Deer In Headlights [Minizerk]

Chapter 4

Ethan and I were heading out after last lesson to go home. We lived near one another so we always walked back together.

We walked out of the school and as we crossed the large football field near our houses, our attention was stolen by the fight going on.

Josh and Logan.

A crowd was already starting to gather. Ethan and I both looked at each other before silently deciding to head over, pushing to the front to see what the fuck was going on.

"You can say it to his face but not to mine, because you're scared. You're a fucking coward, you think you can make fun of him just for the way he looks? You disgust me" Josh spat at him. The force he punched him with made me shudder.

"Why the fuck do you even wanna defend him? He fucking hit you earlier, and he's gay" Logan snapped back, shoving Josh away from him. That was when I realised they were fighting about me.

Josh grabbed him by the front of his shirt.

"Who gives a shit if he's gay? He's the only kind person I've met in this stupid fucking school" he then got close to his ear and lowered his voice "Your homophobia is disgusting"

Josh dropped him to the ground, Logan's head hitting the ground hard. Something in him snapped and he lost his temper.

He got straight up to his feet and hit Josh. My blood ran cold as blood immediately ran from his nose.

Logan didn't stop hitting him, he kept hitting him. Josh didn't get a chance to throw a punch back. We were no longer watching a fight, we were watching Josh get beat up. I couldn't help what I did next.

I ran forward and tried to grab Logan off of him.

"Stop, you made your point, he'll leave you alone now. Please just stop" I said shakily.

The look in Logan's eyes was terrifying.

"He's doing this because of you" he hissed.

"I never told him to, I promise. Please" I was practically begging at this point.

"If he goes for me again, you're the one getting hit for it. That's a promise" he spat at me before walking away.

The crowd walked away, disappointed talk about what just happened continuing until it faded away.

I crouched down to Josh who was on the floor, Ethan came to my side.

"Why the fuck did you do that for? Josh you're bleeding now" I frowned, helping him up.

"Shut up Simon" he said, but there was no malice in his tone.

"Do you live near here?" I asked.

"Not really, I get the bus" he shrugged.

"Fine, you're coming to my house first then"

Ethan gave me a doubtful look.

"Ethan I'm not letting him get on the bus with a bloody nose, he needs help first" I pointed out as we all started walking.

"Simon, I'm literally fine" Josh sighed.

"Shut up, you know you're not. You of all people should know how hard he was hitting you"

"Well in my defence, I didn't think I'd lose to him"

"He's a fucking boxer, what did you expect?"

"He lost to JJ, I didn't think he'd be that good at fighting" he shrugged.

"Awful logic" I shook my head "Anyway, Ethan this is Josh, Josh this is Ethan. Ethan be nice, he's not an asshole. Josh be nice, Ethan is my best friend"

"Nice to meet you" Josh smiled, still holding his bloody nose. Something about this conversation was comical to me.

"Are you actually a thief?" Ethan immediately asked. Where were this man's boundaries?!

"Ethan-"

"No, I want to know. He seems like a good guy for defending you, but I want to know the truth about this" he cut me off.

"Yes, I have stolen. Do you want the context or will you judge me regardless?" He asked.

"Context" Ethan said, easing up on his tone.

"Stole food, we don't have much money. But you tell anyone that and you're dead. I don't need people talking about me for that reason too" he said bluntly.

"I understand, I'm sorry for judging you. Don't worry I won't say a word, a friend of Simon's is a friend of mine, especially one who'd get beaten up for him" Ethan flashed him the first smile he'd given him this entire time.