Afraid To Fall

Chapter Eleven

I walked down the halls of school, looking for my best friend, Nathan. I didn't see him yesterday and I'm really hoping he's here today. "Elizabeth!" Nathan called from my locker. I sighed in relief and literally ran to the geeky boy. Once I reached him, I hugged him as tightly as I could. "Where were you yesterday?" I asked with a frown. "I was sick.. Why?" He cocked a brow in confusion, but I just shook my head. "What happened to your cheek?" he asked, holding my face in his hands. "That's why I wished you were here. I needed to tell you so much about this weekend," I said, fiddling with my bag. He nodded. "Well, tell me as we walk to class.

I told him everything. About meeting Zayn and Harry, the way Zayn made Harry look bad, how Zayn got me drunk so he could screw me, and how Zayn hit me. Nathan kept shaking his head in a disapproving way. "I don't like these lads," he said as we walked into the classroom. "And you think I do? Zayn hit me!" I squeaked. "My cheek has been throbbing for two days!" Nathan frowned and placed a light kiss to the bruised area. "It'll be ok, Elizabeth. Everything will be ok." I nodded and smiled at him. "Thanks, Nathan," I said, hugging him tightly.

"Now this Harry seems like he really does care, though," he said, rubbing his cheeks. "I know, but....I'm scared," I mumbled, burying my face in the crook of his neck. "Don't be." He rubbed my back and kissed my head, causing me to smile. "You're a really big help, Nathan," I told him, kissing his cheek softly. "I'm glad I can help." He lets go of me and I sit down in my usual seat. He decides to move and sit on my right side. This is a big change for Nathan. He's always in the front of the room.

He rested his hands in his lap as I started scribbling my name on my notebook. The teacher isn't in yet, but everyone is here. Steven waved at me once he took his seat, but cocked a brow at Nathan. I guess they did catch on to his risking move. Joshua Lambert sat behind Nathan, smirking at me. "Hey, Elizabeth," he said with a nod. "Not in the mood, Josh," I told him, rolling my eyes. "Hey, fag." Josh thumped Nathan upside the head. "Don't you have anything else to do?" I asked him, turning in my seat. "I wish you." I gave a fake laugh and stuck my hand in the air. "Leave Nathan alone." Nathan smiled at me before glancing back at Josh. "Yeah, just leave," Nathan said with a grimace.

"Make me." Nathan turned around in his seat. "I don't make trash, I bury it." Josh leaped from his seat and onto Nathan right after he had said that. "Josh!" I squealed, jumping from my own seat. Josh was pounding his fists against Nathan's face, each blow getting harder and harder. Nathan's face was bleeding as I tugged Josh off of him. "You. Son. Of. A. Bitch!" I said between the punches I hit on Josh. He pushed me out of the way, onto the floor, so he could spit on Nathan. I crawled towards him, taking his face gently in my hands. "Nathan? Are you alright?" I asked him, rubbing my thumb on his not swollen cheek. "Looks like we're matching, huh?" he said, pointing to my cheek. I smiled at him as I layed his head in my lap.

"Steven, please go get the nurse," I said as Steven moved towards us. "Of course." Steven ran off, as did the rest of the class, leaving Nathan and I alone. "I am so sorry this happened to you," I told him. I pulled out my bandanna and softly wiped some blood gushing from his nose. "It's alright. You helped me stand up for myself," he said, blinking quickly. "I'm proud of you, bud." He chuckled at my statement and leant up. "My head hurts.." "I know. The nurse should be coming," I said, looking at the door. "She needs to hurry." I smiled down at him. He wiped his nose with his sleeve and groaned. "Nathan," I sighed, moving his hand from his face. "But it hurts!" "Then don't touch it!"

I rolled my eyes playfully, hitting his arm. "But-" "No, but's!" He pouted. The school nurse burst inside the classroom and looked down at Nathan. "Oh, Nathan. Your nose looks horrible," she said softly, pushing her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. I flinched each time she touched his nose. It was clearly broken. Why did she have to continue to touch it?

~

It was lunch and I had to eat alone since Nathan had to go to the hospital with his mom. I was going to go, but his mom wouldn't sign me out. Apparently my mom would get mad at her for not telling her straight away. Wow. I gathered my tray to only get one taco and a salad. I'm just not hungry after watching Nurse Jones break Nathan's nose worse. If that was possible.

"Sitting by yourself?" Steven asked, sitting beside me. I nodded and just kept quiet. "Josh is such a jerk," he said, pointing at the popular table. "Yeah. I feel so bad for, Nathan," I said, cringing at the thought. "Me too." It's actually really awkward with me and Steven when we're alone. We never have anything to talk about. "So that guy you were with at the ice cream parlor," he began. I grimaced at the thought of Zayn and he chuckled.

"I saw you two kiss. What happened since then to get that face?" he asked. I shook my head. "It's a long story." "Tell me." I smiled at him. No matter how awkward our situation is, he always makes me smile. "So, all he wanted to do was get in my pants," I told him. His jaw dropped at my statement. "Get in your pants?" he asked a bit shocked.

"Yep. And he almost did just that." I jabbed my fork into a piece of lettuce, causing Steven to almost choke. "Are you serious?" I nodded. "He snuck vodka in my drink without me noticing." I gulped at the thought until he wrapped me inside his strong arms. "I am so sorry," he mumbled against my hair. I shrugged my shoulders and just clutched onto him. I'm so grateful to have him and Nathan. They really are my only friends. Other than Harry of course.