𝐇𝐄 𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐓𝐒 𝐌𝐄

─ ❝ act xxxv ❞

⎡ act xxxv - injury ⎦

┊❝ I... hate seeing you so hurt ❞┊

── THE next time (Y/N) awoke, all she felt was a throbbing pain all over her body. Staring up at the stark white ceiling, she then turned her head to the right to see Sawyer sitting there with his hands laced together, his elbows settled on his knees, his head hanging down, and his foot tapping in an incessant manner on the floor.

He looked completely out of it.

More so, he seemed to be consumed in anxiety.

"Sawyer...?" She mumbled, watching as his head snapped up at her voice before he immediately jumped up from his chair to crouch by her bedside. "How long... have I been lying here?"

"About an hour," Sawyer answered, breathing in sharply the longer he stared at her. "How are you feeling now?"

"Okay... I guess," she sighed. "Carmen?"

"Got off with a fucking warning," he scowled, sucking in a deep breath that he then released as his expression scrunched with anger and disbelief, his fingers twitching at the way Carmen had smirked at both him and Shariah after she practically waltzed out of the headmaster's office. "But, you know how it is. She's affiliated with Dylan, so our, oh, so gracious headmaster shows favoritism to his son's lackeys."

"Sounds about right..." (Y/N) groaned as she slowly pushed herself upwards, Sawyer being quick to hover around her with ghostly touches on her back and arm in case she needed help.

What he didn't realize, however, was just how that helpful nature made her heart quicken.

She let out a slow sigh.

I'm getting deja vu back to the party...

Why am I feeling this way?

"Thank you, Sawyer... for bringing me here," she continued softly as she moved away the strands of her (H/L) hair from her face, wheezing softly due to the strain her body was under just to sit up, wondering just how bruised Carmen left her. "I'm sorry you and Shariah had to deal with Carmen... and with me. But... how are you even here? You're suspended, remember? Because... of me."

"You don't have to apologize for that," Sawyer scoffed, finding her apology both endearing and silly. "We like you, believe it or not. You're are friend. Why wouldn't we help? And as for being here when we're suspended... me and Shariah kind of saw Carmen follow you inside looking pissed. We thought something might happen, so we snuck inside. I'm glad we did, to be honest.

(Y/N)'s smile softened.

But just as quickly, it disappeared.

Noticing this, Sawyer straightened, frowning at how she seemed to want so little.

"(Y/N)..." he swallowed, struggling to find the right words to say to her. "I... hate seeing you hurt like this. I'm not trying to push you to confide in me everything since we've really only known each other for a few months, but know that I want to help. So... why? Why do you keep pushing me and everyone else away? Is it because of Dylan and Ian? Have they said something to you?"

(Y/N) didn't speak, but she didn't have to.

Her expression spoke volumes.

Large volumes.

"They did, didn't they?" He exhaled heavily.

"They did," she nodded numbly, fumbling with her fingers as her brows creased. "He threatened me. He threatened you. He threatened the others, too. I mean, you're living the threat by being suspended. I'm usually a selfish person. Self preservation, you know? But... I can't choose myself over you guys again since I know I'm just gonna feel guilty about it later. It's a guilt I don't want to ever face. It's why I'm trying not to get too close."

"Is... that also why you ran away from the party claiming you were 'sick?'" He frowned.

"No... I ran into Dylan and Ian."

"What!?" His eyes widened.

"As you can imagine, I really didn't feel like partying after that," she gave a dry chuckle despite how the situation wasn't humorous in the least.

"And the photos?" Sawyer leaned forward. "I mean, they were all sent from an anonymous source, but I think everyone knew they were from Dylan. No one can prove that, though. No one really wants to try and see what the consequences would be."

"Yeah... it was them."

"Shit," Sawyer collapsed back into his chair, running both hands through his hair. "What the actual hell is wrong with them!?"

(Y/N) parted her lips, but only air escaped.

She recalled Ian's gaze.

Dylan's kiss.

Their obsessive mannerisms.

She realized she already knew the very answer to Sawyer's question.

Before anything more could be said, both the nurse and Shariah walked into the room conversing over everything that happened, Shariah waving her hands in the air as she talked while the nurse wrote down everything she said, the one flying across the clipboard. When they noticed (Y/N) awake, both were quick to rush to her side with Sawyer standing upon their presence, the nurse then asking the basic follow up questions. After assessing the damage, the nurse gave (Y/N) clearance to leave school early, making a note in the school database about the nature of her incident and the severity of her wounds.

"You need any help?" Shariah questioned (Y/N) as she jolted forward to catch her when she fell, not seeming to notice the way Sawyer moved to do the same, his fingers twitching upon not being able to hold (Y/N) up. "God, I'm so sorry for what Carmen did to you." Mumble to herself, she continued, "I can't believe I used to date that crazy bitch..."

"Thank you for your help, Shariah, but I'll be okay," (Y/N) exhaled as she slowly pulled away from the other girl, her smile unsteady.

"Are you... sure?" Shariah seemed unconvinced.

"Of course," (Y/N) chuckled, but there was no light that reached her eyes. "Thanks again. And... sorry if I got you and Sawyer in trouble for being here."

Slowly limping out of the nurse's office, (Y/N) left behind both Shariah and Sawyer staring after her in both concern and puzzlement—the latter emotion mostly being felt by Shariah after (Y/N) shared somewhat of her situation with Sawyer. Crossing her arms over her chest, Shariah clicked her tongue and shook her head, meeting the glance that Sawyer threw her way.

"She's acting like that because of Dylan and Ian, isn't she?" Shariah demanded.

Sawyer nodded.

He wasn't really paying attention, though, as he quite couldn't tear his eyes away from the spot where (Y/N) had disappeared.

(Y/N)...

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To be continued...