45. Right Behind You Pretty Boy
Shawn's POV
I went back to school when I was discharged from the hospital, despite my doctor's orders and basically...everyone else. I walked in with Jacob and Liam, ignoring the whispering and glances people were giving me. I expected this, I mean I was shot. Besides, half the shit this school talks about are probably made up or rumors, so it's not like I cared. I clenched my fist at that. At least I knew everything was over. With Zac, with all of them.
"I really don't understand why you came back," Liam said. "We break for the holidays in like two days."
"Yeah man, you should have just waited till after New Year," Jacob added.
"I...wanted to come back," I said as I adjusted the strap of my backpack on my right shoulder.
"Oh I get it," Liam teased. "You just wanted to see Khalan," he finished, making kissy noises as he walked backwards.
I rolled my eyes. He wasn't completely wrong though. I missed her, even though she came to see me a few times like the others. And I wanted to find out what was wrong with her. She always looked like something was bothering her big time since she visited with Liam. She'd space out and stuff, like something was on her mind.
"Woah," her voice came when Liam bumped into someone. "Careful Liam."
"Sorry," he apologized.
She shrugged it off and just smiled.
"You," she said to me. "Why are you in school? Aren't you supposed to be at home resting?"
I laughed. I never quite understood why she worried about me so much, but I liked that about her.
"Relax Michaels," I told her. "I'm fine."
"People don't just get shot everyday Shawn," she said.
"She's right," Liam agreed smacking my shoulder. My left shoulder.
"Ow, mate," I groaned.
"Sorry about that."
Then her smile dropped. I frowned and looked up. Kyle. Was he the reason?
"What's wrong?" I asked.
"Nothing," she quickly said.
"Still lying? Really?"
She sighed. "Don't worry."
"We'll catch you later," Jacob said, probably taking a hint. I nodded in gratitude at him for that.
"Michaels-"
"He's a jerk, okay?" she cut me off. "A lying, cheating jerk."
I clenched my fist when her eyes began to fill with water. What do I do now?
"Why didn't you just tell me what happened?"
"You were shot for earth's sake. I didn't want you lying in a hospital while plotting ways to kill my ex," she replied.
Yeah I probably would have been doing that instead of focusing on myself.
"Plus it's embarrassing," she added softly.
As much as I wanted to beat the crap out of Kyle I knew I couldn't. That would just create unecessary drama or whatever. Plus I'm in no condition to get into a fight. And so I hugged her. It was the only way I knew how to be there for her that moment. She smelled good. Something was definitely jumping around in my chest alright.
"Thanks," she murmured, her head resting under my chin. "I needed that."
"Welcome Princess," I responded. "Welcome."
************
"Kyle," I called as he proceeded to leave the classroom. The period had just ended and everyone was heading to class.
He stopped and sighed when he turned. "What do you want?"
I waited for the teacher to exit the class before continuing.
"I think we both know, an explanation."
"I don't have to explain myself to you," he spat.
"Maybe not me," I told him. "But Khalan sure as hell deserves to know why."
"Guess you're her knight in shining armor now huh?" he glared at me.
"It's eating her up," I said. "Have you even tried talking to her?"
"And what the hell am I supposed to say?" he asked.
"I don't know. Sorry maybe?" I replied.
"Why don't you talk to her?" he snapped. "I see how you look at her. Tell her how you feel. I'm sure she'd love that!"
"This is not about me," I said, trying to keep my composure.
"This involves you way more than you know," he mutters. If eyes were daggers he'd have stabbed me about twenty times already. "You couldn't just stay out of it could you? Going after someone's girlfriend."
"She's not your girlfriend anymore," I told him.
"And that must make you so damn happy huh?" he chuckled sourly. "Go ahead now, tell her how you fucking feel. Tell her how much you love her then use her like those other girls you've used. After all, you're supposed to be the bad boy huh? And all she'll probably ever be to you is one of those girls you mess around with."
Okay, now I've lost it.
With my good right arm I charged for his face and landed a punch. How the hell can he talk about her like that! Weren't they dating about a week ago?! I knew it. Behind those smiles and whatever he was a prick deep down at his core. Asshole.
"Don't use me to justify your actions!" I yelled as he stumbled back, holding his bleeding nose. "You were just one jealous asshole who couldn't see how much someone cared about you. Sure, I've fooled around a bit but that's not who I am now. You know why? Because she fucking changed me. She's sweet, and kind, and caring and deserves a whole lot better than you if you ask me."
He came at me and punched my jaw. I bit my lip to stop the blood.
"And I suppose you think that's you?" he asked.
"Sure as hell isn't you," I muttered.
"Go to hell Shawn," he spat as he turned to leave.
"Right behind you pretty boy," I smirked. "I'm right behind you."
That probably got on his nerves.
************
Khalan's POV
"Where's Shayley?" I asked before putting a chicken nugget in my mouth.
"Trying to earn extra credit," Jessica snickered.
Kyle walked in and our eyes met. I immediately looked away. I don't know what hurts more, the fact that he cheated on me or the fact that he can't even man up and face me. Tell me why, or at least apologize. It was killing me. I couldn't move on like this.
"You okay?" Austin asked.
I just nodded, forcing a smile.
"I can still kick his ass you know," he offered.
"No, don't," I warned. "Don't do anything."
Someone occupied the seat next to me. I looked over and saw Shawn with a cut on his lip.
"What the hell happened?" I asked.
"Had a short conversation with your ex," he replied, almost as if it was no big deal.
My eyes drifted to Kyle again and I frowned. There was a small bruise forming on the side of his face. Please tell me these two did not get into some sort of fight.
"This is what he brought to the party," he continued. "After I gave him my gift of course."
He gave a satisfying smirk as Austin fist bumped him and Jessica smiled in approval.
"See this is one of the reasons why I didn't want to tell you what happened," I groaned.
"But you did," he said. "Besides, I was going to find out somehow anyways."
I rolled my eyes. "Did you get into trouble?"
"No," he answered. "Mrs. Andrews left the room before it all went down."
I sighed. "Thanks Shawn, but in the future, don't go beating up people who hurt me. It's not the way I want things done."
"But he deserved it."
"Shawn," I warned.
"Fine," he muttered. "I wont lay another finger on him."
"Thank you," I said with a grateful smile.
Violence wasn't my first option but I was screaming on the inside that he cared this much.