Three is better than one.

Chapter17: The Fight

*Author’s POV*

Jeremy had heard what Jack said to her, he wasn’t very far away after all. Feelings of enragement taking over, he got up off the bench and launched towards Jack, sending a punch to the mouth his way. He fell backwards, landing on the hard ground. Priya and Emma were both shocked by his sudden attack. Priya quickly backed away, teary eyes wide open and a hand over her mouth while Emma scurried towards the fountain benches, away from the violent scene that was about to break out.

Jack sat up and wiped his mouth. Swipes of blood came off onto his fingers, he glared at Jeremy standing over him. Promptly he jumped up and jabbed him in the stomach, sending him a few steps back with an, “Oof!”  Jeremy retaliated with another punch to his face, this time leaving a bruise. Jack had enough, he threw four swift punches to his face, leaving a bruise and a bloody wound on his lip.

Their fight had gathered quite the crowd and soon enough they were surrounded by people; Priya had somehow been pushed to the back whilst Emma continued to coward on the bench nearby. Priya continued to attempt to push and shove her way to the front but failed. She continued to cry as she tried to catch a glimpse of what was happening behind the wall of people, she didn’t want either of them to get hurt. Jeremy had done so much for her, she simply couldn’t allow him to get injured for sake as well. And as much as she resented Jack, she still loved him and didn’t want to see him get seriously hurt…even if she felt that she was probably experiencing more pain in her heart than he was going through physically. Try after try, she failed at making her way through to the front of the scene; the crying and screaming made her weaker and weaker as she went along.

Finally giving up, she broke down in even more tears and curled in a ball nearby the crowd. All she could do was listen to the painful grunts behind the crowd of people, the only thing separating her from trying to stop the fight. She sat on the floor, her head buried in her knees and her arms wrapped around them. Feelings of pain continued to pierce her heart and make her cry even more. She thought about how much of a good friend Jeremy was and how now he was getting hurt for her sake, whilst her heart was still broken from her encounter with Jack only less than an hour ago. Even if he played with her fragile heart, she still couldn’t stop herself from continuing to care for him, she was worried if he’d get hurt from the fight that was happening at the very moment.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of footsteps dispersing around her. She looked up to see both Jeremy and Jack, laying flat on the ground. She quickly wiped away her tears and rushed to their sides, she saw that they were both covered in bruises and scratches.

“Are you guys okay?!” she probed, kneeling beside Jeremy.

They were both panting heavily but Jeremy managed to talk, “Yeah, I’m fine.” He replied, smiling at her as if nothing had happened, despite the fact that his lips were covered with blood.

“That’s good.” She smiled back with relief.

Jack looked over at them. Anyone who didn’t know them would’ve mistaken the two for a couple, gazing lovingly into each other’s eyes. Jack felt a sharp, stinging pain in his chest; it outstood all of the bruises and scratches he had all over his body. He couldn’t stand to see Priya looking at another guy. He wanted to get away before his feelings got the best of him, he hurriedly tried to get up but toppled back onto his backside. There was an aching pain in his left arm, where Jeremy had twisted earlier.

As he fell back, both Priya and Jeremy’s attention turned to him. She worriedly rushed to his side this time, as Jeremy relaxed into a widespread position on the ground again.

“What’s wrong, can’t you get up?” she asked with concern.

He looked up at her, and got caught up in staring into her beautiful eyes. Realizing what he was doing, he attempted to stand up, once again. He failed and gripped his arm in pain.

“Oh my god, it’s purple.” She said, lightly grasping his hand to get a closer look. “Here, let me help you up.”

She wrapped her arm behind his back and supported his body upwards. He stood up, with his un-injured arm draped around her shoulder. He admired at how she helped him, despite what he had done to her only less than an hour ago. It just made him fall deeper in love, seeing how forgiving she was made him want her even more. Noticing his feelings, he quickly removed his arm from around her shoulder.

“Thanks.” He said blandly, beginning to walk away.

“Where do you think you’re going?” she questioned him, “You hurt your arm. I can’t just leave you be.”

“I can go to the hospital on my own.” He said, with his back turned towards her.

“Let me come with you.” She demanded.

“Why?”

“Because I’m worried.”

He tried to fight the urge to turn around and accept her help. Gripping his fist, he began to think about his decision at the moment.

She looked caringly down at Jeremy who was still on the floor.

He could read her mind, he knew what she was trying to say. He sighed, he really didn’t want to help out Jack at all. Not after what he had done. But in the end, he gave in. He could see that Priya really wanted to help him, even after all that he put her through. Unwillingly, he got up,

“We’ll drive you to the hospital.” He offered reluctantly.

Jack hesitated to answer, he had the urge to join them. Sluggishly, he turned around to face them,

“Fine.” He answered, trying not to sound eager.

“Good, come on. Let’s go.” She said, guiding him towards the parking lot, caringly rubbing his back with a worried expression as she looked at him.

She had completely forgotten about what he had done to her and her broken heart. All she was concerned about was his well-being, she still loved and cared for him. Jeremy walked ahead, not wanting anything to do with the two. He was still furious with Jack, however he was also disgusted with Priya, who still cared for him oh so tenderly.

The three of them got into the car, Jack stuttering “ow” and “ouch” as Priya helped him get into the back seat. Jeremy carelessly plopped himself in the driver’s seat and waited for her to get in beside him.Though, instead she went around to the other side of the car and sat beside Jack in the back.

“Why are you sitting there?” he asked, looking at her through the rear view mirror.

“I just wanna make sure Jack is okay.” She explained, “It might be serious, you never know.” She said, as if Jack had done nothing wrong.

Jeremy had no response; he simply stayed silent and started the engine.