August 24th- Book One in the May 3rd series

Chapter 22- P O T A T T O O 🥔

Warnings ⚠: Child Abuse, Rape, Violence, Religion, Drug Use, Alcohol Use, Use of Slurs, Homophobia, Bullying, Mention of Suicide, Suicidal Thoughts, Suicidal Actions, Gun Use

Josiah's P.O.V.

-Tuesday, October 5th-

"Are you feeling better?" I ask Damien as soon as I sit down in his car.

I like being picked up to go to school. It makes things a lot easier.

I don't think I was made to get up at 5 a.m.

"A little. I pretty much just slept until this morning," He yawns, "I got some cool bruises, though."

"What are you going to do today? Avoid everyone?"

"I have no fucking idea. I guess so. Not that it will work."

"Okay... Just be careful." I tell him.

He starts driving toward the school.

"I'll try my best. And you, too. They know who you are now. So please, I'm serious. Text me if any of them approach you. It doesn't matter anymore."

"I can't do that. You'll fight with them again."

"So what? If I have to fight, I have to fight."

"I don't want you to get hurt."

"Josiah, it doesn't matter. I don't want you to get hurt. And, if it's only one of them, I can beat the shit out of them anyway," He holds something out to me, "Here."

I doubt it.

I don't bother looking at what he's handing me.

"No, because you're already hurt," I argue, just taking it, "If Ethan approaches me, I'll call you. Or just start violently screaming. Okay?"

It's a bag.

Lunch.

I stuff it into my backpack for later.

"I'm fine. Really. And as for the screaming...as funny as it would be, just call."

"Okay, but your phone shouldn't be on during class. So if it's during class, I will do the screaming thing." I plan, smiling at him.

"Josiah. You're telling me you're going to get cornered by Ethan, then check the time and make sure I'm not in class, then call me?"

"Pretty much, yeah. Or start screaming. One or the other."

"I might not be able to hear you."

"Have you heard me scream before...?"

"Yes. It's very loud."

"Right. Are you deaf?"

"No. But its not fucking go through brick walls loud."

"I will scream very loud. My house is made of brick. I think I know what I'm talking about here."

"Just call and scream through the phone."

"I might as well call and say, hey, umm... Damien. So, basically, Ethan is here and he's being an ass. That would serve the same purpose at that point."

"But I thought you wanted to scream?" He parks the car.

"No. Screaming hurts. I will only do that if it's an emergency," I say, "I'll call you if Ethan does something. Promise."