The Way That Gravity Pulls (Creek FanFic)

Chapter 19: Why?

That Sunday painfully dragged on, and I didn't get to see Craig. He didn't want me in his house at all that day considering that his parents were still under the same roof, which meant that not only objects would be thrown, but also fists. He said that his parents had gotten into another physical fight, so he wasn't going anywhere in case his mom had needed him.

I obeyed his wishes and remained at my house.

I didn't leave my room that entire day.

I couldn't stop thinking about what had happened between Stan and Kyle the previous night. I wanted to call Kyle and try to set things right, but no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn't do it. He had now hated me, but I don't think he had hated me nearly as much as he had hated himself, because only someone who doesn't love themself, refuses the love of others. Kyle refused the love of Stan, even though it was the only thing he had desperately longed for. And I wondered how Stan had felt after all of the destruction he had caused just from one kiss.

If he had even remembered, that was.
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Monday came barreling in like a riptide, pulling me back, not allowing me to catch my breath. They tell you to ride the waves of life, but how could I even try when there were anchors tied to my feet?

It all began that morning when Craig had picked me up for school. He greeted me with a big smile as I returned his hoodie to him and watched him throw it on. I also had the money and cassettes stored away in my backpack, ready to surprise him, but I chose not to that day. For when he had smiled, I noticed that he had a gash across his bottom lip. It had been swollen and scabbed over. I instantly knew where he had gotten it from...or from who I should say.

His dad.

I didn't point it out or say anything about it, but it bothered me so much, striking me down to my very core, leaving me feeling totally disgusted.

How could someone do that to their own kid?

I wanted to kiss Craig. I wanted to kiss his mouth so he could feel my love press up against his wound, but I didn't want to hurt him. I hurt everything and everyone I touched.

All the way up until 1st period, I had clung onto this tiny bit of hope that Kyle wouldn't be there so I didn't have to face him. But unfortunately for me, he showed up. He ambled into the classroom with his backpack slung loosely over his shoulder as he sulked over to his desk beside me and sat down. He was dressed in a baggy hoodie and sweatpants that were probably two sizes too big. His trapper hat was no where to be seen as he let his mess of a hairdo fall over his face, attempting to hide his irritated, bloodshot eyes. He had been crying.

Here's my chance to apologize. Even if he doesn't accept your apology, it's better to know that you at least tried.

But did I say anything? No. I didn't. I didn't have the guts to.

The entire class period he ignored me and kept his head down. He had refused to take his notes or do any of his work.

Kyle wasn't okay.

When the bell rang at the end of class, he was one of the first people to stand up and grab his things. He wanted to leave before I had gotten the chance to stop him, and as he walked past my desk, he tossed over a small, folded up piece of paper that had been ripped off the side from one of his notebook pages.

I waited until he was completely gone before I opened it up and read it.

"If you out me, I'll out you. But I'll be damned if you do anything to Stan."

But that wasn't all that he had written, for there was something else in smaller handwriting underneath.

"Not even a week."