Bullied (A Tal Fishman Fanfiction)

Chapter 8

"Eva?"  I heard Tal say after the movie was over.

"Yeah?"  I said, watching the credits roll across the screen.  

"What do you want to do next?"

"Why don't we watch another movie.  I want to get to watch the good ones."  I heard and FELT him laugh since I was pressed up against his side.  He was so warm and comfortable.  I felt his muscles flex slightly as he gently eased me up off of his side and lay me onto the couch.  He switched out the movies and did everything he had just done before in reverse, settling back down underneath me.  

"This isn't a bad movie, but it isn't a good movie either.  I figured we could skip more of the bad ones and get right to the good ones for you."

"Thanks."  I snuggled even closer to him, practically gluing myself to his side.  

"What's wrong?"  He asked, tightening his grip around me.  

"Nothing.  It's just nice to have someone who cares."  I sighed, burying my face in his side.  He ran his hand up and down my arm, sending shivers down my spine.  I fought back the urge to cry.  I wouldn't cry twice in the same day.  What would Tal think of me?  Would he think I was a big baby?  

"Tal?"

"Yes Eva?"

"What do you think of Allison?"

"I think...I think that she shouldn't hurt you and it's wrong of her to even think about hurting you."

"Do you hate her?"

"No."

"oh."  His answer hit me like a bee sting.  He didn't hate her.  Did that mean that he liked her, or even loved her?  Would he still bully me for her?  That was what that was wasn't it?

"Why?"

"Just wondering."

"What else are you wondering about?"  Tal paused the movie so he wouldn't be distracted and could here me from where my voice was muffled since my face was still in his chest.  I sat up completely, and he took his arm off from around me so we were sitting on the couch facing each other.  I was sitting on my feet and he was sitting criss-cross-applesauce.  

"Do you liker her?"  I breathed, embarrassed to be even asking this question in the first place.

"Like who?"

"Allison."  

"I don't know how to answer that."  I sat there for a second silently staring at him before pushing off the couch and running into the bedroom.  I slammed the door and locked it.  I could hear his footsteps close behind.  

"What do you mean you don't know how to answer that?"  I said through the door, no longer able to keep the tears from streaming down my face.

"Look, I'm sorry.  I do kind of like her, at least I used to.  I don't know any more.  I'm just as confused as you are about all of this."

"You said you took me here to keep me safe from her, right?"

"Right."

"How could you have feelings for someone who wants to hurt someone else.  You said the things she wanted to do to me were brutal, so why would you have feelings for someone like that?"

"I don't know, ok?  I don't know."  I could hear his voice crack.  It sounded almost like he was crying.  My heart started beating really fast.  What was I doing?  I was hurting the first person to really care for me.  I felt a surge of grief before I opened the door to find Tal staring at the floor, tears falling down his cheeks.  I placed my hand under his chin and rose his head up level to mine.  I leaned in and kissed the tears off of his face as he had done to mine just that morning.  

"I'm sorry.  I shouldn't have yelled or said any of those things. I know how it feels to not know what's going on."

"You don't have to be sorry.  I do.  I shouldn't have answered the way I did.  I just don't know how to explain it."

"Why don't you try.  I won't judge you.  Besides, it's just us here alone for quite a while.  We should be able to tell each other things other wise we'll never be able to make it the time we need to stay here."

"It's just, I don't like her, I don't WANT to like her.  It's like she put these thoughts into my mind that it I didn't like her, bad things would happen....to you.  I didn't want her to do that, so I pretended to like her.  After so many years, it felt natural to pretend to like her.  I don't know any more if I do or don't like her."  More tears streamed down his face.  I wasn't used to seeing Tal cry.  In fact, I've never seen him show any type of emotion.  

"Hey, it's ok.  I understand.  Now, why don't we go watch that movie?  I really can't wait until I can see the good movies, because so far, these ones don't seem very bad."  Tal laughed. 

"Trust me, they're pretty bad."  He took my hand and led me over to the couch.  I curled up next to him as I had done moments before, and he pulled me closer, keeping his arm draped around me.  He turned on the movie, and we watched in comfort.  I knew for sure in that moment that I was catching feelings for Tal, and I hoped they would blossom into something more..

To be continued...

A/N:  sorry for the shorter chapter.  I've been really busy, but I wanted to get another chapter out there.  Please keep commenting and voting.  It makes me feel appreciated and like I actually matter.  That's not so much the case at school, but that's not the point.  If you need anyone to talk to, or you have any questions for me, feel free to message me.  I'll try to get back to you whenever I have free time or a little down time.  THANK YOU FOR ALL THE SUPPORT!! LYASM!! BYESIES!!