Useless

Okay.

(Chris' POV)

"Kitten? Hey!" Chris yelped excitedly, voice echoing through the emptied hallways. He had just finished lunch when he spotted his new friend walking through the side doors of the school. She didn't seem too pleased to see him but Chris was still eager to greet her nonetheless. He made his way down the hall, his ratty old sneakers squeaked enthusiastically against the linoleum. As Chris neared the girl, he started to notice a few things. First of all, his kitten was slumped against the wall and she didn't look too well. Her eyes were tightly shut in pain as sweat beaded on her forehead and down her neck. Her damp skin appeared clammy and in this heat he expected the girl to be flushed red but instead she was sickly pale. The whole mess made his stomach turn.

"Woah, are you alright?" Chris managed to say, trying to make his words sound calm. The girl lifted her head at his voice and opened her eyes. They seemed to scan him for a moment, squinting slightly before responding. "I would be if you stopped calling me kitten." Her voice seemed cold but he could sense the humor in her eyes. Chris could tell she was trying to lighten the mood. "Oh my poor kitten," He thought "You look so miserable, my poor, poor kitten. You look so sick." The boy mused, suddenly halting besides the girl as a friendly smile returned to his lips. Chris leaned over her, humming happily with a stupid grin spread across his face. The boy hadn't realized it but he had almost completely enclosed her from the rest of the hall.

A small prod in his chest tugged at his attention, the girl was poking him forcefully, attempting to push Chris back. "Hey, personal space" She murmured, glancing up to face him. He chuckled for a moment before nodding and stepping back a few paces. She seemed a bit out of sorts, appearing to stare right through him like he wasn't there. Maybe it was the heat?

A few moments of uncomfortable silence passed when the girl reached up to scratch the back of her head only to absently wipe her hand on the skirt of her sweater dress. A crimson stain formed in the soft material, attracting Chris' gaze. The boy's smile immediately faded, replaced with a hard glare that made the girl shift uncomfortably. She hadn't noticed the blood left behind on her skirt, but Chris sure had. The stain was dark and wet, blending with the red color of the dress, somewhat resembling a grease stain. But it wasn't a grease stain, it was blood. She was bleeding and it was no accident, someone had done that to her, to his kitten. And that was something he wouldn't allow, just the thought of someone hurting someone so kindhearted made him shake with anger. Tugging at his shirt as he clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth and waiting for his temper to subside.

Chris promptly shoved his hand out, a bit too quickly to seem casual."Ya know, I never got to introduce myself." He started, attempting to keep his voice friendly. "Im Chris..." There was a long pause while the girl tilted her head up to search his face. His hand dangled awkwardly in the still air as he tried to force a smile, easing the tension. The girl squinted at him suspiciously before taking his outstretched hand and speaking. "I'm Nani.."

Suddenly, Chris' hand locked tightly to her wrist as he yanked her arm forward and jerked the girl's red sleeve up. Immediately, his gaze fell onto the yellowed bruises lining her arm, and after a quick moment his eyes flashed upward to meet hers, demanding an explanation. The girl's eyes flickered outward, trying to avoid his stare as she attempted to wriggle out of his grasp, which only made him grip tighter. "Okay Nani." Chris explained, his voice becoming harsh. "I need you to listen and listen close.. You are going to tell me what these are," he shook at her arm "and why your head is bleeding."

For a moment the girl almost seemed confused, stopping for a second before continuing to squirm under his large hand. This frustrated him, he only wanted to help his kitten but she wouldn't cooperate. He needed her to listen. Chris leaned down and pulled the girl forward, their faces inches apart, his breath burning hot on her face as he spoke. "Who did this to you?"

A moment of tense silent passed before the girl jerked backward. "Stop" she hissed, aimlessly twisting in his grip.

"I'm trying to help you Nani. Please let me help you!" He barked.

"You can't" the girl retorted, snapping her head up to face him. Nani had stopped wriggling long enough to stare him dead in the eye. "You can't."

"And why not?" Chris growled, becoming more frustrated as the moments ticked by. His patients were grating away and he was growing irritated. If only she would stop squirming.

"Ow." The girl yelped, whimpering and trying to tug her wrist away. Nani's voice was trembling as if she was on the verge of tears. She turned away to hide her face as Chris realized just how tightly he was clutching her arm. "You're hurting me. Stop." She whispered shakily. Immediately the boy dropped Nani's hand, eyes wide as guilt washed over him.

"I.. I... I'm so sorry.. I didn't mean to.. I.. I didn't know.." Chris stammered, his face hot with shame.

The girl didn't respond, only glaring up at him with her wrist pulled tightly to her chest. Her eyes were cold and unwelcoming, mixed with anger and hurt. Chris felt sick to his stomach knowing he caused it, he really messed up here.

"Please say something.." He pleaded staring down at his feet. Chris wished she would say something to him, anything. Hell, he'd be grateful if she cursed him out or screamed in his face, anything would be better than the angry silence.

"What do you want me to say?" Nani asked, narrowing her eyes before continuing. "Huh? I've known you for all of a day when you come up to me and.. and grab me and yell at me like I'm your kid! News flash, I'm not your responsibility!" She was shouting now, her voice echoing through the empty hall.

"I'm sorry. I'm really really sorry." Chris murmured.

"..."

"Nani, I was trying to help.." He started.

"A+ job Chris, you're off to a great start."

Chris winced at her sarcasm, glancing up to read the girl's expression. Her eyes had softened a bit, returning to her normal gentle stare, which he assumed was a good sign. Nani didn't seem angry anymore, appearing a bit more at ease as she let her hand fall back to her side. They continued to silently read each other for a few minutes before Chris spoke up again. "Okay, so I get that you're not going to tell me anything regarding the gashes and bruises," he paused "but at least promise me you'll be okay?"

There was a long silence as Nani carefully watched him. The boy rocked on his heels, patiently waiting for an answer. Eventually she sighed, tilting her head up before nodding softly and closing her eyes. "I'll be okay."

After a moment, Chris grinned sheepishly before leaning down to speak. "Well," he started "I'm not gonna be okay, my dad is leaving town on business tonight. I'm afraid you'll have to check up on me, y'know, make sure my brothers haven't killed me."

The girl opened her eyes to look up at him in confusion. "What do you mean?.." The boy could already feel his cheeks heat up, Nani wasn't getting it.

Chris answered her quickly, nervously pulling at the hem of his shirt. "Oh ya know, shooting me a few text messages, maybe giving me a call. I mean hey, my brothers are ruthless, I need someone to check up on me don't I? Uh.. Mind if I put my number in your phone?"

"Oh! Uh yeah sure, just.. uh just give me a.. a second." Nani stuttered in realization, stumbling to open her bag before rummaging around to find her phone. "H-here." she managed, pushing the little black flip phone into Chris' hands. The boy grinned before turning to mess around with the phone. He was trying to find the contact list but it was difficult, his fingers were a bit too big for the buttons and it was such weird phone to navigate.

After a few unsuccessful attempts at smashing buttons, he finally put his number as a contact. Chris gently placed the phone back in Nani's hands as he rocked backward, letting her find his number on the contact list. The girl frowned for a moment, glancing up at him a few times. "Why is your number under the name 'Bestest Friend' with a winky face?" She asked, narrowing her eyes up at him.

"Because were best friends now." Chris shrugged

There was a small pause "Okay."

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Note: This is to my readers that like to read my chapters! I am really sorry I haven't updated for a few weeks! I've been having a rough time and I haven't had the time nor energy to write these past days, thanks for your patience! I know it's an odd chapter but I really enjoyed writing it. :)