I say, not knowing where to start. So I just go with what ever comes to mind. "I just couldn't bare to see you all beat up like that. The only reason they did that was because you stood up for me, it was the only way I could protect you."

"Kay," he says sympathetically, "you're not alone, you have me, and you always will, I'm supposed to protect you."

"No Cole, not this time, I couldn't live with myself if you got hurt again for me. Please, don't make this harder than it is."

"But Kay you don't understand. I can protect you, I will protect you."

"No Cole you won't, I can't put you in that danger."

"Listen to me, a few years ago my sister died." He says tearing up. "She had cancer, I wanted to save her, to protect her." He starts choking up, barely making it through a sentence, "But I couldn't, you see, you can't protect someone from something inside them. Now, I have the chance to protect you, it won't bring my sister back, but it will keep you safe." There is a look in his eyes, as he stares into mine that I can't quite understand. "Because if I couldn't protect her, then I will use this chance to protect someone else I love, you." And that's when it sinks in.

I stand speechless, staring at his tear filled eyes. He steps toward me, and leans in, his eyes are closed but I leave mine open. I don't know what to do, I think I like Gale too.

But when he gently holds my neck I close my eyes and lean in. When I open my eyes again I see a bit of movement from the corner of my eye. I look over to see Gale, looking hurt, and as he turns away he gives me one last look, right in the eyes. Then I look at Cole, he's gonna hate me.

"I need to go." I say turning around.

"Wha-"

"I'm so sorry!" I call back as I chase after Gale.

I catch up to Gale within seconds. He must've heard me but he continues walking, and if anything speeds up.

"Gale stop," I call, "Gale please." He stops dead and turns around. His face a mix of anger and sadness.

"I COME TO MAKE SURE YOUR OKAY, ONLY TO SEE YOU... and... And... him! Kissing! Just when... I had started to think... That you might actually like me as much as I like you!" His eyes stay dry but the hurt in his voice is enough to break my heart.

"I'm so sorry, I do like you but-"

"You don't get it, do you! My life has been hell! And even more so since I met you but, I just power through it, for you..."

"I know-"

"No, you really don't. Because I don't just like you, I love you... And I thought you might love me too, I had hoped, I tried so hard, but I'm still not good enough. And the worst part is, I will still love you, you can break me in half so many times, and I will always love you."

He turns and walks away. I just stand speechless, watching. And as he walks out of sight I feel light headed, and next thing I know I am falling. The last thing I remember is a pair of familiar arms catching me.