If You're Hurt They Bleed

Friends...?

I gave Grayson an awkward smile as he passed me in the hall.

"Fuck you," he spat.

"I'm sorry, what?" I put an arm out to stop him, catching his shoulder.

"Fuck you. You can't just punch me and then smile at me in the hallway once and expect everything to be okay!" He glared at me, his breath was shaky.

"This isn't just about me smiling at you in the hallway. What's going on?" I frowned.

"Nothing." He muttered. After a few seconds of awkward silence and me giving him the death stare, he gave in.

Grayson took a deep breath. "I..." He closed his eyes. "Olive broke up with me, and you weren't talking to me. After you punched me, I got home and my mom said her license was suspended. I just... I wanted to..."

It was then that I noticed the shiner I'd given him. "Sorry." I murmured, wincing at the word.

"It's not... well..." he looked at the ground. "Wait." He looked back up, pausing. "I know why I have a black eye, why do you?"

I leaned up against the locker next to him and sighed. "I've known for almost a week." He nodded slowly.

"Okay. Why didn't you say anything?"

"Robinski told me. I decided he could have made up the story. That it wasn't true. I didn't want to have to deal with it all, I guess." I shrugged.

"What changed?" His voice was barely a whisper.

"You know what changed." I looked over at him. "I'm just glad it's not too late." I put a hand on his arm, and then pushed myself off the locker. "See ya, Barton." I smiled.

"Bye, Porter." He waved.

"Oh, and Grayson?" I turned back, with the sweetest smile possible.

"Huh?"

"I won't hesitate to punch you again if I see you kissing another girl. M'kay?" I spun on my heel, my smile bigger and more genuine than it had been in months.

A/N: I guess all I've got is when you feel like you're alone and there's no reason for you to be here, you're needed. Someone relies on you. It sucks, to feel like you're in the background or that no one cares, but they do. Stay safe, and keep the ones you love safe. Bye for now, lovelies💜