Childish| Criminal Minds

5

It's amazing how fast rumors spread in a public high school. But this one isn't a rumor; it's the cold, life-ruining truth that is Maeve's infatuation for Spencer Reid.

JJ and Emily have no idea what they've done. They have no idea that they've started a snowball that won't stop rolling.

When they realized who Spencer's girlfriend was, they realized a little too loudly. Lindsey Vaughn heard, and she immediately told Cat. Cat ranted about it to anyone who would listen, and from there Bobby found out.

Bobby's reaction to finding out his girlfriend has been cheating on him is different than what Spencer and Maeve had predicted it to be. He isn't mad at Maeve; he's enraged with Spencer.

Somewhere in his sick mind he's convinced himself that she would never leave him; that it has to be Spencer's fault, and that he's corrupting her.

Bobby really only knows one thing for certain: he wants to kill Spencer Reid.

Bobby storms past crowds of students. His fists are clenched as he searches for Spencer. It isn't hard to find him; his awkward height makes him stand out in a sea of short freshmen.

Maeve's breath is caught in her throat when she notices her angry boyfriend. Spencer tries to do the brave thing; he stands in front of her, scared and unsure.

Bobby grabs Spencer and shoves him back, holding him up against a locker by his neck. Spencer chokes for air, clawing at Bobby's hands around his throat.

His eyes search desperately for somebody to save him, but none of his friends are around. Maeve can only watch. She's petrified.

Spencer can see his vision is starting to go dark. He tries everything; he punches and kicks but Bobby is far stronger than him.

Maeve realizes she needs to do something, and do something quick. She pulls as hard as she can at Bobby's arm and he finally gives way. Spencer falls to the ground, coughing and choking on air.

"Bobby, please don't hurt him," Maeve pleads. "If you're going to hurt anyone it should be me."

It's impossible for JJ and Emily not to hear the commotion from the other hallway, but they didn't expect anyone they knew to be involved in the fight. Maeve Donovan and Bobby Putnam are staring eachother down as dozens of people watch. "JJ, go get Rossi."

"What?" JJ asks. She notices Spencer is curled up on the floor, badly hurt and barely breathing.

"Get Rossi now."

"On it," JJ says. She runs towards Rossi's office while Emily takes a deep breath.

Emily knows getting involved could get her hurt, but she can't just watch Spencer in pain like this. She just has to do something. She pushes her way through the crowd and grabs Spencer's hand, helping him up.

He already feels safer now that Emily is here, but it's far from over. Maeve throws a punch at Bobby. Spencer tries to stop her, but Emily holds him back. "This isn't your fight, Spence," she whispers.

"Yes it is!" he shouts. "Let me help her!"

JJ later returns with an annoyed David Rossi. He pulls Maeve away from Bobby, but not before she has a bloody nose and bruised lip. Bobby barely has a scratch on him.

"I'm so sorry," Spencer whispers. Maeve gives him a sad smile as Rossi leads her to the nurse's office.

A/N: chaotic chapter?

Word count: 573