Playing With Fire || d.h

12. End of the Line

Your POV

"Whoa, man, what the bloody hell is wrong with you?"

"Move the hell outta my way before I break your fucking nose!"

My heart is racing, my body is shaking, my palms are sweating. Dodie and I are holding tightly onto each other, and Phil is standing in front of us protectively. PJ and Dan are standing inches from each other, and immense fear is coasting through my veins like a roaring river.

"I'm not moving until you tell me why the fuck you're being a fucking jackass!" PJ roars into Dan's face.

"I don't owe you a fucking explanation, just leave me the hell alone!" Dan makes a move to push PJ out of the way, but PJ is too quick and takes hold of his shoulders.

"What part of you thinks it's okay to just walk in here and treat everyone like shit, huh?" PJ's hollering loud enough now, I can see spit flying from his mouth, and Dodie's nails dig further into my arm.

"Let me fucking go!" Dan struggles, and is able to get out of PJ's hold. "Why're you acting like you're some mother fucking saint, when you don't even know half of what's going on?"

"Dan, what the hell's wrong with you?!" I cry, unable to handle this for another minute.

"Shut up, you pathetic bitch!" He hollers, causing my stomach to fill with a sickening mix of anger and betrayal. His face flickers with remorse for just a millisecond, before PJ's fist connects with his jaw, creating a sickening crunch.

Earlier

I walk into Dan and Phil's lounge, my hair in tangles, wearing loose sweatpants and one of PJ's shirts, which hangs limply on my frame. I yawn, then notice Dan slouched on the couch, staring into nothingness. I stand silently for a second, debating between saying something, or retreating back to PJ's room. However, Dan turns and notices me standing in the entranceway.

"Oh, hey," he greets me.

"Hey..." I reply cautiously, and walk over and sit on the ottoman across from him. "How was your date last night?"

"Good, really good..." he smiles to himself, as if remembering something, then refocuses on me. "Did you have fun last night?"

"Uh, yeah," I answer. "The concert was good. Not really my taste, but still fun." He nods, then sits in silence for a few seconds. He has a look of indecisiveness on his face, then finally chokes something out.

"So, you like PJ?" he blurts. I can tell he's trying to act casual, but his voice is underlined with something negative.

"um... yeah," I smile awkwardly, not entirely sure where Dan is trying to go with this. "why?" I ask, cracking my knuckles nervously.

"Nothing!" he replies quickly. "It's just, you just kinda met..." he trails off.

"You only just met Samantha," I counter, becoming slightly defensive.

"Yeah, but..." he sighs. "I just... don't want you getting hurt, thats all."

I raise my eyebrows. "Why do you think I'd get hurt?"I ask, looking at him.

"Well, it's just, I don't want you to get too invested."

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" I counter defensively.

"Nothing!" he replies hurriedly. "Just forget about it."

I feel frustration bubble up inside my chest. "I'm not going to forget about it. Just tell me."

"You don't know PJ as well as I do," he retorts. "I don't think he'd be able to understand how... fragile you might be."

"Who the hell said I was fragile?" I shout, getting to my feet. His face is now covered in annoyance.