Dying Love

Chapter 2

So- you now know one of the hardest times in my life- I'm gonna jump forward. All that happened in the next year was Seth started talking to me just a little bit more every time I was there. 

Almost exactly one year later, I was a junior in high school with Hannah. It hurt me to see Joey everyday. He was basically in all of my classes, and sat next to me. Sometimes, he pull my hair if the teacher was facing the other way. It didn't take him long to get over me. A month after we broke up, he had a new girlfriend.

Anyways- to the story. 

I was at Hannah's house, and told her I was going to use the bathroom. I walked out, and towards the hallway, but was greeted by Seth halfway there."What happened to you and Joey?"He asked. He probably knew more about Joey then I did, seeing as at lunch they sat at the same table. Most of the sportsmen sit at the same table. 

"We just broke up- that's all,"I said, and turned to walk away, but Seth grabbed my wrist. I turned back around,"No. Something happened to make you break up."He said, completely serious."He just pulled my hair a couple times. It's fine, honestly."I said.

"That's abuse."

"I'm fine."

"I can punch him for you."

"Please don't."

"Skylar- seriously. That's not okay for someone to treat you- or anyone- like that."

"Seth, I'm fine. It's over."

"Not for his new girlfriend."

I paused,"Don't remind me."

Seth bit his lip,"Sorry."He said.

I turned, and started to walk again,"Hey Skylar?"Seth called.

I turned my head, once again,"If you ever need anything, just call me."He said. I nodded, and gave a shy smile.

It was then that I realized how cute Seth was. He was nice, and would do anything for anyone. 

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The next day at school was pretty dramatic. The last bell had just rung. School was over. I started walking to the parking lot, when guess who came up beside me. Joey grabbed the end of my hair, and pulled me behind one of the buildings.

"What do you want, Joey?"I asked, fear creeping up inside me. Tears were also starting to form. I was terrified of what he would do to me."Listen- I've been thinking. Let's get back together."He said. I narrowed my eyes,"What makes you think I would ever go out with you again?"

"Let me rephrase. You're going to be my girlfriend, so I can show off to my ex that I don't need her."Joey said. I snorted,"Yeah, not gonna happen. Find someone else to be your puppet."I said. Joey shook his head, smiling, before looking up, taking a step towards me, and slapping me straight across the face. Hard. It felt like a punch more than a slap. I fell to the ground, the tears I had been yielding finally escaping me. 

Then he kicked my stomach. Multiple times."Have you  changed your mind yet?"He asked, when I opened my eyes. I was shaking really hard. What would he do if I said no? 

"Hey!"Someone shouted, walked towards us. I turned my head, to see Seth jogging down the hall,"What's going on?"He looked at me, his brown eyes sinking in, before looking at Joey."Hey, man. Why don't you go ahead and wait up for me at the gate? I'll be there in a second."Joey said towards Seth, who shook his head.

"How about you leave Skylar alone?"He suggested. Joey frowned."This doesn't concern you, Seth. Walk away, now."He said. 

Joey was way different than Seth. He was smaller. Didn't really work out, just kind of went to football practices unprepared. Seth, on the other hand, was probably the biggest baseball player on the team. He worked out nearly every night. Stronger. Faster. Better reflexes.

"Actually, it does kind of concern me. I don't like people getting hurt."Seth said. Joey chuckled shaking his head, before tackling Seth. He ended up on top of the baseball player, throwing a punch, nailing Seth in the jaw. The next time he tried to punch, Seth grabbed his fist, overpowering him, and flipping them over, so then he was on top, and punched Joey back. Hard. 

Immediately Joey got a bloody nose, then the second punch, a black eye began to form. Seth then got up, and walked over to me,"You okay, Skylar?"He asked, and I nodded. He offered a hand to help me up, and I took it."Come on- you can come over to my house."He said. I followed him out to his car, and climbed into the passenger seat.

"Tell me the truth. What did Joey do to you?"Seth asked."Slapped me. Kicked me."I replied, looking out the window.

"Did he say anything?"The baseball player asked."He tried forcing me to be his girlfriend again to show his ex that he didn't need her."I said, tears starting to form my eyes. If he had just been kinder to me- I would've excepted the offer without hesitation.