He's The Reason Why

Chapter 20

Jack and I walked together into the school, hand in hand. We still got some stares from people every now and then. It's not like people didn't except us, they did. Except the occasional homophobe but that didn't matter. No, people still stared because they didn't expect the mayor's son, also know as a major ladies man, to date another boy much alone fall deeply in love with him.

After leaving the lobby and entering the high school, we headed in the direction of our lockers. Occasionally Jack would let out a hum or sing a few words of the song he was listening to while I leaned into his side and walked with him. His locker was a few sections down so I gave him a quick kiss, leaning up on my tip toes, before leaving for my locker. Nobody was standing next to it so I let a sigh of relief. I hated confrontation.

Just as I finished putting away my stuff and closing my locker, Taylor had appeared at my locker. Her red, puffy eyes and tear stained face had given me the idea that she'd been crying for awhile.

"Tay," I asked putting my hand on her shoulder, "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Jaime, it's bad. Real bad."

I gulped, I didn't want to think the worst. "Please tell me he's okay?"

"He lost it Jamie. He just lost it," she broke out in a huge sob. "He couldn't take it anymore and slit his wrists this morning."

I felt my legs go numb and my eyes glossed over. I knew Phil had been dealing with his depression. It had gotten really bad awhile back. One of the reasons why I had decided to stay away from here, because I had felt it had been my fault.

"I thought he was getting b-be-tter," I trailed off, stuttering as tears started to fall. "This is all my fault."

Jack had walked up then, and he instantly knew what had happened. We had all witnessed this the first time two years ago. And it was happening again. I grabbed Taylor in a huge hug as we both cried, Jack wrapping us in hug as well. We were broken again, our group of friends.

"Taylor I'm sorry," I said with tears running down my face, "Had I not come ba-"

"Jaime shut up! It's not your fault at all," Taylor said grabbing my face. "He didn't do this because you came back. He's getting worse and nobody knows what to do. We've been keeping it in the dark from you because we didn't want you to worry."

I looked from Taylor and then up to Jack as well, "You too? Why would you guys keep this from me? He's my friend too and I can't be there for him because you guys won't tell me anything!"

"But Jaime if we would've told you, you would've left again," Jack said trying to get me to look at him.

I jerked away from him and stared at both of them, "You guys really think I'd leave him and not try to help him?"

"Well that didn't stop you the first time," Jack exclaimed with a frustrated look.

I immediately felt my body go slack and I let out a shocked gasp as Jack eyes snapped open in shock, "Jamie I didn't mean that."

He tried to reach out for me but I hit his hand away from me, "Leave me alone!" And with that I took off down the hallway not turning to look back.