Monsters Within

Chapter 7

I wake up in his arms, comforted by the fact that he stayed the whole night. It's hard to protect someone from something in their head, but him being there almost did it. Afraid of waking him, I carefully slide from his grasp. He shifts a little in response but doesn't wake.

It's still early so I decide to make breakfast. They probably will have two eggs each. So I raid their fridge and cabinets for, eggs, milk, cheese, chives, OJ, bread, and butter, finding all with ease. I also grab a bowl to whisk in, and a pan to cook. Cooking is one of my favorite things to do, so naturally I get right to making the scrambled eggs.

When I am nearly done, I hear a door open and close, and soon see Cole walking groggily toward me, his hair being another sign he just woke up. He smiles, and gives me a hug. Soon after his mom comes and I have already placed the the eggs, toast, and OJ on the table. We all sit down and start eating.

Mrs.Jackson, Cole's mom, widens her eyes as she places the eggs in her mouth.

"These are amazing!" She says. "How did you cook them?" Cole smiles a bit like he has it all figured out already and is surprised his mom hasn't.

"The normal way, eggs, chives, cheese, and a bit of milk, whisked in a bowl and cooked." I say, it's so simple that I don't hesitate on a word, which seems surprising to Mrs.Jackson.

"Well thank you." She says. I smile as a "no problem" and Cole nods in agreement with his mom.

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We walked the entire way to school like this, Cole's arm wrapped protectively around me. He insists it is to keep me safe, although he was joking a bit. School is bustling with people, one whom we pass gives us a dirty look, Eddy, of course.

I have every class with Cole, except my last, so nothing really happens all day, besides a few confused stares. It stopped bothering me a while ago that they all stared like it was impossible to see us together.

I separate from Cole during lunch, I can't be late for last block.

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When I get out of class I am greeted immediately by Cole, who is still determined to stay by my side. I look up at him to notice a bruise, like mine, on his cheek.

"What happened?" I ask.

"Nothing. Just a run in with a guy." He replies nonchalantly.

"Why did you have a 'run in' with this guy?"

"No reason really." He says but I don't believe him. I stop walking.

"Tell me why Cole. Please." He begins to reply with how it's not important but when he sees the look on my face, he stops and starts to explain.

"It was a guy from my team, we got in in argument 'cause he thought it would be 'bad for the team' if I dated you. And, I told him he was full of BS. So, we got in a fight." He says it like it's no big deal and I give him a worried look. "Don't worry, that guys just an ass, no one else is gonna do that."

I smile even though I get the feeling that's not true. My gut had told me something like this would happen. Though I really hope he's right and that it won't happen again. Because, I won't put him in danger of being the new school punching bag. And if that is what happens then I will have to find a way to protect him.