perfect storm

Chapter Nine | Quality Time

February 8th, 2022, 7:15 AM

eddie :)

hello

where are u

ur 15 mins late

i won't be in geometry today but i'll be in chem

why??

i'll tell you later

now pay attention

i scoffed, turned off my phone, and started thinking. i've almost never seen Eddie skip geometry. was something going on? is he in trouble? is his uncle in trouble? i was bouncing my leg under the desk from anxiety. i want to text him back and pry, but if he's upset, i don't want to make it worse. now it was yet another waiting game. i fucking hate these. i forgot what this class was like without him. the empty seat next to me was borderline heartbreaking to look at. whatever's going on, i hope he's okay. i slid down in my chair. i was already so fucking bored without him here. i could feel an attitude building up. Eddie was always dismissive when it came to his problems, but this was just stressing me out. his last message made it seem like it wasn't serious.. but why would he miss class if it wasn't? this boy is going to make me lose my mind.

February 8th, 2022, 1:00 PM

i fucking speed-walked to chemistry class, bumping into a few people on the way. i entered the room and saw Eddie in his seat, casually on his phone with his chin in his hand, his fingers covering a part of his face. "Eddie." i whispered. his eyes shot up from his phone and he used the hand that was on his face to motion me over. and i saw it. his bottom lip was busted open. there was a purple bruise surrounding it. his lip wasn't actively bleeding anymore, but it looked gnarly. i gasped out loud and ran over to him, squatting down next to his desk and grabbing his arm. "Eddie! what the fuck happened?" i asked, whispering, but wanting to yell. he sighed and leaned back in his chair. "so, you know how my bike got stolen?" he started. "yeah..." i said, scared of what i would hear next. 

he continued. "well, i was walking to school this morning, and i saw my bike with the motherfucker who stole it. i said, 'hey, that's my fucking bike!' he jumped on the bike and started pedaling away from me. i chased him into a dead end. he got off the bike, all mad like he didn't literally steal my only ride to school. before i could say anything, he swung at me. he right-hooked me right in my lip and busted it open. i pushed him to the ground and hit him a few times until he stopped trying to fight back. i took my bike back, started to leave, and then i was like 'don't take other people's shit you scumbag.' and then i rode it back to my house and put it inside. taught me to not leave stuff outside." he finished his story with a laugh. he looked down at his right hand, opening and closing it into a fist a few times. his knuckles were bruised, the same color as his lip. meanwhile i was there with my mouth hanging open. i was speechless. i mean, good for him for getting his bike back. but this is fucking insane. 

"oh, also, my uncle was still home when i got back. i can only imagine his confusion when i showed up at home with my bike that's been missing for like a week and a fucking bloody lip. i told him everything, and he said i should just stay home, but i wanted to come to school for the rest of the day. by then, geometry was basically over. usually, i wouldn't bother to come back, but.." he stopped mid sentence and looked down. "nothing. but i'm here now. hi!" he said, smiling with a little wave like nothing happened. it took me a few seconds to take in all the information and form my thoughts. "okay.. first off, i'm glad you got your bike back. second, fuck that guy, i'm glad you gave him what he deserved. third, are you okay??" i said, lifting my hand to touch his lip. at first i considered not doing it, but i did anyway.