Death Sounds Like A Melody (Merome)

Chapter 5 - Trust Us

Mitch's POV

On his wrists and arm are three massive scars that have started healing. They almost look like something has put its claw through it. My heart drops. No way. There is no way out of all people, Preston did that to himself. He catches me looking at them. He sighs and lowers the jacket.

"A couple of years back I was very suicidal. So, I tried to kill myself. Didn't work though. Rob saved my life." He says, looking down in embarrassment. We stand in silence, me not daring to say a word. If I say something, it'll probably make everything worse. Anything I do makes the situation three times as bad. He sighs and hands me the jacket.

"Take it, I have some makeup I can use on them." He says, holding out his jacket once again. I shakily hold my hand out and take the jumper, muttering a thank you before going into one of the cubicles and taking of my mushy jacket. I pop on Preston's and stuff mine in my bag. I sling it on my back and walk back.

Preston is standing at the sink, putting make up on his wounds. Eventually, it just looks like bruises. He smiles sadly at me. "Thanks for this." I say quietly, returning the gesture. He nods. "Anything for a friend." He says shrugging. My heart leaps out of my chest. He said that I'm his friend? Wow. Why would someone scoop so low in the barrel to want to be my friend? I'm a loser, and I hardly even talk!

He notices my shocked expression and sighs. "I may not know much about you. But I know that something terrible has happened to you. You probably don't trust me, but I want you to know that I'm always here if you ever need someone to talk to. I've been through this too." He says, putting a hand on my shoulder. I bite my lip and think for a moment. Preston does seem like a trustworthy person. But that's what I thought at my old school.

I just nod before I start fighting with myself. He smiles and pats me on the shoulder and walks out of the bathroom, me following close behind.

-~*~-

It has been one month since the slushy incident. School has gotten worse. Everyday I walk into those gates, the jocks hurt me. Not just physically, but emotionally. I'm already shattered, all they need to do is step on me and I'm in dust. I knew this was going to happen. It was inevitable. The others have tried to stick up for me, but they only end up getting hurt as well. Around the second week, I told them to stop. As much as this confused them, they did anyway.

Usually when they attack is in the hallways. When they walk past, they push me into the lockers, spill slushy on me, trip me over, shout insults. They have only ever beaten me up once. It was during PE a couple of weeks ago. When we were getting out of our sweaty clothes. Everyone else had left, and it was just them left. They kicked, punched and made fun of me. I almost had another panic attack because I thought the past was going to repeat itself. Though, I managed to stay 'calm' surprisingly.

This was the period before lunch. They gave me a black eyes and many scratches over my face. When I got back to the table where we sit, the guys were furious. They didn't even ask what had happened. They already knew.

The thing is, Jerome has always been there, but has only ever watched. Not once has he touched me, talked to me or anything of the sought. He looks at me in pity, and yet, he spectates his gang beating me up. It clear he is the alpha male. He has everyone tied around his little finger, all at his disposal. I hate him with a fiery passion. Yet for some reason, I still find him unbelievably attractive.

Get it together Mitch.

I walk out of the school with the gang. Since it's a Friday, Adam had invited us all over to his place for the night along with Brice and Seto. I think they invited me out of pity, but I said yes anyway. Everyone gets in their cars and I hop in with Rob and Preston. They are gonna drive me home so I can pick my stuff and then go to Adams since I don't have car.