My Whirlwind High School Romance

Strength

Zane's POV

I smiled as I could hear Jaden and Syrus talking In The living room. I'm currently in the kitchen helping mum with dinner seeing as Dad is working till late tonight. We returned back to school today and the principal showed us a video message from Reggie which might as well been a declaration of war. If we don't hand over Jaden and Jesse by the end of the week, they'll attack us and take them by force. As Jaden might as well live alone, he's staying with us so we can keep an eye on him while Jesse, we'll he said he'll sort it out. As much as he wanted to stay by Jaden he said they just make a bigger target.

"Ouch," I cried as I caught my finger on the knife. The panic look on my mums face was priceless, I'm 18 soon and I'm still treated like a child. She grabbed my hand and started running it underneath cold water. "Mum I can handle it."

"You're my baby," she choked.

"Mum what's wrong?" I asked.

"It's just this whole saving the world
Thing," she sighed. "Why do my babies have to get involved?"

I took my other hand and pulled my mum into a hug. "It's okay," I whispered as I heard her sob. "It's nothing we can't handle."

"I just don't think I can handle watching the ones I love go through this again," she sobbed further into my chest. The two of us just stood there for a couple of minutes. My mum talks about how she had a friend who was always off around the world saving the day. The silence was interrupted when my phone began to ring. I grabbed a towel to dry my hand and kissed mum on the forehead before checking the caller Id. Jesse wanted to video chat? That's unusual. I looked over to my who just smiled ushering me to take the call.

I decided to take the call to my room so that Jaden didn't over hear and worry. I pressed the accept button seeing Jesse with puffy eyes. "You okay?" I couldn't muster a hello.

"Sorry I just," he took a big sigh. "Sorry I'm just so worried about Jaden. I haven't stopped crying and just thought I'd call to make sure he's alright."

"He's fine. Him and Sy are watching the Duellist kingdom dvd. Where are you?"

"At Emiko's," he replied lowly. What? Why Emiko's? "It was Minami's idea. She said it was best I stay here where she can watch me."

"Okay, I guess," I muttered. "Has Minami said anything about the situation?"

"Other then we better duel like our lives depend on it, not really."

I sighed looking down at my covered hand. "My mum just cried to me about it," I admitted.

"My dad is scared too," Jesse sniffed "all I want is to protect Jaden and I can't."

"Once this is over it'll be fine," I swore.

"Hey jess I brought you a drink," in the screen I saw Emiko walking up t Jesse with I think some tea. She looked over the phone and gave me a small smile. "Hey."

Jesse grabbed his tea and said he'll coming the other room for us to talk privately. Asshole I know what he's doing. "How are you?" I asked.

"Umm, I could be better," she answered. "I'm not very good at comforting Jesse."

"I'm sure your doing fine," I replied. "You know, I've never been more scared in my life."

"Me either but I know that I, that we, have to protect Jesse and Jaden with all we can."

I nodded in agreement. "You should get some sleep."

"And you! If I know you, you'll be up all night worrying if something bad is going to happen," she snapped at me. "I'm sorry. I just can't help but worry about you all."

"It's okay to worry," I laughed. "Just try and stay calm."

"Thank you," she blushed. "Listen I got to go. Minami wants to help me practice my duelling."

"I'll see you at school," I said hanging up the phone. I probably just message Jesse later on to make sure he's okay.

"Hey bro," I looked up and saw Syrus at the door with mum's medicine bag. "Mum said you cut yourself." I nodded and Syrus walked over sitting on my bed. He pulled out a few of the bits so he could clean and bandaged the cut. "Jaden's a bit upset."

"Well wouldn't you be if you couldn't be with the person you love," I let out a small laugh. Ironic huh?

"I hope that I can be brave enough to help protect him," Syrus said with sadness in his tone.

I smiled as I used my good hand to put his head. "You just have to be brave for Jaden," I smiled. "But I mean you're already brave. You survived having your heart broke n and still remain his best friend. Syrus, you're the bravest person I know."

Syrus let a few small tears fall from his cheek. "Bro, I'm just scared that I'll never be as strong as you." 

"Sy, you're already strong, you just don't know it yet."

Syrus' tears turned into a big smile at that. It's true, sometimes I think Syrus is stronger then me. For most my life I kept mostly to myself and now I'm surrounded by friends and people I love. I'm just hoping that I can show my strength and protect them.