Through his eyes

3

"Theo? Are you okay?" Will asked as he peeked
inside the bathroom. Dad was drunk and angry again and took it out on me, leaving me with some marks on my body and a bloody nose.

"Yes I'm fine Will. Don't come inside" I said turning away from him. I didn't wanted him to see me like that or what our dad is capable of.
"But you're bl-"
"Will get out!" I shouted at him, his eyes widened and he quickly closed the door.

•••

The next morning I tried to cover up as good as I could.

"Will?" I asked knocking on his door
"Go away" I Heard him say
"I'm sorry for yelling at you. Can you forgive me?" I asked
"No!" He shouted, I sighed and went downstairs.

"I will bring him and pick him up" Zoe informed as she walked past me. I nodded with my head and walked towards the kitchen to eat something before going to school.

•••

"What's up with you and all that" Peter asked chuckling
"What about it?" I asked him
"Isn't it to hot to wear something like that?" He asked leaning on someone's locker
"No" I said quickly, Peter was eyeing me with a mischievous grin
"What are you trying to hide huh? A hickey maybe?" He asked
"Nothing" I lied. All of a sudden Peter started to pull at my hood that was supposed to hide my face

"Dude Stop" I groaned trying to get rid of his hold but he didn't let go.
Peter managed to pull my hood of my head. His eyes widened at the sight
"I told you to stop!" I hissed angrily, quickly pulling the hood back on
"I'm sorry man" he apologised
"You okay?" He asked the concern evident in his eyes
"Yes. Don't worry about it" I mumbled before walking away from him.

•

Walking towards my locker I saw Selena standing in front of it, she was looking through the crowd of students in front of her. Our gaze met and she gave me a bright smile
"Nope" I mumbled to myself and walked into another direction.
"Theo! Wait!" She called after me but I quickened my pace and rushed towards the bathroom.

I breathed out when I made it safely into the bathroom. Nobody was in here so I didn't had to worry when I removed my hood and examined my face in the mirror.

"Are trying to avoid me?" Selena asked in a playful tone as she entered the bathroom. I quickly put the hood back on.

"You do know that this bathroom is for people who consider themselves as male, right?" I asked watching her trough the mirror.
I jumped a little when she started laughing loudly "you're so funny Theo" she said walking towards me

"That wasn't a joke to be honest" I stated rather confused with her odd behaviour.
"Doesn't matter. Anyways you will be there at Peters party?" She asked placing her hand on my biceps squeezing it lightly
"I don't know" I said gulping
"Will you be there if I'm going?" She asked lowly
Definitely not

"Why would you even go to your ex boyfriends party?" I asked raising my brow at her
she shrugged saying "I dunno. Everybody will be there - so I have to be there too you know" she explained, no I don't know

"Wow you have way much more muscle than Peter" she said biting her lip
"Uhmm. I have to go now" I said getting out of her grasp and rushed out the bathroom.

When I walked to my next class I saw Imani and her friends walking past me, she gave me a small smile before moving on making my heart beat faster than before.

•••

"My boy!" Mrs Jovita greeted hugging me
"I see it's not going better hm?" she asked placing a hand on my bruised cheek, I hissed in pain
"Cmon let's go inside"

••

"Where's Will?" Mrs Jovita asked getting some ice for my wounds
"Uhh he's at home, upset with me" I admitted getting comfortable on her couch
"Why is he upset with you?" Mrs Jovita asked handing me some bags of ice - one for my face and the other one for my lower abdomen.

"I... I yelled at him- but I didn't do it on purpose" I said quickly defending myself
"Did you say that you were sorry?" She asked both her hands on her hips
"Of course" I said
"Just give him some time yeah?"
"Okay" I nodded
"I have some Mac and cheese on the stove, you want sum?" She asked already knowing the answer to that

"No it's not store bought" she added quickly
"Gladly" I said smiling.
She knows I don't like store bought Mac and cheese and that I love hers - it's literally the best Mac and cheese I've ever had.

•

"How's school going? You better only bring A's home" she commanded in a playful tone
"I am, don't worry" I said chuckling
"How's Peter?" She asked refilling our cups with water
"He's like always, partying, with girls the basics" I said snickering
"Talking about Girls. Is there maybe someone particular?" Mrs Jovita asked with a grin
"... No"
"Tz tz you hesitated that means you're lying. Now tell me who's the lucky girl" she asked
"It's no one. Even if - I wouldn't have any chances with her" I said looking down.
It's true, Imani was so out of my league.

"So there is a gurl. What's her name" Mrs Jovita asked, I knew she was really interested in this topic by the way her eyes sparkled,
"Her name is Imani" I said sighing
"Imani? That cute little girl who always shared her food with you?"
"Yes, her"
Mrs Jovita erupted into laughter
"What's so funny?" I asked confused
"Oh nothing. I just remembered the time you were always talking about how annoying she was but kept around because she gave you free food" she said still laughing
"I knew it would grow into something more as soon you started to talk about how pretty she looked back then" Mrs Jovita went on, calming down
"She still is and has always been" I mumbled
"Oh lord. You've grown up so quickly."
Mrs Jovita always told me that I was like her own son. She didn't had any children herself but always wanted some. She is like the mother I never had and probably will never have.

"You were so tiny. And now you've grown into a handsome young man" she spoke softly
"You should go for her, sweety" she said reaching for my hand and giving it a light squeeze, I placed my other hand over hers giving her small smile.