Stay Away From My Friends (Jenna McDougall and Vic Fuentes)

Chapter 9

A few days have gone by since I sold my soul to Ronnie. So far, I've helped him cheat on two tests, and gotten week long detention because of something he did. We've been switching all of our tests and quizzes, so I've been taking all the bad grades. My parents are not happy with that. Then to come home and say I have detention? They were pissed. I've been sent to bed without dinner twice. But I'm okay with that. I don't need to eat. I haven't had time to get breakfast or grab my lunch in the morning because of Ronnie wanting me to get to school earlier, so I just haven't been eating.

Kellin's noticed, but hasn't said anything. He'll give me concerned looks when I won't have anything at lunch, but I always change the topic before he can say anything. He doesn't need to know. He'd just get involved, and then he'd get himself hurt.

We're sitting under the tree now. I finally have a break from Ronnie and his schemes. I'm laying in the grass, just staring up at the sky. Everyone else is talking- I don't know what about. I'm not listening.

Kellin pokes me. I look at him.

"You okay dude?" he asks.

I nod.

Kellin frowns. He doesn't believe me.

"Seriously," he continues. "What's going on?"

"It's nothing," I mutter, rolling onto my side.

"No, it's fucking something," Kellin says, pulling me over, getting me to sit up. "You haven't been eating or spending much time with us lately, and you look tired as shit. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing," I repeat.

"Come on, Vic. I want to help you. I'm your best friend. I'm here for you," Kellin's frowning.

"I know," I say flatly, not looking at him.

Kellin starts to get mad. "Fine. Be like that. Sorry for trying to help."

"Just mind your own damn business," I snap without meaning to.

Kellin looks offended for only a second, until his expression turns to anger. "Fine! I'll mind my own damn business!" he gets up and storms off. Oli goes after him, only after shooting me a glare.

"What was that about?" Mike looks at me.

"Nothing," I say. "Leave it alone."

Part of me wants to go after Kellin and apologize. But the rest of me is just tired, and doesn't seem to care anymore. He might even be safer if he's away from me.

I get up and sling my backpack over my shoulder. "I'm just going to go to class early."

I walk off. I can feel the others staring at me until I disappear around the corner. I bet now they're talking about me and what might be going on.

I wish they could know I'm just doing this for them.

I pass Jenna and Ronnie and their gang on my way to class. Jenna says hello, but I keep walking. I have to.

I can hear her say I look upset. She wants to go after me. But then Ronnie says "who cares" and that's the end of that.

Yeah. Who cares? No one. I'm a freak that everyone hates. Even my friends and brother are drifting away. It's my fault, though. I deserve it.  But I deserve way worse.

AN: this was short but yolo