Tolerate it | ✔️

Three

It was almost the end of lunch, and my brothers still hadn't turned up.

The cafeteria was bustling with rowdy teens. My food had turned cold as I sat distracted; worrying about where they could be.

I sat at lunch alone most days, and they always made sure to keep me company even if it was just for a few minutes. Ezra stayed the longest, but they all made sure to send me a wave or have a quick conversation.

I'd whip my head towards the double doors every time they swung open. Some kids came through in pairs while others accompanied large groups of their loud friends. Occasionally, someone would enter alone, yet none of the many kids were my brothers, or any of their friends.

I pulled out my phone, hoping to see a message from one of the boys. I huffed at the empty lock screen, ignoring the ache in my chest, before pushing it back into my pocket.

I hadn't had friends since I was a kid. I knew people and people knew me, we were friendly, I just guess no one's really stuck. My best friend, Rowan, had been there for me every time I needed someone. Unfortunately, he attended a different school in our town.

I debated leaving to go to the library for the rest of lunch. I'd hide there whenever I couldn't hide behind my brothers, scared people would realise how little of a friend group I've managed to gather over the years.

I decided against it, knowing Mason would kill me for throwing out the rest of my food. At the thought, I reluctantly bit a large bite of my sandwich and threw the rest down onto my container with a sigh.

I thought about what had happened a few nights before when Zac finally came home.

He had been gone almost four days, which had been his longest streak so far. My brothers were livid, I was too, I didn't feel like he cared much though. He even didn't explain where he was.

Sometimes I wonder what it'll take for him to leave and just never come back. I was afraid of that everyday.

Zac had been acting like a stranger for months. He'd been my only defender against our mom, and she'd only gotten worse recently too. I bit my lip thinking about how calm she's been acting over his whole disappearance.

I felt like there was always something strange about my mum's relationship with my brothers, particularly Mason and the triplets, but everyone always denied it. Ezra seemed in the dark too, if there was even anything to be in the dark about.

I snapped out of my thoughts when a boy ran towards his friends on the table next to me. He looked frantic, rushing towards them.

"Guys, get the fuck up, there's a fight in the corridor!" He says excitedly, making me cringe. I could never understand why kids in my school would get so crazed over them. Seeing someone physically hurt only made me want to either cry or throw up.

"Who? I swear to god if it's those two fucking freshman's again I'm going to—" the boy's redhead friend begins, only to be quickly cut off.

"It's the stone's, bloodiest fight I've seen this year!" I go deaf at his words, my blood running cold. The stones, my brothers. I gripped onto the edge of the table to steady myself as I shot up, leaving behind my lunch and bag.

Bloodiest fight this year.

I barged through the crowds of commotion, ignoring the pit of anxiety building up in my stomach. Hundreds of students had now gathered, some chanting, some whispering.

My mouth ran dry as I reached the front, mentally preparing for the sight ahead. I instantly caught sight of Zac, or rather the large split in his skin, running from the top of his eyebrow and stopping just above his eye.