Us; I love that

The school halls were emptying as the last bell rang. Nick had mentioned something about being a little late. The principle wanted to talk to him about something and I was very curious about what.

I shut my locker, zipping up my backpack as Abby sighed. I chuckled. “Go find Mike. I’ll wait for Nick.” She smiled and gave me a hug.

“Thanks. Hey-tomorrow night… girls night-before you can say anything, I already talked to Nick. He wants you to come,” she grinned.

“Abby,” I groaned, smiling slightly.

“I told him that you were with him so much that I missed you. He completely understood. Man-I never thought I’d be able to just talk to Nick-”

“Okay Abby!” I laughed. She sent me a smile and a wave before rushing through the hallway. That girl knew how to talk. I shook my head, turning around as I heard footsteps. The hallway was pretty much empty now. Actually-there was no one but me… and Blake. Blake? I furrowed my eyebrows as he came closer, sending me a glare. “What do-” I started, but he cut me off, pushing me up against the lockers. I winced in pain as he grabbed my cheeks between his large hand. “Let me go,” I squirmed, trying to get out of his tight grasp.

“You ruin everything, know that Johnson?” he growled, pushing my back farther into the lockers. I tried to shake my head away, but he tightened his grip, causing me to whimper. “Nick hardly ever talks to us anymore because of you. He’s my friend-not yours. I don’t care if he says he loves you-” he chuckled dryly. “I do care that our group is falling apart without him. Now I know Missy warned you… but you don’t seem to get it,” he pulled me away, only to push me back into the lockers. I let out a gasp, wincing with pain that erupted throughout me. “Maybe you’ll take me seriously.” I watched Blake’s eyes burn into mine… and I was actually scared. Would he really try to hurt me? Just because Nick didn’t speak to him as much?

He let me go, turning towards the back doors, leaving me in pain and shock. There were only two options. One-stay away from Nick. That meant breaking up with him. I shook my head, automatically regretting it with the pain that followed. There was no way. No WAY I’d break up with him. I loved him way too much and I couldn’t sand that. Two-I’d have to tell him about this. I know he’d definitely like that more than the first option, but I was still scared of Blake. I sighed, feeling tears threaten to leak. I needed to tell Nick.

I slowly made my way out the front door, feeling bruises form on my back already. My face hurt from his grip, but my back stung horribly. I let out a soft sob when I reached the parking lot. There were a few cars-including Nick’s replacement. I managed a smile remembering how he didn’t want to drive it, but Denise promised she’d buy him a new one in a month or two. I let another sob escape. Would it just be better if I broke up with him? Save him the trouble of trying to fend off everyone who hated me-which was pretty much the whole school by now.

“Mitchie,” I heard a frantic voice call. I turned around to meet Nick’s beautiful face plastered with worry. He gripped my shoulders, searching my eyes with his brown ones. “Mitchie… what’s wrong?” he whispered. I watched his beautiful expression and I knew that wasn’t a choice. I would definitely not hurt him. I couldn’t hurt myself. I loved him and no matter what anyone did to me, it’d be better then trying to convince myself to get away from Nick. I threw myself into his arms, yelping as his hand hit my back. “What is it?” he begged, prying me away from him so he could see my eyes. He turned me around, lifting up the back of my shirt. I didn’t know if there were actually bruises, but from his reaction, I knew he could see I was hurt. He ran his fingers up and down my back gently. It actually felt nice, his touch always made me better. I managed to stop crying, letting a few tears drop as he pulled me around to face him. His eyes were narrowed. “Who did this to you?” he said flatly. He was angry. I couldn’t speak. “Mitchie. You better tell me who did this to you. Now,” he growled, keeping his hands to his sides.

“No. you’ll-you’ll do something stupid,” I managed.

He furrowed his eyebrows. “Protecting you isn’t stupid.”

“I’m just a person. I can handle it-”

“No Mitchie. You can’t. now tell me who,” he ordered, a little bit softer. I sighed, seeing the care in his eyes.

“Promise me you won’t do anything.”

He scoffed. “Yeah. I won’t do anything even though someone hurt the girl I love. I’m not stupid Mitchie. I know what I’m doing.” He was so… perfect. I couldn’t help but smile at him. His face softened and I saw the gleam back in his eyes. “Please,” he whispered.

“Blake,” I answered. I saw him tense up as he just stared at me.

“What did he do?” he asked quietly, but I heard the hostility in his voice. I knew I had to tell Nick.

“He-he told me that I was keeping you away from your friends and that I needed to stay away...” I felt tears coming again.

“Mitchie,” he whispered, pulling me close to him, trying not to touch the bruises on my back.

“He actually scared me,” I whimpered.

“Don’t worry. I won’t let him touch you,” he said softly, pressing his lips to my head.

“Do you think… we should break up?” I asked, regretting it as soon as the words left my mouth. Why did I just ask that? I already made up my mind… I wasn’t going to let him go. He froze, pulling me away slightly. I saw the hurt in his eyes and I felt so stupid.

“I-well…I-” he stammered, watching me carefully. “If you-” I cut him off, pressing my lips harshly on his. He slowly kissed back, no doubt hurt by what I just suggested, but when I didn’t stop, he went along with me. I felt the love… the love I always felt when he kissed me. When he just touched me and I knew leaving wasn’t an option. I pulled away, watching his eyes for emotions-there were none. He was blocking me again.

“I’m sorry I even suggested it. Please… I don’t want you to think I don’t love you. I-I don’t want you to leave me-”

“Mitchie I never said I’d leave you. You brought it up,” he said quietly, furrowing his eyebrows. His beautiful eyes still blank.

“I don’t want to lose you. Ever,” I sobbed and he pulled me closer. I felt him loosen up, knowing that what I said was a mistake. “I didn’t mean it. I was scared…” I choked out, burying my face in his neck.

“It’s okay. Don’t be scared. I’m here and I love you,” he whispered. I sighed with relief, his words stopping my tears.

“I love you Nick. I’m so stupid for thinking that… I really didn’t mean it,” I tried to explain, but he cut me off, kissing me quickly.

“I’ll take care of this.”

“Don’t do anything stupid,” I said sternly, mirroring him from the other day. He smiled that bright smile I loved and I couldn’t help but love him even more.

“I won’t. I’ll just have a little talk with Blake. I’m an intellectual person.”

I smiled, laughing slightly. “I don’t want you thinking that I’d think about leaving you… I knew it was out of the question, for me, and I don’t know why I said it. Really. Because I love you more than anything…”

I watched his eyes light up at the statement. “Thank you,” he whispered, pulling me closer. My eyes fluttered closed as his warm breathe hit my face. His lips grazed mine and I had that urge again. What the heck was up with me? What was I feeling? He kissed me gently and I pulled him closer, never wanting to let go. I still couldn’t understand this new feeling I had when he touched me. When he kissed me. But I was getting it a lot lately.

He pulled away and we both smiled. 'Come on. I’ll get you home.”

I sighed. “I want you to stay.”

“I can…”

“No. Your going out with your family.” I smiled at the fact that he’d drop it just to be with me.

He huffed, opening the car door for me. “I don’t have-”

“Nicholas,” I giggled as he rolled his eyes, kissing my cheek.

“Fine. But I don’t get to see you tomorrow night either.”

“I never even wanted to go,” I pouted. He smirked, closing the door and hurrying to the drivers side.

“I said you did. I think I’m keeping you away from your friends,” he said softly, sticking the key in the ignition.

I scoffed. “I don’t need friends when I have you.”

I saw that smile as he backed out. “Can I take you out the day after tomorrow?” he asked shyly, glancing over at me quickly. I saw him blush a little.

“A date?” I asked excitedly, remembering the only one we had. The date he gave me the dog tags on.

“If that’s okay-”

“Well duh!" I interrupted, causing him to chuckle.

“I love you,” he smiled, looking over at me again. I watched his deep eyes, getting lost in them.

“I love you too,” I whispered and all the scare about Blake was gone. Nick would protect me.