The Story of the Wild Ones

Chapter 12: Then Parish

*Jess' P.O.V.*

"You seriously don't have to walk me to class," I say to Abby as we walk.

"Don't be ridiculous. I know I don't have to; I want to! Plus, the dishes in my kitchen are starting to pile up and I can't be around that right now," She says as she grabs my arm.

"Maybe if you did them once in a while-"

"You know what? This will be the last time I walk you anywhere if you keep it up," She pulls me to a stop right before we reach the door leading to the training hall.

"Maybe you could use the time to clean! It can be very therapeutic sometimes," I smile. Just as she was about to make some smartass comment, we hear yelling coming from the training hall. Abby and I look at each other before running inside.

"Don't ever talk about her like that again you son of a-"

"Andy!" I screamed. He looked up from beating Cameron who was laying on the floor. Cam's nose was bleeding and his lip was split. He was also holding his side. Andy jumped away from him and was visibly at a loss for words.

"What the hell are you doing?" I say before rushing to Cameron.

"It was my fault, Jess," Cameron gasped. Part of me knows he can be dramatic, but I don't want to defend Andy right now, "I was talking about you and I should've known Andy doesn't want to hear about your past."

"Andy?" I looked up at the shaking giant. He wasn't saying anything. Just staring. Abby started to walk towards him.

"Uh... Hey, buddy?" She reached out to touch his shoulder. Without looking, he pushed her away.

"Oh my god, Abby!" I yelled as she fell. She didn't fall hard enough to be seriously injured but it still looked like it hurt.

"Andy, get out right now," I said to him, "take a walk, calm down, get some water, talk to someone about it."

He nods and practically runs out. I help Abby up and turn to Cam. He tries to sit up but winces and holds his side instead.

"What the hell, Cam," I say as I help him sit up. He knows not to answer right now. Instead, he looks to Abby.

"Are you okay?" He asks. She looks at me as if I have to give her permission to respond. I give her a small smile as a sign of reassurance.

"Yeah. I was just knocked off my feet. No biggie!" She beams. He tries to smile but his broken lip stopped him in his tracks.

"Let's get you to the hospital or nurse or whatever," I tell him as Abby and I help him stand. She leads us to the infirmary as Cam leans on me for support. Ironic.

"Did you even hurt your legs? I thought it was just your ribs," I said to him. He pulled me even closer to him.

"If I told you I twisted my ankle, would you stay by my side?" He whispered to me. I knew he would take advantage of this moment. At least I know his head wasn't injured.

"Alright, shush up and keep walking," I rolled my eyes. I almost miss this. Him knowing I hate the mushy stuff. Me knowing he only says it to annoy me. It's too much to think about. We've been with each other for most of our lives. As friends, then later, as more than friends. Then he had to go and devote his life to escaping that hellhole. He never once asked me what I wanted.

"We're almost there," Abby says from just ahead of us.

"Thanks, Love," Cam smiles. I roll my eyes once more and lightly push him.

"You gravitate to the center of all problems don't you?" I mumble. He tries to laugh.

"Oh you love it," he says as he squeezes my shoulder. I scoff and unwrap his arm from me.

"Wait, has this all been to catch my attention? What are you six?" I half shout. Abby walks further ahead of us and I remind myself to do her dishes for her as a thank you. Cam stops walking and looks me dead in the eyes.

"You moved on so quickly... You never gave me a chance to process what happened between us," he quietly admits. I take a deep breath and allow myself to comprehend what he is trying to say to me.

"Don't do that. Don't make me feel bad for something I had no control over. Cameron, you left me! How is it my fault you got your feelings hurt? If you really loved me, you would've stayed," I was crying now. I am completely letting my guard down and he has every opportunity to hurt me further.

"I had no choice, Jess," he whispers. He is so close to tears but he won't let anyone see him in a state of weakness. How unfair.

"Yes, you did. No one made you break my heart for some fantasy of freedom. You made that decision on your own," I say as I wipe my tears and continue to follow Abby who stopped beyond earshot.

"Please listen to what I'm saying, Jess," he shouts. I keep walking.

"If you want medical help, start walking. If not, drop dead," I say without looking back. Abby gives me a proud smile and we walk beside each other till we reach the infirmary with a moping Cameron in-tow.

*Andy's P.O.V.*

"Man, I fucked up! I fucked up big time!"

"Andy, stop pacing and tell me what's wrong," Jake insisted. He had to reschedule a patient to calm me down so he has a right to be mad at me.

"I got into a fight with Cameron," I admit.

"Okay, and?" He asks.

"Jess and Abby saw," I stop pacing, "and I might've pushed Abby."

"Oh wow," Jake then understood. He chuckled and sat back in his chair. "Wait till Jinxx hears about this."

I roll my eyes at his response and keep taking, "she took his side, Jake. She didn't even ask me for my side of the story!"

"Don't assume you know what she was thinking. She witnessed her current boyfriend beating up her ex. Let her be and trust she has a handle on the situation," he motions for me to sit down and I do. I take a deep breath.

"Why do I like her so much? I haven't even known her for that long?" I ask myself. Jake laughs and stands up from his couch and gets me a water.

"I believe souls are connected before they physically meet. You two might be meant for each other," he says nonchalantly.

"Oh no. I'm going to mess this up, I can feel it," I run my hands through my hair as if to get rid of the negative thoughts.

"You probably will but there's nothing you can't fix. No one is perfect and you're no exception!"

"But she is though... how do I compete with someone so perfect?" I ask no one in particular.