tragedy

chapter six

word count: 1010

pic is what declan looks like in this story >:(

Walking into the cafeteria, Iris was nothing but a ball of nerves. She was practically shaking. Thankfully, she was in a public space so there wasn't much that Declan could do to her at the moment, but that never stopped him from bringing things up later. Iris collected her lunch, which at this point she probably wasn't even going to eat, and headed to her normal table, seeing Declan there already. She moved her head in hopes that she would see Alli there as well but much to her dismay, she didn't. Fuck. I'm dead, was the only thought that Iris had as she sat down across from her boyfriend. Her only saving grace now would be that Alli would show up before Declan noticed her hand.

"Hey, babe." He greeted her, leaning over the table and their food to peck her lips. "Hey." She responded with the best fake smile she could put on at the moment. Maybe if I distract him with happiness, he won't even think about it, Iris tried to convince herself. She purposefully ate with one hand so that she could keep the other one under the table. "So I wanted to ask you something," Declan said, smiling at her and pushing their trays out of the way. He held out his hands on top of the table and she knew that he wanted her to hold them. Fuck. I'm dead, Iris thought once again. She slowly and carefully pulled her hands out from under the table and slid them into his. Thankfully, he didn't notice anything. "Iris, my love, my one and only, would you go to homecoming with me?" Declan asked with a hopeful look as if he had no idea if she would say yes or not. In reality, he knew that she would agree to anything that he asked of her. He made it so that she knew that he owned her every move. Iris practically rolled her eyes at him but she put on a fake smile once again. "Of course." She replied. Declan's smile grew and he pulled her hands up to his mouth to kiss them. Before they reached his mouth though, his eye caught something on her hand. He pulled them away from his face and forcefully opened her hand so that he could fully see her palm.

Iris was frozen. Now would be a really great time to show up, Alli, Iris thought, tears already beginning to form in her eyes. "Who's fucking number is this?" Declan asked accusingly, tightening his grip on her wrist once again. "I-It's my English partner's number. W-we have to do an assignment together." Iris tried to explain, attempting to get her wrist out of his grip. "Is this English partner a guy?" He pried, emphasizing the words 'English partner', insinuating that he didn't believe her. "It doesn't matter, we're just doing an assignment," Iris answered quickly. She knew that her answer wasn't enough when his grip on her wrist tightened. "You're hurting me." Iris spat, getting worked up and a bit louder. "You're hurting me!" Declan shouted now, his voice blaring throughout the cafeteria, his hands slamming on the table.

It seemed as though everyone stopped and stared at them, all of their attention on just the two of them. Declan looked around, red in the face. "I can't believe you would embarrass me like this." He spat at Iris before storming out of the cafeteria. Tears began to fall out of Iris's eyes, half because of the hatred that Declan directed towards her and half because of the embarrassment that she had to endure. Me? Embarrass him? He's a fucking lunatic, Iris thought has she ran out of the cafeteria in the opposite direction than Declan had. She could feel everyone's eyes on her. Of course, Declan had to make a scene. And of course, she had to catch Eli's eyes as she ran out; him just standing there, witnessing it all.

——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ——— ———

Iris skipped the rest of school. She just couldn't handle all of the looks that she knew she was going to get after what had happened. She told Adam that he would have to find his own ride home or catch the bus.

When she got home, thinking that she was going to walk into an empty house, tears still rolling down her face, she was met with the surprise of her mom in the kitchen. "What're you doing home so early?" Her mom questioned as Iris walked past the kitchen. She looked up from whatever she happened to be mixing and noticed Iris's expression. "Honey, are you okay? Did something happen?" She questioned with concern as she made her way over to her daughter, wrapping her arms around her.

Iris melted into her mother's arms, feeling safe for just a moment. "Declan and I got into a fight. It's not a big deal, I'm just still upset." She simply stated, knowing that she couldn't tell her mom the full context of the fight. Declan would be furious and she never wanted to know what might happen if she came clean about their relationship. "Oh sweetheart," Her mom cooed, pulling out of the hug and wiping some of Iris's tears off her face. "If you guys are meant to be, it will all work out. But don't let him cause all of this," she continued, motioning to Iris and her disheveled state, "too often or I may have to have your father have a word with him." She finished, letting Iris know that they were there to protect her.

Her parents had always been supportive of her choices, Adam's too. They were accepting and loving, the ideal parents for any teenager. If only I could tell you what's really wrong, Iris thought, giving her mom a small smile. "I'm going to go do some homework. Let me know when dinner is ready later?" She asked. Her mom kissed her cheek before returning to the kitchen and Iris headed up the stairs.