Let Me Be Your Hero

Chapter Sixteen : Peaches and Roses

***Warning: this chapter includes explicit language that may be offensive to some. If you are a victim or survivor it may be wise to skip the second flashback.***

Recap:

"I could never hate you!" I exclaimed out loud.

"Why would I need to forgive you, sweetie? What's wrong?" I asked worriedly while stroking her wet cheek softly. Oh, no what if she wants to back down? What if she doesn't love me?

I shook my head at the last thought, now my imagination was getting the best of me. I'm sure it's not anything too big, just school problems. Yeah, that's it; she failed a test and wants me to tutor her.

Her next four words, though, sliced through me like a solid disc of steel cutting through wisps of clouds. A numerous and diverse amount of emotions flitted across my face, settling on the blank look I reserved for times I had to restrain myself. My jaw clenched just as painfully as my now white knuckles did. The drop of moisture that slid down my left eye left a salty trail down my left cheek. The staccato beat of my heart, humming for the love I held true for this girl, was now a savage tempo ripping through layers of skin and flesh with its high volume. My once steady breathing quickened with the quick intake of a gasp.

"I killed your brother."

***

Melanie:

"You what?" Jon asked me astounded. I could see every muscle of his body begin to tense, and his jaw clenched so tightly I feared it would snap off. I knew I shouldn't have told him now, but I really didn't want to have to base our relationship on secrets and lies. He has a right to know, and it just felt so good to release that secret.

"Please don't make me repeat myself." I closed my eyes, letting go of the breath I held in anticipation of his reaction. I could feel him stand up and begin pacing around by the sound of small pebbles being kicked around, and the crunch of leaves under his steps. What is he going to do?

There was a very tense moment where neither of us spoke. He kept pacing, and I kept my eyes shut, knowing that if I gazed into the depths of his hazel eyes I would regret telling him and pass it off as a lie. I needed to let him know of this. This is going to determine if he truly loves me or not. So, it's a good thing, right?

Oh, who am I kidding!? It was the stupidest idea ever! Me and my stupid mouth! Why couldn't I hold onto that piece of information for much longer? I could've stayed quiet and enjoyed his kisses, his gentle caress, and his presence. Why, oh why did I do that?

"Why did you kill him?" Jon asked, coming to a halt with his pacing.

"You're going to let me explain?" I lifted my head to see him gazing at me with a pained look. I put that look there, I thought sadly.

He nodded in response, drifting his sight on some unknown thing in the distance and sitting by me again. I don't deserve this. He should be yelling at me for what I did. He should have slapped me and called me a selfish wh0re like Ashton did when he found out. He should've given me a sour look and fled back to the campsite. But, he stayed here. He's letting me explain.

"Umm." I gulped, unsure of where to start. That tragedy is not one I can easily recall and put out there. It happened so fast and I worked so hard to forget it.

"It happened when I turned thirteen." I began, concentrating on a suddenly interesting rock by my foot. The overwhelmingly glum and terrifying memories flooded me as I told him in detail what happened...

Third person's POV (Flashback)

"Allen! Hey, turn that music down!" Melanie shouted over the blasting stereo in the living room of the Holloway's home. Andrea Holloway had decided to let her nineteen year old son host a party in celebration of the end of the school term, and he had been trying out the sound system all day. Melanie had been helping Jonathan pack meanwhile, teasing him of the embarrassing things they had found here and there in the process. Andrea and Jonathan found they needed extra supplies and briefly stepped out. Melanie thought this an excellent opportunity.