University life (a LAMS fanfic)

(12)

John's POV.
We walk into the café, and spot Jefferson in the corner, his nose still kind of swollen.
"Jesus, Alex. How hard did you punch him?" I ask.
"Hard enough not to mess with me."
He gives a small laugh as the four of us get a booth towards the back.
"So... about Nevis," Alex started, grabbing our attention," firstly, if I cry there, I'm sorry. Second of all, I want you guys to meet my friend!" he said.
"Sure!" I exclaimed.
"Her name's...." he trailed off," Theodosia." he said.
"Sick name!" Laf shouted.
"I know right?!" Alex said to Laf.
"Hercules, si tu te mêles de mon maudit ami, je prendrai l'honneur de te battre. Si tu lui fais du mal, Theodosia et moi te tuerons." Alex muttered, as Laf gave a small ooooh.
"The fuck did you say?" Herc says with a laugh.
"It's better not to know." I tell him, as all four of us burst out laughing.
We drank some tea, and talked more about Nevis.
"Anyway, if you show up with a lot of stuff, people will get suspicious. So, bring a tiny bag. Warning: it's fUcKING BOILING. Okay. John, your hair will frizz. You too Lafayette. Herc, you have nothing to worry about. My hair will be full on light brown. Oh, one more thing. If you don't speak Spanish, don't go to the shop. Theodosia and I were the only English speakers on the island at one point," he continued, "if you can't find me, I will probably be with Theo or at the graveyard, with Theo. We're going next week, so might wanna consider packing early."
"How long for?" I ask.
"I think I booked two weeks, but I'm not sure."
"Awesome!" I say, actually excited. I haven't been abroad in years!
We all head to our dorms, except Alex. He told me that he was meeting someone. I, of course went with the boys.
_____________________________________
Alex's POV.
I walked over to Thomas' booth. He asked me (through James) to meet me here. He waved me over.
"Mornin' Alex."
"Morning, bastard."
"Look, I asked you over to apologise. I knew it was wrong-"
"No shit Sherlock!" I said, "sending death threats to my boyfriend?! That's messed up!"
"If only you knew." he muttered.
"That you're an asshole?"
"No. I loved you, Alex. I've had a crush on you since 8th grade. He took me away from you."
"Thomas, you have to respect that it wasn't him. I was more than willing to  date him. And I still am. I'm sorry, but I can't lie. I love him Thomas. Goodbye." I say, before sliding out of the booth and heading back to the dorm. As I left, I felt heard a thud and something collided with my cheek. Darkness swollowed me, and I was out.
I woke up, my nose bleeding, lip cut and broken wrist even more injured.I somehow managed to cut my ear. I was still in the booth, and a note lay next to me.
Dear Alex,
You've just made an enemy. Keep your eyes open.
Jefferson.
I felt a slight sadness hit me, as I realised that the only person who would talk to me in my childhood now hates me. I felt tears run down my face as I headed out of the café, my cuts bleeding as I walk. I unlocked the door, to hear the rest joking in the living room. I walked in, hoping none of them notice.
"Heey! Alex is her-" Herc stopped when he saw me. I ran to my room and locked the door.
"Alex?" I heard John ask.
"I'm fine!" I shouted, trying to be happy and failing, as my voice cracked. I stumbled into my bed and cried. I was good at crying silently.
Crap. John had a key to my room.
"Alex, we're coming in." I heard Herc say. I didn't have enough energy to get off the bed and stop crying. I just carried on, staining my pillow with blood. My cuts were showing no signs of stopping to bleed. I let them come in. I heard John gasp as he pulled me into a hug.
"Lexi, what happened?!"
"Nothing." I say out of habit.
He pulls away.
"Oh my god, Lexi! You're bleeding! Herc, go get some bandages."
I quickly wipe the blood away.
"John, I'm fine. Honestly, it was only a punch. If I survived a bullet to the chest, I can survive a punch."
"Who punched you? What happened?!" he asked.
"Jefferson wanted to apologize. He told me that he used to have a crush on me. I told him that I love you, and now he hates me." I pull out the note, which was now bloody. I start to cry again.
"Don't cry. Look, you'll be fine," John said, hugging me again," no one's going to hurt you."
"It's not that. I've been friends with him since my first day in America!" I said through sobs.
"You have us. You're not alone. It's okay, it's his loss." I feel a throbbing pain in my cheek.
"John, I'm sorry. Now you have blood on your shirt, and-"
"Alex. This is a really old T-shirt. It's fine." he gives a small giggle.
"Are you sure?" I ask, just to make sure.
"I promise." he says. I give a small laugh and stand there, hugging him.
"What did I do to deserve you, John?"
"I ask myself that everyday." John replies. Herc bursts into the room with bandages.
"I have the bandages!" he screams, throwing them to John.
I let John wipe the blood and bandage my ear.
Laf gets some ice.
"Alex, keep the ice next to your cheek. It will help the swelling go down." Herc said.
"Thanks guys." I say, ashamed.
"No problem. You're like our brother."
"Not for me. That would be wired." John said, making us laugh.
"A week until Nevis!" I cheered.
"Yay!" everyone shouted in unison, receiving a huge group hug.