Beneath The Surface

Chapter 3

Adrien

After leaving Jamie, I realize how hungry I am and walk to the kitchen to take out some plain white bread, some sliced turkey, and Swiss cheese. I put the bread in the toaster for a minute or two and unwrap the deli meat, slowly assembling a sandwich to distract myself and calm down.

It doesn't help, and I start to think over the events of that night again.

I drop the food items and feel my lip begin to quiver. I clench my fists till my knuckles turn white, feeling the rage and frustration coursing through my veins.

I remember his face, wet with pained tears. I remember his voice, broken, as I removed the glass. I remember the small whimpers he had tried to suppress for my sake. I remember the perfectly uniform, fresh cuts on his arms and legs that couldn't have been made by a drunk.

Jamie... he's...

God.

I wipe the sudden tears, angrily, and scream.

"What the fuck is happening!?"

I hear Jamie quietly whine from the other room and I slap my hands over my mouth, terrified.

My fingers are suddenly submerged in tears and a million unrelenting hiccups escape my throat. I lean my back against the counter and stare at the floor, sobbing, eyes wide to stop the downpour. I shudder and finally give in, shutting my eyes tight and sobbing quietly.

"I'm so sorry," I whisper, to no one and everyone.

Jamie

I can't sleep.

I hear him yell.

I hear him cry.

I- I want more than anything to comfort him, to hold him, to kiss him and... but I can't.

I can't move. I'm... I'm broken.

I'm a mangled mess and I clearly can't do anything about it.

I can barely breathe.

I can't even take care of myself, how could I ever take care of him?

His tears become mine and we sob in unison.

Adrien

I sniff the last of my sobs and wipe the last of my tears, slowly but surely regaining my composure.

I grab my sandwich and a glass of Coke and make my way to the breakfast bar, but a small voice deters me.

"Adrien?" Jamie's head peaks out from my room.

"Jay, go back to bed," I walk toward him and notice his puffy, red eyes. He's been crying.

"What happened? Are you okay?" My eyes dart all over his skin, searching for new injuries.

"Ian, I can't sleep."

I frown and usher him back to bed.

"Are you hungry?" His stomach answers for him. He smiles, guiltily. I smile back.

"I just made a sandwich," I call as I walk out the room, "I'll get it."

I grab the plate and glass, place them on a tray, and carry it back to the bedroom.

"Here, Jamie."

He sits up and I place the tray over him.

"No, Adrien, it's okay."

"No, eat it."

"At least eat half," he insists.

I sigh. "Fine."