HSMTMTS: The Core Four 2

75

Miss Jenn's POV

"Okay, I just wrote a backstory for my character and spent 6 minutes as an actual coffee bean. I am ready." I am totally ready. I can do this. Zacky Roy is out of my head and I am ready to slay. But instead, I gasp.

"Wait, what's happening?" He set up a cute little dining table for him. "I just thought you might wanna take a load-off. Stop thinking about the competition for a second." He is so sweet. I take a seat and he pulls me closer to the table.

"French Roast, your favorite." Aw, he remembered. And to think, we started off as enemies. I take a sip of the drink. I still can't believe he came through for me. It was such a kind gesture. "And, uh, what was that line again?"

"The taste of coffee, the feeling of home," I said it! I really said it. "Well, now I just have to do it again for the camera."

"Just did." The camera beeps. He was recording? Oh, my goodness. "Benjamin" my heart flutters and I put down my cup down. Maybe Mr. Scrooge isn't so "Scrooge"y. I stand up and give him a giant hug. I pull away and smile.

"I...I'm sure your boyfriend has a trick or 2 up his sleeve."

"Actually, um, we put the brakes on everything. In light of preserving my student-teacher relationship with Ricky."

"Seems like it was a mother-son relationship. But I doubt colleagues aren't supposed to fraternize for similar reasons. Well, anyway, uh...I, uh, good luck with your audition. I...they would be crazy not to hire you. I'm gonna put this together and I'll send you the video tonight"

"Thank you, Benjamin. For everything" I rub his arm up and down. "You don't get enough credits around here." And with that, I walk away. Soon, this school is gonna respect him.

"I don't think you need a fallback, by the way. I think you are the most dedicated teacher at this school.

EJ's POV

I've been hurting Gina for way too long. I don't wanna hurt her anymore. So until I can be free of this Blood Lust, the best way I can't stop hurting Gina...is to put some space between us.

I knock on Nini's door, fiddling with my fingers nervously. I don't wanna do this, but I have to protect Gina. As long as I'm like this, I'm a bad boyfriend. Gina doesn't deserve this from her first boyfriend. I have to do what's right.

Gina opens the door and smiles. "EJ!"

"Hi, uh, can we talk?"

"Sure, Nini's waiting for Ricky in her tree house. Are you okay?"

She takes a sit and I hesitate before doing the same. My stomach was dropping and I haven't even said anything yet. "Uh, listen, G. I've been kicking myself for everything I've done. I choked you, I hurt you, I've done every terrible thing I could imagine to you and everyone else. But the one person I'm concerned about not hurting is you."

"EJ, it's okay."

"No, it's not, Gina! None of this is. And saying I'm sorry can't possibly be enough. I've been trying to do everything I can to feel like I belong, to protect us. But I hate the person I am. I hate the person I'm becoming. I feel like a stranger everywhere I go. I never feel like I'm truly me. And now I'm hurting everyone I love. I don't know, maybe the best thing to do is to separate myself from everyone."

"EJ, what are you talking about?"

"I don't wanna hurt you anymore, so maybe the best to do is give each other some space until we pull the plug on the Brotherhood."

"Are we breaking up?" I see her eyes glistening. I didn't want to break up, but I knew she didn't either, but I have to. I have to distance myself from everyone to protect them. "I don't wanna keep hurting you."