Through it all [on hold]

Catching flies

I stared at my hands. Sean lifted my chin so I was looking at him. "You were just in a lot off pain, yes?" I nod. "Do you know why?" I shake my head no.

Sean's P.O.V.

"Because your knee seemed tense and was extremely strained. I'm guessing this has been going on for a week now, right or wrong?" She closed her eyes, contemplating. "Right." She whispered. My hands grasped her own. "Why didn't you tell us?" Her shoulders start to shake as she hung her head. "I was scared. I am scared." "What are you afraid of?" Own asks. "What if the guys find out and react in a way that they threaten them or something? Hendricks and McCoy back them up and they could get in serious trouble. You too, and me as well. I'm scared for us." My grip on her hand tightens, even though I can barely make sense if what she just said. I move away. Owen walks over, kneeling before lifting her gaze to meet his own.

Sang's P.O.V.

Warm hands lift my head as a salty tear slips past my lips. My eyes remain closed. "Look at me, Sang." I peel my eyes open, to find myself gazing into swirling silver orbs. "Who?" I pressed my lips together, the weight of the secret heavy on my tongue. "Jade," I whisper. I find his eyes as I start to tell the story. "At gym in the locker rooms, the only time I'm alone- Jade showed up, with a couple of her cheer friends. They surrounded me before I could leave and started shoving me back and forth until I um...punched one of them in the nose and shoved the other against the wall on accident." I watched a smile creep up on Sean's face and a small one on mine, too. Mr. Blackbourne gave a 3/4 millimeter smile, so at least he wasn't mad at me. There was a hint of humor in his eyes. "But then, she was like 'Oh really? I had no clue you were mean enough to do that. Maybe if you ever stop hogging the only cute guys at our school I'll be your friend.' That's when she kicked me in the knee. I didn't say anything because she didn't and I didn't want anyone to get in trouble. Also, I didn't seem super injured, but that's apparently not the case." I sigh. Mr. Blackbourne closes his eyes for a moment. "I understand your concern, but I wish you would have told us sooner. At least that you were injured." I nod slowly. "Sorry. I just thought....never mind." I don't think I should tell them that I knew they were going to find out anyway. "Sean?" I ask. "Yeah?" "Thank you." He nodded. "I just wish I could've helped you sooner." Mr. Blackbourne frowned at him and I confusedly watched the exchange. "Well," Sean started. "Since your knee is injured quite seriously, you're going to have to stay off your feet for a while." I sighed. "But, if Owen says it's okay, and because of your concerns, I think that you should stay here!" Mr. Blackbourne gave him a look before nodding. A wide grin stretched across my face. "So... what about the guys?" "If it is acceptable to you Ms. Sorenson, I will tell them that they can contact you through calls and texts, but can not show up unless requested. Does this sound like a plan?" I nod. They'll be able to contact me, so it should be okay. Right? "So why did Sang come here in the first place?" Sean asks. Mr. Blackbourne gave a real, genuine, whole, smile. It was amazing. He looked so young and happy....all of the air left my lungs. "That is for me to know and you to find out," he said. Then he stood up, striding out of the room. Sean turned to me. "Pookie, close your mouth. You're going to catch flies." My cheeks heated up a little as Sean laughed. "What?! I've never ever seen his actual smile before. You can't really blame me." He smiles and pats my shoulder. "So, what brings you to see me?" I frown. "It's about Kota. He's acting a little strange, lately." "Define strange." "Like, he's really off focused, he hasn't really participated much and he's being much more quiet than usual." Sean nods. Then he picks up my phone from its spot on the floor. "Sean?" "I'm dialing Kota's number." He pushes a few buttons and puts the phone on speaker; it rings four times before he answers. "Hello?" "Hi Kota. Where are you? Did you have any milk today?" I ask, remembering what happened when I asked him two questions earlier. "Hmm? Oh, I'm at Nathan's and yes, I drank milk today. Is that all?" He asks. He sounds so exhausted. "Yeah, bye." He forgets to say goodbye before he hangs up. Sean glances at me. "Yeah. He's totally out of it. I'm very glad you came to me. No one else noticed any changes in his behavior." I nod. "I thought maybe he was sick or something. But I guess he would have come to you already. So it's not that." I say. I really hope this isn't anything big. Seeing Kota not bring himself really makes me sad. Sean must see the look in my eyes because he gives me a hug. "It's okay. I'll talk to him for you and try to see if it is something physical. If it's not, I'm sure Owen can ask Kota. Own deals with personal matters decently better than me. He's also very good at getting information out of people, might I add." I nod. I have personal experience to back this up. Take, I don't know, five minutes ago for example. Either way, I trusted Sean and Mr. Blackbourne to find out what could possibly be wrong with Kota. Hopefully, I could help him too.