Change of Heart

Chapter 71

**

Ever since Jake and I have become friends, my mood has actually started clearing up for the better. He's been there for me making sure I don't get angry and act out. The only time when even he can't do anything is when we see Zeke. My blood just boils and all my anger just comes back. It's been two months since Jake said a word to him.

Zeke seems to hate me even more now because I took his best friend away from him. When we run into each other in the halls, he pays no mind to Jake, not even a glance, but rather his entire being is focused solely on me.

"What do you want?" I snapped at Zeke, as he approached us. Jake just watched as the two of us came face to face.

"I want you to disappear."

"Not likely, but hey, no ones stopping you from disappearing. At least that way, you can make a move of your own for once." Pushing past him. he took a hold of my arm swinging me back around punching me right in the nose.

Everyone wandering around in the halls began to circle us, chanting fight, fight, fight! My nose was like steel. From that punch, it could've easily been broken, but it sure didn't feel broken. The most I got out of that was a simple nose bleed. Before I could get up, Zeke punched me in the face again, this time square in the jaw. That time it really hurt like a bitch!

Sitting on top of me, he punched me several times over before a teacher came pulling him off me. I groaned from the pain. Jake helped me up and to the nurse's office. On our way over, I saw Serine walk out from the corner, and I instantly reacted, pulling Jake into the bathroom with me before she faced our direction.

"Caden, what's-"

"Shh! Stay quiet!" I didn't want Serine to see me this way, all beat up and bruised. As she walked passed the door, I let out a sigh of relief. Now we could proceed without being seen by her. "Let's go."

Jake was unusually quiet, staring at the floor blankly. Patting on his shoulder, I got his attention, and the words flew out of him. "I'm sorry I didn't do anything, I froze, I didn't know what to do, I-"

"Hey, don't beat yourself over it. I'm glad you didn't butt in because he probably would've done the same to you." I smiled and lightly punched him on the chest. "Now, let's go get my face checked out."

He offered a small laugh, and nodded. "Right." I could see in his face that he still blamed himself for not helping or doing anything. Honestly, I probably would've been angrier if he had. As much as I would appreciate him helping out, I hated to seem weak to the point where someone had to come to my rescue. Aside from Zeke himself, nothing pissed me off more.

**

When we reached the nurse's office, we had to wait about ten minutes before we could go in. I glanced over at a mirror, and my face was completely bruised and covered in a bit of blood, mostly from my nose and lip. I muttered to myself. "Damn...how am I supposed to hide this from Serine?"

"Who?" Jake asked with curiosity. Crap, that wasn't meant to be heard..

"Karene. You know, my, uh, childhood friend. We were supposed to hang out later on and if she sees me like this, there's no doubt she's going to freak out."

He narrowed his eyes a bit, making me a little uncomfortable. "I realized something. It's been two months and you haven't even introduced us."

I was afraid he would comment on that...I couldn't keep this up forever, could I? Before I responded, I was called in by the nurse. Dodged a huge bullet there.

Going into the back room, the nurse examined my face. "That's one nasty injury. Besides your cut lip and bloody nose, you're lucky all you received were these bruises."

"Is there a way to hide them?"

"Your bruises?" She laughed a little shaking her head. "Not unless you don't mind wearing makeup." I was afraid of that... "Just make sure you get the right coverup for it, the skin tone really matters."

Giving a sarcastic tone, I left her with a single word. "Thanks."

Jake approached me when I came walking out the door. "What did she say?"

My face went pale, though it was hard to tell past the bruising, but I felt ashamed just even asking such a question. "Do you know some place where I can find some coverup?"

**

It took some work but I managed to cover up the bruises. It was awkward asking for makeup to cover it up, but it was all I could do. Just had to keep it on around Serine. Thankfully, she couldn't see past it. If she saw the bruises, she'd only worry. I felt bad not telling her where I went though, she's probably waiting for me at home.

"Why'd you make me come with you?" Jake sounded pretty annoyed, and like me, embarrassed.

"I didn't want to be alone. Besides you weren't the one buying it...and you weren't the one who got laughed at."

He joked punching me in the shoulder. "It had to be a girl, right?"

"Shut up." I punched him a little harder. "I've gotta get home though, so I'll catch you later."

Leaving Jake behind, I started running straight home. I wanted to get home before Mike did. Just the thought of him being alone with Serine scared me. Up until now, there's not a time where they've been alone, I've always been around. He probably wouldn't do anything to her whereas he can actually stand her, but he wouldn't dare take a second thought at hitting me if he got the chance. I didn't want the possibility of that happening to her when I'm not around.

Coming out of nowhere, I was ran into by someone riding a bike. The guy flew off the bike and on top of me. He scrambled up helping me to my feet as well. "I'm so sorry! I just got this bike, and the breaks on it broke. It wasn't until the last second that I saw you and yea, you know."

Brushing myself off, I looked up at him and noticed something familiar about him. He had long black hair, only a few feet taller than, me and then I realized. "Do you know a Zeke, by chance?"

He stopped for a moment, like I had struck some kind of nerve inside him. "Yea, he's my, umm...kid brother." Just by the sound of his name almost gave me the impression he was scared of him or something. "Do you know him?"

"Sort of." I wanted to lash out. Yea, I know him and I hate his guts! He's a damn bastard, and a giant jerk at that! Instead, I managed to keep it to myself.

"If he does anything to you, I'm sorry in advance." Nodding his head he took a hold of his bike. "Well, take care." Running off past me, he jumped on his bike and started riding off again. My impression on Zeke got even worse, and I had a really bad feeling.