This Is For Them (DISCONTINUED)

Chapter Five

(Take the hat off and give the boy some glasses and say hello to Kota)

!TOTAL REWRITE!
-From ch.5 till the end-

Chapter Five

I trailed behind Kota as quickly as could while gripping the banister like my life depended on it. The world was tilting every direction I looked. It took finesse but I finally reached the bottom. I held back the urge to hug the floor and opted for a deep breath instead.

"Oy! What the fuck happened to you?"

"I don't know what the does it look like happened?" I snapped, annoyed, lifting my eyes to address the speaker. I sighed when I saw eight guys in the room. Well six guys (seven if  I count Kota)  and two teachers. God how stupid could Kota be? I would run to the smart kids house for help and find out he's buddies with teachers. Guess I'm just lucky.

"Well it fucking looks like you got your ass kicked." It was Gabriel who spoke I think. The kid who Greg was harassing.

"Then I guess I got my fucking ass kicked didn't I. You're Gabriel right?" I glanced at Luke who froze with a chocolate half way to his open mouth. Audibly his jaw snapped shut and he hid the candy behind his back. He glanced around quickly before smiling and nodding his head.

"Yep that's me, call me Gabe." I stiffly nodded at Gabe before turning to Dr. Green.

"I guess your the 'friend' Kota called. Unless someone else is more qualified to put my shoulder back in?" I stated.

"I am indeed the only one qualified to make such magic happen." Dr. Green smiled "Let's take a look shall we?" He gestured to the couch further into the room.

A part of me felt like I was stumbling into the lions den. Assessing, judging eyes were on all sides of me making me feel claustrophobic. I slid onto the couch and looked up at Dr. Green with raised eyebrows.

"I'm going to address your shoulder first, so I need you to remove your hoodie. "

I reached for the hem but hesitated, not because I was being a stubborn idiot but because of the deep bruising I had over my ribs. I sighed and kept my eyes down while I spoke. "It's not pretty under here, so if any of you have a knack for being dramatic maybe go get some water from the kitchen or something." I waited another beat before finally sliding my hoodie off. Thankfully everyone held their breath and no one made a sound. "So how do we do this doc?" There was a flash of something in Dr. Greens eyes I didn care to read but it was gone as he started assessing me and explaining what needed to be done.

He guided my arm out to the side and slowly up over my head. I yelped when it slid back into place but I was thankful that the discomfort has decreased to less than what it was. Doctor Green continued to check me over despite me telling him I was fine. When all was said and done I ended up with what I expected. A concussion, cracked ribs, a dislocated(relocated) shoulder and my lip needed a steri strip to help it stay closed.

Throughout the ordeal no one really said anything except Dr. Green who only told me how to move or to ask me 'doctor-ly' questions. To say I was impressed with their restraint would be an understatement.  I could see physical signs on some of them where they had to hold themselves back. A jaw clench here, a muscle budge there, and even wide eyed glairs at Mr. Blackbourne who would simply give a tiny shake of his head. I knew I'd have to answer their questions eventually but for while it lasted I wanted to bask in the 'don't ask don't tell' of it all. Despite lieing being a necessity in my life I didn't want to tell them lies, or half truths for that matter. The few of them I've met personally I rather liked, or could see myself in friendships with.

"Alright Grayson that seems to be the last of it. Just take it easy for a while." Dr. Green told me handing me my hoodie.

"Thanks Doc. I'll do my best to stay out of trouble." I said giving him a tight lipped smile and sliding my hoodie on. I felt dismissed, like I had overstayed my welcome. It was probably for the best it's not like I wanted to answer any of their questions anytime soon. I glanced at the floor "I guess I'll see the rest of you in school." I spotted my bag in the corner and wondered when Kota brought it down as I made to grab it.

"Whose the girl?" Luke spoke freezing me in place as I checked my pockets for my most prised possession. Realising I didn't have it I flung myself around quicker than I should have and stumbled toward Luke. He steadied me with his empty hand and I reached for my phone in his other.

"That's Violet." I said clearing my throat and stepping away from him.

"Sister or girlfriend?"

"Definitly not my sister." I couldn't help but crack a smile at that. The things I did to that girl....yeah definitely NOT my sister.

"Well we'd love love to meet her, not enough estrogen in this bunch." My smile fell.

"Maybe one day I'll show you where she lives." I felt my eyes sting and I closed them and turned around. "Dr. Green, Kota, thanks for everything but I th-think I better get going. Don't wanna worry my dad." My voice cracked. "See you at school Luke" I said before striding over and picking up my bag.

■■■

So finding a specific tree with a concussion and cracked ribs is not a good idea. All the spinning and tripping over sticks didn't make my task an easy one. I'm pretty sure I just got lost and the tree just appeared like the room of requirement. I walked to the opening at the base of the tree and peaked inside. I read somewhere bears and bobcats frequent South Carolina and I wanted to make sure I wasn't about to take over some animals home. It looked clear, not that I really knew what a bears den looked like or a bobcats for that matter, but there was no poo or what not so I deemed it mine and entered the space.

I sat down on a large portruding root and opened my bag. I pulled my battery powered lamp out and lit up my little corner. It was relatively nice, for being the inside-underside of a tree. I pulled out my thin plaid blanket and spread it out so I could fold half over myself if I got cold. I pulled out my old battery powered portable DVD player, two granola bars a bottle of water and some ibuprofen before zipping up my bag. I left my change of clothes inside so I could use the whole thing as a pillow. I popped two pills and drank half the water before laying down on my makeshift bed.

It wasn't home but it would do for a night or two so I could heal a bit before having to see my dad again. I opened up the beat up DVD player and powered it on and I ate a granola bar while I waited. 

It wasn't long before I hit play and the comforting tones of Green Acres wafted thoughout the space. I watched, trying to loose myself in a different world as Lisa made hot cakes and Oliver pretended to enjoy them. This was my safe place. It didn't matter where I was or what happened as long as I had this show at the end of the day I was solid. 

I watched two full episodes before I felt the ibuprofen take the edge off. I felt sleep begin to creep up on me and I didn't fight it. I could dwell on whatever I wanted tomorrow.

A/N

Way shorter than I wanted, 1368 words. But I kept touching it and if I let that shot go on I'd never post it. So here. Lightly edited for stupid autocorrect mistakes.

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