𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲 𝐌𝐞 𝐀𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧 ✧ (𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐝) [on hold]

✧ Chapter 7 : The Two Sides of a Same Coin ✧

I HOPE Y'ALL APPRECIATE MY AESTHETICS

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After more than a few minutes lying still in an oppressing silence, I mustered my courage and pulled myself up on my feet with the help of a nearby desk I gripped onto.

I was faint and shaking. The pain was making me wince and hiss under my breath every time I asked too much of my achy limbs.

I sat on a chair and took the time to take a few deep breaths and wipe the blood and tears off my face. I rubbed my eyes as though I was trying to forget at least the sight of this morning, if not all memories of it.

Gathering my supplies, I packed my stuff and left the classroom. Luckily, my backpack wasn't too heavy. I walked home. The whole way back, I fought not to cry - which was probably making my face twist in an ugly grimace.

The pain radiating in my head and stomach was excruciating and blocked my thoughts. I could focus on nothing but the ache. I gripped the straps of my backpack tighter and walked faster. The sooner I got home, the better.

I arrived home and tossed my school bag in a corner to relieve myself from that weight. I limped to my bedroom, but I came across Mikey in the hallway. I hid my bloody face in shame so he wouldn't see it.

I know Mikey. He would start a fight. But I'm not worth it.

"Hi Gerard, is everything okay?" my brother asked, and I looked away, mumbling that everything was alright and I needed to sleep.

He grabbed my wrist to stop me and made me face him. And the face he saw didn't please him at all. "Gerard, what happened?!"

I tugged my hand out of his grasp and looked down. Mikey cupped my cheeks and tilted my head a little to inspect my wounds. "Gerard, tell me who did this to you." he demanded.

I swatted his hand away. "Nothing..." I mumbled, walking past him. "I fell in the stairs headfirst."

"Gerard..." Mikey said softly, concern and sadness piercing in his tone.

"I'm fine. I just need rest and some time alone." I said before disappearing in my bedroom. I collapsed on my bed and merely lying flat on the mattress both relieved me and hurt my achy back.

I wrapped myself in my covers and hid under them, building myself a warm little nest as some substitute for proper emotional comfort. I spent the rest of the day in my bedroom, looking outside the window moping.

The pain in my face reminded me of something I could never forget. It hurt in multiple ways. I was too ashamed to go out of my bedroom to show to my family how weak I had been. How much of a weight I was - especially for Mikey. I must have disappointed my little brother for sure.

How foolish was I back there to think I was strong enough to stand up to Frank? He's so much stronger than me and will always be. I'm just a wimp.

I watched the sky darken as the hours went by. I was swimming in an ocean of thoughts I tried not to drown into. Who knows what are in the depths of my emotions? I can't afford to have a mental breakdown.

I hid under the covers as soon as Mom walked into my bedroom. I heard her carrying something that she put on my desk. I felt her presence near me.

"Gee-bear..." she said softly as if she thought I was trying to sleep. "I brought you something to eat for dinner. You must be tired. I'm here if you need to talk, honey."

I emitted a little groan in acknowledgment, and she left. I wasn't in the mood for swallowing anything and I felt oddly drained of all energy, so I kept staring at nothing until I dozed off and fell asleep for the night.