In the shadows, under the bleachers

Chapter 19

The phone started ringing and a sudden banging woke the two of us up.

"What the hell?" Will mumbled sitting up, the phone was still going off.

"Make it stop, it's too loud." I pulled a pillow to my face. The banging got louder and the phone was still going off.

"I swear to god this better be good," He mumbled answering the phone, "Who is this?" There was yelling on the line and I noticed Will's face pale. The banging had stopped. "Aiden," He sounded worried and spooked, "He's knows." He, Mark. Mark knows.

I felt a lump in my throat, "Is he outside?" My body felt weird.

"Yeah, and he's not happy." Of course he's not, he just found out his best friend and brother are in a relationship together.

A sense of dread washed over me, "Should we let him in?" I didn't want to let him in.

"Pack your things." Was all he said, changing into a shirt before making his way outside. He didn't look happy, he looked miserable.

I started packing a bag before I heard a loud crash.

"My fucking brother?" Mark yelled, "What the fuck were you thinking?" Will didn't say anything. I carefully walked out with my bag in hand and was greeted by Mark on top of Will beating him bloody. I couldn't move as I blankly stared at the scene in front of me. "I fucking trusted you to take care of him." He shouted in his face before punching straight square in the jaw. "Well? Do you have anything to say for yourself?" He asked, his breathing heavy.

"Only that I did what you asked," He looked completely unbothered by his ruined face, "I took care of him any time you asked without complaint."

"Yeah and now I know why." He gritted. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Will string at me. Mark got off of Will and stared down at him. "You were my best friend Will."

Will sat up, "And so were you," Mark followed his gaze.

"Let's go Aiden." I wanted to say no, I wanted to stay and see if Will was okay but that wasn't going to happen. I glanced at Will who sadly smiled before I walked to the door. Before I walked out I heard Mark say something to Will, "I see you fucking near him again and I bash your head in understand?" Will didn't say anything, "I said do you understand?" He shouted.

Will reluctantly sighed, "Yes I understand, now please leave." He motioned to the door. Mark scoffed and turned away leaving Will on the floor, "Walk Aiden." He pushed me out slamming the door behind him.

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How did we get here? A few hours ago Will and I were asleep, now I'm back in my room in a house I don't want to be in surrounded by people I don't want to be around. And the cheery on top? He's forbidden the two of us from seeing each other, we're not even allowed to say hi to each other in the halls at school. It had only been a few hours and I wanted to see him. I wasn't supposed to, they both told me but I'm desperate.

Me: Just tell me you didn't block me, please Will

Sunshine: I didn't, I'm not going to

Me: Okay, are you okay?

Sunshine: For the most part, look I know you won't listen to us but be careful.

Me: I'm always careful sunshine 'Insert emoji of smiley face'

Sunshine: I'm serious

Sunshine: Don't you have a free period?

Me: Yeah why?

Sunshine: Just asking, I'll see you Monday

Me: Bye

There was a knock on my door.

"Aiden, can I come in?" It was Mark. I didn't want to see him I was angry at him. Like why would he do that? How could he beat his best friend to a pulp without a second thought, his best friend? I knew he would be angry but I didn't expect a reaction like this. Nothing bad was happening between us anyway. "Aiden?" He asked again.

"Go away." I put my headphones in and threw the covers over me. All of sudden the door swung open and the covers were thrown off me. "What the fuck is your problem?" He wondered, "You've been like this ever since we came here."

I stared at him, "My problem?" I placed a hand on my chest, "What's your problem?" I bit back, "You wake up and decide to beat the shit out of your best friend, who does that?"

"He was hooking up with you, you think I'm just going to allow that?"

"The two of us weren't hooking up Mark and who told you anyway?" I shouted.

He hesitated, "Mom did," He said, of course, she did. "Wait you two weren't?"

"No, what the fuck is wrong with you?"

"But she told me-"

"Get out Mark." I said calmly, he stared at me, "Get out Mark!"

He stayed put, "Why him?"

"Why him?" I repeated, "Because he's the only one I can talk to about everything and anything. Because I trust him more than I do any of you. Because I lo-" I stopped myself before finishing that sentence. I love him. I love Will Brooks.

Mark rolled his eyes and walked out. Soon after Mom and Dad walked in.

"Aiden." My Dad nodded, and my Mom was crying. I took out my headphones."Yes?"

"You hurt your mother, apologize." He motioned to her, her eyes were all puffy. "Go on."

My eyes met hers but I stayed quiet. Why should I apologize? She's the one who made a fool of herself. It's all her fault.

"Hurt you? Hurt you how?"

"You constantly ignore me and you don't know how much that hurts."

My eyes went wide and my fists were clenched by my side and I bit my tongue, "I'm sorry, it wasn't my intention to to hurt you."

She nodded and sniffled, "Thank you." They walked out closing the door behind them. I sighed and slumped down feeling empty. I put my headphones back in and turned it up to full volume drowning out the outside world.