Why be the judge? (Septiplier)

Chapter 26

MARKS POV

We walk around the back of some of the classrooms where no one sits. I don't ask him anything, I just walk beside him quietly. Hoping he will talk. We walk up a flight of stairs slowly. When we reach the top he starts talking in a voice barely above a whisper.

"Where did he get the idea from? I thought he knew I wouldn't do something like that."

"Like what?" I ask curiously.

"He said that I was cheating on him with Melanie. That I even fucked her." He says, and I know exactly who he was talking about. Melanie's the slut of our year (Sorry if that's your name. Just thought of it on the spot.) She's smart and kind but won't turn down an opportunity to fuck someone.

"That's not right. I've known you since year 2. I think I would know if you would do something like that." Now I'm confused. Who or what gave Patrick that idea?

"I don't know. I'll get over it," and with that, Gerard's eyes start watering, "I just want to know why he would say that, like that. He's the only person I've known longer than you."

We reach our classroom, just as the bell rings, and Gerard's sobbing. I put my bag and his down and do what any good friend would do. I hug him; he doesn't push me away, but instead leans in. We're like this until I feel a small pat on the back.

"Where's mine?" Jack asks with a pouty voice. Gerard looks up and gives him a small smile. I let go of him and he steps back allowing Jack to take his place. But he jumps right onto Gerard, who's laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"Look whose loved more," he laughs and sticks his tongue.

I just laugh and shake my head.

JACKS POV

I pull away from Gerard and go give Mark a hug, but he turns his back to me.

"You had your chance." He says

I punch and pull at his arm.

"You're not the one with a break up," I say, slightly annoyed. But Mark knows it.

"There might be one soon," he says, sounding slightly too not sarcastic.

"Not funny," I say, now actually mad.

The teacher walks up and opens the door, allowing us inside. I walk in and take my usual seat; Mark and Gerard sitting to my left, Dan and Phil to my right. We write down the notes and we're given worksheets. The whole lesson I don't talk to anyone.

(Time skip to last period)

MARKS POV

I slide my chair under my desk and walk out of class at the sound of the bell. I take my time walking down the stairs; running through the lessons notes. I'm so lost in thought that when I look up I see Jack waiting patiently by the gate on his phone.

"You ready?" he asks.

"Yep, let's go."

The walk home is awkward. No talking or looking at our phones. I finally say something when I go to hold his hand and he pulls his hand away.

"You know I was joking in History, right?"

"It didn't seem very funny to me," he says, looking to the ground.

"I'm sorry." I say.

"Forgiven," he says. But there's something else.

"You don't sound like you forgave me. Please talk to me. What's wrong?"

"I need to tell you something, and I'm- I'm scared." He admits.

"Scared of what? You can tell me anything." I say, worry filling my voice.

"Can we sit please?"

"Sure"

We cross the street to where there is a small park, filled with tables and benches. I put my stuff down and sit next to him on one of the benches.

"You know those bruises that you saw?"

I nod.

"My Dad did that."

Those four words stop me. Whose Dad would do that?

"What?" I say in disbelief.

"My Dad did it; just because I'm different," he says, on the verge of tears, "Just because I can't be just like everyone else."

"Jack-"

"I'm scared Mark. Scared of what he might do to me, or Mum.

"Come here," I say gently.

JACKS POV

Mark pulls me close to him and I wrap my arms around his waist.

"I won't let him harm you again. That's a promise," he whispers in my ear and he tightens his grip around me. For once I feel safe.

"Can I ask you something?" he asks.

I nod.

"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" he lifts his head from my shoulder and looked at me with worry. "I could have helped."

"Because it's starting to get bad."

"There's something more than that, I can tell,"

"I- I just didn't want you to think that I'm just doing this for attention or that I'm weak," I sigh

"I never would think that." And I kiss him. "What do you mean by getting bad?"

MARKS POV

Jack pulls out his phone from his pocket, and within seconds he passes it to me.

Mum: hey hun.

Jack: Hey. Did you need me to get something from the shop?

Mum: no, actually I don't want you to come home for the weekend.

Jack: Why?

Mum: It's your dad. He's mad.

Jack: yeah so? He's always like that.

Mum: Don't be a smart arse. I mean it, I don't want you home, he's almost cut me and he's been home for ten minutes.

Jack: No, I'm coming home. I don't want you there by yourself with just him.

Mum: I won't be there. I'm going to the city centre to shop for food. I'll stay at a hotel.

Jack: fine. But please be careful.

Mum: I will, promise. <3 you.

Jack: Bye.

I look up when I'm done and hand his phone back.

"You walked the whole way here and you aren't going to your place?" I ask, a small smile on my face. I mean it is kind of funny.

"Yeah, I was just going to go to the library up the street until it closed and do some camping. What's wrong with that?" he smiles the last part.

"Oh, nothing," I say casually, "except it will be cold and you would look like a hobo."

"Smart arse." He mumbles.

"Or you could just say 'Hey Mark, my Dad is being an arsehole and I need a place to stay for the weekend. How about it?' "

"Times like these I really question you." He says, trying to keep a straight face.

"Just say it."

"Hey Mark," he says already looking at the sky so he doesn't laugh, "My dad is being an arsehole."

"And." I encourage.

"And I need a place to stay the weekend. How about it?"

"Sure thing, Jack."

And we both start laughing.