8 Tired of pretending so soon?

After assuring Sandi several times that there is nothing going on, she was finally convinced that I was telling the truth.

More like assuring myself!

We came back into the building walking towards the lockers when a gut-wrenching scream pierced my ears.

A very familiar scream... 

"Was this Alex's voice?" Sandi questioned me, her eyes wide in horror.

We can recognize his voice especially his screams anywhere because we have made him see horror movies and sit on rides with us several times and all he did was to continuously scream. I didn't call him a girl for no reason. This time however, it was not the usual scream. It shook my entire body. 

A few feet away from us a crowd was gathered. I ran towards the crowd pushing everyone aside, making my way through it but the sight which met my eyes wanted me to run away without looking back. Soon my vision was blurred with burning tears as a scream escaped my own lips.

Lying there was Alex, our Alex, helpless; his nose bleeding and eyes clenched together in pain. He was holding his hand which was turning blue like the skin under his one eye.

I looked up to find Xavier Miller standing on top of him, his chest moving up and down fast, his nostrils flaring with his breath.

He did this to Alex! 

All the pain I felt watching Alex like that turned into raw anger, my blood steaming. 

I ran towards Alex pushing Xavier off him with all the force I could muster. I was not satisfied with just a shove so I started hitting his chest repeatedly, but it felt like hitting a hard wall. My fingers started hurting and he stepped back with his face showing no hint of remorse.

What I thought of him and what he turned out to be, a heartless monster. No wonder his stupid eyes are haunting. They are filled with pure evil. I shouted at him but my voice cracked. For a moment he looked like if my words affected him.

Or my stupid vision just made it up!

I fell down on the floor, sobbing beside Alex. Even in this short time I built up a strong bond with him which I didn't realize until now.

Watching people in pain is my biggest weakness especially when they are my own people, my loved ones.

Sandi was cleaning his bleeding nose, her face stained with tears also while I put his head on my lap. Gently I held his now blue hand, his fingers settling in an abnormal way which made me sick just even looking at it. I couldn't imagine how much pain he was enduring. I shouted for someone to call an ambulance. Those bloody idiots were just standing there enjoying the fight.

I felt a hand on my back which was Raven's. He was also standing there watching his friend trying to kill mine. Alex was right, I don't know them. I shoved away his hand not wanting to look at him.

Ambulance arrived soon. Our principal and some teachers also reached to the spot. They were informed by some students but I was sure no one would take any action against him.

I would. 

Soon we were at hospital and Alex was taken to the operation theater. They said his hand was badly injured which needed immediate surgery.

How can someone be so cruel? 

I was sitting there in the waiting area with Sandi and Raven. He came behind us in his own car. I didn't get what he was trying to pretend after what his friend did. I doubted it was an apology. I ignored him not wanting to talk to him. He was sitting far away from us.

I started crying again when the whole scene replayed in my head. I felt Sandi's hand on my shoulder.

"Bella please, we have to be strong. Remember he once told us that he doesn't like cry babies even though he himself is the biggest one of them." She giggled in an attempt to lighten up the tension.

I too chuckled at the memory when I failed a test once in my life. I didn't prepare for it because I was sick. It was not a big deal but I never failed any test before so I started crying in frustration and he told me that he didn't like cry babies but the very next day he himself cried for having to attend a funeral. 

"He was in so much pain Sandi. I can't get it out of my head." I turned towards her tears threatening to fall from my eyes again.

"I know it's hard but remember, you are the strongest one in our gang. You are always the one telling us to grow up and be strong but look at you now. You are not behaving like one." She said, squeezing my hand. She was looking so mature suddenly and surprisingly she was not crying anymore. I smiled at her, wiping away the escaped tears.

"Stay here and don't cry now. Let me bring you something to drink." She told me before standing up and asking some nurse about the cafeteria. She knows whenever I am stressed out I need something to drink. She knows me so well, after all we spent an eternity together. 

I saw her walking away towards the exit door, her long braids swaying with her body movements. Maybe I am just strong when it comes to horror movies or dangerous rides. She is the actual strong one here. 

Raven was nowhere to be seen.

Tired of pretending so soon? Huh!

I huffed and relaxed back in the seat closing my eyes. Soon I was interrupted by the familiar voice of Mrs Hayden; Alex's mother. I opened my eyes and was met with her green ones.

Alex didn't get her eyes. His eyes are hazel brown like his father but he has dark hairs and sharp features like her. She seems strict but when you actually get to know her she is really kind and a supportive mother.

I immediately stood up and hugged her. She hugged me back, sniffling. Behind her was Alex's little sister Lara, looking at me, her eyes filled with tears.

Poor child!

I smiled at her which she returned, her chubby cheeks revealing beautiful dimples. Alex also has dimples. They got the attractive trait from their mom.

"How is he now? What did the doctors say? Is there anything serious? Where were you when this happened? " She bombarded me with questions as soon as I stepped back.

"Mrs Hayden, please sit down, it's nothing serious." I told her pulling her towards the chairs. She sat down but the worried expressions didn't leave her face. I picked lara and sat her down on my lap, sitting beside Mrs Hayden.

"He had a fight. His hand is fractured and he got some minor bruises." After she looked a little calm, I told her the truth. I knew it would hurt her but she is his mother. She needed to know.

She started crying and I rubbed her back trying to calm her down. I didn't know what else to say. Sandi returned with boxes of juice and a water bottle in her hands. She greeted Mrs Hayden who was now a little stable.

I took the water bottle from Sandi's hand and handed it to her. She took a sip and gave it back to me which I gave to lara. She drank half bottle. I could see the little girl was affected by watching her mother crying and knowing that her big brother was hurt. I kissed her cheek telling her that her brother will be fine. I looked up at Sandi and she immediately understood what I was trying to say.

Sandi handed me the juice boxes, picked up lara from my lap and took her outside.

A nurse came towards us followed by a doctor. Alex's mom stood up and walked towards them hurriedly.

I followed her.