Critical Thinking ✔

30

As the month went on I tried using all the clues I could get to figure out who Bookie was. During this time I also noticed Vic more...noticing how he had more marks on him. I tried reaching out to him but he never seemed to listen to me. And I wasn't sure what to do to help. Our friends seemed to not notice like I did. But they weren't there that day when I heard everything in Vic's house.

"Morning," I mumbled to Vic as I took the desk behind him in Algebra 2 class.

"Morning Oakley," he said smiling like everything was normal but I could see a fresh bruise on the back of his neck, his hair didn't cover it all the way.

"Um...how are you?" I asked but before he could reply the teacher came in as the bell rang.

He seemed relieved by that. I hated to keep bothering him about this but I felt like if I didn't I wasn't showing I cared. And what was happening wasn't right. I couldn't just be quiet and let it happen. Before talking to him about it again I needed a plan. I waited until lunch rolled on by before making another attempt.

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Clyde asked glancing at me then Vic at the lunch table by himself.

"Yes! I have to do something." I huffed and Clyde nodded with a sigh.

He wasn't sure of what exactly was going on. I didn't tell him because I didn't have the right to tell him. If Vic let me tell our friends or if he told them maybe I could get more help. I'd hate to talk to my dad again about it. I realized maybe I shouldn't have since it wasn't my place. So I'm trying to get help discreetly. Not sure if this will work but I hoped it would.

"Ready?" Clyde asked glancing at me and I nodded which he walked away from the lunch line to the table then took a seat.

I moved in closer and found a place to hide. I peeked and leaned in a bit to hear how things were going. Clyde opened his mouth so I moved in more closely.

"You've been acting a bit weird Vic," Clyde said repeating the lines we had made up together.

"I have?" Vic asked his eyebrows rising.

"Yeah...is something wrong?" Clyde asked and Vic sighed glancing around somehow our yes met making me duck down quickly almost drooling my tray.

"What are you doing?" I heard a voice asked and I glanced up to see Cory looking at me with an eyebrow quirked up.

"Sh." I pulled him down making him almost fall over with his plate and he shot me a glare. "Sorry," I mumbled with warm cheeks.

"Why am I now sitting on the floor behind a condiments table?" Cory sighed.

"Becaaauseee you'll blow my cover," I said and he glanced at me then sat up to peek at what I was looking at then came back down.

"Your stalking Vic?" he asked his eyes seemed colder and his eyes narrowed.

"N-No not exactly." I huffed and he just stared at me with the same expression. "Okay okay...it seems like you already know but Vic has family issues."

"Don't we all?" Cory said rolling his eyes his body seeming more relaxed now.

"I mean...its serous. He has bruises," I said and Cory looked at me for a very long time then sighed looking at his tray of food.

"I'll talk to him," Cory said getting up and my eyes widen.

"Wai-Wait!" I got up quickly as he made his way to the table Vic and Clyde were at talking, which I realized I stopped paying attention to how things were going.

It was too late. Cory was at the table and I saw his lips moving. Vic's facial expressions kept changing and finally his eyes landed on me. I was trying to walk normally to the table but I'm pretty sure I failed. Clyde turned in my direction also with an apologetic expression. Guess there was no going back now.

"Vic I-"

"Look I'm going to be okay..my mom is divorcing my dad." Vic cut me off and I blinked frowning.

"I still think you should just let the guy who fixes cars be your guardian," Cory said sitting down and I sat down also.

"Me too," Clyde joined in but I wasn't sure, this was a bit conflicting since I never been in this kind of situation before.

"Well see. I have today and this weekend to figure things out. But I'll be fine." Vic says looking at all of us as Lily and Farley came at the table.

"Who won't be fine?" Farley asked and Vic shot him a glare.

"Will be fine and me," Vic answered.

"What's going on?" Lily asked causing Vic to sigh.

Vic filled everyone in from the beginning to now. It made me feel very bad about what he was going through. I'm sure everyone at the table felt the same way I did. But I'm glad Cory helped talk some sense into him it seems. After lunch was over I felt like maybe things would be okay. If not now then soon. As we all were going to head to class Vic stopped Cory, Clyde, and I from leaving.

"Thanks a lot, you three. I know I already thanked you all for listening. But you three helped a lot to get me to talk things out. Especially you Oakely." Vic said glancing at me and I smiled proudly while Cory rolled his eyes as Clyde nodded smiling.

"Of course but it was um Oakely's idea of me coming over to talk to you," Clyde said mumbling and glanced at me smiling which I gave him one right back.

"You worry too much Oakely," Vic said shaking his head and before I could reply I was cut off.

"You're an idiot. Of course, people are going to worry. You better have this handled soon and mean it this time." Cory said smacking Vic on the back making him yelp before leaving out the cafeteria with the other students.

Thank you all for those who read- no its not the last chapter! But it will probably be a while before I update books again (if I hadn't written chapters ahead of time). I hope to be able to update it when I can but you know how school can be bleh. Anyway have a nice day/night!