IN TOO DEEP│minizerk

34

"That dumb little blonde bitch-" Freya shut herself up as soon as she heard the door to my house open. I furrowed my eyebrows and peeked around the corner to find Simon stood in the entryway, soaked from head to toe. I could tell he had been crying because his eyes were bloodshot and his face was puffy.

"We'll catch up tomorrow, Frey," I tell my best friend, who nods and rubs Simon's arm in a reassuring matter before exiting my house. "What's wrong, Simon?" I asked as I approached him.

"I'm really sorry, Josh," he sobs as he presses his hands to his face. I feel my heart shatter as I watch him fall apart, wrapping my arm around his neck to pull him over to the couch. I sit him down, then me, and pull him into my embrace as I rub small circles on his back.

"Why are you sorry?" I whisper. He jumps as the thunder shakes the house, my grip on his body tightening. Soon, a tear from my own eye fell as his mood didn't let up.

"I'm just so broken," he sighs between sobs.

"No you aren't, Si," I mumble, kissing his forehead as I push him to sit up straight. His bottom lip quivers, my thumbs dragging under his eyes to dry them.

"I am," he whispers. Even thought spit stuck to both of his lips as he opened his mouth, I didn't move. I didn't care how grossed out I was by saliva and snot, my friend was hurting.

"Maybe you are," I sigh, caressing his cheek. "But I'm always here for you, okay?" He nods, closing his eyes as he leans his head into my palm. "I wanna fix you."

Simon's eyes flutter open, a small smile forming on his face.

"I love you," he mumbles. A smile falters on my face.

Simon leans his forehead onto mine, staring into my eyes with a soft gaze. "I love you too," I reply. His lips press against mine, but only for a little bit.

"Can we go out tomorrow night?" Simon asks in quiet voice. I nod, saying how much I'd love to. "Or maybe just get take out?"

"I'd prefer that," I chuckle. I peck his lips again before pulling him back into my embrace.

++++

"JJ took down that picture," Simon mutters as he hands me my phone. I raise my eyebrows as I stare at my screen, looking over my messages. I sit up, a chill coming over my body as I separate my back from Simon. "Joshua?"

"I have to go," I choke out, running to put my shoes on, then out of the house.

"Josh!" Simon calls out, jogging toward me. I give him a smile as he wraps my jacket around me, then his around himself.

"You don't need to come with me," I mutter.

"Fill me in on the way," Simon grins as he slips in the passenger side.

Eventually we arrive at the park, where a very upset Vik sits in the grass of the open field, his head staring down at his hands. Simon and I approach him in a calm manner.

The small, vulnerable boy's head snaps up as Simon's foot busts a twig in half, his face swollen and pink, eyes red as if he lacked sleep, and a bruise forming on his right cheek.

"Oh, Vik," I mumble as I sit beside him. It quit raining awhile ago, but the clouds still hung above us, setting the mood.

"I didn't think it would happen," he quietly responds.

"Who did that?" Simon asked as he sat in front of Vik. Vik looked at him with sorrowful eyes, shaking his head lightly.

"JJ."

My blood began to boil, as did Simon's. My fists clenched, my jaw clasped tightly shut.

"Does Harry know?" Simon questions.

"No," Vik mumbles.

"I'll call him," Simon sighs, standing as he pulls his phone out of his pocket. As soon as Simon's out of ear shot, I ask Vik of what happened.

"He came onto me," he replies. "He knows I love Harry but he's jealous. He tried to change my mind-"

"Change your mind?" I question. "About what and how?"

"He wanted to... show me what a real man was like," he softly responds. "If you don't get what I'm trying to lay down, then that sucks for you, mate, because I'm not describing it as anything else."

As if on cue, the clouds opened up and released their angered tears. I pulled Vik to my car, sitting in the back with him. Simon soon joined us, sitting in the passenger seat but facing us.

"When's Harry going to be here?" Vik asks kindly as lightning cracks across his face.

"Shortly," Simon replies, glancing around for the young, blonde boy.

"I'm never talking to JJ, ever again," Vik grumbles.

"I don't blame ya," I sigh, giving his shoulder a reassuring hold.

"So what did happen with JJ?" Simon questions, his eyebrows furrowed.

"Nothing," I interjected, not meeting his eyes.

"He obviously did something, Josh," Simon scoffed. "Vik looks like he took quite the beating-"

"It's not that big of a deal," Vik sighs.

"It is!" I respond, my voice louder than intended to be, scaring poor Vik.

"Joshua," Simon places a hand on my arm, "calm down."

"I can't," I mutter as I stare at my lap.

"It's okay," Simon whispers, rubbing his thumb along my flesh. I take a couple deep breaths, turning to look at his face and give him a smile.

Eventually, Harry came and took Vik home, claiming to never leave his side again. I tried dropping Simon off at his house, but he insisted on not being alone.

"I thought you were gonna sleep over anyways," Simon huffs, running a hand through his hair. He stops, snapping his eyes up to mine. "You're gonna talk to JJ, aren't you?"

"No," I lie, avoiding his gaze.

"Josh," he grips onto my arms, giving me a small shake, "he's dangerous. Leave him be and we'll all be fine."

"Vik is hurting because of him," I argue as I glare into his eyes.

"Joshy," Simon whispers, gulping before continuing. "Your eyes look like they're on fire."

My heart ceases it's fierce pounding, my hands unclenching, my jaw loosening, my eyes softening.

"I'm sorry, Si," I reply, giving him a tight hug.

"Don't be," he mumbles, smiling into my shoulder.