Hidden Tears

Chapter Ten - Had Enough

John
I walk back home slowly, it's dark, and I don't bother to answer my parents' and sister's phones calls. When I woke up the sun was going down. I had dry blood on my face and some parts on my body; I was somewhat dry. Ignoring the pain, I sat up only to stop and stare at the item next to me. It was a knife, one identical to the one Alex had.

I'm really tired and in pain but I refused to let that stop me as headed home. Reaching my house door I open it to my family in the living room. Once they saw me they rush to me with questions of where I was, you know how late it is, but the most important question was what happen to me?

I didn't answer as I started to walk off but they wanted none of that. My father took a hold of my arm and pulled me back.

"John, what happened. I don't want anymore excuses or lies. We know your hiding something from us. What is going on?" My dad's voice was serious. No games nor jokes.

I couldn't face them. I turn my face only to land it on my sister. Her eyes pleading to say something; tears threatening to fall.

"I'm sorry dad,... mom. I..." I don't know what to say.

"Please John. " My mom pleads desperately.

"I... just... I just some trouble with a couple of friends." I lie making my voice as truthful as possible.

"STOP IT! " My sister's outburst surprised me and my parents. "Stop it John. Just- just stop. "

She silently starts to sob. Immediately my mom holds her and Dad turns sharply at me.

"John what's going on?" When he gets no answer he turns to my sister. "Paula."

I turn to my sister as she's about to speak. "Paula! You promised. " I shake harshly, glaring into her eyes.

She starts to sob more. "John! Let your sister speak!"

"Paula!"

"John! Stop! Paula speak!" I hear Paula cry louder.

"Don't you dare!"

"Stop it both of you!" My mom screams at us; having her own years start to fall. "Can't you two take it easy? Can't you see that Paula is scared? That John is hurt?" She directs to my father then to me. "And that we care and worry about you?"

Silence filled the air. "Let's go to sleep well discuss this tomorrow morning." With that she takes Paula and heads to my sister's room. I take this chance to get out of my father's grip and dash to my room ignoring my dad's words of warning.

I close that door and slide down to the floor. I groan due to the pain and not bother going to my bed as I start to fade.

After yesterday's chaos I wake up before everyone else, get ready and I head out not wanting to deal with them right now. I get to school and wait in the front of school for a specific guy. I really need a talk with him. I wonder if he's heard about yesterday?

About an one hour or two pass before I see him. School has started and everyone was inside. Only I wasn't the only one who spotted one another. Once his eyes fall on me his face turns to rage and he stomps his way towards me.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" He growls. So he's heard.

"We need to talk. " I simply say and make my way to the back of the school building.

I barely had time to react after I turned around to Alex shoving me back. I see him in rage.

"Why didn't you listen! I told you to stay out of my business! But no- you had to go back to them. You're so annoying!" He yells at me and I had enough.

I shove him back with more force. He stumbles a bit but stands back on his ground glaring daggers at me.

"You don't tell me what to do." I growl, "And for your information, I do what I want when I feel like it!"

I throw a punch only for him to dodge and throw one at me. He then kicks my stomach making lose my breath.

"You're fucking stupid. You almost got killed again!" He runs up to me with another fist in the air but I simply catch it in my hand and throw my own punch. While he's dazed by the hit I tackle him to the ground but this guy isn't weak. He pushes me off throws a hit.

"Why cant you just leave me alone?!" He looks ready to break down and I hit him in the gut.

I hurry up and look down at him. He snifs and slowly stands up and rushes to me swing me yet another fist. I let him then return the favor. This goes on for about an hour just punches and yelling nosense.

Finally, we both lay on the ground, out of breath. After what seem a good ten minutes, I finally speak.

"Wow. Didn't know you could fight." I state. "Why don't you fight like that with the Cross Gang."

He lets out a small laugh and wince after due to the pain. "Believe me, I've tried before. But as you can see it didn't work." He lets out another laugh. "They got even more angry."

Silence took over for a while as we catch our breath and for some reason the silence bothered me so I brought back the conversation.

"I guess four against one isn't fair." He hums in response. I laugh as I say, "Especially if they're bigger than you."

He groans and pushes me with his remaining strength. "Did you only try once?" I ask and I see him nod.

"Yeah." He responds lightly.

"When?"

He's quiet for a while. "Well I guess you could say I fought twice. The first time was when the bullying started, just a small punch though."

I look at him when he stops talking and see him in a thinking mode. "And the second one?"

He glances at me then to the sky. "When Luke was killed." He whispers.

"I tried to fight for me and him since he was already injured but then I got distracted and they were about to stab me when..." He talks off and I don't want to force him to continue but I want to know. Still I say nothing.

"He jumped in front and took the stab, when I turned back around I saw him die. They pulled me back and away from him. It's my fault. And don't say it's not! Don't try to make me feel better. Don't lie."

"Ok. I won't say it." I sit up on my elbows. I glance at Alex as he sits up. His eyes looking lost and in pain. "You know you could just let it go."

He glances at me looking confused. "I may or may not said this but you're not alone. Anymore. Just let go." He continues to look at me with a shock expression this time. Finally he looks down and chuckles a bit.

"You're right." His voice starts to shake. I hear him sniff and chuckle then he really starts to cry. Slowly it get louder and he lets it all go. I rub his back as he hugs his knees. I don't say a word as we both sit there with tears falling.