Bandaged & Damaged {BoyxBoy & FIN & EDITING}

chapter seventeen

If looks could kill, I would be dead right now. Asher dragged my ass to his room with Dario following behind him. Once we got there, Asher leaned his back on the wall and stared at me. And I mean, profoundly stared at me. Not saying a word, not flinching, and sometimes not even blinking. His eyes slowly drifted to Dario, and I could sense the nervousness and the tension rising in each passing minute. Someone had to say something.

"Are you going to say anything?" Asher said, breaking the awkward and heavy silence.

Dario let out a loud sigh like he was holding his breath for a while. "Asher, look, this is between Jasper and me—"

"Excuse me?" Asher snapped. Dario was trying to keep a brave face, but I could tell he wanted to flinch or take a step back. "Between Jasper and you? You know how I feel about secrets, Dario, especially something serious like this."

I was going to say something until Dario spoke. "You don't even know half the shit that's been going on. You have secrets that you won't even tell the gang, hell, not even me!"

"Because it's not about me all the fucking time!"

"Yes!" Dario screamed. "It's always about you!"

Asher's eyes widened, and I stayed still, watching the scene unfold. The tension was at the boiling point. I didn't know Dario and Asher that very much, but I could tell there were issues between them, making me wonder how they were close friends for a long time.

Asher rolled his eyes and crossed his arms over his chest. "I honestly don't know who you're talking to, but remember that I'm the Leader, and you must respect your elders."

Dario let out a dry laugh. He wiped his eyes in an attempt to wipe fake tears. I waited and watched. "What are you, my fucking dad? You're two years older than me, get over yourself. And I'm talking to you like a—"

"Can both of you shut the fuck up?" I yelled. I rubbed my temples and let out a groan. They stared at me with wide eyes, and I felt almost bad that I screamed at them, especially Asher, is close to knowing my secret now. I was surprised that Dario hasn't told anyone and kept it between "Jasper and me". I can't keep hiding them anymore. I have to let someone else know. I should have told someone else when Mr. Cole didn't believe me.

"Can you please not speak when I'm done, okay?" I was telling Asher, but I was really telling both of them. Dario knew only half of the story. They nodded, and I saw that they visibly relaxed. I sighed and told them.

"Easton and I are dating, well were, at least to me, until one day he beat me because I yelled at him. He doesn't beat me every day, but most of the time. The last beating was about two days ago? I wasn't able to go to my classes because he broke my wrist, a couple of my ribs, and something else that I probably don't know. I was too tired and in pain to move until he gave me sleeping pills, and he aided me, for some reason. I don't know why. He told me he doesn't want to hurt me, but...why would you hurt the ones you love? I didn't see it coming. I didn't take him as an abuser. It hurts to know that I liked someone who I could have loved one day, but I'm glad he showed his true colors before we got too serious. Fuck him."

Asher had a blank face. Dario chewed on his bottom lip, and it was the first time I saw him nervous. Was he worried about Asher's reaction? Why would he? Asher sighed and ran a hand through his hair. He pointed to me and said, "Who knows about this?"

"Mr. Cole," I answered.

"And he didn't do anything?"

I scoffed. "He compared me to Miles."

Asher scrunched up his eyebrows. "Why would he—"

"They're related," Dario cut him off. Asher nodded, but I could tell he was slightly surprised that, somehow, in this world, Miles and I were related.