Criminal ~ Shoey

Chapter 30 - Sinking ship.

» Shane's P.O.V «

"Are you going to Prom?" Lisa asked, cutting a piece off her burger. "You should go with Joey." I dabbed a fry in ketchup, struggling to hold in my snort of laughter. "Why would we go to prom? Why would I go go prom? To be the laughingstock?" I asked, my tone mildly harsh. Lisa was a great friend but I've come to notice she has some of the worst ideas on earth. Bad idea number one: Skipping school to eat at our favorite restaurant to "catch up". Skipping school, really Lis? I'm already in truancy, like this helps. Bad idea number two: Going to hang out at her dead grandmother's apartment after this because its the only place we can go without getting caught ditching. I was just at that apartment last night with Joey and no way could I walk in without blushing.

"Quit being so dramatic. You go to prom to make memories." She said, nibbling on a fry. "No thank you. I've got enough memories to last seventeen years, I think I'm good. And can we just go to my place after this? My family's out working, only Joey's home. And I want you to meet him." I successfully saved myself from chilling out with Lisa on ugly, yellow floral couch--She'd never turn down meeting Joey, though he won't be happy with my skipping school. At least I'll get to experience what he does while I'm gone. "Awesome, I get to meet a famous criminal!" Lisa said, covering her mouth with her hands giddily. I shot her a glare causing the excited glint in her eyes to fade. "I mean your boyfriend." She corrected, deadpan, reaching for her drink. She really is lucky I wouldn't survive school without her.

* * *

The walk home wasn't long but at least I got to enjoy the gorgeous spring weather. All Lisa did was complain that the humidity was frizzing her pristine blonde curls. Like that was possible.

My house was eerily silent as we entered. And then we heard it. Both Lisa and I's heads swiveled to the staircase at the sound. It was the shrill beep of a phone--a familiar ringtone that I've heard all my life. And then Joey speaking; his tone a stolen kind of talking. But also an excited, happy kind of talking.

"Sawyer! I've been waiting on your call... What did you do? But then I wouldn't have gotten to talk to you... Don't you miss me?" My spit caught in my throat and I choked out a strained squeak. Lisa's hand found my arm as we crept closer to hear the conversation. Joey was in our room and I could faintly hear Sawyer's voice through the phone's receiver from our spot at the bottom of the staircase.

My mind couldn't wrap around the fact that Joey was talking to Sawyer--SAWYER!--and keeping it a secret from me. The only feeling I could distinguish from the swirl of confusion brewing within my chest was betrayal. Especially because he was using my home phone! But...how did Sawyer get the number? Had Joey seen Sawyer?! Is that what he'd done yesterday?!

"Calm down...You're cool. Just keep it together for a little while longer... I don't have a job!" Joey's voice turned hysterical; just like my thoughts. "I'm trying to get you out... You do too deserve it! I didn't deserve it but I got out... It isn't different... Stop it! I'm not even supposed to talk to you! Shane hates you! No! I don't still have feelings for you! Quit trying to manipulate me, I'm the only one on your side. Whatever. Yeah... yeah. Bye. See you soon."

As soon as I heard the phone return to its halter, I acted on impulse, beginning to charge up the stairs. "Shane!" Lisa shouted after me and I heard her light footsteps trailing me. The door swung open just as I reached it and Joey's eyes met mine. They looked sad. He looked disappointed. Because...of...Sawyer! "Shit, Shane." Joey blurted, taking a surprised step back.

That made my anger soar to a deafening height and thunder roared in my ears. Everything happened so fast, the only thing I understood was my fist colliding with Joey's jaw, crunching under the impact, and Lisa's tiny arms wrapping around my body to pull me backwards and out of the room. Feeling was all I could comprehend, seeing and thinking was too much for me to handle. Maybe I was being dramatic and maybe I shouldn't have hit Joey but all I could hear was Joey telling the person who ruined his life and part of mine that he was going to get him out.

» Joey's P.O.V «

I couldn't believe Shane hit me--not even when the taste of blood was filling my mouth. It was like it happened in a dream and I just woke up, disgruntled and confused. I knew it wasn't a dream, though, because then jealousy hit me full force when blonde bimbo barbie was the one to pull Shane back and console him. I should always be the one to calm him down, not provoke him.

I realized the only way Shane would've hit me was if he heard my phone conversation...and even then: I wouldn't have expected him to punch me. Shane doesn't hit, not after his dad. But something inside him must've snapped. And I caused it. I never wanted to hurt him but he knew I couldn't abandon Sawyer like that. Not when Sawyer lied to get me out. Not after everything. I was pulled back to reality and the throbbing in my jaw when Blondie spoke.

"I know, Shane, I know. But you love him, you can't hit him. You can't hurt him, not ever, Shane." She whispered and I decided she wasn't half bad. This would be the only unheard of case where the best friend beauty queen doesn't fall for the gay. I was glad I could trust her not to be a cliche.

"But he hurt me!" Shane exploded, losing his composure as a sob erupted from his throat; breaking my heart. I swallowed the blood gathering in my mouth, putting a finger to my shattered jaw. Could I even speak to try to make this better? It hurt like hell to keep my finger pressed there but I didn't pull away. I liked the pain. It was a welcome distraction.

Blondie shot back, her voice sharp as knives, "You hit him. In exactly the same place your dad did the last time he hit you. You can control your anger. Don't become your dad." Shane blinked, as if being slapped out of a trance. He looked squarely at me, tears streaming down his face, his voice cracked and broken, "I'm sorry. Really. It will never happen again..But the next time-" Shane's voice broke, his vocal cords faltering. He cleared his throat and wiped his eyes before finishing his threat, "The next time you contact that bastard that's it. We're done."

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Hewwo :3 I still don't have my electronics back full time so I'm unable to update as much as I wish but I have almost to the ending of this fic written. I'm not posting it all at once but its nice to be prepared xD But I'm sorry for the slow updates -.-

Thanks for almost 20k reads, that was like being shot, seeing that. Its absolutely insane. Thank you. c: May the odds be ever in your favor, byeee. cx

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