Haunted

s a n d w i c h

✫ ༒ Joey ༒ ✫

When I returned to school the following day I felt myself sag with relief at the sight of Gabriella.

"Joey!" She squealed, throwing herself into my arms.

"Hi, Gabs," I chuckled, returning the hug and trying not to think about the PDA.

"Get a room," Podge called out, with Alec by his side.

"Leave them alone," Aoife glared at him, "Let them be happy."

"How are you?" She asked, her eyes roaming over my face in an obvious attempt to look for bruises.

"Grand," I nodded, "How are you?"

"Happy to see you," She grinned, letting go of me as we headed toward the lunch hall.

My gaze shifted to her face, which was all smiley and cheerful. She really was an angel, she even had the face of one.

Then my heart dropped—the same way it had been all week—because I knew she wasn't eating. If she'd thought I'd forgotten about that day with the crisps she was so wrong.

She sank down into a seat at our usual table and pulled out a water bottle.

No food just a water bottle.

"Gabs, do you know a Jack West?" Aoife asked, looking eager.

"Yeah? From Tommen, right?"

"Yes," Aoife nodded, "I met him a few nights back and he's a total ride. Is he a good fella?"

"Yeah. He plays rugby so he's friends with a few of the same lads as me," Gabby explained, "I've not heard anything bad about him."

Yanking my lunch from my bag, I tossed it on the table and nudged Gabby in the arm.

"You want some of my sandwich?" I offered her, my eyes scanning her face.

"Oh," She mumbled, "Um, no. I had a big breakfast."

That was a lie and I knew it. Since she used that same line everyday.

"Gabs?" I said quietly, "Can we take a walk?"

Her eyes widened and her face flushed but she mumbled, "Yeah, okay."

I shoved my lunch back into my schoolbag and fled the lunch hall with Gabriella following after me. I led her outside and onto the back field, away from everyone.

"So," She hummed, "What's up?"

"You're not eating," I finally said the words I'd been holding back.

"W-what?" She stuttered, her face turning red.

"Come on, Gabriella," I frowned, "I've never seen you eat in the three months I've known you." I grabbed her chin to make her look at me, "I notice things, Angel. I'm worried."

She swallowed hard before whispering, "You don't have to worry, Joe. I'm okay."

"I'm going to worry, Gabs. I'm your..." I sighed, because I didn't even know what the hell I was, "I care about you."

The bell sounded signalling lunch period was over and I could feel Gabriella tense.

"I have class," She blurted out, scrambling to stand up but I grabbed her wrist.

"You can go to class once you eat," I pushed, grabbing the sandwich from my bag and tossing it onto her lap.

"Joey..." She blinked rapidly.

"Just eat half, Gabs," I urged, "Come on."

With shakey hands she opened the plastic bag and pulled out half the sandwich. She eyed it and took a deep breath before biting into it.

When tears pricked her eyes I felt my heart crack in two. I wasn't sure when my feelings for Gabriella got so intense but they did.

And that scared the shit out of me more than anything.

"It's okay," I tried my best to comfort her.

She took another bite and swallowed instantly, "God, this is so embarrassing."

"It's not," I shook my head, "Trust me, I just want you to be okay."

I was sure her mother played a big role in her lack of eating. I knew first hand how the words of parents affected people.

"It's just—" A tear fell onto her cheek and I wiped it away with the back of my hand, "You probably think I'm insane."

"Not more insane than me, Gabs," I gave her a small smile and she returned it.

When she had finished half the sandwich she sniffled and then wiped her hands on her legs, "Thanks, Joey. I think sometimes I just get so in my head about eating that I forget it's not going to hurt me."

"You can tell me things, ya know," I nudged her foot with mine, "I'll listen."

"Yeah," She smiled, "I know."

"Good," I nodded.

"Joey Lynch, you really are a softie," She giggled.

"Only for you," I mumbled, even though it was true.

Aside from my siblings, Gabriella was the only other person I let into my heart.

A huge smile appeared on her face and she leaned in to kiss me.

"Thanks again," She grinned, "I really needed that."

"Of course," I nodded, "You swear you'll come to me if you need anything?"

"Yes," She agreed, "I swear. But same goes for you."

"Okay," I chuckled.

Even though I knew I wouldn't come to her. I didn't want to put my fucked up life on her shoulders. It was too much for me to handle, let alone a girl like Gabriella.

"We've missed ten minutes of class," She gasped, immediately standing up, "Let's go."

"I'm coming, Angel," I laughed, "Just say you were in the bathroom."

"I'm never late," She frowned, "Your bad boy persona is rubbing off on me."

"It couldn't if I tried," I smiled, "You'll be an angel no matter what."

"Maybe one day I won't be," She shrugged, "You never know, Joe. I could be corrupted."

We both laughed but inside I felt my stomach churn.

Because it was bound to happen. I destroyed the people around me and sooner or later she'd be destroyed.

But I couldn't bring myself to let her go and save her from me.

I just couldn't.