Trouble in Paradise

Chapter 23

Im walking out of the parking lot toward my car when a couple of kids run past me, heading toward the far end of the parking lot.

What are they running to?

I hear hollering coming from the direction they went. I head in the direction the two kids went and when i round the corner i see two boys rolling on the ground. They're fighting.

As i get closer i recognize who it is... oh God!

"Stop!" i shout at the two boys as i run to them.

Jackson is on top of Sami. Jackson has Sam by his shirt collar, he winds back and throws a punch at Sam. He hits his jaw.

Blood sprays from his mouth with each punch Jackson throws at him.

Why in the hell are they fighting?
They're best friends. What happened?

"Jackson! What are you doing?" i scream, "Stop!"

He throws another punch, his fist makes contact with the left side of Sams face.

What the fuck is going on?

Sams head goes limp on his neck. I think Jackson may have thought that he punched him to death because he lets go of Sams shirt collar. Shock is written on his face.

"Sam!" i shout. I run over to him and crouch down beside him on the pavement. "What did you do?" i shout at Jackson. He is standing above the both of us.

I hear faint murmurs from the crowd around us. Some saying, "Oh shit." Others asking, "Oh God, is he dead?" And one kid voiced the very same thought i was having, "I thought they were best friends."

I gently shake Sams shoulders, trying to wake him up. How hard did Jackson punch him?

I know hes alive because his chest is moving up and down and im a little bit calmer, but not by much.

"Oh God," Jackson mutters above me, "Is he alright?"

"I think so. Go get the nurse," i command him.

Jackson takes off toward the school, running to grab the nurse.

                             * * *

Im sitting outside of the nurses office waiting for Sami. I made up my mind that i wasnt going to leave without knowing he was alright.

A little while after Jackson went in to get the nurse, they came rushing out to the parking lot.

Sam woke up moments later, he was dazed and confused. The nurse slowly walked him out of the parking lot and to her office. I followed behind and thats how i ended up here, at 3:45.

Jackson, after seeing that Sam was awake and hearing the nurse comfirm that he would be fine, drove off. I still cant believe him. What could have happened between the two to make them lash out at eachother? This doesnt make any sense.

"Make sure to keep pressure on your jaw. And please be careful driving home," i hear the nurse tell Sam.

Then he walks out of her office. Hes holding an ice pack against his jaw, and there is a big bruise underneath his left eye.

He hasnt seen me, hes walking in the opposite direction.

I quickly stand up and jog after him, "Sam! Wait!"

He glances over his shoulder and rolls his eyes, he doesnt stop walking,
"What the hell do you want?" he asks me.

His strides are much larger than mine so im practically jogging beside him to keep up.