Free Kendall

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Wow... that's harsh

Kendall's POV

TW: Transphobia

Lunch ends, and all of us pack up our things and walk out of the classroom.
I follow Ari down the hall, and to our fifth period class.
It's Creative Writing, which I didn't know existed until Nary and I looked at classes.

I sit in the back, pulling out my private notebook and opening it.

I hear a plop and look up, and Ari has put their stuff at the desk in front of me.
They've never done that before.

"Hi," I say awkwardly as I put my notebook on my lap.
They turn sideways and look at me.
"Hello."
They pull out their notebook, like mine, along with a binder for the class.

"I am sorry for what happened with your mother."
"It's okay," They reply. "I've dealt with her before, then called my sister afterwards. My dads okay, and that's all I need."
I nod, pulling out my KOTLC book.

Their eyes widen, and then Ari starts chuckling.
"Do you like the book so far?"

"Yes," I reply. "I like Sophie over Fitz so far, but Dex is pretty neat too."
"Dex is pretty underrated," Ari adds. "That boy hasn't gotten any of the attention that he deserves."
I nod.

A whooping noise goes through the room.
I look up to see Alessio and his jerk gang walk in.
Ari makes a whisper that vaguely sounds like 'fuck off' and I keep my head down.

Footsteps come loud and clear as the jocks take up all their seats.
I hear a person clearing their throat, and I look up involuntarily.
Alessio stands above Ari, glaring down at them.

Ari gives no thought to him, and continues to go through their binder.
Alessio clears his throat again.

Ari looks up, giving a fake-sweet smile.
"Oh hey there, Alessio. I didn't see you there."
I snort, turning it into a cough.

Alessio rolls his eyes.
"This is my seat, tranny."
Ari laughs.
"Hate to break it to you, but I was here first. And I'm not transgender. I'm genderfluid. If you had a brain, you would know that there is a difference."

Some kids snicker around us.
Alessio looks pissed.
He grabs Ari's jacket, pulling them up so they are eye-level.

"Put me down," Ari hisses.
"Make me," Alessio replies.

I watch with wide eyes as Ari brings up their knee and smashes it into his area.
Alessio makes a groan as Ari brings their fist up and punches him in the jaw.

Everyone in the class freezes.
Ari shakes out their hand, and Alessio drops them.

Ari stands, grabbing their things, and motions for me to follow.
I quickly pack up and follow them out.

We head down the hallway and into another abandoned classroom.
I blink as we entre, and realise that it's an old band room.
Ari is putting down their backpack, and I see that their hand is turning purple with new bruises.

"Are you okay?" I ask, putting down down my bag on the floor.
"I'm fine," Ari snaps, and they pull out some instruments.
I see some few stray tears fall down their face.

They pull out an acoustic guitar and start to play a few chords.
I grab a band chair and sit down, being quiet and listening.

"What can I do to help?" I ask.
Ari grumbles some curse words.
"Can you play an instrument?"
I nod.
"Yeah, a few."

"Well, this is how I cope. Go get one."

I stand and grab a flute container.
I find the cleaning solution and fix up the mouthpiece, blowing a flat note.

Ari watches me.

I blow a few notes, but start to play 'Let Her Go' by Passenger, one song that means a lot to my Nary.
They always appreciate that song, and so I learned it.

I blow the notes from my lips, moving and changing it as it goes to flat and sharp. I continue to go through the song, and once it finishes, I set the flute down, looking up.

Ari's eyes wavered in complete shock.
"How did you-"

I shrug.
"My Nary taught me everything that I know."

"You're amazing at flute!"
I blush, embarrassed.
Ari chuckles, fingering the guitar and plays some children's songs. 
"I'm sorry for being so bitter."

"You don't have to apologise, Ari. You can be bitter, and Alessio is a pain in the ass."
Ari nods.
"I'm here to talk now, thanks for coming with me after I punched him."

I nod.
I walk over to my lunchbox, and pull out my ice pack.
I walk back over and take Ari's hand, putting the ice pack over their knuckles.
"Here."

Ari nods.
"Thank you."

I smile, and we continue to create music.

***

The two of us walk out of school and see Ari's gang by Ian's car.
Nikolai moves first, rushing over and enveloping Ari into a hug.
I feel a twinge of jealousy.

Jonas goes and checks Ari's hand, feeling the bruises, asking if they're okay.
Ian thanks me quietly, and I walk away.

Nary sits in the car rider pick up and I hop in, watching Ari's gang as Nary drives away.

A/N- Here's my problem y'all: The spice and drama of Kendall x Ari but I have the favourite trope of Enemies to lovers, so half of my brain is like could Ari x Alessio be a thing? What do you guys think? 
The Enemies to lovers definitely won't happen in this book, but just tell me so I know if I am crazy or not lol.
<3