Hard Boy ✔️

26

don't tell me nothing's on your mind
if we're honest, it will all be fine

Aurora Holland

I couldn't help it that as soon as I said Carter's name, another string of tears fell and another sob escaped my lips. All it did was remind me of the fight. It reminded me of the fact that I walked all the way here expecting Logan's comfort and instead, I'm standing on his porch looking like an absolute fool.

I truly am a crybaby, and so I couldn't help but feel embarrassed as I sobbed on his front porch.

"You're bleeding." He breathed out, and it wasn't long before I saw his figure head toward me in my blurry vision.

I jumped back, hitting the door at the sudden movement. He stopped, and as my vision became clear, I saw he was looking at me with a look of sadness on his face. His eyebrows were pushed together, and the honey in his eyes was nowhere to be seen.

"I-I'm sorry," I blurted, my breathing beginning to grow uneven. I couldn't gather my breath, meaning I was beginning to hyperventilate due to my panicked state.

"Rory, let's go inside, okay?" He asked softly, taking another step toward me.

"I-I shouldn't h-have come here," I said as I shook my head, beginning to walk down the steps of the porch. Embarrassment and disappointment had flooded my system, and it wasn't Carter's fault at all. I just simply shouldn't have come here, not even knowing if Logan would be home.

"No, it's okay, really." He continued to talk to me in a soft tone. His hands were held out slightly, almost like he wanted to reach out and grab me. "Please, let's go inside, okay? It's dark, and you shouldn't be out here alone."

I nodded, not able to find the words to say as tears just continued to fall. I let out another choked, ugly sob as Carter stepped beside me, wrapping an arm around my waist. I didn't want to give in so easily, as I wasn't usually the one to receive such kindness like this. But I'm in too much pain to even think about how hard it'd be to try and make my way home at a time like this.

He led me back to the front door, unlocking it and opening it with one hand. He then gently pulled me along with him into the house, turning a light on in the entryway so we could see. I waited patiently as he locked the door and shut it behind us, beginning to lead me up the staircase leading to his room.

My pace was slow, considering I'd walked from a far distance. My arms were cold with goosebumps, yet my face was hot from the slap and my wet tears. I probably looked disgusting, and I couldn't help but wonder why Carter was being so nice to me. His kindness was nothing I'd ever seen before, which is a lot considering I'd seen quite a bit lately.

We got to his bedroom door, and he opened it, turning the light on before bringing me in. The only sound that could be heard was the sound of my uneven cries and occasionally, me choking on my breath as I did my best to attempt to calm myself down.

"Did you walk here, Rory?" Carter asked quietly, sitting me on the edge of his perfectly made bed. I didn't say anything as he walked into the bathroom. I watched as he turned the light on, finding a black washcloth a lot like the one that I'd used the night I met him. He stayed in my sight, constantly sending worried glances my way.

I wasn't sure if he was afraid I'd up and bolt out of here, or if I was afraid he'd leave. But either way, he looked very concerned.

My sobs calmed down to a small cry, my breathing still heavy and uneven as he re-entered the bedroom with the cloth. It was wet, and I watched as he pulled his desk chair over to sit in front of me.