Love and Bruises

Chapter 2

After three classes, finally, it's their breaktime. The only time in school where Yamaguchi would be able to see Tsukki. Ever since middle school, Yamaguchi and Tsukishima had never been classmates. Tsukishima is always placed in the higher section and Yamaguchi in the lowest. That's why Tsukishima is very oblivious of Yamaguchi being bullied in school and in addition to that, Tsukishima is a part of the school's volleyball team, he's both busy and famous.

The only time they can be together is when school's over. But, every break, Yamaguchi would secretly watch Tsukiishima practice with his team.

He couldn't watch them without his presence a secret, because Tsukki once told him that he distracts his practice. Yamaguchi was saddened by the thought that his presence annoys Tsukki so eversince then he watches them secretly.

With a growling stomach and a bit of a blurry vision, Yamaguchi made his way to the gym. There are also people watching the practice, especially girls, so he sneaked his way to the very corner of the court. He took out a small sandwich he made yesterday since he kind of knew what was going to happen.

His sandwich is just bread and a bit of peanut butter, he thinks of it as enough to function throughout the day. While watching, he slowly ate his sandwich, he was only focusing on Tsukishima, admiring him and his every move. Until breaktime is over, Yamaguchi still hadn't finished his sandwich so he finished it in one go but ended up choking in it. He was catching his breathe and coughing when he reached for his bottled water. He gulped the remaining water in his bottle and coughed several times. He covered his mouth with his handkerchief and coughed real hard again. Tears started streaming down his face and he felt painful in his chest.

He gripped his chest tightly and wished for the pain to go away. When the pain subsided, he removed the handkerchief in his mouth. His eyes widened at the blood stained cloth in his hand.

I-Is this blood mine?

He wiped his mouth again with his free hand and saw blood again, smudging his hand and the side of his lips. His hand trembled as he quickly wiped his mouth with the clean side of his handkerchief.

He got up from the corner and ran to their room. He was almost late when he arrived as the teacher had just entered the room. He was silently panting when he reached his seat and every breathe he takes just adds up to the pain in his chest.

He tried to calm himself to lessen the pain but it wouldn't work. 'Till the end of the class he was gripping his chest tightly while catching his breathe. After the teacher's dismissal, he hurriedly put away everything to his bag and left the room. Despite the blurry vision, he managed to put on a fake smile when he saw Tsukishima waiting on the hallway, tapping on his phone.

"Tsu-"

"Tsukishima!"

Yamaguchi's smile faded when a girl cut him off and skipped to Tsukishima's side. Tsukki smiled at the sight of the girl which made Yamaguchi's heart clench and as though to hurt him more, the girl placed a peck on Tsukki's lips.

Yamaguchi was stoned in his spot and, as if he was invisible, they turned around and walked away. The girl clinging onto Tsukki's arm.

What about me?..

Then he felt tears, like a fountain, gushing down to his chin. The students were giving him weird looks, which made him feel worse. Looking down, and slowly, he took steps forward, leaving the school, leaving the place where he is always hurt.