human punching bag

chapter 6

"What?" Nick's eyes were practically bulging out of his skull. "I didn't say shit!"

"I always thought you were a pussy," Jean said, laughing cruelly. He pointed back at me with one of his crooked fingers. I wanted to break it. "That why you always stand there lookin' like you're about to cry? You got a soft spot for Jaeger?"

Nick looked at me.

"Well," I rasped, my lips tilting into a smirk. "You got a soft spot for me?"

Nick's jaw dropped open. He looked from Jean to me before he shook his head rapidly.

"I don't know what he's talking about," he said quickly. "Seriously, I don't!"

"Good," Jean said. He turned back to me and sent his fist sailing into my stomach.

I looked into his furious hazel eyes and began to laugh. Connie and Nick stepped back from me, their eyes wide with horror. I didn't care. 

Blood dripped into my mouth. Jean hit me harder and harder, grunting with the effort. Black dots danced violently in my vision. Everything was a blur of colors. I couldn't hear much other than the thud of Jean's fists against my body and the sound of my high, crazed laughter.

"Shut up!"

Jean began slapping my face. My lip split and blood went spraying against the floor of the boys' bathroom. The bell rang overhead and the hallways began to get filled with the sounds of various conversations intermingling. None of it bothered me. I didn't care if someone would see me.

I wanted someone to see me.

"Enough!"

Nick yanked Jean back. Jean struggled against his hold, but it didn't do much. Connie stood in front of the door like some kind of poor attempt at a watchdog. He looked like he was gonna piss himself. I smiled at him and he all but ran out of the bathroom.

Jean looked up at Nick. They were both panting. Neither of them seemed to realize I was still there. I didn't care if they did or not. I was tired. I was really, really tired.

Jean left the bathroom without another word. Nick stood in front of me, his chest heaving.

"What the fuck, Eren?"

"What?" I murmured sleepily. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Why would you say that?!"

Nick was in front of me in seconds. My eyes snapped open.

"Say what?" I growled venomously. "The truth?"

"I didn't tell Mikasa anything," Nick said. He sounded desperate. "Why would you...Jesus Christ Eren!"

It didn't bother me that he seemed more concerned with his damaged friendship with Jean than with my physical state.

Nothing about this bothered me anymore.

"I'm sorry," I said insincerely. "I'm really sorry."

Nick ran his fingers through his hair.

"Jesus Christ," he said again, softer, and grabbed me by the upper arm to lead me to the sinks. He turned one on and wet a few wads of paper towel. He tapped at my nose."You're gonna have to get that checked out."

"Okay," I said, feeling a little numb.

Nick looked down at me, his hands resting on my shoulders.

"Eren."

"What?"

"It's gonna get worse," he said. He seemed worried about how I would take that. I almost wanted to laugh.

"That's okay," I said back, smiling. "I'm...finally sick of it."
"If I just die...I won't have to suffer any more" nick looked at me with shock in his eyes.

~end chapter 6~