Wake Me Up When September Ends

I Can't Drown My Demons, They Know How To Swim.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” I lied. Everything, my mind screamed for help as a tear rolled silently down my cheek.

“Are you sure you’re okay?”

“Trust me, it’s nothing. I’m just tired.” I said exasperated, whilst scratching at the palm of my hand, a signal that only my best friend understood. I tugged down on the black sleeves of my ‘Of Mice & Men’ hoodie that Austin gave me before they were even released yet. Austin Carlile is my best friend, and is the only one who knew every single thing about me. From the exact time I was born, to the intention behind every single cut on my body.

I turned around, and started walking to my locker in the west wing of Pine Wood High School, admiring all the graffiti that smeared the plain cream walls, ignoring all the remarks I was getting from the jocks, and the cheerleaders, until the one person I feared the most came up to me; Kellin Quinn. The only person I was afraid of in this whole world just happened to spot me walking down the halls of the place I hated most.

He stepped into my pathways so I couldn’t avoid him. Not that I would anyways, he would just make my life living hell later on. I just put my head down, and kept walking, till I hit something unyielding. I didn’t have to look up to know that it was Kellin’s chest. Considering he was the head of football, head of soccer, and went to the gym every day, you wouldn’t expect anything different.

I tried to step around him, but he read my move before I could prosper. I looked up, anxiety unblemished in my eyes. He smiled at me, and I had to do a double take. KELLIN FUCKING QUINN WAS SMILING AT ME! “What do you want Kellin?” I asked, boredom concealing the fear of in my small voice.

“Well, well, well, little Adreena decides she wants to talk to me today?”

“I said WHAT DO YOU WANT KELLIN?” I glared at him, venom in my voice.

“Whoa, calm down Pumpkin, I just want to talk, you’re a feisty little bitch today aren’t you?” he exclaimed. I flinched at the word ‘Bitch’ silently thanking god that Kellin missed the movement.

“Kellin, I swear to god if you do not back the fuck away from her, you are going to regret it.” Ahh. Here to save the day again; my loyal best friend Austin Robert. Kellin looked feared for a moment, until he realised that I could see him, and put the wall back up and spun around.

“Awww! Cute! Austin here to save his wittle girlfwiend again is he?” Kellin chuckled. Austin looked straight through him, and gave me the look he always gave me when someone said ‘that word’ around me. Shit! He heard, not good, now I am going to have to sit in the car the whole way home listening to him ask me over and over again if I am alright, even though he knew he would get the same answer every single time.

“No, I am here to get her the hell away from you. What do you want from her anyways Kellin, there are so many other people you can bully, but you chose her. You know her story, yet you still chose her of all people to pick at? It doesn’t make sense? Is it because she crumbles easy, which makes you feel better? Or is it because you feel the need to intimidate her due to the fact that she knows every single thing about you. Your family life, your school life. E V E R Y T H I N G!” Austin stood up for me, and I silently acknowledged him with a nod of my head. He just smiled back at me, with a sad look in his eyes. I could see the worry behind them, and I didn’t like it one bit.

“Kellin, please leave me the fuck alone? I am asking you nicely” I calmly requested. Austin came up and rested his chin on my shoulder, and wrapped his arm around my waist, being careful that he didn’t touch my sensitive spot on my hip bone. Jealousy flashed across Kellin’s eyes, and then it hit me in the face like a bat hitting one of those yellow fluffy balls that tennis players use.