Forbidden to Fall

Strength and Desire

"Please use me as your outlet from now on."

He searches my face for agreement while I am clueless as to how to respond. All I can think is why?

"Why do you want me t-?"

"I know you don't know me very well either, but I want you to know me. Cole is the one that always gets his way, who takes everything and destroys it. I don't want that for you... So use me instead."

He places his hand over mine, staring into my eyes.

"Please," he adds.

I sigh, not knowing what to say. I don't know if I can do that to him, but I don't want to hurt him.

"If that's really what you want-"

"It is."

"Are you sure?" I ask.

Mitch closes his eyes and leans against the window pane, a soft smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"Yes."

"Then tell me something about you."

He raises a brow.

"Like what?"

"Anything. I want to know everything."

"I don't talk to my brother anymore."

"Why not?"

He pauses for a moment, deep in thought. His expression looked pained.

"Because of what he did to you."

I think about his brother. I don't remember much about him, but anytime I hung out with older kids from school, I was drinking. It must've been bad by the way he looked at me.

"I don't even remember," I tell him.

"He used you to get even with me."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault."

"I'm sure it was. I'm not a good person."

Before he could argue his opinion, his phone starts ringing. He takes one look at it and sends the caller to voicemail. But they call again. It was obvious he didn't want to answer.

"Don't say anything, just listen," he says.

"Okay."

He puts the phone between us and puts it on speaker.

"Mitchell? Where are you?"

"I had to run an errand for my mom. Why?"

"I told you not to go anywhere."

Cole?

"I had to, what's the problem?"

There's a loud crash in the background and he mumbles something under his breath.

"She fucking left!"

"Okay, why is that a problem?"

"Are you fucking kidding me right now?" Cole shouts.

Mitch stays quiet.

"Why is that a problem? Have you lost your goddamn mind?"

"Cole, chill out."

"No! She's the only reason I've been playing nice!"

"What do you mean?" Mitch asks calmly.

"Are you fucking serious? You know what I do, saw the way I look at her. You think I mysteriously had a change of heart? That I decided to change for her? That I fell in love?"

"I don't know, I thought-"

"I don't care what you thought! You're so fucking ridiculous. Don't try to play the hero if I lose it this time."

And then Cole hangs up. I let it all sink in. I don't know what it was about but I can make a good guess.

"What does he want from me?" I ask Mitch.

"The same thing he wants from all of us."

"And what's that?"

"To hold us back."

I stand up. I'm still confused. His answer doesn't tell me anything, it's too vague.

"Don't try to protect me. Tell me what he's going to do."

"It's different for all of us. He came after me last year. He sees potential in people depending on what he lacks."

"What did he see in you?"

"Strength."

"And me?"

"Desire."

I feel a chill go down my spine, remembering things Mitch told me earlier, remembering the look he gave me.

I shouldn't have gotten involved.

"If he can't have what you have, he'll destroy it," Mitch says quietly.

"I won't let him."

"You're already giving him what he wants."

Maybe, but...

"Then I'll give you what you want instead."