Desolation Row [MxM]

Chapter 13

“I want you to come straight home after school.”

It was a week before I was able to go back to school, and Charlie had just been on me about coming home immediately. I was tired of hearing it from him, and I didn't feel the need to respond. He was driving me to school again, which meant I'd be back to taking the bus home. I didn't have my car, I didn't have my license. I didn't even have my phone, since it'd been cracked so bad.

As soon as Charlie stopped in front of the school, I ignored whatever it was he tried to say and got out of the car quickly, slamming the door shut and walking into the building.

I was covered in so many bruises that I didn't need any more, and tried to avoid contact with other people as much as I could. I managed to get into the classroom pretty easily, sitting down in my desk precariously and trying to mind my ribs.

A few minutes later, Joel walked in, and I could feel myself relax as his eyes locked onto me. I hadn't seen him since the night of the crash, and I was starting to miss him. He walked over to my desk, looking down at me for a second. “You look like you were almost thrown out of a car,” he commented. I snorted at that, unable to help myself from flipping him off as he chuckled and headed to his own seat.

During lunch, I went with him to the hill again, both of us leaning back against the windshield on the hood of his car as we passed a joint back and forth.

“It kinda sucks that your license was suspended,” he mentioned, inhaling deeply and holding it for a second before letting the smoke fall back out of his mouth. I shrugged a little, the movement making his shoulder rock as well.

“I'm not too worried about it. I'm more concerned with this whole rehab kick Charlie's going on,” I replied. Charlie had been on me about that, too. Different rehab centers for kids my own age. But I didn't want to go to rehab.

“You shouldn't be forced into rehab, there's nothing to...'rehab'.”

“Eloquent.”

“Shut up.” Joel muttered, smiling slightly as I took the joint from him. “But seriously. You're just acting like a normal teenager,” he added with a shrug. I tried to chuckle, but the sound came out forced, even in my state. So I settled for putting the joint in my mouth instead.

Eventually we made it back to school, missing the period after lunch, but catching the rest of the day. I took the bus home, just like Charlie told me to. Of course he was gone by the time I got home, so I let myself into the apartment and wandered into the living room, sitting down gingerly on the couch. The pain medication I got was pretty strong, and usually knocked any pain right out, but since I was due for another pill in about an hour, the effects of it were wearing off.

Just as I moved to lean back into the cushions, a knock on the door sounded, and I rolled my eyes as I slowly got up to answer it. It was Joel on the other side, and a small smile slid onto my face as he came in. I lead him back to my room, and soon enough I was laying under him, trying to angle myself to make sure he didn't hit any bruises.

We kissed lazily, not feeling like doing more than we needed to as he hovered over me. It was so nice to feel him on top of me again, and I sighed at the feeling, but I couldn't help but notice how it felt different. It wasn't quite the same as how it used to feel. Before, Joel's body was warm, and kind of heavy, in a pleasing way. Now he felt lighter, and while it was probably better for my body at the time, I didn't like it.

I reached up to bring my hands to his head, pulling him back slightly and looking at him. He frowned at that. “What's wrong?” he asked. I stayed quiet, observing him. How different he looked. So much more worn down, for a seventeen-year-old. He shouldn't look like that. I didn't remember him looking like that in the beginning of the year. “Seriously, Vic, what're you doing?” he asked again.