Bittersweet Endings

Chapter Two

I approached my favourite spot in the entire school behind the science block, due to how the buildings were built it was a concealed corner. Students always used to come here to smoke or ditch class that was until after the incident happened and it become my sanctuary. For a decent time I would spend most of my time here, others stopped coming by. The teachers all knew about but they never came by even before I adopted it, it was just simpler that way.
 
As I wandered I let my thoughts roam, I speculated about why he was here. Out of all the cities and towns within this country it had to be the one town I lived in. If I didn't know better, I would think mum was back in contact with them but that was preposterous. She forced me cut them all off so why would she be in contact with them now. She even gave me an entire lecture about why letting go of the past was the strongest choice and we would be off to big and better things, also preposterous.
 
Sitting down in my favourite spot I stuck my backpack between my legs and grabbed out my smokes and lighter. The rumours would fly now, news travelled fast around this place you were lucky to have anything secret. Lucky for me no one wanted to search into my story. There would be all kinds of things being repeated about how I recognised the new boy, how I walked away after he touched me and speculating what our relationship is.

What people need to realise is that this was a one-off event and that it wouldn't take place again, people in the crowd had told him I don't tolerate people to touching me and thus if he did it again it wouldn't end well for him. The last person who touched me ended up with a shattered nose and a black eye that showed for a long time.
 
This would just add to the rumours floating around about me including around about how I got away with everything I did, my favourite one being it was because the teachers feared me. Some of them did, but that wasn't the reason; I had guessed it early on. My darling mother made handsome contributions to the school. I was warned that if I didn't behave away to some boarding school I'd go, but that would mean she had less authority over what I did, whilst still, here she kept authority.

She couldn't have me tarnishing the vision she betrayed to the world, despite moving away she kept her position with the company her and my father owned. Jet-setting around the world, meeting new guys, bringing them home for it to all end the same way and a few days to weeks later the next one would be here. With, all the time she was absent and the time she wasted with her flavour of the month it was no wonder she didn't recognize who I was anymore. Always preferring to be with any other person on the planet except her dear daughter.
 
I heard movement but made no action to disguise I was smoking on campus.
 
"I hoped you quit, Joey." I heard someone say.
 
Looking up, I saw green stormy eyes, Luke had made it to the school which was a significant miracle.
 
"Hey Luke, I didn't expect you to be here today," I responded.
 
"Well, I wasn't planning on it. Until 15 minutes ago, I was still in my toasty warm bed but I got a message from Meagan. That the famous Joey walked away from thumping the new boy after he touched her. This same person was someone she knew before anybody told her his name. She is concerned about you, so I thought I better come check up on you." He countered, sitting down next to me.
 
"Thanks for the concern but I'm fine. I promise. He got away with it because he is the new guy. I'm not revealing the connection. I imagine that she's concerned, sometimes I wish she wasn't scared to approach me when I'm I like this. I don't regret it because she should be, sometimes I have no control over what I do." I replied to him, leaning my head on my knees.
 
"All right, I won't force it. I realize, you know she's not scared of you. She doesn't know what to say or how to respond and she doesn't wish to make it worse. I've thought about her concerns and I think the same, but I trust you and if you were to lash out, I know you wouldn't do it deliberately. Besides everyone has their scary times, you more than most. We better run to class." He described as the bell buzzed.
 
I nod, finishing my smoke. Standing up I grab my backpack off the ground and stroll towards homeroom. Luke following me, at least it wasn't uncomfortable with him. I can't wait for him and Megan final admit to each other they like each other and get together. He's liked her since they met, and I know somewhere along the way Megan liked him. They are both in denial about it, I was considering I might make it my mission to get them together. If I will do one decent thing in my life that will be it.
 
"See you in English," I told to Luke as he went in the room he needed to be in, I proceeded down the hall dragging my feet. I walked in just before the second bell buzzed and took my regular seat at the back. Not long later the teacher walked in, I think her name was Mrs Jackson or something like that. I must admit I didn't pay enough attention to her. Reaching into my backpack I got my iPod and put the headphones in my ears, the lyrics to The Mortician's Daughter filled my ears. I made sure I answer the teacher when she confirmed that I was here. She progressed through the notices, I had zoned out again.
 
The next bell sounded, and I made my way to my first class, English. The only positive thing about this class was that both Megan and Luke were in it. It wasn't my strongest subject, I passed somehow, but I'd rather be anywhere else. I wasn't in the frame of mind to chat to anybody either, I knew my friends would understand. I had my fingers crossed that Scott would not be in this class if he is it will go to hell.
 
I took a chair in the back corner, this would let Luke and Megan know when they walked in I wasn't in the frame of mind. I glanced up when they came in, offering them a brief smile letting them know I was okay I wanted to be alone. I couldn't and never have figured out why they would care so much about someone like me. I still had my iPod in and some random song was playing, when I saw Mr Burns enter the room I turned it down, so I could hear him. I was grateful to have Mr Burns for this class, he was understanding. I knew he wouldn't make us do anything very complicated today even if it was the final year.
 
I was doodling on the side of my notebook when I spotted out of the corner of my eye everyone looking to the front of the class, lifting my eyes I wish I hadn't. Standing there at the front of the classroom was no one other than Scott. Well wasn't that just perfect, I should have realized I didn't have such luck? If only I had turned the music back up when Mr Burns had stopped talking cause, then I would have been oblivious to him telling Scott to grab a chair next to me. As he walked towards me I put my head back down, turned the music back up.
 
I could feel everyone's eyes on me which was no shock, they would all be curious considering what happened this morning and me not hitting him like everyone predicted. I was planning on ignoring him. After two minutes they realised nothing would take place, so they continued preparing the work required. I went back to doodling, a few moments later a scrunched-up piece of paper settled on my desk. I knew who it was from and there was a part of me telling me not to, but I looked over at Scott. He gestured to the note.
 
Against my better judgment, I opened it and read.
 
You can't avoid me forever you know. What happened to you? You're not the same JD that I recall. Scott
 
I can do whatever I wish. You don’t have the right to ask nor do you have the right to call me JD, I don't know you. Joey
 
I scrunched up the piece of paper and flung it back to him. I knew I wouldn't get into trouble if we got caught so I didn't be sneaky about it. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched him open the paper, shift towards me with a sad expression before writing his reply and tossing it back.
 
I'm not the who left remember. I'm not the one who never wrote or tried to get in contact. I never changed. I'm still the same person I've always been just older. I don't know what happened to you because the Joey I knew was friendly and caring and not at all like you are. Scott
 
I read it and I knew he was right. He, however, does not understand what it's been like for the past five years, what I've been through. He has no right to come in here and judge me, nor can he expect me to be just like I used to be. If he thinks he knew me so well, then why did he not realise that not staying in touch hadn't been my idea, we were inseparable why would I want to stop talking to him. I read the note again and could feel my mood drop sighing I shoved the note and my books into my bag. Picking it up I walked out of the room, no one stopped me, and I was grateful.
 
I had almost made it outside when I heard my name being yelled. I recognised the voice, Scott had followed me.
 
"What do you want? Why can't you leave me alone?" I yelled.
 
Just as he went to answer the bell rang and students filled the corridor. This provided the perfect opportunity for me to get away, I turned and took two steps before I felt someone's hand on my shoulder. I knew it was Scott, he'd be the only person stupid enough, plus I heard him ask why I wouldn’t stop and talk to him. Now I didn't care what he had to say as much as I tried to keep it under control I couldn't a second time. I swung around and forced him into the wall which was easy given the number of people in the small space. I pushed my arm under this throat, cutting off anything else he had to say because now he would listen.
 
"Maybe I'm not stopping to talk to you because you seem to be unable to listen. Leave me the fuck alone and don't ever fucking touch me. I may have let it go this morning but by now someone will have told you what happens when you touch me. Do it one again and I'll break your nose. Got it?" I snarled, not even waiting for a response I let him go and walked away. 
 
It was moments like this that I questioned why I didn't have my own car or bike by now. I had both licences I just didn't have the physical vehicle. I decided that I would purchase one tonight, it wasn't like I didn't have the money. Between the allowance, mum gave me and the money I made elsewhere I had more than enough. Everyone was looking at me as I walked down the corridor, the word will have spread about what just happened. I felt someone walk next to me and then some keys were flung in front of my face. I recognised them as Luke's bike keys.
 
Grabbing a hold of them I muttered a thank you and made my way out to the carpark. I spotted where the bike was parked and noticed Luke's jacket and helmet sitting on the seat, he was quick to prepare. I would have to give him a better thank you when I returned the bike. The bike roared to life beneath me and I took off out of the school gates, heading straight for my sanctuary. A small hidden field in the bushland surrounding the town. I'd seen no one else there so as far as I knew no one knew it was there.
 
As I got closer to the sanctuary I slowed down, not wanting to have an accident on the dirt roads. Ten minutes later I pulled up at the sanctuary, making my way through the trees I went over to my favourite a large gum tree right next to the small creek. This was one of the few places I felt relaxed, the list was short. I could think here where no one could disrupt me. I could feel the thoughts swirling through my head, but I pushed them to the side, that would come later. Instead, I cleared my mind, closed my eyes and fell into an easy sleep.
 
I awoke, my eyes shooting open and scanning the area. For a moment I didn't know where I was and then the memories of the day rushed back. I must have been asleep for hours as it was now dark. Pulling my phone out of my pocket I checked the time, I had been asleep for hours it was now 7:30 pm, I had left school around 1 pm. I needed that sleep. Sleep was not something that came and there were days like today I crashed, it wasn't healthy, but it meant I got a peaceful sleep. I wonder how much trouble I will be in off mum when she realises I skipped school. It was all Scott's fault and I would make sure she knew too. I might get out of trouble when she realises that he is here, which means his family is here.
 
Checking my phone further I noticed missed calls and messages. I unlocked the phone and checked who they were from. Most of the messages were from Megan and Luke, and several missed calls. Most of the missed calls were from mum and an unknown number if it was important they would call back. I walked back over to the bike and started it up. Climbing on, I started it and made my way back to the main road and from there headed to Luke's place. I'd give him the keys and let him know I'm all right. And from there go home and face the music, from the amount of missed calls I had she knew something I wasn’t sure what it was she knew.
 
Tomorrow I would purchase my own bike given I hadn't had a chance to today. Speeding along the road felt great, I could feel the pressure of the wind on the helmet and I felt free. I was nearing town, so I would need to slow down. I came around the corner and slowed down to the speed limit. I needed no more trouble today, at least not with law enforcement. Although I was on a first name basis with all, so I could talk my way into just a warning. I weaved through the streets until Luke's place came into view. All the lights still on, it was early, and he'd wait up all night if he needed to.
 
I pulled into the driveway once I was sure the bike was all good. I took the jacket and helmet off as I made my way over to the door. Before I knocked he opened the door and whilst I was busy holding everything he hugged me. Although he was touching me, and I could feel my anxiety rising but I let it go, I guess he was just worried as I had been gone for so long and hadn't replied to any messages. He let go, and I rained in the anxiety.
 
"Thank you so much for lending me the bike. Sorry, I was gone for so long, I fell asleep." I told him.
 
"It's all right, I thought that might happen but please don't do it again. You will be in trouble though, I had tried to talk the school out of it, but they wouldn't budge when I told them not to ring your mum." He replied.
 
"It's all good. Thank you for trying but I thought they might. I can deal with her. See you tomorrow?" I asked.
 
"Sure will." He said, taking the jacket and helmet from me.
 
I walked home, it was only a few blocks away so not that far at all. It gave me a chance to clear my head again before I reached home. I wasn't in the mood to deal with her today, not after what happened at school today and all the dreams had about Scott this week. It was not a good week. Life will go on though.
 
I rounded the final corner and as I got closer to home, I noticed a strange car in the driveway, not one I'd seen before. I'd concerned, but this isn't anything new. It was possible she had one of her 'friends' over. I wouldn't be in as much trouble. I walked up the driveway, delaying this for as long as I could. Which was not anywhere near enough, I put the key in the door and swung it open to be met by another surprise?
 
"Dad?"