Sarah Smiles

I Have Friends In Holy Spaces

Brendon's POV

I'm so worried about Sarah. She isn't answering any of my texts and I just really hope she isn't dead in a ditch somewhere. I head to the studio to meet with the band, hoping to keep my mind off of her.

"Hey, Brendon! What's up?" Dallon asks as I walk into the room.
"I met that girl, you know the one from the show? Her mom hates me and she's sixteen so it's impossible." I groan and flop onto the olive coloured couch.

"Dude, she's sixteen!?" Spencer asks from the kitchen. I nod and he gives me a 'what the fuck' look. Dallon glares at him and turns back to me with sympathy.

"I'm sorry, B. But at least she likes you?" He reassures. I groan again. Wrong, she probably hates me  I ruined her life.

"She doesn't want a relationship!" I am tired of this conversation already, and it only just started. "I think I'm just gonna go home. I need sleep." I stand up and walk out the door.

*****

It's the next morning and I wake up to my text tone going off. I look at the clock, 7:30. I urgently check the text message, hoping to the God I don't believe in that Sarah is OK.

I'm fine, I was only sleeping. I don't do that kind of shit, I wouldn't hurt anyone like that.~S

I'm so relieved. I was afraid that she was one of those depressed emo kids, not that there's anything wrong with them, I've just been with too many. It's what makes up the majority of my fan base . . . I smile and get out of bed, gliding down the hallway and blasting my stereo with Falling in Reverse. I like the mix of genres and I envy the way Ronnie uses his voice.

I walk around my house in my boxers, sliding my hand across the wall, looking for the light switch. I find it and flip it on, letting Bogart out of his cage. We run down the stairs and into the kitchen. I pick up his food bowl and fill it with kibble, he's so needy. Then I grab the cereal and eat it out of the box, walking over to the TV. I watch the news for a few minutes, while I eat my breakfast.

I look at my watch. Shit it's already 8:30! I'm supposed to meet up with the band at 9. I don't have time to go on my morning jog! I make up for it by running back up to my room, picking out a nirvana tee and dark wash jeans. Shit shit shit. I barely make it out the door with shoes on and my leather jacket in hand.

I grab my cell and call Dallon, as I get in my car and turn the engine over. "Hey man, I'm on my way, I'm sorry. I slept in and--"

"Dude, it's fine. Is your friend OK?" Dallon cuts me off, getting to the point, as always.

"Yeah. She just fell asleep. Apparently she isn't suicidal, let's just hope she isn't lying to me." I answer, hanging up the phone and speeding off towards the studio.

Sarah's POV

It's the end of the day, thank God. I'm at my locker, switching out my books for tonight's homework eagerly. Brendon is coming to pick me up from school, I told my mom I was going over to Tanner's house, I can't believe how secretive I'm being. I close my locker and turn around to a large shadow.

"Hey looser. What's it gonna be today?" Jamie Bolton, your stereotypical bully, asks. He's six inches from my face. I try to push past him, but he holds me back against my locker. He places a hand on my chest, groping me. I feel so violated, and there's a crowd growing around us.

"No." I whimper, sliding to the floor, arms across my chest. I feel tears pricking at my eyes, but I blink them back.

"No what, emo?" Jamie asks with a cocky grin. He crouches in front of me, lifting my chin and pressing his lips to mine. I try to push him off, but I can't. I can't breathe and he pulls my hair and my arms. The people around us are laughing at this, cheering Jamie on, like he isn't sexually assaulting me. Just as suddenly as he started, he stops, standing up and kicking me. "Worthless piece of shit." He spits, walking away. The crowd leaves with him.

I start bawling, curled up on the floor of the hallway. "Oh my God! Sarah, are you OK?" I hear a male voice ask from down the empty hallway after a few minutes. I don't have the strength to see who it is, but I flinch away. He comes into view and I see that it's Brendon. "Who the hell did this to you?" He demands, kneeling beside me.

"J-j-jamie B-b-bolton." I sniffle out, he lifts me into his arms and carries me, bridal style, to his car. He sits me in the passenger seat and strokes my cheek with the back of his hand.

"I'll be right back. What does this kid look like?" He's going to kill him, I can see it in his eyes. He's going to fucking murder the asshole that hurt me.

"Brendon, don't do anything stupid." I plead. He looks at me with sadness in his beautiful brown eyes, but doesn't say anything. "He's tall and has brown hair, with green eyes." I say, defeated.

"Just know that no one will ever hurt you again." He says and runs off to find Jamie. I pull my knees up to my chest, heaving in all the air I can manage. I'm sick and tired of being taken advantage of.