The Revolution

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

My feet were killing me, we'd been walking for five hours straight.  Louisa climbed on my back after an hour, so for 4 hours I'd been carrying her as well.  My legs were shaking, there was no way I could keep this up.  Thankfully, as if reading my thoughts, Joel stopped and announced we'd have a fifteen minute break.  I half collapsed onto the floor, and just lay there, as Louisa crawled off of me.  I rolled onto my back and sighed deeply, looking up at the dark sky.  It looked like it was going to rain - we really needed to find some shelter soon.  Aaron sat down next to me, and smiled.  I forced a weak smile back, and sat upright. 

"Tired?"  He asked me, and I nodded. 

"Can't feel my legs."  I sighed.  Aaron smiled, and gently stroked my knee, making me feel all warm inside.  I grinned and rested my head on his shoulder, and slipped my hand into his.  I reached into the bag and pulled out a water bottle, but to my despair it was empty.  I groaned and stood up, but Aaron stopped me.

"I'll fill it up for you." He offered, but I shook my head.

"No, it's ok, I need to wash up anyway."  I told him, gesturing to my muddy hands and clothes.  He nodded, and smiled slightly.

"Be careful."  He said, a hint of worry in his voice - he obviously didn't like the idea of me walking around on my own.  I smiled back and gave him a quick peck on the lips, just enough to let him know I'd be OK, but not enough for anyone else to see. 

I walked back through the way we'd come, remembering there was a stream running parallel to our path.  It was only a few minutes away, and when I got there I crouched beside it and filled the water bottle.  I then sat down on the dry leaves and removed my shoes.  I gave them a quick splash of water, enough to remove most of the mud but not enough to make them soaking.  I also washed the mud off my hands and face - it was surprising how much mud there actually was, I mean, you'd think that I'd fallen in a puddle or something, but I hadn't.  As I was putting my shoes back on, I head a twig snap behind me, and spun around.  But it was only Zayne, so  I smiled slightly and returned to tying up my shoes.  Zayne silently sat beside me, and stared at the water - he didn't even say 'Hello'.  I frowned at his strange behaviour, and decided to ignore it.  If he had something to say, then I'm sure he would say it - which he did.

"You said you and Aaron weren't together."  He said quietly, with a hint of harshness in his voice. 

"Well, when you asked, we weren't."  I told him simply.  He scoffed, and looked at me accusingly.

"Right.  So in the last couple days you've gone from friends to a couple?"  He asked sarcastically.  I frowned at his tone, why was he being so rude.

"It's none of your business." I told him, and stood up, but he grabbed my arm and pulled me back down hard.  I winced at his grip on my arm, but tried not to show it.  I tried to pull my arm away, but he wouldn't let go. 

"I'm so much better for you than him." He spat, leaning closer to me, making me very uncomfortable.

"And how did you figure that?" I retorted, matching his tone. 

"Because I actually care about you."  He said, as if it were obvious. 

"And you're saying he doesn't?  You don't even know him, Zayne!  You can't make judgements like that." I told him, trying to pull my arm away.  He scoffed again.

"If you gave me a chance, then you'd see I'm better than him."  He told me, leaning in closer so that his face was just inches from mine.  I tried to lean back, but I already had my back pressed up against a tree so I couldn't move.  I mentally cursed all trees for being in the way. 

"Well, I guess we'll never find out then Zayne, because I'm with him.  Not you.  I don't see why you're so worked up, there was never anything between us.  We were FRIENDS." I told him, my voice wavering. 

"Really?" Was all he said, his tone sarcastic. I shook my head fiercely, and he grabbed my other arm too.

"Let me go, Zayne."  I said quietly, but he shook his head.

 "You know I'm better for you, deep down." He said quietly, leaned forwards and closed the distance between us, pressing his lips to mine hard.  I tried to squirm away, but he pressed me against the tree harder.  Then, he was gone.  In a flash, he was on the floor, gasping for air, with Aaron leaning over him, fists clenched.

"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU DOING!?"  He shouted at Zayne, who quickly recovered and stood up, sizing up to Aaron. 

"She's better off with me." Zayne spat, throwing his fist at Aaron, who expertly ducked and returned a punch to Zayne's face.

"I doubt that."  He hissed, and went to punch him again, when I ran in between them. 

"Stop it!" I shouted at both of them.  They paused and looked at me quizzically.  I turned to Aaron. "Don't lower yourself to his level, he's not worth it." I said softly.  He scowled at Zayne, who spat some blood onto the floor.  Charming.  I gently took his hand, and began to lead him away.

"Come on." I said softly, trying to get him away.  I didn't want him to get hurt - Zayne was just as strong as him. 

"This isn't over."  Aaron growled at Zayne, who just flipped him off.   As we walked back, Aaron interrogated me.

"What the hell happened?"  He asked.  I sighed, not really wanting to talk about it. 

"Zayne flipped out when he realised we were together, then kissed me." I said quickly, avoiding the details.  Aaron sighed and slipped his hand into mine.

"Why didn't you fight him off?"  He asked me, confused.  I looked down at the floor ashamedly.

"I didn't know how...I haven't exactly been taught how to deal with that kind of situation."  I told him honestly.  Aaron nodded and squeezed my hand a little tighter.

"I'll teach you."  He said finally.  I half nodded, I didn't really want to learn how to hurt people but if it put Aaron's mind at ease then I was happy to.  He turned to face me and let go of my hand, so it fell to my side.  "Make a fist."  He instructed.  I did as I was told but Aaron shook his head.  "No, now you're thumb's  broken."  He told me, and moved my thumb so it was outside.  "Punch with this part here," He said, gesturing to the area around my knuckles.  He then held his hand up to face me. "Punch me."  He said simply. 

"What?  No!"  I said, unclenching my fist.  I wasn't going to punch him! 

"Oh come on, you won't hurt me."  He told me, waving my hand dismissively.  I frowned, what was he saying?  I wasn't weak, I just didn't want to hurt the guy I liked. 

"Fine."  I muttered, and made a fist again.  I swung back and shut my eyes as my fist hit his hand.

"See, told you it wouldn't hurt."  He chuckled, making me frown. 

"Put it back up."  I muttered, and he smiled, raising his hand again.  This time I didn't hold back, I was going to show him I could take care of myself.  I leant back slightly, and propelled my fist forwards, so it hit his hand with such force that it not only hurt me, but it knocked Aaron right over.

"What the-" Aaron cursed under his breath as he held his hand to his lap.  "Where did that come from?" He asked me, shocked.  "Nice."  He praised me, and I smiled slightly, feeling a little proud.  I helped him up, holding his other hand, and we walked back to the others.  We got back just as Joel announced that we were moving out again.  I spotted Zayne slouching by a tree, and when he saw me he grinned, but I looked the other way.  I refused to have anything to do with him, instead, I went on my tiptoes and kissed Aaron quickly, knowing that would really annoy Zayne.  We weren't quite at the group of people, so only Zayne saw us kiss. 

We walked back to Rachel and the girls, before once again setting off.

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So, not much happened in this chapter, but I just wanted to put a bit of Zayne being a jerk in :)  Vote and comment your opinions please :)