The Hierarchy

Chapter 12: The Fantasy is Over

Things I remember from my childhood are vivid. I moved around a lot my first few years. But I do remember when I still lived in Texas. Just before moving to New York, I hurt myself. I had to go to the hospital. I fell down the stairs and broke my wrist. I was running from Damien and I slipped on a barbie doll I left there and fell down all of these hardwood floor stairs. I was terrified. I mean there was blood everywhere and I was seven. My mom calmed me down by singing to me, no matter how horrible her voice was she made me smile. 

I'm trying so hard to calm Liam down and he isn't even hurt that badly. OO I resorted to violence

"Sit still, Liam, And stop whining or I'll give you something to whine about," I tell him again as I try and put the rubbing alcohol over the cuts. I hit his free hand away from mine

"It stings," He whines some more as I finally get him to sit still as it is applied.

Harry was charged with assault. Not by the school. By the police that had to show up. I had to give a statement on what happened. It was a bigger deal than I thought it was going be. Harry asked me before he was escorted out by the police if I ever loved him. I never answered. In the sense of it, I think it just seemed like a simple meaningless phrase. So I said it in return, as an impulse. An impulse that had no emotion behind it.

Liam was granted no punishment because he was seen as "defending my honor" or whatever. It was that and our stories matched up. He and I were given five days off of school to recover even though I insisted Ms. Bradley that we were perfectly fine. Even though I wasn't fine. That scares me. I'd never thought a guy would even think to lay a hand on me. I'm just too naive for this world.

She also gave Donny, Greg, Valerie, Sawyer the days off for "witnessing a disturbing scene". A bunch of bull if you ask me. They weren't affected. Now it's three hours later and I'm trying to clean his wounds but of course, he won't let me. He's such a stubborn ass.

"Well, it will be over in a second. Calm down." I grab his hand and put it back in the lap of my dress.

"I'm sorry."

I stop cleaning it and look up into his sincere eyes. "For what? Acting like a baby? In that case I'm sorry too."

"For almost kissing you, I guess. I mean If I just stopped and let you be, Harry would've never come over and..." he trails off indicating what happens next, shaking his head in disappointment.

"Liam," I hold the side of his face with my hand. "Don't apologize. It isn't your fault, okay?"

"Capri-"

"Liam, no," I tell him more forcefully. "I'm fine. I mean other than this nasty ass bruise on my face, I have nothing to worry about. Harry is expelled."

"I didn't think he'd hit you," he whispers.

"Me either, but it happened. I have to live with it." I answer with a shrug as my thumb moves back and forth across his own cheekbone. I smile at the bruise that's there. "We have matching bruises if that makes anything better."

He smiles. "You find this quite amusing don't you?"

"Not amusing, per say, just trying to see the light in the situation," I say simply dropping my hand into my lap.

"Favorite song?" He asks and I know he wants to continue this game of ours.

"Hmm... I don't have one." I say simply.

"You don't have a favorite song? Everyone does."

"I'm not everyone." I wink at him.

"Touché."