That one exception

Part 3

Everyone came to our room and we all settle down in whatever available spot we could find, I sat in the chair near the door, Mini was sat in the other chair in the far corner of the room with his knees tucked under his chin, the others were sitting around the bed or on the floor. We'd all been sat there in silence until Cartoonz re-joined us and we got started on the beer. Mini almost draining half the bottle in one go, I watched him for a few moments knowing that he was worried about what his friends where going to ask or say. 

"ok...lets get this over with" Mini turned to face us all nervous but with a determined  look on his face

"how long?" Evan spoke first

Mini glanced at me before answering "almost a year" he mumbled trying not to look at anyone.

A grumble of disbelief rolled around the room as everyone tried to get their heads around it

"and you said nothing to us? We're your friends Mini why wouldn't you trust us?" Lui complained

"Hold on that's not fair...you don't know the circumstances he was in...it had nothing to do with how much he trusted us" I interrupted before Mini felt like he was being ganged up on.

Lui sighed and ran his hands over his face "Sorry mini I'm trying to understand I don't' mean to make it sound like you're the bad guy"

Nogla still looked like he was about to start complaining, I watched as he stood up and moved over to Mini "show us"

"W-What?" Mini stammered stepping backwards into his chair and almost falling into it.

"The bruises Mini...we saw them in the club..."

Every one sat up and paid attention their full attention on Mini, he seemed rooted to the spot, all the colour in his face seemed to of drained. I got up and picked my way across the room until I was within arm's reach of Mini, grabbing his arm I pull him over to me away from Nogla and putting his back to the others "you don't have to do shit"

"I know" he turned his head to look over his shoulder at Nogla and the others, I noticed a dark red mark on his neck and reached up and put my thumb on his jaw indicating he shouldn't move.

"Did one of those guys at the club grab you by the throat?"

"Huh?... oh.." he pushed my hand away and looked down at the floor "yeah...I'm going to have another one for the collection huh?"

"Jesus you bruise easy"

He forced a chuckle and half turned to look at the others "I'm going to have a shower"

I looked at him surprised, knowing that it meant he was going to show them the bruises on his face as well as his torso. "You're sure?"

He nodded then headed to the bathroom grabbing his pyjamas on the way past his case. Everyone looked at me confused, I just held my hand up till I heard the water start running.