On The Ropes

Round 15

Zavier's POV

Too much.

Everything is too much.

I don't know what to do. I don't know how to deal with these feelings, and Mr. Kingston isn't here to teach me.

Mr. Kingston hasn't been able to teach me for a while now, and it makes me sad. He couldn't help me when he was in the hospital because he was hurt, and then he couldn't help me when he got home because he was sad, and now he's back in the hospital.

He tried to hurt himself, and I don't understand why. I want to ask him why, but I can't. We're not allowed to visit him yet.

I miss him so much. I just want him to feel better...

"Zay." Rodney called out, making me hum lowly in response.

I was at his house, currently laying face down on his couch as tears escaped my eyes. I don't think I've stopped crying since I said goodbye to Mr. Kingston in the hospital.

Antwon has been helping me a lot—He comes over here pretty often once he found out I've been staying with Rodney. He doesn't understand why I'm not staying with Marcel anymore, or why I chose to stay with Rodney instead of 'coming home', but he stopped asking questions once he realized asking them just stressed me out.

Javi has been there for me too. He's still a bit awkward around Rodney since they've only just met, but he still comes over to talk to me. He brings me gifts in an attempt to make me smile, and lets me hug him and cry for as long as I need to.

And of course, Rodney has been here for me.

I let out a deep groan when a heavy weight suddenly settled on top of me, and then I sighed and felt my body start to relax. As much as Rodney complained about not being able to lay on me because he's 'too heavy', he's learned to just go with the flow, and now he just lays on me without thinking about it.

He laid his head on my upper back and let out his own sigh, then spoke again. "Yo boyfriend's wanna go suit shoppin' for prom." He told me as he showed me my phone. I told him my password—Antwon's birthday—So now he just checks it for me. I haven't really felt like being on my phone lately. "What color you wanna wear?"

"Whatever color Antwon wants to wear." I muttered in response.

He smacked his lips, and I already knew he was rolling his eyes without even looking at him. "What's your favorite color, Z?" He asked. I hummed lowly, and he sighed in response. "Never mind, I'll ask Antwon."

I hummed again, and we fell into silence as he typed on my phone. Usually I would jump at the opportunity to just yap about everything that I like, but I haven't felt much like talking lately.

My phone buzzed, and Rodney stopped texting for a moment. I could feel his heart beating quicker against my back, but I didn't question it until he took a deep breath and sighed. "I'm blockin' that nigga for you, and you gon' keep him blocked."

Okay? "Who?" I asked as I tried to turn my head to see what he was talking about.

"That nigga you was livin' wit'." He clarified.

It still took me a moment to realize he was talking about, and then I frowned once I did.

Ever since Rodney told me that he thinks—No, that he knows I was being assaulted and taken advantage of by Marcel, he's been hellbent on keeping me away from him.

That's why I'm technically living with him now—Even though all of my stuff is still at the Kingston's.

"But what if he needs me for somethin'?" I asked as I struggled to turn over.