Less Than One | BxB

9.

~Next day

"Dallas," I whisper.

He turns around, frowning. I feel myself sweating in his hand, and he must be so grossed out by me.

"What's wrong, love?"

I swallow. "They're not gonna like it." He gives me a soft smile and walks closer to give me a hug.

"That's too bad for them, then. You only have to worry about yourself, Dylan. If they don't like me sitting with you, then they have to fuck off."

I swallow again, more difficult this time. This is not a good idea. I can feel the anxiety rippling through my body.

"Dallas, this isn't—" I cut myself off, seeing the door of the restroom open. I stiffen, eyes wide.

His friends come in, laughing at some joke. They haven't seen us yet, I've got maximum three seconds.

I sprint in a stall. It closes just when the laughter stops, and I suck in a breath. Did they see me?

Gosh, I hope not.

"Well, well. Dallas, where's your puppy? I expected him to cling to you for the whole goddamn day, but here you are. All alone." That was Jason. I think.

I feel my head becoming light with panic. I'm right here—but I can't handle hearing what they think of me.

Dallas huffs. "He's not the clingy one. If all, I am." That makes me smile a little. He's lying, and we both know it, but I really appreciate it.

Unfortunately, his friends don't buy it either. "Yeah right. Listen bro, he's not the right guy for you. It was funny seeing him drool over you in the hallways, and you acting like you did the same, but gotta stop."

Horror slams into me. My breath is cut off and I'm having trouble to not let out a tortured sound. He was pretending?

I close my eyes. Damn Scarlett, I knew this was gonna happen. And despite my gut, I listened to her advice.

"I wasn't acting," Dallas groans out. I bring my knees to my chin, closing my eyes again to prevent a panic attack. He's just saying that because he knows I am here.

The boys laugh, but I miss one voice. Dallas's and... Tom's?

"What the actual fuck? Are you stupid? Why can't you see Dallas actually likes the guy? He might be a bit weird, but I know him. He's the sweetest guy," Tom sneers.

I clasp my hands over my mouth to stop a sob. He's just making this worse.

Someone knocks on the stall. It's faint, but I've heard it. I recoil in horror, scared they know I'm here.

"Why is this stall locked? Yo bro, get out!" someone yells. I grit my teeth to stop myself from making noise.

I get a message. I pull my phone out with trembling hands.

Dallas: Unlock the door. I'm taking care of it. They won't see you

I shift a little and do as he says, trusting him enough to not give me any drama. I can't handle it.

"I'll go check," Dallas mumbles and slips into the stall. Laughter fills the restroom. "Man, he really is gay."

Dallas locks the door behind him again and pulls me in his arms. I cling to his shirt, knowing he'll help me.

"Bro, I'm outta here. Maybe we can found that loser and go tell him Dallas is just here cheating. I'd like to see his face," Jason chuckles and I hear the large door opening. 

A sigh sounds from the other side of the stalls. "Dallas? It's Tom. They're gone, you can come out with Dylan."

My eyes widen in fear. If Tom knew, then—

"I told him," Dallas whispers. "It's okay, love, he's at our side."

I slightly shake my head, anxiety filling my veins. "But what if—if he makes fun of me too?"

Tom coughs. "You do realize I can hear everything, right? And Dyl, I've known you since, like, start of high school? I know you're gay, and I know you've been obsessing over Dallas for weeks now. Just get out of that stall and sit your ass down at Scar's table. She was all alone just now."

Panic grips my throat and I rush up. "I'm—I'm sorry!" 

We wanted to sit at Scar's table and leave Dallas's friends glare at our backs, but they caught us before we could. I feel so bad.

Dallas opens the door and I rush out, desperate to go to Scarlett. I'm such a bad friend, I should've never left her alone in the first place.

Tom reaches for my arm and holds me in place, but I bite my lip and pull. "No! I need to go to Scarlett!"

Dallas grabs my face and makes me look at him. "You do. But let me first watch the hall if they are still there. I don't want you to get stopped by them."

I nod, feeling childish for feeling like crying again. "S-sorry."

He rolls his eyes and lets his hand go through my hair before opening the main door. He peeps around it, then nods at me and Tom.

"All clear. Let's go."

I rush out and run to the cafetaria. Dallas calls for me to wait in front of the door, because his friends are in there, but I don't listen.

I see Scarlett all alone, shoulders slumped.

Guilt washes over me and I push the doors open. Just when I'm about to walk over to her, four guys stop in front of me. My eyes widen in fear, but I need to get past them for Scarlett.

"Scarl—" One cuts me off by putting a hand in front of my mouth. Another one pulls my arms to my beg and forces me on one knee. 

Pain cuts through my body, and I close my eyes to stop the panic from going crazy. "Fucking look at us," I hear a too familiar voice say.

I slowly open my eyes and see Jason standing there, smirking down at me. "You thought you could escape us, huh? Hiding somewhere? Too bad you weren't with your boyfriend and he had to choose someone else to fuck between classes."

His words don't get to me. I know he's talking about the restroom, so I set aside my fear for them and look behind him, searching Scarlett.

My heart sinks when I see her leaving the cafetaria, shoulders slumped and nothing to eat. 

Jason harshly grips my chin and this time, he does see tears when he looks at my face. He smirks.

I'm not crying because of his lies. I'm crying because I let Scarlett down.

"Please let me go," I sob. The guy behind me bends my arm even more, and I'm pretty sure I'll break it. 

Why is no one defending me?

I'm literally here, in the middle of hundreds of students, who are all watching this encounter, and no one is helping me?

"You should leave Dallas alone. You're too less for him," Jason grunts at me. That does deliver, because it's all I can think about.

"I-I know," I cry. He arches a brow and kicks my side. I sob in pain.

Looking around, I send students my pleading gaze. 

Help me.

Please.

Help.

Everyone avoids my eyes. I'm about to cry harder when I'm released. 

I don't see what happens as I pass out.