Someone Like You

35

Warnings:
-Mentions physical (child) abuse
-Mentions rape/sexual assault
-Mentions suicide attempt
-Mentions self harm
-Disordered eating

George's POV

~ Three Weeks Later ~

Clay and I stayed at Sapnap's foster family who took really good care of us. They gave us food, made sure we took our medication and Sapnap washed us the first week. Once Clay could walk again, he started washing me since he laid in the same room as me and I couldn't shower with the cast around my leg, the brace around my back and a sling for my shoulder.

Today was a better day and I had been practicing walking with crutches since my arm had been doing well the last week. Clay wanted to go back to school so I told him I was coming with him. He didn't agree, but eventually did when I told him I really wanted to be with him to make him feel safe.

I stood up, holding my crutches as I felt my shoulder sting a little. I sighed and looked at Clay who glanced at me while putting on a new shirt.

'Are you okay? I don't want you to go if you're not okay, so please be honest.'

'I'm okay, my shoulder stung a little bit,' I smiled. 'But now it's fine again. Can you help me change my hoodie in a second?'

'Of course,' Clay answered, putting on his own hoodie. 'Sit down.'

I sat down and lifted one of my arms. I couldn't easily lift the other one because of my shoulder. Clay gently lifted my bad arm and pulled off the sleeve, taking off my hoodie. 'Want some body spray?'

I nodded as he grabbed his axe body spray, spraying it on my body. He grabbed another hoodie and helped me out as he lifted me up. 'Are you sure you're okay?'

'I am,' I smiled as I gave him a hug. 'And you?'

'My body is a bit sore, but look,' he smiled softly. He lifted his shirt and pointed to the bruises on his chest. 'They are fading! I'm also putting on my rib brace, but I think I might not go the whole day today.'

'Are you sure we shouldn't just stay home for one more week?'

Clay shrugged. 'I'd just like to go again. It has been three weeks.'

'I'm anxious,' I whispered, laying back down with a scoff. 'What if anyone hurts me again? I nearly died and then everyone will also swear at me.'

'Sapnap and I are going to protect you and Sapnap will protect me.'

'What if he chooses their side again?' I mumbled, staring at my feet.

'He won't, I promise. If he does, we are going to the principal and then I'll call my sister to take us to this house,' he assured me.

'Okay,' I sighed. 'I'm coming with you.'

~~~

I walked into the school on my crutches with Clay next to me. He was holding my bag and walked slowly to keep the same pace as me. Sapnap was already at school since he had to go earlier than us, otherwise he would have helped us.

I breathed out as Clay made me sit down, sitting next to me with his arm around my shoulders. 'I'm exhausted after walking that short bit, probably because I didn't move at all for three weeks.'

I chuckled and nodded, resting my head on his shoulder. 'How is your jaw? You only had liquid food, but Sapnap gave me two sandwiches. I didn't have the courage to tell him I only wanted one.'

'I have a protein shake and I was going to get some soup from the cafeteria, but I'll try the sandwich instead. My jaw is okay, it hurts sometimes.'

'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked. I will eat them both, I guess. I just... I've laid in bed a lot and I ate more so my body could heal and-.'

'Hey, it's okay,' Clay smiled. 'If you want that second sandwich, you can easily eat that one. It's healthy food and you need food because your body is still healing. Next to that, without any injuries, you can eat as much as YOU need and want to.'

I sighed softly. 'You're right... normally I was full after one to one and a half, though.'

'Then I'll get some soup, drink my protein shake and then eat the rest of your sandwich.'

'Okay, thank you. I think we have to go to class now.'

We stood up again and Clay lifted my bag to go to our first class. I was really nervous when we walked inside and all faces immediately moved to us.

'Clay and George, welcome back, boys! Take a seat, I'll take you to the hallway to explain what happened the last few weeks,' the teacher smiled, pointing to our seats.

I nodded slowly and we sat down next to each other as I saw most people glance at us with confused faces. Clay got sick of it.

'Dude, look somewhere else, please! You're all dumb idiots, okay? Do you realise that I wasn't lying now? That the "popular" guy can also be raped and beaten by his dad? You're so messed up for talking to my dad because he beat the shit out of me. That's why I was gone for so long, morons.'

It was quiet and Clay slammed his desk. 'Two broken ribs, a broken nose and a broken jaw, my whole body bruised and a suicide attempt further ALL BECAUSE OF YOU!'

'Calm down,' I whispered. 'It's okay, you're okay now, Clay.'

He stared at his hands. 'If he wouldn't have jumped in front of that stupid car, I would have been dead! I hate you, I'm leaving. I need a moment alone so please don't go after me.'

He stood up and walked off, slamming the door behind him. I decided to keep sitting down since he didn't want anyone to go after him, but when he stayed away for twenty minutes, I still decided to stand up.

I grabbed my crutches and saw the teacher nod when I looked at her. I went outside and looked at Clay who was sitting down with tears in his eyes.

He looked up at me and clung onto my body when I sat down. 'I said I wanted to be alone, but I really need you. I hoped you'd come.'

'I'm here now. Did you do anything bad to yourself?'

He shook his head. 'I tried to scratch my cuts to make them bleed, but I figured that was self harm too so I didn't do it.'

'I'm really proud of you. I love you, I'm here now.'

'Thank you, I love you too,' he smiled as he closed his eyes.

1116 words