Not Quite Sure Yet

Chapter 13

Dear Joey,

He sobbed into my shirt, covering it in tears and rain water. But I didn't care. I held him, stood in the middle of the hallway, as he cried his pain away. Mom stuck her head out of the kitchen door, but I simply frowned and shook my head at her. Then was not the time for her questioning. After a few more minutes, I realised we were going no where any time soon. Sighing, I bent down and picked up the blond boy, walking him into the sitting room.

He was surprisingly light for a football player, barely putting any strain on my arms. Duke barely acknowledged this, the only change being a slight increase in the speed of his heart, which I could feel pressed against my own chest. I was so confused, Joe. Duke was the kind of guy that tried to act tough, because of who he was. But now, he was breaking down in the arms of someone he barely knew, rather than go to his friends of support. Whatever happened must've been big. Fucking huge.

I sat with him on the couch, his head falling onto my lap. After a few more minutes, his sobs turned to cries, and then those turned to sniffles. I stroked his hair and held him close. I didn't really know what else to do, Joe. Crying doesn't bother me, but not knowing why somebody is that upset, that's what was confusing me.

Duke lifted his head up. "I'm s-so sorry. I just... I d-didn't know... w-what else to d-do." His gorgeous blue eyes were shrouded in tears, and it hurt, Joe. It hurt me to see him like this.

Because as much as I don't want to care for the guy, I do. I started to care for him through hours of math and not being judged for once. It was an odd combination, but hey, it worked.

"Hey, it's ok." I said, my voice soft.

"I just f-feel like such a b-baby." He sniffled, and I handed him a tissue from the box on the side.

"You're not a baby" I carried on stroking his hair. "You know, I once read this quote. It said: A strong person isn't one that doesn't cry. A strong person is one that sheds tears for a moment, then picks up his sword and fights again."

Duke tucked his head into my chest. I was surprised. I thought that he would use me for support, but once he got over his utter hysteria, he would regret what he did. That was obviously not the case.

"Duke." I started softly. "What happened? You don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

Duke sat up a bit and shook his head. "No, it's okay. I'm a little better now."

He took a deep breath. "There's something you should know about my family before I try and explain it." I nodded gesturing for him to continue. "My parents like to give off the appearance of the perfect family. But we aren't. To be honest, they hate each other, they should've got a divorce years ago. But will they get one? No, because that wouldn't be perfect." He scoffed, and I felt my heart ache a little for the guy. Maybe he didn't have quite as easy as I assumed.

"They fight a lot. So, I spend... spent a lot of time with my grandmother. When I got home yesterday, they were having another row, so I just went up to my room. But I went to visit my grandmother today, the home told me she was dead." He said bleakly. "They told my parents yesterday, but they were too busy with their little row to even tell me she was gone."

Tears started to roll down his cheeks again, and I wiped them away with my thumbs. Duke looked at me gratefully and I pulled him down into a hug.

"That is complete shit, Duke." I muttered, and he nodded.

"But," I carried on. "Don't take this the wrong way. I have no trouble with being here for you, especially now." I paused. "Why didn't you go to Nicole? Or your other friends?" He just shook his head.