Celo

Chapter 1

CASEY

"Quinn!" I yelled across the hall. His face was hidden, first behind his bangs and then his hood. I said a quick prayer hoping that he wasnt hurt, though I knew he was.

"Hey." He said, now right next to me at my locker. He avoided eye contact.

"Quinn you know I know just show me." He pulled his hood back so it was only halfway on his head of dark hair. The whole left side of his face was bruised and his eye was swollen so you could only see one. His eyes were emerald green. I wrapped my arms around him.

"Ouch." He said quickly.

"Oh my gosh what did he do to you?" I pulled back, shocked. Usually it was just a black eye or punch in the arm.

"It's not that bad I'm fine." He said, reaching his arm around his chest.

"Hey, no, tell me what he did Quinn." I persisted. He didn't deserve this, of all people he didn't deserve this.

"Really it's not that bad, it was a chair alright, he threw a chair. It was my fault though, I know better than to be down there when he's getting home." I could see his eyes getting wet.

"Quinn, hun, it's never your fault, none of this is your fault, alright? Where'd it hit you?" I asked, it broke my heart to see him like this.

"Chest, but it'll be fine. I've been worse." he told me. I took a deep breath. "Hey, Casey, don't worry about me okay? I can take care of myself." I was on the verge of tears.

"No Quinn you shouldnt have to, I know you hurt, this isn't right Quinn I—."

"Shh," he stopped me, "He was sober this morning, first time this month, he's getting better, okay? Everything's gonna be normal again." A tear escaped his eye and he hugged me lightly. I rubbed his back.

"You gotta promise me this won't happen again. Promise you wont confront him anymore. You can come to my house Quinn. Just please don't let him do this to you anymore." I pleaded, I was crying now.

"Casey, look, I'm alright, don't cry, I'm okay, I can handle this." He wiped my eyes with his sleeve and lifted my chin with his hand. I looked up at his face and I could see how much it hurt him but I knew it was better for him if he wasn't late home so I just said, "Be careful." and I left.