Dude, I love you

Chapter Seven

Jack Gilinsky’s POV

When I checked my phone during break I had four missed calls from Jennifer, JJ’s mom, and multiple texts from my parent’s asking where and how Jack was doing and if noticed anything wrong before he left. My heart dropped and I had phoned my dad to see what was up. He told me that JJ was in the ER because he collapsed in the park apparently. I asked about Jack’s mom phoning me and he told me not to bother calling her back because she was probably driving and possibly hysterical from worry. He said he would text her for me instead.

I sent JJ a string of texts right away but he didn’t reply to me. I texted my dad again to see if he got anything from him and then I wondered if he was ignoring me intentionally because JJ did sent a brief text to him and my mom too. I asked Laura to text him after I filled her in to see if she could get a response before me.

He was ignoring me, he replied to her while I still got nothing. Ouch.

I was so sick with guilt I skipped most of the period and stayed in the bathroom in the back hallway of the school. I had stayed in the back hallways during the remainder of lunch after JJ left too before heading to class. I didn't want to be around Justin at the time, unsure how JJ would react if I went to him right after our blow out ending in him swearing at me. I was glad not many classes were back here except for the shop classes, but they had their own bathrooms in the shop rooms for students to use in case of need for immediate rinsing arose and for emergencies.  I sat there and began to cry out of guilt and frustration when JJ finally replied to my texts.

Jaack: I’m fine.

Me: I know my parents told me. But thank god I felt like shit. – Delivered. – Read

Me: Want me stop by after school? – Delivered. – Read.

Jaack: No don’t come.

Me: K… – Delivered. – Read.

Jaack: ttyl..

Me: JJ – Delivered. – Read.

Jaack: Don’t. okay?

Me: okay fine… ttyl. Luv you bro. – Delivered. – Read.

I don’t know how many times I reworded that last text. He read it and didn’t say anything back. Leaving me screaming on the inside and wanting to claw at my chest. Me and JJ don’t say stuff like that to each other often, we usually just show our affection with a hug or something. I tend to ruffle his hair or grab and squeeze his shoulders and he tends to pat my back or grab my forearm and smile at me.  I just want to see him and make sure he’s alright but he’s pushing me away and it honestly makes me feel heart broken. At least he's okay.

I should really head to class before I get caught skipping in a bathroom of all places. First I should check the mirror and see if my eyes are too obvious. I look fine then again there isn’t very good lighting here with no windows and the dimmed orange bulbs don’t help either.

* * *

I couldn’t focus in class and had sent a text to my dad asking if I could leave early and give the teacher an excuse that he would back up. I told the teacher I needed to go home and take some Benadryl for my allergies, which seemed to make a good excuse for my red and puffy eyes when I walked in late. Chris had asked if I got high in the middle of the school day and Rochelle asked if I was crying. I said no to both of them and kept my head low and tried to focus on my paper. The teacher didn’t seem to believe me at first but I told her my dad was going to phone the school later to confirm it. I even offered my phone so she could call him herself. She declined and said I could leave after that.