Same Time

twenty-nine.

j a i m e e

+

My hand slams onto the wooden door, hitting it continuously until it eventually opens.

Tory stands before me, open mouthed and almost breathless as his usually bright eyes reflect the terror that I saw in Taylor's not even 20 minutes ago.

"Where is he?" I demand to know, pushing my way past him as I stalk into his home. "Tory?"

The tanned boy hesitates, taking a moment to answer before I storm away from him and towards his bedroom door.

Stepping into Tory's bedroom without an ounce of hesitation, my stomach dropped.

Shayden was propped up with his back against the bed, on the floor, with his head resting on the mattress. Blood lined his nose and cheeks, a gash creating a line between his jaw and ear. A cut right in the centre of his bottom lip, the swelling making his lips seem fuller than usual as if it was even possible. The skin around his closed eyes appeared darker, with a purple tint spreading to his cheekbones. His dark curls matted against his forehead, left arm lazily thrown across his shirtless, and remarkably bruised, torso.

My lips quivered and my breathing remains uneven, as I sit on the floor opposite to him. He didn't react at all, as if he didn't realize I was even there, as Tory's pup, Rocky, lifted his head from his place on Shayden's thigh. I'd never seen the poor mutt leave Tory's side so I knew that deep down Rocky knew Shayden wasn't okay, and was staying by his side to protect and comfort him in the only way he knew how.

The sight tugged dangerously on my heartstrings. My voice broke the deafening silence, cracking as I said his name aloud. "Shayden."

I wanted to touch him, bring him into my arms and hold him until everything was better. And just as I was about to, I hesitated, wondering whether he'd want me touching him after suffering such a brutal beating.

Shayden's eyes blinked open slowly as my throat tightened, his head turning slightly but remaining on the mattress. "Jai..."

His eyebrows furrowed as he processed what was happening. Abruptly trying to move and rendering himself wincing in pain and gripping his side harder.

"Hey," My hands made contact with his skin momentarily as I tried to make him stop moving, "Shay, it's okay. Shush, shush." My fingers shake as I tried to pull his braids away from his forehead,

"Why are you here, doll?" He manages to grunt out, not being able to hide the moan of pain as he does so. "You can't see me like this, fuck."

"Taylor told me you were hurt. He said...said Cameron's brothers jumped you. I'm so sorry, Shay. This is all my fault, I-"

His lips are on mine before I have the chance to apologize any further, the metallic taste of blood seeping into my mouth as I leaned into his touch.

"No." I move away, shaking my head as he looks at me with half-closed eyes. "Fuck, Shay. Why aren't you at the hospital?"

"No hospitals. I'm fine." He mutters, but the blood seeping down his face and his neck says otherwise.

"You need help, Shay, medical attention." Stressing, I hear my voice begin to shake as he stares at me with relentless determination. But I didn't care. He needed help and I'd be damned if I didn't make him get it.

His hooded eyes watch me, before he eventually sighs and points towards the first aid kit across the room that I'd failed to notice.

I grab it, taking out the rubbing alcohol and cotton wool. We sit in silence as I clean the cuts on his face, the only sound in the room being him hissing in pain as the alcohol makes contact with his skin. But even then, I could tell he was trying to hold back any display of pain.