The Calm and The Chaos

8. Down the guilt road

"Rejection doesn't mean that you aren't good enough; it means the other person failed to notice what you have to offer."

***

Aaron

I exited the school with a big grin on my face.

I was so happy to see the embarrassment in Iris' face when she got R-E-J-E-C-T-E-D by her crush.

Oh my god, I would cherish this moment forever.

I felt a hand on my shoulder, I looked over to see a big happy face in front of me, when I looked back to see who it was, I was met with the familiar blond hair and blue eyes.

"So Jake is hosting a party tonight, wanna go? Who knows maybe you could get some tonight." Gwan grinned

"Yeah sounds fun, but I am not gonna drink tonight. Designated driver on duty sir." I gave a sloppy salute to Gwan and that made him laugh like a crazy rooster.

"Okay whatever you say big guy and I need to ask you---" before he could complete his sentence we heard click of heels. I turned to see a girl whose face was all too familiar to me, well it was because we practically grew old together.

She had deep brown eyes and blonde hair, even though she was a blonde, she was a motherfuckin genius, Genevieve noticed me and happiness was beaming off her face, "AARON! LONG TIME NO SEE!" Gen said hugging me.

"Yeah, I didn't see you in school, where the hell were you all these days" I said with a sense of worry

"Awww Aaron, stop being an overprotective brother. Don't worry I was on a vacation with my family and I just came back today. Why didn't you text me, you big goof! We haven't talked even once in the summer!" She said.

Before I could say anything, my eyes landed on Iris. Some guy was walking with her towards an abandoned hallway.

Oohh secret boyfriend huh I smirked.

"Gen, I'll get back to you in a minute." Gen gave me a confused look but then she gave me a nod.

I ran towards Iris, altogether making sure she didn't see me.

I followed them until they finally came to a halt. I was at a safe distance but I was still able to overhear their conversation.

I saw Iris' head was hung low, as though she was sad and ashamed.

"ARE YOU KIDDING ME IRIS?! DO YOU EVEN KNOW WHAT YOU DID COULD DO TO YOU?!" The man screamed at her, his fists clenched.

Oh god she's in real trouble.

"B-bu-but i-i didn't d-do it!" Iris said

I had never heard her stammer like that before, looks like she really is scared of this man.

I had my fists clenched, ready to take him if he tries to hit her or hurt her.

The man took a step towards Iris and my breath was caught.

"I DON'T FUCKING CARE ABOUT WHO DID THIS! DO YOU WANT TO END UP WHERE YOUR MOTHER IS HUH?!" He roared at her.

I saw a tear drop down of Iris' eyes when he mentioned her mother.

I could feel rage surging through my veins, I just wanted to beat the shit out of this guy. He made her cry! I've never seen her cry! She has always been so strong, I hate this guy for making her cry!

Wait wtf?! From when did I even start giving a fuck about what happened to her?

Iris ran away from there, I waited for the guy to go away and I followed her there.

I could feel the guilt building in my chest. God, she is crying because of me! I was the one who did all of this!

Fuckk I felt so bad for her, I didn't want to hurt her this bad. Hell I didn't want anyone to be treated like that! I hate myself for putting her through this, it's all my fucking fault!

I saw Iris sitting on a bench, I could hear the sobs from where I was standing.

She heard the footsteps and looked up to my face.

I could see that her eyes were red and puffy.

My heart broke. I could literally feel it shatter into pieces.

"What do you want from me now? Can't you see you have done enough? What did I even do to hurt your big ass ego?!" She spat out, the words came out like venom.

My face softened when I looked at her.

"You don't have to act so hard and always be so strong, you know? We are all humans, we all break apart at some point in our life" I said, sitting beside her.

"I don't want to hear to your zen talk now, can I have some privacy now?" She said slowly.

That words took me aback. She noticed the look on my face.

"Just go, please just go! I don't give a damn if it hurts you, but just leave." She said in between her quiet sobs.

I got up and took a last look of her face

My dumbass heart was waiting for her to tell me to stay but that didn't happen.

I walked away, and all that was going in my mind was Iris and the guilt.