“Go calm down before something happens you’re really going to regret. There’s going to be teachers here soon.” I take a few steps back until I’m stopped by Chris’s body and he puts his hands on my hips holding me closer to him.
I can’t understand the look in Logan’s eyes. It’s total devastation, but doesn’t he realise he caused this. I can’t look at him anymore. It’s making me hurt inside to see that look on his face. He is the total opposite to what he’s been like with me all weekend. So I turn around and find myself looking at Chris’s chest instead.
I hear his footsteps as he walks away, once I know he’s not there anymore I turn around and watch him get in his truck and swiftly pull out of the car park. Maybe my day isn’t going to be so great after all.
◆◆◆
A gentle squeezing on my waist makes me turn away from Logan’s retreating truck.
“Hey, you ok? You didn’t get hurt did you?” Chris asks gently.
“Me? No I’m fine. But you’re not. I can’t can’t believe he did that. I’m so sorry. Are you ok?”
“You’re sorry? What do you have to be sorry for? It’s his fault, he’s a complete ass. It’s not so bad any way. I’ve had worse.” He says rubbing his chin. His lip is split and is already swelling up. And I’m sure he’s going to have a nice black eye for a while. He tries to smile but winces when it pulls the split further apart. He tilts his head to the side and leans in closer to me.
“However if you feel the need to nurse me back to full health then you can just go right ahead nurse Alex, I’ll even get you a costume.” He chuckling slightly but his hold on my waist also got a bit tighter.
“Oh he’s fine if he’s making sexy nurse suggestions. Pervert” Amber playfully says and taps him on the shoulder.
I take a couple steps away from him to give myself some space. I’m feeling strange at the minute. I want to stay with Chris to make sure he is ok and I know that Chris is the victim here and that I’m the one who told Logan to go away. But the look on his face when I told him I was staying with Chris. I can’t get it out of my head. In reality I know that Logan is the bad guy here, but you know those movies where sometimes you actually want the bad guy to get away with the crime, it’s like that. I just have a need to make sure Logan’s ok.
“Don’t be stupid Chris. You need to go the nurse.” Amber voice is getting louder and pulled me out of my thoughts. They’re arguing about something.
“No Amber I don’t. If I do then she’ll tell coach I’ve been fighting and he won’t let me play in the game next week. Trust me. That’s the only reason I actually let him walk away.”
“Alex, tell him will you. He needs to get checked out.” She pleads with me.
Looking at him, he really does need some ice on his face otherwise he won’t be able to see out of his eye to even play next weeks game. It’s hard to believe Logan’s only seventeen with the strength he has.
“Come on we can go to my place. My aunt will have left for the studio by now. And even if she is there I don’t think she’d mind anyway. You ok to drive Amber. I’m not sure he should.”
“Yeah that’s fine. Come on before someone spots us out here and calls us in.”
We all get in Amber's car and drive back to my house. Chris sits in the back with his head laid back and closes his eyes. No one really says anything we just sit in silence listening to the radio.
“Alex?” Amber whispers after a few minutes has gone by.
“Yeah” I whisper back. I’m not sure why we’re whispering. But it’s one of those things isn’t it. When someone whispers to you, you automatically whisper back.
“I don’t think you should see Logan on your own any more.” I see her eyes flit to the rear view mirror to make sure Chris isn’t listening. He doesn’t make any hint that he’s heard and his eyes are still closed. Probably dozed off. I’m not sure he’s meant to do that though after a knock to the head, is he?
“He wouldn’t hurt me.” I don’t know why I’m so sure of that. But I am.
“You don’t know him. I’ve been to the same school as him pretty much my whole life. And I don’t even know him that well. His family is a good family, but the whole town knows that they hide things. They have secrets. There’s just something about them. No one quite knows what it is. But seeing Logan just attack Chris like that today. I don’t think he’s safe."
“Come on Amber. I’m not defending him here but it wasn’t really an attack. It’s just boys. They fight.” I realise I am getting a little defensive of Logan right now, but I can’t help it.
“Look I’m just saying, be careful, ok?”
“I am. I know that you are just looking out for me. But all families have their own secrets Amber. Some are just better at hiding them than others. However I probably will keep some distance now anyway. But not because I think I’m not safe with him.”
“Ok” she nods her head, and like this this morning I’m sure she
