Hiding in shadows (Some Shadows, Jack & Ella)

Useful and nice

Ava's POV

I walk to what I'm guessing is his room and sit on the edge of the bed "I'm Ava. What's your name?" He stares at me shocked, "I- I'm Jack." he eventually sits down. "Does that happen often?" I ask him, he looks utterly confused "Does what happen often?" I shake my head already knowing the answer "You getting bullied like that." He looks down, "I-, yeah." he sighs.

I look at him, his grey eyes flicker around the room trying to avoid mine and he goes into a passive stance. "You don't have to use the passive stance on me." His eyes widen, "I- I'm sorry, I didn't even realise..." I smile, "It's ok."

I notice pins on his desk "Why do you hurt yourself? Doesn't that guy put you through enough?" he looks at the pins and whispers "I don't know... Please don't tell anyone." I whisper back "I won't. Can I see them?" He looks at me defeated and takes off his hoodie. His arms are covered with marks and words, one of them is new and still bleeding, I realise it makes the word 'Useless'. I hug him and he flinches "Why are you being weird?" he asks me, I raise an eyebrow and he says "Like... Why are you being nice?"

I smile, "Because you're nice." He looks at me, "I am?" I grin "Yes, you are." He smiles, it looks like he hasn't smiled in years. I lie on the bed and he takes his hoodie, "No, don't put it on." he slowly lets it go then he lies down with me. I ask him "Can I have a pen?" and he nods. Jack opens a draw and takes a green sharpie out. "Perfect!" he smiles again, I take the lid off it and take his arm. He frowns, "Huh?" I ignore him and write the words nice and useful in an empty space. He stares at it for a good few minutes then a grin appears on his face, "You think?" I nod "Yes, you're useful and nice. Don't listen to that guy, he's the idiot here."

Jack's POV

"I- Thank you." I promise myself to never let Zack hurt Ava. She hugs me, this time I hug her back. She gets up and walks to the front door. I follow her and she says "I'm going to go now. Why don't you sit with me and my sister at lunch?" I nod "If you want me to..." She grins "Of course I do. See you there!" she walks out and goes down the hallway.