Beneath The Surface

Chapter 5

Adrien

I hug Jamie as tight as I can without hurting him, because I know that he needs to be loved. And I feel like maybe I can finally be the one to do that.

I feel a weight lifted as I find myself, for once, being honest and-

My phone vibrates. I glance over at it and can only make out a few words in the glow.

"...jerk... had sex... Micheal..."

I slowly drop my arms, her words taking a few massive jabs at my pride. I smile reassuringly at him when I see Jamie's concerned face, but I can't help the irritation that seeps into my brain. I check my phone and read the thread over again.

11:20AM Me: Hey
11:25AM Julie: Y the hell r u awake?
11:26AM Me: Jamie
11:26AM Julie: O
11:27AM Me: Look Julie... I need to tell you something...
11:27AM Julie: O god, lol
11:28AM Me: I'm sorry but I can't do this
11:28AM Julie: Wat?
11:29AM Me: I think we should break up
11:37AM Me: Julie? You there?
11:56AM Julie: rlly Adrien? U break up wif a grl thru a text? u fukin jerk! U no wat! Scru u! I had sex wif Micheal while u were takin care of dat lil fag of urs! We been scruin since last fall at the dance when u were busy keepin ur faggot frm kilin himself that dumb fuker and u no wat I think? U should just go fukin kil urself lik he was doin!
1:57AM Notification: Julie Smith<3 has logged off.

I sigh.
It doesn't matter. I know she's just trying to hurt me. Even if she's telling the truth, well, now I can devote myself to the one who needs me.

Maybe I can finally admit it to myself.

Still, this really sucks.

"What's wrong?" Jamie says, taking a seat beside me.

"Nothing," I reply, feigning a smile.

"Stop with that bullshit. I know you better than you know yourself, now hand it over."

He opens his hand, palm up, and I sigh and give him the phone. I watch his face as he reads it.

Everything she said about Jamie trying to kill himself was true and I really didn't want him to get upset about it being brought up again. I look down at my hands as he passes the phone back to me. We sit in silence for a moment. And surprisingly, I hear him snort.

"Kinda dodged a bullet there, huh?" he giggles.

I look at him like he's crazy and he just laughs harder.

"Well... if she was cheating on you, then you just saved yourself from getting your heart broken by breaking up with her first. Plus, the bitch's crazy."

I laugh and realize he has a point.

I plug my phone back into it's charger and grab the remote for the T.V. I pull up my Netflix and ask what Jay wants to watch.

"Uhm... Asylum?" He smiles excitedly and I concede, rolling my eyes at his predictability.

American Horror Story is Jamie's favorite T.V. show and he's rewatching it for the millionth time. Jessica Lange's voice rings out as she yells something else at Doctor Arden.

The rain pours outside, smacking the window in long sheets. A large storm rolls in and all but blocks out the sun. Jamie's too invested in the show to care but I know what's coming. I scoot closer to him and lay back with my arm stretched across his pillow. A few minutes pass and a loud boom of thunder shakes the house.

Jamie gasps and falls backwards into my arms, terrified. I hold him to my chest.

"Jay, it's okay. I'm here," I chuckle.