𝐟𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮

outer space

Benji's POV:

I pull open the closet door, Jorge and I quietly shuffling out. There's about two minutes until passing period starts. We don't have third period together, so we prepare to go our separate ways until Chemistry.

"Jorge, what should I say if they ask where we were?" I ask nervously, while we walk away from the closet.

"Oh, I don't know. Just tell them you skipped." Jorge replies nonchalantly.

"But then they'll ask why I skipped."

"So?" He shrugs.

"Then I'll have to say-" I look away from Jorge, not able to say it to his face. I'll hurt his feelings.

"That we were together." Jorge fills in the blank. "I get it Benji. Just say you needed to take a hit or something." He trails.

"But I don't do drugs!" I worry.

Jorge makes hesitant eye contact with me and quickly darts his gaze down the hall, biting his lip.

"Then tell them the truth."

I blink, looking down.

"Maybe I will."

The bell rings.

Jorge's POV
tw for homophobic slurs +
violence

Benji is incredibly worried about what his cover story should be. But I'm not worried about mine. I'm practically invisible here. The only person who will care to know where I went is Syd, and he can know the truth.

So, as I make my way down the main hallway, I expect to be ignored as always. But after just a few moments in the hall, I can feel eyes on me.

All over.

I peer through the sea of unfamiliar faces, dozens of invasive glares in my direction. They all look at me with either disgust from the corners of their eyes, or curiosity, their pupils wide.

Neither made me feel comfortable. I clutch my books to my chest and hurry down the hall. I make sure to keep my head down.

They think you're a freak.

You're disgusting.

Why do I have to be like this?

Why can't I be normal?

The bad, anxious thoughts start to pour in. I try to push them out, but maybe they're right. My heart pounds, and I'm no longer in control of my thoughts. They take over my brain and I can't even bring myself to move my feet.

Everyone hates you.

You're so stupid.

"Hey, hey, hey! Look who it is!" A tall, blonde boy maliciously smiled.

Three more come up behind him, all sporting varsity football jackets. I can't breathe. I can't move. All I know is that I would rather be anyone else on earth than myself right now.

I scurry into the bathroom, all four on my heels. I feel a hand on my head, and fire erupts across my scalp as my hair is yanked backwards.

"Pussy." Someone laughs, my eyes squeezed shut.

It will be over soon.

"What a faggot. Did you like getting fucked by Benji?" The blonde one taunts.

I try to steady my breathing, when I feel a sudden blow to my stomach. I'm knocked onto the pale tile, my head smacking the ground painfully. I gasp for air, but I am up in space without oxygen. I no longer feel the floor beneath me as I float through the vast, dark universe. I feel sharp pains all over as I am being beat on the floor. But mentally, I have left.

They can bruise my body.

But if my mind has left, they cannot hurt my soul.

I don't know how long I drift away from earth, but soon the eruptions of pain cease. The darkness around me fades out and I find myself in the bathroom again. Alone. Bones aching and bruised, I struggle to take a breath. My ears ring with their insults, as my brain works hard to block out the memories. I shut my eyes and allow myself to leave.

***

"Jorge? Oh my god, Jorge?"

I know that voice.

Benji.

I force open my eyes to see him kneeled beside me. He looks like he had been crying earlier.

"Who- Who did this?"

I can't answer. My lips shake and tears fill my eyes. I don't even feel as if I'm inside of my body. It's like I'm hovering outside of myself.

Benji's lips move, but his words aren't registering with me. The sounds are muffled and out of time with his movements.

I'm afraid. I don't know what's happening to me. I try to explain this strange experience to Benji, but I don't know what I'm saying. My mouth is on autopilot as I'm trapped in my thoughts.

Before I know what's happening, I find myself scooped up in Benji's arms. Against his chest, I feel some kind of safety. Like things are going to be okay. My injuries are irritated when he lifts me up, but I'm practically numb to the pain. That's when I notice the blood on my hands. I don't even know where I'm bleeding from.

Unsure of where Benji is going, I allow him to take care of me. I feel his heart thump in his chest as I slip away once more.

Benji's POV:

I rush down the hall with Jorge in my arms. I don't care who sees me. My blood boils with rage, but my heart and soul ache for my boy. How could someone have no remorse in doing this to sweet, quiet Jey Jey?

He tried to explain everything to me, but I could hardly understand him. Something about getting cornered and leaving his body. All I know is that he needs rest.

I push open the door to the nurse's office. She spins around, as if to yell at me, until she sees the battered body in my arms.

"Oh my- What happened to him?" She gasps, motioning for me to lay him down on the bench.

"I- I don't really know. I found him like this. I think he got beat up." I manage, tears rising up in my throat.

As she collects her ice packs and bandages, I'm able really notice all of his wounds for the first time. His nose is bleeding, and large puffy bruises are starting to form all over his face. Under his shirt are even more blue and purple spots, specifically on his ribs. His hands are covered in blood- probably from his nose. And the nurse says she's almost positive that he's suffering from a concussion, although she can't be certain until he wakes up.

"I'll write you a note so you can get back to class." The nurse says, rummaging through a drawer of paperwork.

"Can I stay with him? Please?" I plead, looking from Jey Jey to her.

"Is he your friend?"

I hesitate.

"Boyfriend." I mumble.

She looks me up and down. I know I must look pretty shaken up, and I can feel the tears building up in my eyes.

She nods. I sit down in the chair beside the bench. I move Jey Jey's curls off of his forehead, and examine a cut above his eyebrow.

I'm going to kick someone's ass.