Attention What If

Chapter 43

POV: Skylar

I knew it wouldn't be long before Jean was let out of Jail. She only had to stay overnight until she was sober. So, first thing in the morning, I was outside the jailhouse waiting for her.

Darleen was still at the hospital with Kenzie, and she thought I was going to school. But no way was I just going to let Jean walk away again. This time I'm making sure she never bothers Mackenzie ever again.

Just past seven, I saw Jean walk out with paperwork in her hand. She looks like shit. Bruised, swollen, hungover, and tired. She saw me leaning against my car with my arms crossed. We locked eyes. I saw her sigh and look around before walking over to me.

"Let's go for a ride, Jean." I step aside and show her the passenger door.

"You don't scare me," She snarked.

I pretended like I was going to punch her again and she flinched back, cowering, and covering her face.

"Sure about that," I chuckle before going to the driver's side.

"Tsk," She rolls her eyes at me before getting in the car.

For a moment we sit in silence as I pull away from the jail.

"You're not going to hurt Mackenzie anymore," I say sternly.

"I won't hurt her, I love her!" She declares.

"You are not going to talk to Mackenzie anymore." I go on. "You will not try to contact Mackenzie anymore. You are not even allowed to think about her anymore, do I make myself clear."

"Why do you care anyway huh!? She's my girlfriend, not yours."

We drive in silence for a while until I pull off onto a shady back road that leads to a dead end. Then I park the car and get out. She eyes me before doing the same.

"Listen up," I grab her by her shirt and slam her into the car. "from here on out you will forget Mackenzie exists, do I make myself clear!?"

She cowers back.

"I said, do I make myself clear!"

"Why do you care?" she mumbles.

"Why do I care!? Why do I care!? You are asking me, why I care that one of my best friends, a girl I grew up with, someone I see as family, gets beat on by a disgusting, low-life, unworthy piece of shit!?"

"I don't mean to okay!? It just happens, I just get so frustrated, and my mind gets all foggy. I love her! I swear I do. I would never hurt her." She sobs.

"You already have hurt her!" I slam her into the car.

"I'm sorry!" She sobs.

"Sorry isn't enough. If I ever see you around Mackenzie again, I will kill you!"

"Okay!" She sobs.

"Stay the hell away from her, I mean it. As you can clearly see, I'm fucking crazy!" I slam her into the car again. "Don't test me."

"Okay, okay, I'll stay away. I'm sorry." She sobs.

"Now get the hell out of my sight!" I push her to the ground.

She stays there until I get back in the car and drive away. As I'm driving away I roll down the window and throw out her paperwork. It flutters in the wind and I watch her look down in defeat through the rearview mirror.

I clench the wheel with my good hand and hold back tears, I'm so angry. Why!? Why are there awful people like that in the world? Why? Why do they have to hurt my friends? It's not fair. What did Mackenzie ever do to deserve getting stuck with that monster?