Beneath Us

Chapter 8

October 4th, 2020

Days have gone by so fast, the first final exams are around the corner and what better way to study than with someone who has been in my place before. Will. He is one year older than me and he offered to help, we have been spending some time together these past weeks and despite all the things I've heard about us I still think that we can be just friends. But not even Jessa thinks that.

I'm supposed to meet him at the library but I had to do research for a project so I got here early. I was to busy doing my things that I hadn't noticed the group of people surrounded looking through one of the big windows in front of me. At first I didn't bother about it, mainly because everyone here loves to gossip about everyones life and they tend to overreact to make some great deal out of it. That was until I heard the name of Will. I stood up and took a peek at the view outside.

There was Will...and Travis. It's the first time I've seen them together, as weird as it sounds I've never actually heard Will nor Jessa talk about their brother. The "interesting" thing here is they seem to be on a pretty heated argument, lucky for them no words can be heard. My mind forces me to react when Will pushes Travis making him get even angrier. I run quickly outside where they are to at least try to stop them from making a scene. 

Before I'm about to say or do something Travis notices me with his piercing blue dark eyes, he lets a smirk play on his lips before saying something to his brother. Instantly, Will turns around to face me and I can clearly see how his expression softened. I feel the tension growing as all eyes set on me. t's still weird to see them together, apart from the biological part they don't look alike at all. They are the complete opposite. Probably in more ways than I thought.

"Is everything okay?" it sounds more dumb asking it out loud but I couldn't resist the stillness anymore.

Will approached me in just a few steps giving me a warm smile that I know very well it is fake considering the situation.

"Sorry you had to see that."

I eyed Travis one last time, he had his poker face on now, I could not see a single emotion or something in his gaze before following Will.

"Do you think we can go somewhere else? Somewhere less...crowded." something has changed in his tone, it makes my heart shrink.

"Yes of course, let me get my stuff."

After getting something to eat from the cafeteria we went to my dorm. No. It's not what you're thinking. There are no rules against it and bringing Will in isn't a big deal, we are just here to study and because it turns out that is the less crowded place from around here. Although we are both studying I can sense something is off, he doesn't even look at his books or notes, he is lost in his mind. 

"You know what?" I decide to break the silence and he looks me straight in the eye for the first time in the day. "Let's take a break, we both need it."

His eyes express a deep sorrowness that looks so weird and unknown in him, still, he closes his books.

"What is going on Will? I hate seeing you like this."

"I'm sorry, It's..." he cuts himself before saying another word, he looks like he just wants to let it all out but something forbids him to do so. "He has caused so much damage..."

Travis.

Has he changed so much that he's willing to hurt his own family like this?

"I've tried..., but I'm done of cleaning all of his messes."

My body reacts before my mind acknowledges what I'm doing, in a few seconds I find myself hugging him. After thinking how weird this must appear for him I try to remove myself from him slowly but his sudden arms around me prevent my body from getting away. His warmth doesn't send me other sensation than calmness, it feels...right for some strange reason.