Flower Crowns & Battle Scars

Not Going Unnoticed

(Mark's POV) 

I walked over to my friends, which consisted of Felix Kjellberg, Marzia Bisognin, Kenneth Morrison, Ethan Nestor, and Tyler Scheid. They all protected me from the other popular kids that used certain things and people to their advantage. 

"Where is that from," Tyler asked, pointing at my hickey... 
"You don't wanna know." 
"Who hurt you," Felix demanded. "I've told you before, I'm not scared to beat someone up." 
"Really? You think you can stand up to Jason?" 
"Oh... Wait. He did that to you?!" 
"Yeah, but keep it down. I don't want others to hear, so please be quiet." 
"Oh, we'll be settling this later." 
"Felix, please don't." 
"Why? Do you want this to happen again?!" 
"No, but I don't want you to lose your social title because of me." 
"I don't give a shit about my title in this school." 
"But you do care about what others think." 
"...Dammit."
"Yeah, so please don't. I don't wanna get you in trouble and make you lose your reputation." 
"...Fine. But if he does this again and I hear about it? I won't be making promises then." 
"Ya won't have to," I heard the Irish voice say. 

We all looked behind me, and Jack was standing there. 

"Aren't you Sean McLoughlin," Felix asked. "The emo kid?" 
"Yes, and don't be flimsy with that," he replied. "And, I prefer tuh' be called Jack." 
"Sorry." 
"Don't be. I guess you guys haven't heard of me since yer in a higher class than my group. Anyway, Mark, even from all tha' way over there, I could see tha' hickey. Here." 

He started taking off his jacket, but I tried to stop him. 

"Jack, no," I began. "It's fine." 
"Mark, unless ya want everyone tuh' think badly about you from it, then you'll wanna take me jacket." 
"...Why would they say that?" 
"I've seen it been done before. Remember Lindsey McClain from last year?" 
"Yeah." 
"Well, Jason had been kissin' up on her and she was made fun of and blasted so much on social media to tha' point where she moved." 
"Damn... I wondered why she moved away again..." 
"Yeah. I don't want that tuh' happen to ya. So, here..." 

He draped the jacket around me. I looked in his calming ocean eyes, which made my anxiety go down. 

"Thank you, Sean," I smiled. 

I saw his eyes widen and goosebumps arise on his arms when I said his name. 

"What? Did I scare you just by saying your name?" 
"N-No," he stuttered, blushing madly. "It's just cold, but I can take it..." 
"Mm-hm..." 

He kept blushing, but also had a resting bitch face at the same time, making me laugh. He blushed even more when I did, and he finally just walked away. 

"Well, well," Felix sighed. "Looks like someone has a crush on you." 
"What? No, he was only trying to help." 
"Bullshit, Mark. He was fucking blushing around you! That's a sign!" 
"...You really think so?" 
"I know so. So, if you like him too, say something." 
"No... You could just be making an inference, and I'll look like an idiot." 

Just then, Jack came back. He looked at me confusingly. 

"Are ya okay?" 
"Yeah, I'm fine." 

Just then, I scanned along his bare arms and saw large bruises. They were somewhat faded, but noticeable. I took Jack away from my group, so it wouldn't be known to the world. 

"Jack, what're these bruises from?" 

He gasped and his muscles tightened. He looked at me and I saw his eyes getting glossy. 

"I gotta go," he quickly replied. 
"Wait," I replied, gently taking hold of his wrist. 

He looked at me, scared that I knew about it. But, he kept walking. Later, he told me it was from just running into things by accident. However, I didn't believe that. I told him I did, but inside, I really didn't. 
At the end of the day, I gave him back his jacket. He seemed to like it more than he did before he gave it to me. I guess Felix may be right... But even if that's true, I don't know how I'll tell him without Jason spreading rumors about me. 
But I was about to figure out the real reason behind Jack's bruises. I don't care what I have to do, but I was gonna figure it out, one way or another. And something told me it was physical and emotional abuse. 
I finally made a plan about it. I'd tell my stepdad, then explain that he needs to wait up the road until I get proof, which will be recorded to his phone, bluetoothed by mine.
Then, he'd come arrest the culprit. But, that meant I had to go inside and actually catch Jack's abuser in the act. And, if he wants, Jack can stay with us until his mom or dad finds them somewhere else to live, depending on who the abuser is. 
I mentioned none of this to Jack, but knew I was gonna do it. I loved Jack too much to have him hurt. And I won't let it happen if I can help it...