Melodrama

I do it 'cause of them - 2

CASEY's POV

         I stand in the locker room with my football uniform on the floor around me. I hit my head against the wall and groan. 

I didn't mean to hit her. 

I didn't. It just happened. Rhea is just always...there. And I always have a reason to be 'mad'. But now that I think about it, I actually don't care that I got a B instead of an A. 

"Ay, Casey! Wassup, bro!" I turn my head to the annoyingly perky voice. My best friend, A.J, comes bounding up the stairs. I roll my eyes lovingly and give her a hug.

"Hey dude." I pick up my stuff and shove them into my locker. It was probably around 3 by now, we could head home. I turn around and she's got the stupidest smile on her face.

"Soooo..."

I groan. "No."

"Lunch today, huh?" 

"Stop it."

"Gosh, that's the third time this week, isn't it?" 

I shove her playfully and walk away, my cheeks burning. "I don't wanna talk about it."

She snorts behind me. "Well you obviously had a lot to say to Rhea. Seriously dude, what did she ever do to you? Not that I care, I just wanna know how she does it, you know, trigger you? She's got skills." 

I shoot her a glare and her argument dies on her tongue. My shoulders loosen as we walk the length of the hallway. "I don't know, I just... I keep getting mad at her, and she...she doesn't fight back. I take advantage of it, I guess." I surprise myself as the words fall from my mouth. They don't stop on my account.

"I find a way to blame her because I know she can't do anything about it. And the worst part is, I don't know if I would change that if I could. And then there's the other thing; she's terrified of me." I stop to look at A.J, who's face is contorted by concern. It doesn't suit her.

"Do you know how bad it feels to know that another person, another human being, is actually terrified of you? I'm not even joking dude! Yesterday during math, I couldn't reach the calculators so I asked for one, and she literally screamed when I accidentally touched her arm. I was so scared. But me, being the idiot that I am, just punched her and told her to shut up." I felt my chest heave in embarrassment. A.J just shook her head.

"Is that why you went to the principal's office?"

I nodded.

"And why Rhea had a black eye?"

I nodded again. She shook her head. "Okay well, I have to go, but you should really reconsider this... one-sided rivalry you guys have, hmm?" She more than asked. I turned my head to the side.

"Yeah, I know..." She patted my arm and jogged off. 

"Hang in there, my dude!" 

 I laughed to myself as I started to walk to my car. Maybe I really should try being nicer to Rhea. I'm sure this isn't easy for her, either. I start recalling all the things I've done to her. All the pain, the blood, the screams... I blink. I sound like a freaking killer. 

My thoughts are interrupted when I hear a meek voice from the other side of my car. All my thoughts vanish and my fist curls. I walk faster, about to pummel whoever-

"I can't help it, Jackie. I love her."

My fist uncurls and steam rolls off me in waves. What? I walk closer to find Rhea slumped against my car, a phone clutched in her hand and an arm wrapped protectively around her waist. I wince; that was probably because of me. I feel bad for listening in, but at the same time I don't really care.

"I know, I know. Don't you think I know how bad it looks? I mean, come on, it's her  for pete's sake. You know, as does everyone else in this damn school, what she does to me." She stops to listen. She suddenly drops her head in her hands.

"I'm fucking bleeding Jackie, it's not that hard to-to underst-stand!" Her voice starts to break, quivering at the feet of cries. 

"I wish I didn't want her. I wish I didn't like the way she hurts me- AHHH!!" She turns around to see me standing over her. I step back in shock. She practically throws her phone into her bag and stands up, shaking. 

"I-I'm sorry!! I didn't- I wasn't- I didn't know this was y-your car! I'm leaving right now, I swear, I'm-" She stutters terribly, trying to gather her things and herself. In her haste, she tripped, spilling the contents of her backpack on the ground. Her eyes visibly widen as she drops to her knees, trying to fix her mess with shaking hands. 

I feel a wave of sadness wash over me. I slowly walk towards her to help. Her head jerks up and her hands immediately go out over her head, her body jerking backwards. I frown and slap her hands away, unable to stop myself. She flinches, making a sound in the back of her throat.

"Stop it. Just, stop." She looks at me in utter confusion, tears streaming down her face. Only now do I realize how bad I messed her up during lunch; her lip was swollen her shirt was stained a faint red. I swallow thickly and join her on my knees, stuffing her things in her bad.

Pencil bag, notebook, spare shirt, pills...

I hand her the bag, which she takes ever so slowly. She looks at me expectantly. 

I shrug, annoyed that I'm so bad at this. 

"What?"

"I-I don't know, aren't you g-gonna like... kick me now or something?"

 I feel my heart jerk in my chest. I scowl.

"No, I'm not. So you can get the fuck out of here before I change my mind." I say. She looks at me and nods, getting up and starting to leave. She stops and looks at me. She smiles awkwardly.

"Thanks, I guess." And with that, she sprints off.

And If I felt a new fondness for Rhea, I certainly didn't acknowledge it.

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AHHAHAH ANY IDEAS GUYS