oh no // c.h.

ch.12

*November*

"Hey Nia."

The dark haired girl looked over at me, from her spot in line for lunch. I tried to ignore the look of disgust that flashed across her face before she sent me a fake smile.

"July." She nodded.

"Do you think we could, talk for minute?" I asked, gripping my tray against my stomach.

She glanced at her friends, then back at me, and back to her friends.

"Yeah sure."

We both set our trays down before I nodded and motioned for her to follow me into the hallway.

Exiting the near empty cafeteria, I began to feel a little nervous. I mean, if I said one thing wrong she would probably scream her little head off and everyone would think I punched her in the god damn face.

"What did you want to talk about?" She asked, leaning against the lockers.

I stood up straighter, adjusting my glasses before beginning to speak.

It was kind of a sensitive topic for me to talk about, especially with Nia.

"You know, um, you've been with Cal for about a month and a half now," I saw her nod, "and I just, want to make sure he's, safe I guess?" I was having a hard time choosing the right words.

"What?"

"Well just, make sure he's in good hands. That you don't hurt him."

"Why on earth would I hurt him? I don't support relationship abuse who do you think I am-"

"Not that kind of hurt," I had to hold back from rolling my eyes because Calum could knock her out with a slap to the face, "the kind of hurt that's emotional and mental. He, went through a lot with his last relationship, and it's taken a while for him to get back to where he is now. So just, don't hurt him." I repeated with more authority, "Cause if you do you're going to have to deal with me."

"Is that a threat?"

What do you think?

Before I could answer she asked me another question, "What happened with his last relationship?"

I paused, taking a second to realize what she had just asked me.

I couldn't tell her. Especially because it was Calum. He made me promise not to tell (or bring it up as a matter of fact), but I felt it was necessary you know? I'm just looking out for him.

"I can't say-"

"Oh come on I'm his girlfriend now," She pushed my shoulder playfully, "It's not like I'm gonna tell anyone."

And for some reason, the first thing she said hit me in a way. Like, it was an insult. She was almost taunting me with it.

Why did it feel like that?

Brushing it off quickly after, I had to think if I should tell her or not.

I mean, it'd be good if she knew, I wouldn't tell her that much. She probably needed to know anyways.

"Calum met this girl online," I began, grimacing at the painful story, "She was depressed before, during, and after Calum. They were talking and finally agreed to meet each other in real life. They met and hit it off instantly. They dated for like, six months and he was, he really liked her," I paused, not sure if I should've used the word 'love' or not, "but she had actually been cheating on him multiple times. Yet every time he tried breaking up with her she would threaten to hurt, or even kill herself. He couldn't escape it," I shook my head, "I tried to help him, I even talked to her but she just lashed out on me and told me to back off. Finally, she found someone else but Calum was so, emotionally bruised and scarred. She really hurt him, and it killed me to see him hurt for so long."