Helpless (Book 1)

Chapter Thirty

"FRANICS," JOHN GASPS, his eyes widen. I frown, furrowing my brows together, glancing between John and "Francis" but I stay close behind John. 

 "Sup Laurens?" "Francis" says. "See you haven't changed much." 

 John's shocked expression suddenly changes and twists into a hatred scowl. He growls behind clenched teeth, clenching his fists by his sides as he tries to calm himself down. I rest a hand on John's shoulder, in hopes it would help some. 

 "What are you doing here?" John hisses through clenched teeth. Francis shrugs. "Miss you, babe. I thought I'd come by and giving you a little surprise visit." 

 "Well, guess who's fault was that!" John snaps, narrowing his eyes at Francis. I'm still blinking my eyes, confused as hell, as I glance back and forth between them. 

 "Look, Jack—" 

 "Don't call me that," John hisses, jabbing a finger at Francis. "You lost that privilege a long time ago." 

 Francis merely puts both his hands up. He starts inching his way closer towards John which makes John immediately take a step back closer to me.

 "Aw, come on John," Francis says. "I've missed you!" 

 "It's been effing years Francis! What the hell are you doing here?!" John says. 

 "Like I said, Jack. I just wanted to give you a surprise visit!" 

 "Well, now you have. Now leave!" John says quickly, pointing towards the bathroom door. 

 "Look. I know I'm not as patriotic as you, Jack, but really. I'm truly sorry, babe." A pause. "I really am, honey."

 "It's been years, Kinloch. Do you honestly think I'm going to go back to you after what you did to me?!" 

 "Jack—" 

 "Stop! Just stop it, okay?! Stop calling me that! Just stop it. I want you out, Kinloch!" John's voice cracks and just hearing that makes my own heart crack. 

"You broke my heart, Kinloch. Multiple times. I don't love you anymore. You've...you...what in the exact hell are you doing here?" 

 I grow tense, my eyes widen, when I see Francis brush back a few strands of honey blonde hair out of John's eyes which are start to brim. 

 "I haven't seen you in years," John whispers sharply, glaring up at Francis dead in the eye. "You don't know...how...much...I've...longed...to...do...this!" 

 Before Francis could make a move, however, John brings his arm up, reeling it back so his elbow is just past his ear and swings his fist towards Francis's nose, earning a satisfying crack. I let out a shriek of surprise and press my back harder against the wall. I stare, wide-eyed, as Francis collapses onto the cold floor, clutching onto his nose. 

 John shrugs off my shoulder and grabs a fistful of Francis's shirt collar and swings multiple blows to Francis's jaw. I just stand there paralyzed as John punches Francis over and over again. Francis doesn't do anything back. Just grins. 

 "You! You! You! You! You! You! You! After all this time you decide NOW would be the best time to come back?! After you broke up with me and...and stayed in London when I begged you to come home with me... and...and broke my effing heart! After you—" A punch. "You—" An undercut. "You lying, selfish bastard!" A punch to the jaw. 

 "John! John, stop!" I scream, grabbing his arm and trying to pull him off of Francis. 

Poor Francis lays there on the ground, dramatically coughing and wheezing, a few scrapes of blood appears on his chin and cheek. I grab John by both elbows and force him back off of Francis, holding his arms towards his sides and trying to drag him towards the bathroom door.