My Over Protective Boy Best Friend

Chapter 5

Sam's POV

Hi, I'm Sam Santos, 16 years old. I'm the leader of our gang, which has thirteen members, and I've taken down plenty of people without breaking a sweat.

"Sam...huhuhu," Ysa sobbed as she came to me.

"What happened to your face? And why are you crying?" I asked, questions coming out fast with worry and anger.

"S-Sam...Tyler...he slapped me," she managed to say between sobs.

"Why would he do that?" I asked, irritation building up inside me.

"I don’t know...please, do something," she pleaded.

"Alright, guys, get ready. We have someone to deal with," I announced, turning to my gang.

"Thank you, Sam," Ysa whispered, hugging me.

“You got it,” I replied, and my friends all nodded in agreement.

We spotted Tyler in the school restroom. My crew waited outside, hiding, a fake gun tucked by Joyce’s side as part of the intimidation.

Inside the Restroom

“Long time, no see, Tyler,” I greeted him with a grin.

“What do you want?” he shot back, obviously annoyed.

“I want you to stay away from Joyce,” I said flatly.

“And why would I do that?” he challenged.

“Come with me,” I ordered, leading him out of the restroom to a spot where we could see Joyce from a distance, surrounded by my guys.

"See those guys next to Joyce? They’re my people, armed and ready. If you don’t stay away from her, her life will be at stake," I warned with a twisted smile.

Tyler's POV

"For all I know, those guns are fake," I countered, unwilling to show fear.

"Well, how about we find out on Joyce’s head, then?" he said, signaling his guys to point the gun at Joyce's head.

"Alright, just...don’t hurt her,” I muttered, giving in to his threat.

“We’re not the ones who’ll hurt Joyce, Tyler. You are,” he said, grinning menacingly.

“You’re despicable,” I spat, my voice shaking with rage.

“Just remember, your best friend’s life is in your hands now,” he replied smugly as his gang trained their guns on Joyce.

“Fine. I’ll do it,” I agreed reluctantly.

As Sam’s gang left, Joyce came up to me, concern filling her eyes. I forced myself to avoid her gaze and walk away.

“Tyler!” she called, stepping in front of me, searching my face for answers. I turned my eyes away and kept walking.

“Tyler,” she called again, her voice laced with desperation and hurt.

“What’s your problem? We were so happy just the other day. Why are you acting like this?” she asked, tears pooling in her eyes.

“Just...stay away from me, Joyce,” I said, my heart breaking as I forced the words out.

“W-What? W-Why, Tyler? D-Did I do something wrong?” she stammered, tears finally spilling down her cheeks.

“Didn’t you promise me you wouldn’t cry again?” I whispered, feeling a tear slip down my own cheek, which I quickly brushed away so she wouldn’t see.

“W-Why shouldn’t I cry? Y-You’re leaving me,” she choked out, before stepping forward and wrapping her arms around me.

“Sorry, Joyce. I have to do this...it’s for your own safety,” I thought, feeling my heart shatter as I gently pushed her away.

“Stay away from me!” I shouted, before leaving her behind.

Even as I walked away, I could hear her calling my name, her voice broken and pleading.

“Sorry,” I whispered to myself, tears finally spilling as I got farther from her.

Joyce's POV

In My Room

What is happening to me? My heart feels torn to pieces, and he’s just my best friend. Why does it feel like this? Am I losing my mind?

"Am I going crazy?" I asked myself, forcing a laugh through my tears.

"Maybe I am. Haha," I said, trying to find some comfort in humor, even though it felt empty.

"But why, Tyler? Why did you do this to me?" I whispered, clutching my phone with a photo of Tyler displayed on it.

"Does losing a best friend hurt more than a breakup?" I questioned, feeling the ache in my heart intensify with each passing second.

“Or maybe...” I hesitated, realizing a truth I hadn’t dared to voice before.

“I’m...in love with you, Tyler,” I admitted to myself, feeling a wave of anguish wash over me as I began to throw things around the room, anger and heartbreak mixing together.

“Why did it have to be you?” I screamed, frustration pouring out of me.

The Next Day at School

Everything felt different now. My best friend was gone, and my life seemed unbearably dull and empty without him.

Ysa strutted over to my seat, a smug grin on her face.

“Hey, Joyce. I heard you don’t have a best friend anymore. You know why? It’s because you’re boring. No wonder everyone leaves you. You’ve got no boyfriend, no best friend...karma just came knocking for you,” she sneered.

“It’s better to lose someone immediately than to spend years with them only to find out they were using you all along,” I replied sharply, noticing her falter.

"What's wrong with your face? Poor thing, those eye bags are showing," I mocked, enjoying the sting in her expression.

"I don’t need your pity. And speaking of being alone, I heard your friends left you too and are now hanging out with Clarisse. So, maybe you should stop talking down to others because it looks like karma hit you, too," I shot back.

"Shut up!" she yelled, clearly rattled.

"You started it, and I’m finishing it. Just because Tyler’s gone doesn’t mean I can’t stand up for myself. Unlike you, I don’t need a crew to fight my battles,” I retorted, leaving her behind.

I continued walking alone through the halls, missing Tyler’s presence next to me. Losing a best friend hurt more than I ever expected. In my mind, I told myself he was just on a break.

Then I spotted him with Sam and his gang, and my heart dropped as I saw the bruises and cuts on his face.

“Tyler, what happened to you? Are you okay? Who did this to you?” I cried, moving towards him to check his injuries.

"Get away from me!" he shouted, pushing me roughly.

“B-But Tyler, y-you treated my wounds before, so let me treat yours, too,” I stammered, shocked at his harshness.

“You don’t get it, Joyce. You’re boring, and I don’t want you around anymore. I’ve got new friends now,” he replied coldly, before walking away.

(Are you serious?) (Why is this happening?)

“Tyler, I love you!” I cried after him, watching his figure disappear without looking back. I knew he heard, but he didn’t care. He kept walking.

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Thank you for reading!