Speak Up | Lams DISCONTINUED

ten

"So..." Thomas started, watching his hands as he played with his thumbs. "Are we in trouble?"
"Take a guess." Washington stated firmly. He was clearly still mad at the boys.
"No?" He asked quietly.
"Take another guess."
Alex sighed. "I'm sorry, sir."
"Alex, I think it's best if you just stay quiet. You're already in enough trouble as it is, and I'd hate to see your mouth get you into more."
"Haha, even your 'dad' thinks you have a big mouth!" Thomas snickered.
Alex flashed his teeth at him like an angry dog.
"Enough! Both of you!"
Both boys shut their mouths and faced forward, shameful expressions present.
"I'm not going to lecture you again, but just know that you," He looked at Thomas. "Are in danger of suspension and if this becomes a regular thing, expulsion."
Thomas' face dropped and it was obvious he was worried.
"And as for you," He shifted his gaze to Alex. "If I catch you in another fight like that, on or off campus, I'm pulling your scholarships."
"But, sir, that hardly seems fair-"
"Alexander, I swear to god-" Washington cut him off.
"But it's not! Thomas gets a warning for suspension and I get my scholarships threatened?!" Now it was Alex's turn to cut him off.
"Fine, you wanna be suspended too? No classes for the rest of the week! Both of you! Now, get out of my office before I add to it!"
Alex huffed, but did as he was told, Thomas following close behind him.

"Way to go, Alex. He probably would've let both of us off with a warning if it wasn't for you." Thomas barked.
"Me? You started this! If it wasn't for your snotty remarks, we wouldn't've even been in his office!"
"Oh, yeah, blame me, cause that solves all your problems, doesn't it?"
"Boys!" Washington yelled through the door.
Both ran out of the office, dropping the conversation immediatly.

~~~

Alex flopped down on the couch in his small apartment. He still couldn't believe he'd fought Thomas. He couldn't even remember what they were fighting about. The only thing he was focused on was his busted lip and eye that was slowly swelling shut.
He sighed, pushing himself off the couch, making his way to the bathroom to check the severity of the wounds.
"Oh, god." He stated, lightly poking around his eye. "Well, that hurts like hell." He mumbled, going back to the couch.
Just as he sat down, he revived a message from John.
John: Hey, you okay? I saw you and Thomas fighting earlier
Alex smirked at the message before typing, 'Yeah, peachy.'
A couple seconds later, he received a reply.
John: Seriously, Alex
Alex: Yeah, I'm fine. Just a swollen eye and busted lip, but at least I'll recover from those. Washington pulled us both from classes for the week and threatened to pull my scholarships.
John: I take it that bruised your ego more than Thomas bruised your eye?

Alex laughed audibly at the message.

Alex: HA! Yes, it definitely did.
Brb, I think something fell in my eye, it stings.

He then went back to the bathroom to check, but nothing seemed to be in it. After flushing it a few times, he made his way back to the couch, but something still felt off.

John: Did you get it?
Alex: Nope, but I'll live.
John: You probably just need to clean it properly.

Alex didn't reply.

John: You don't know how to do it, do you?
Alex: Not in the slightest
John: Aren't you studying to be a doctor?
Alex: Yeah, but not an optometrist.
I take it from the sass, you do?
John: Yes
Alex: Well, you just gonna sit around texting me or are you gonna come help me? I don't wanna deal with an infection
John: Lol, I'll be right over

Alex smiled, happy he had persuaded John to come over again. He was hoping to rekindle their friendship that seemed to be deteriorating for some unknown reason. And maybe get some more answers out of him, seeing as his small reply of "Francis" when asked what was wrong, not only made Alex uneasy, but made him worry even more for John's safety.