SEPARATED - A Dolantwins AU

- Five -

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"Babe please not again!" Meredith said, cutting through the crowd.

Ethan loosens his grip on my shirt, as I still continued to breathe nervously.

"Aw don't worry babe" Ethan lets go of my shirt and turns his attention to Meredith.

I feel a bit relieved now that Meredith got his attention. I can't believe I'm hoping for this, but I really hope she helps me out of my bad spot with Ethan.. I bit my bottom lip at the thought. My eyes now glued on Meredith in such hope.

"It's a free country right?" Ethan suddenly swings his fist right across my face, then another across my jaw with his other, all without warning.

Urgh! My eye! The pain was too agonizing to stand that I drop down to the floor in pain. The attack was so unexpected, that I didn't had time to react since Ethan's attention was all on Meredith. It happened so fast!

Ooh! The crowd said with laughs and gasps. I held my eye in pain as my vision blurred from the impact.

At least I'm able see the blood on my hands..

"Ethan!" Meredith yells out, pushing Ethan away from me. "What's your problem?!"

"Gotta show him who's the badass in this school here. I can give 2 cents that he just 'looks' like me. I just wanna let him know that there's only one me, in case he tries to copy up my crap" Ethan said, facing Meredith away.

"Listen up!" Ethan said to the crowd like thunder. "Become friends with this guy or I swear, I'll make sure I do the same crap to you as I did to him!"

The crowd whispers and chat of what Ethan said.

"If ya got that, spread the word" Ethan looks back at me on the floor.

I struggle to look at Ethan through my blur vision with a painful eye.

"I want the whole school to know" Ethan said as the crowd starts leaving with their chattering.

I still sat on the floor with my backpack against the wall, hissing in pain. Ethan turns and comes crouching down to eye level. Ethan puts his hands together, resting his arms on his knees. Ethan clicks his tongue before speaking.

"Uhh yeah, that'll probably heal in like a week so.." Ethan said, leaning in closer. "Listen ya little crap, don't make me do it again, so be a good lil mutt and stay away from my girlfriend next time" Ethan whispers. "Okay?"

I slightly nod. Ethan stood up and walks away.

"Shows over babe" Ethan said, he grabbing Meredith's hand.

Meredith instantly pulls her hand away from Ethan as she crosses her arms. Glaring at Ethan and rolling her eyes.

"Aw c'mon babe" Ethan gently turn Meredith's head around by her chin.

"I was only trying to protect you.." Ethan said, closing his eyes and puckering up his lips.

Only for Meredith to walk away.

"Babe?" Ethan said as Meredith kept walking.

Tsk! Ethan clicks his tongue and threw his hands up in annoyance. "Aw c'mon, no smoochy for babe?!"

Ethan follows Meredith behind as they exit out of the school cafe.

Keeping my hand over my eye, I try to use my other free arm to help myself up since nobody bothered to help me up after Ethan's threat.

"Grayson" I hear James say by my side. "Hold up"

James puts his arm over to help me up.

"Wh-what are you doing?" I ask James as I hiss in pain from my face.

"I'm helping you" James said as I slowly got up, still holding a hand over my eye.

"But why?" I ask. "He said to stay away from-"

"I could care less what he said" James said.

I fell silent from his act of kindness. "So are you okay or do you want me to help you walk to the nurse?"

"No.." I said, my voice almost cracking. "I'm fine on my own, it's just my face that's messed up"

"Ok.." James gently lets go of my arm. "I'm surprised that no staff noticed this, it's just what this stupid school needs.." James sighs.

"I'm sorry that happened to you" James said. "I should have never invited you to eat lunch with me.."

I look at James.

"Hey it's not your fault James" I said, looking into his eyes. "I don't regret anything, know that"

James bit his bottom lip. "Still.. I'm really sorry about that.."

"It's alright" I said. "You didn't do anything"

"..are you going to try and tell someone?" James asks.

I know bullies like Ethan. I know it all too well. It's like being hunted by a wolf that nobody can escape. The thing about such animals is that they always come more than one, and they can be anywhere on plain sight. They just quietly stalk and observe their prey's every move, as they bear their sharp teeth in secret. They patiently wait for the right moment to strike, tearing life apart without warning..
..and I have nobody to protect me against them.

"Um, I think it's best not to-"

Riiing!

The bell rings before I can finish my answer to James.

"Well I hope your eye feels better" James said. "So I'll see you tomorrow? I mean if you'll be okay about still coming here"

"Y-yeah" I said. "I'll come tomorrow, don't worry.."

"Alright.." James said. "See ya tomorrow then"

"See ya" I said as James heads to class.

I just stood there silent for a moment, until I finally move my legs, heading to the nurse.

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