The Girl Who Can't Say No

Blood and Tears ♔

"Do you know why she was so brutally attacking you?" Jaxson asked the instance he saw me the next day.

I was feeling a lot better and when Jaxson kindly took me home, it honestly felt like forever since I had taken a nap that well. We didn't recieve a chance to talk then since it was quite late, but now we were.

"No, I'm afraid not." Puzzlement crossed over my features.

"We'll figure it out soon. It'll be okay."

I didn't think anything was going to be okay again, but I nodded my head slightly at his response. "Thanks Jaxson."

"I know, you can stop thanking me all the time now," he smirked, trying not to laugh.

"Okay," I said, "thank you, thank you, thank you Jax."

He grinned, "When were we on a nickname basis?"

"Since now," I smiled my own secretive smile.

"Okay, Avenue."

"Hey!" I almost smacked him on the shoulder but something held me back. "What kind of a nickname is that?!"

"A good one, apparently," he said teasingly, "would you prefer Avy Berry?"

"That's even worse!"

"Okay, okay," he held both his hands up as in a surrender position, "let's stick with Avy?"

I thought about it for a second before deciding the nickname wasn't too bad, "Okay, why not."

We strolled on to our next class that we had together and surprisingly, the silence that rained on us wasn't awkward in the least.

I like silence. But I like it even better if it was meant to be.

"Avy."

"Hmm?" I glanced around at where his finger was pointing and in that direction, I saw them close by.

That girl and Connor. Fighting.

Not physically, but like in a full-on screaming match.

It was weird I didn't hear them before I took notice of them.

Should we break them up?

It was also strange how the instance I have that thought materialize in my mind that the girl glimpsed behind Connor and glared at me.

Maybe it was an illusion, but I could've sworn she appeared even angrier than before.

"Great," she said sarcastically, "look who's here. The great slut herself. Nice."

Connor shot her furious looks, but it was only confusion that manifested on my face.

What did I do?

Weren't all those punches and slashes enough for her?

"Stop it Becky! She didn't do anything to you!" Connor yelled.

As if an automated response, I flinched back, scared.

His rage-filled voice just did something to me and my heart twisted into complex knots.

But what was even more astounding, if I had to admit, were the words that came out of his mouth. Words that I never thought I would hear, especially not from him.

Connor's gaze landed on me the moment I flinched and it almost seemed like hurt flashing in his eyes, but I'm not sure.

I don't think it was hurt. It couldn't be.

But what if it is? A little voice from the back of my head spoke.

The girl whose name I now know is Becky then narrowed her eyes at me.

I stepped back, unsure of what to do.

I wanted to run.

I felt Jaxson's arms around me, reminding me of his presence which I've forgotten until then. I didn't flinch.

In that moment, I was glad to have someone's warmth within reach.

If I didn't know better, maybe I could say I felt safe again. That I would be able to trust again.

Connor met my own eyes and I think it's just me again, but it almost seems as if his fury is more directed at me now.

I thought it was odd.

"So you've found yourself another one, huh, whore? Good for you," Becky sneered.

Even though I knew that what she said wasn't true, the pain still blossomed in my chest. Her words dug deep and stung me as if she was a predator and I was only a mere prey to kill.

"Becky! That's enough!" Connor hollered at Becky. He grabbed her harshly by the arm but she ripped his grasp on her away and stomped towards me.

It happened quickly.

She slapped me across the face. Hard.

It stung.

As I placed a careful and shaking hand to my cheek, I felt a liquid trail down.

I think it was either blood or my tears. Maybe even a combination of both.

I pulled me hand away, afraid to stare at the thin streak of blood red that was stained on my fingertips.

Jaxson stood in front of me, shielding me from Becky.

I don't think we both expected that she would slap me. And I don't think she had intended to either, at least not that hard, but my eyesight was becoming more and more blurry again and I couldn't care less.

Jaxson hugged me then and soothingly cupped my face, wiping away the tears that would only keep on falling.

I let him. For once, I let him touch me. And then I sobbed harder.

I didn't even know why exactly.

I even tried to wipe all the tears with some blood mingled in, but it was never ending, it wouldn't stop flowing.

I sought comfort in Jaxson's arms and when I finally found it, I hugged him back.

All this time, maybe all I needed was a hug.