R5 Imagines

Ellington and Jordan #2

Jordan’s POV
I sat poised to leap up from my desk. I shoved the last of my belongings into my backpack and waited for the school bell to ring. I just needed to get out of this temporary prison some called “school”. I glanced at the clock and watched the seconds tick by. Finally, the bell rang and the teacher shouted the last of the announcements over the stampede of students packing up. I escaped from the classroom first and headed straight through the halls and out into the brisk May air.

“Don’t you dare cry till you get home.” I told myself out loud. I had an awful day at school. People were mean, teachers were harsh, I had a hard time understanding things and I was just generally tired. Unfortunately, a stray tear started leaving a warm trail down my cheek. I broke into a jog and ran right into someone. Great. I was trying to avoid people.

“Hey. What’s the matter? Are you crying?” A kind voice said. Instantly I knew who it was.

“No, Ellington. I’m fine.” I said escaping eye contact. He lifted my chin but I still continued to look away. “Umm…I don’t feel well. I gotta head home. See ya tomorrow.”
He shrugged, “See ya.” He waved.
Phew. I lost him. I started to silently cry but heard footsteps behind me.

“Are you following me, Ell?” I sniffed.

“Of course. You didn’t actually think I’d leave my best friend alone…especially when she’s crying.”

I blushed. “I appreciate your concern, E-Rat but I really gotta get home. I’ll text ya when I get there, okay.”
“Ugh…fine…as long as you’re okay.” He hugged me before walking off.

The age gap between Ellington and I was literally almost ten years. That meant ten more years of wisdom, humor, and life that he had and was always there for me whenever I needed advice or someone to cheer me up.

I got home, ran upstairs, plopped down on my bed, and sobbed for a while. I honestly didn’t know how much longer I could do this. I stopped crying for a moment and remembered my cold metal friend. Maybe it could ease the pain…

Ratliff’s POV

Obviously, I kept my distance and casually followed Jordan home. What she didn’t know was that her dad gave me a key to their house so I could get in whenever I needed to. I unlocked the door and kicked my shoes off exposing my neon polka-dotted socks.

“Hey Jordan? You here?”

There was no answer. I hiked quickly up the stairs and paused. I heard quiet sobbing coming from the bathroom.
“Hey Jordan, you in there, Sweetheart?”
“Yeah but you can’t come in.”

“What are you doing?”
“Umm…uh…using the bathroom.” She lied. I knew full well what she was doing because she had done it before in the past.

“I’m not afraid to break this door down. Again…”
“Don’t Rat. Go away. Please.”
“Nope. You better come out or I’m coming in. You have three seconds to unlock the door. One…two….three…”
There was still no response. Dang this chick was stubborn.

“Watch out. I don’t wanna hurt you…”  I warned.

I rammed my shoulder into the door and kicked it down after a few jolts.

“No…” Jordan protested weakly.
“Give it to me. Now.” I said firmly.
She backed into the wall. I didn’t wanna scare her but I had to stop her before she hurt herself.  She held her hands behind her back and I reached around her and grabbed the metal blade. I felt a cold sting across my hand. I finally won the fight and put the dangerous object on the sink.

“What were you thinking? Why didn’t you tell me you were sad? I could’ve tried to help you. You promised you’d talk to someone before you did something crazy like that.” Tears started rolling down my cheek. Part of it was because I was sad that Jordan was in this state and part of the pain was from the fact that my hand was bleeding.

“I’m sorry…” She whispered before breaking down. I helped her sit down and pulled her into my grasp with my non-injured hand.
“Shh….everything is gonna be okay. I promise. School won’t last forever and neither will pain. Please try not to do that ever again. Look at me, Jordan Rae, you gotta try your best.”
She looked up and nodded. Her gaze then went down to my bleeding hand.
“Ratliff, you’re bleeding.”
“I know…it’s okay. I’ll clean it in a minute.”

“No. It’s serious.”
I looked down at my hand and realized there were several deep cuts all over my hand.
“It’s all my fault…”
“Nuh-uh, it’s not. I’d rather get a little hurt if it means I help you get rid of your hurt.”

She smiled and hugged me tight. After hugging each other for a while, she fixed her glasses and her hair and was back to her sassy, funny, goofy self.

“Now sit on the counter and I’ll clean your hand.”
“Okay.” I smiled.
“Ooh…there’s a slight breeze. Lemme close the door. Oh wait…someone tore it off its hinges.” She rolled her eyes at me.

“Gurl, don’t you gimme dat attitude. I saved your butt.”
She chuckled and abruptly dabbed my hand with rubbing alcohol to disinfect the cuts.

“Ouch. You didn’t even tell me. Oh sh-”

Jordan flicked my knee and glared at me.
“Sugar…I was gonna say ‘sugar’…oh sugar…”
“Mhmm…sure…Naughty Boy.”
“Sorry…” I bit my lip.

“You better be saying sugar.” A voice said from outside the dislodged door. It was her dad.

“Hey…” I greeted him sheepishly.

“You two okay?” He asked looking at my hand.

“We are now, Dad.” Jordan smiled.
He laughed. “Okay good…well there’s Mountain Dew and brownies downstairs because I know how you two love healthy snacks.”

“YES!!!” Jordan squealed and jumped spilling the cleaning solution all over my hand and splashing it in my face. I tried to blink it out of my eyes and cringed at the bitter taste of it in my mouth.

“Oops. Sorry, Ell.”
“It’s okay. I’m just blind…no biggie.”
She handed me a towel and hugged me again.
“Thanks again for saving my butt.”
“Awdhhd wong as woo avv da mile-” I mumbled through the towel. She pulled it off my face.

“Hahahah I said that as long I get to see that gorgeous smile on your beautiful face, it’s all worth it.”

Jordan’s POV
I blushed again at Ratliff’s kind words. What he didn’t know is that he seriously saved my life this afternoon. I guess having an annoying person follow you home isn’t all always a terrible thing…

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Hope you liked it J-Rae! I made it extra long cuz I liked your idea ^.^

I love you lots,

kaylamarie