Burned at Both Ends

6. Payback

Continuing from the last chapter

"TJ? What did he do?" I asked.

"I don't really know. Apparently he showed up at Devin's place looking for a fight- That's what Devin said- and I don't know, they fought and obviously Devin lost." Chris explained.

"...We need to get revenge." I stated.

"Ricky." I looked over and Balz was looking down at me.

"We're gonna kill this motherfucker," Ryan said.

"No! We're not killing anyone." Balz said. "No revenge."

"He hurt Devin!" Chris snapped.

"I don't give a fuck!" Balz barked. "No revenge!"

"Since when were you in control of what we did?" Ryan scoffed.

"Since I don't want any of you in prison!" Balz replied. "No. Revenge. The end."

Chris stood. "Okay, you know what, you can go fuck yourself you little --"

"Excuse me?" A feminine voice spoke.

We all looked over and there was a short nurse with dark brown hair. "Devin's awake, if you would like to see him."

Ryan and I scrambled to our feet and then all four of us were running down the hall.

10:25am.

I honestly hated seeing Devin so hurt. He looked like shit, I won't lie, but he was still him. Cracking jokes and such. He was in good spirits, at least.

"So, Dev," Balz said, catching Devin's attention. "What happened?"

"Well... What did Chris tell you guys?" Devin asked.

"That TJ beat the shit out of you, basically." Ryan replied.

"Then just that. The little fucker wanted to fight." Devin said. "Hard to believe someone around Ricky's height could hit so hard."

"Asshole," I muttered.

"I'm just giving you hell, Rick. You know I love you." Devin said. "Not as much as Ryan does, but..."

Chris snickered, trying to hold back a laugh.

"I stand by my previous statement." I said.

7:00pm.

I was suddenly was jolted awake when Chris shoved my legs off his lap and I fell off his couch.

"Don't hit me!" I said without realizing.

I looked around, no one was in the room.
I knew I'd been pushed, though.

"Ricky?" Chris bolted in.

"Woah, dude, what's up?" I asked, standing.

"I heard you yell 'don't hit me'." Chris said.

"Instinct." I said casually. "What's up?"

"Uh... How do I casually say that TJ Bell might be on his way over?"

"What?" I yelled. "Chris fucking Cerulli!"

He cringed. "Don't call my by my last name, Richard."

"Well you're not the one who got repeatedly beat up by your former band mate! Why the hell is he coming here?" I shouted.

"I invited him," I heard Devin reply.
I turned around and saw Devin and Ryan.

"You little --" I ran at Devin, but Ryan stepped in front of him and caught me.

I think I might have been crying a bit out of frustration, but I can't remember because I was having a slight anxiety attack and my only intention was to beat the shit out of Devin but he'd already been in the hospital earlier.

"Ricky, calm down." Ryan said.

"No! He fucking invited over that asshole and I..." I didn't finish. I sat on the ground and Ryan sat next to me.

"Ricky, we're settling this, okay? That means TJ won't hurt you anymore. And we'll make sure of it." Chris said.

7:15pm.

Everyone was outside except for me and Ryan.
I heard yelling outside the window and Ryan looked at me.

"I have to, uh, use the bathroom. I'll be right back." Ryan said, getting up from the couch and walking down the hall.

I thought for a minute. Then I ran out the door.

I ran through the apartment complex halls, down the stairs, and out the front door.

"How about you just leave my fucking friends alone?" Oh great, Ange was here too.

"You can't control what I do, you little fucking--!" TJ paused. "...Well, if it isn't--"

"The raccoon, yeah, I get it." I said.

TJ pushed past Ange and Chris and stood right in front of me.

"Well littel guy, how about you--"

Without thinking, I slammed my fist into his face. Twice.

"What the fuck?" He muttered. Then he went at me, and tackled me.

All I can remember was fighting back but getting punched in the face so hard suddenly I was in immense pain and trying to catch my breath and all I heard was muffled yelling and ringing in my ears and I just