Before Smosh

Chapter 8

A/N So finally I have updated! Sorry it took a while, Ian POV writer's block. Heh. So I dedicated this to gummi597 cause they kept commenting and I haven't been able to thank them properly yet! Anyways, I got so many messages asking to update and it's made me so happy! Thank you all so much

Enjoy!

Ian

Black and blue striped hoodie back on to hide the black and blue marks that covered my skin. The long, thick sleeves to hide the newest stinging wounds of pain. The dark hood covering my face in an attempt to hide everything else. I trudged down the halls, hands in my pockets, trying to avoid the crowds and not get bruised even more. I looked up for a split second to see someone who was the newest addition to the list of people I purposely tried to avoid.

He stared at me through the crowds with worry in his eyes and looked at me as if he was trying to figure out what was going through my head. He looked genuinely sad, and maybe even a little sorry for leaving me. Even though he was at least 15 feet away from me, I saw him take a step. I did too. I wanted to talk to him and ask him why and maybe even apologise for whatever I’d done. The edges of his mouth twitched and he took a few more steps, when suddenly a hand appeared on his shoulder and Derrick materialized out of nowhere.

Anthony and Derrick were friends. That’s why Anthony had left me. Probably at that very moment he was walking over to torment me.

I turned on my heels and ran through the crowds, not bothering to excuse myself. I spotted the emergency exit to my left and bounded out before leaning against the wall and sliding down. I felt like I was on the verge of crying or breaking something, but either way it wouldn’t help. I pulled back the sleeve of my hoodie and stared at the cuts burning my arm. The door burst open only a few seconds later and I jumped up from my spot on the ground.

“What’re you doing here?” I yelled.

“I came to talk to you,” He responded, “You look horrible.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“Ian, I didn’t mean it like that!”

“I don’t care! Now just get one with whatever you came to do.”

He stared at me quizzically for a few seconds before he spoke.

“I wanted to explain a few things-“ He began.

I didn’t want explanations.

“I don’t care! Just go, leave!” I yelled.

“Ian,” He said.

“I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice, I DON’T CARE WHAT YOU HAVE TO SAY! Now go back to your friends and leave me be!” I screamed, throwing my hands in the air and gesturing towards the door.

He stared past me, or above me, and we both stood perfectly still for a few moments.

“What?” I hissed at him.

He squinted at whatever he was staring at and then asked,  “What’s that?”

I finally gave in and looked at what he was so focused on. To my horror, he was staring at my arm, the left arm to be specific, the one covered in scars, some new and some old. I had forgotten to roll down my sleeve when he burst through the door.  My heart stopped for a minute whilst fear, embarrassment and terror pierced me to the core.

I yanked the sleeve back down and, in the tiniest voice, whispered, “Nothing.”

“Let me see…” He said, slowly taking a step towards me.

“No!” I yelled and jumped backwards.

He launched at me and grabbed my arm before I could run. Jabs of pain stung my arm as I tried to struggle free.

“Anthony no! No no no no!” I winced.

He pulled the sleeve back and gasped. His eyes were wide and he looked absolutely horrified. He lightly ran his finger down my arm, causing me to wince again.

“Sorry,” He said, “Did you do this…because of them?”

“Sort of…” I muttered.

He looked me dead in the eyes and asked, “Did you do this because…because of…me?”

I nodded.

“Sort of.”

He squeezed his eyes shut and hung his head, cursing himself at the same time. He looked back at my arm and slowly pulled the sleeve further up my arm to reveal a big bruise. It was a dark and scary purple compared to my pale skin.

“Did they do this to you too?” He asked.

I nodded.

He let go of my arm and I slid the sleeve down, tugging my hood at the same time. I was about to walk past Anthony and back through the door when he put his hand to my chest.

“I’ll drive you home today, okay?”

“No. You’ll only be sacrificing yourself,” I said.

“I won’t. We’re going to figure out how to end this.”

“I can handle this myself thank you.”

“I’m not letting you get beat up again. You’re going home with me.”

And with that he walked through the door and back into the now empty hallway. The tardy bell went a second later. I stood outside for a few seconds more, considering whether Anthony was really being truthful. I sighed once more and walked through the door into the cold corridor with a decision in my mind.

Sometimes it’s best to trust lies.