A Modern Love Story

Chapter 25 - Popped

Criticism spot! :)

Jack's POV

Crutchie was pretty quiet as we got ready, clearly extremely exhausted and in pain. I gave him a sweatshirt with a high hood to cover the new bruises on his neck as best we could, as he really didn't want to put makeup on it. Before getting out of the car, I turned to him, my heart aching.

"We only have school for two days, and then we're off. Just gotta push through them, and I know you can do it." He smiled ever so slightly, my heart skipping a beat. 

We got out of the car and went inside, people eyeing us due to Crutchie's wheelchair. We eventually made it to our usual spot, Race making sure to smile at Crutchie as I locked the wheels down.

"How're you guys today?" Fitz kindly asked, taking a dramatic sip of his coffee.

"Tired, but who isn't?" I joked, everybody chuckling. Race obviously picked up right away on Crutchie's silence, knowing something had to be up. Before I knew it, the two were texting back and forth, while I focused on keeping the conversation going between the rest of us.

I tried to keep a close eye on Crutchie, wishing there was more I could do to help him. Of course, I did eventually have to leave him, and I couldn't stop worrying. Finally, the day ended, and I quickly met back up with the two at Crutchie's locker. I could tell right away that something was wrong by the look Race gave me, Crutchie too distracted by what he was grabbing from his locker. Silently, Race handed me a note, my heart sinking.

Better get out of that wheelchair soon, you look fucking disgusting

I slid the note in my pocket, Crutchie then closing his locker.  He looked at me and smiled as best as he could, trying to hide his pain. I knelt down so we were on the same level, taking his hand in mine.

"You okay?" I asked, hoping he'd be honest with me. All he could do was shake his head, seemingly at a loss for words. "I'm so sorry," I mumbled, rubbing my thumb on the back of his hand.

"It was really bad today," he managed to get out, his voice shaky. He went quiet as he began tearing up, looking down. "Can we go home, please?" He asked, my heart breaking.

"Of course, I'll bring the car to the front quick, alright?" He nodded, smiling weakly.

After getting home he opted to simply lay down and watch shows, not wanting to say a word. Eventually, he went about his nightly routine, and as I brought him back to our room after his shower, I couldn't help but notice the pain in his eyes, something he tried so desperately to hide. We hadn't yet eaten dinner, so I briefly went downstairs and made something, bringing it back up. I turned the tv back on and began to eat, but it didn't take me long to see that Crutchie wasn't touching his food at all. 

"Everything alright?" I asked cautiously, his eyes not meeting mine. Slowly, he shook his head, a few tears escaping. 

"I can't do it," he mumbled, crying harder yet. "I'm sorry, I can't do it," I quickly moved closer so he could lay against me, his body shaking.

"You have nothing to be sorry for, I promise," I reassured him, wishing there was more I could do.

"I tried, but I can't," he rambled a little, now clinging to me tightly. "I'm so scared to go back tomorrow."

"I know, but it's just one more day until break. You can do it," I tried, running my fingers through his still slightly wet hair. "Did you take your meds today?" I asked suddenly, noticing how tense he was. "I mean, I know you took your morning ones, but what about after school?"