Sorry, I Love You.

2.24

TW : Mentions of r*pe.
I know some people are sensitive to this subject and to the very word, itself, so please be cautious reading ahead or maybe skip the next 2-3? chapters all together. Not even I enjoy writing this stuff but this is what this story is and I want to stay true to that until the very end.

•
I can try to stop it.
All I'd like.
Hands down, I've lost this fight.
•

"Happy early Valentine's Day!" Zoe excitedly exclaimed as she slipped across the pavement to get to her friends, leaving Teddy behind.

Teddy trudged through the freezing winter air to get to the steps in front of their high school, where Howl was smoking a cigarette. It was dark out, the only light coming from the street lamps around the school, which only made it colder. Luckily, Zoe had finally found a jacket to keep her warm in this cold. Teddy wasn't at all surprised when it turned out she only wanted a jacket that was one big fur ball. It was fake fur but it was still made her look obnoxiously rich. She was nearly drowning in it too since she was so small.

"Valentines is on Tuesday, Zoe." Vanessa argued, although she still reached for the decorated sugar cookies Zoe bought yesterday.

"Who says we can't spread a little love beforehand?" Zoe smirked.

As Zoe's friends reached for the cookies she brought, she began planting kisses on the apples of her friends cheeks and they happily kissed her cheek in return. Teddy sat up and leaned forward to try and get a better look at what was happening. He was worried one of those horny bastards would try to make their move and lay a fat kiss on Zoe's lips. Teddy would usually detest people's possessive nature but, in Teddy's defense, he was just looking out for her. Like he was suppose to.

"Relax, Tiger." Howl chuckled as he nudged Teddy's leg with his own. Teddy only briefly glanced at him before he reluctantly relaxed against the staircase like Howl was. "What would you even do if someone did kiss her?"

Teddy opened his mouth to make a snide remark but froze when he saw Joseph grab Zoe's face in his hands and lean in to kiss her. A violent spark of panic shot through Teddy, causing his spine to shoot straight again as his eyes went wide. It didn't seem like Joseph was putting a lot of effort into his attempt, though, as Zoe turned her face away and giggled and even put a hand on his chest to push him away. Joseph whined and jutted his bottom lip out in a pout.

"You want a kiss too?" Zoe laughed, keeping one hand on his chest to make sure he didn't get any closer.

"Of course, Zo! Everyone else got one!" Joseph whined.

"On the cheek!" Zoe exclaimed.

Joseph only pouted even more and Zoe rolled her eyes. She wasn't going to give Joseph a kiss now that he was going to try something but she did need to give him something in order for him to go away. So Zoe kissed her hand and slapped the kiss on Joseph's cheek. It wasn't a very aggressive slap but Joseph still played it up by covering his cheek and nearly collapsing to the ground. Zoe laughed and and tried to reach for Joseph, who was too busy putting on a show of wailing and writhing.

Joseph wasn't even going on the school trip this morning but it was only Thursday so, plenty of other students were lingering outside the school to chat with their friends before they left for the trip. Teddy was grateful Joseph wouldn't be on this stupid trip but he was still annoyed that he was here and trying to put his lips on Zoe.

"You almost lost your shit just now." Howl chuckled as he stared at Teddy, who still looked tense and alert.

"I did not." Teddy shot bitterly back at Howl, his eyes still glued to Zoe and Joseph as they bickered. "She's just too friendly for her own good. I gotta watch her around people like Joseph."