"But something happened
For the very first time with you
My heart melts into the ground
Found something true
And everyone's looking round
Thinking I'm going crazy."- Bleeding Love, Leona Lewis
When the final bell rang, releasing the students from their last class of the day, Brandon made a quick dash to his locker. He stuffed his books inside, slammed the locker door, then headed for the nurse's office.
Wiley, Patty, and Grace beat him there and Brandon held back as they entered the exam room. Once they were inside, he walked to the doorway and glanced in. The three of them were standing by Josh's bed, backs to the door. Elijah was there as well.
Brandon entered and approached the nurse's desk. "James' parents came and got him?"
"Yes," the nurse nodded. "Shortly after you returned to class."
"Good." Brandon looked at Josh as he sat on the edge of the bed, tying his shoes. "How's Josh? Is he feeling okay?"
"Yes. Luckily, the football barely grazed him or he could've been in some serious trouble."
"Guy Beckman isn't going to get away with this, right?" Brandon asked.
"No," the nurse said. "But it will be up to Principal Bailey how he will be dealt with."
"Seems like he's getting in more and more fights lately," Brandon murmured. "Worse than usual."
"Seems that way to me, too."
Someone came through the doorway behind Brandon and he looked around as Uriah Waylon paused for a second, his narrowed eyes passing over the room and both beds. Brandon stared at him in shock, taking in his bruised face and split lip. When he swept his hand through his hair, Brandon noticed the scraped knuckles.
"What happened to you?" The nurse stood up, concern on her face.
Uriah glanced at Brandon, eyes cool, then looked at the nurse. "Walked into a door," he muttered. "How's Josh?"
"He's okay," the nurse murmured, looking him over. "Your hand walk into a door as well?"
Brandon trembled; or maybe Guy Beckman's face?
Uriah grunted and walked over to the small gathering and spoke to Josh. Brandon watched him for a moment and didn't miss the way his eyes darted to the empty bed; had he expected to find James here as well?
"What the hell happened to you?" Elijah exclaimed, looking him over slowly, a deep frown on his face.
"Never mind," Uriah said stiffly and glanced again at the other bed.
Brandon cleared his throat, keeping a discreet watch on Uriah, and spoke just loud enough to be heard from across the room. "So, was James okay when he left?" he asked the nurse. Uriah stiffened and Brandon caught the slight cock of his head. He was listening. "He seemed to be in some pretty bad pain when I was here before."
"The pain killers were starting to work by the time his parents arrived," the nurse said. "His face will look pretty bad for a few days, but he'll be all right."
"Okay." Brandon smiled. "He's not going to be happy about his face, though. He thinks he's pretty." He chuckled low. "But then, I suppose he isn't the only one who thinks so."
The nurse laughed lightly and nodded. "He is a handsome young man."
To the naked eye, Uriah appeared to be ignoring them. But Brandon read his body language loud and clear; he was hanging on Brandon's every word. His heart went out the guy. Whether or not Uriah had any attraction to James beyond sexual wasn't something Brandon could know. Yet twice now, Uriah had approached James directly. James hadn't given up any details about their restroom encounter, but the visual evidence told Brandon plenty. He worried about James. His friend had a huge heart and wouldn't hesitate to give it away if he thought he was falling in love. If he tried to give it to Uriah...what would the guy do with it? Under the current circumstances, Brandon didn't have a good feeling about such an outcome.
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A Thin Line Between Love & Hate (Love Conquers All series) ORIGINAL VERSION
RomanceNOTE: This is the ORIGINAL version. The revised version, which includes multiple added scenes and extended storylines, will be published on amazon as two separate books (A Thin Line Between Love & Hate / A Short Distance Between Heaven & Hell). The...