~Vic’s POV
After I shoved, lovingly, Kellic in the car, I got into the drivers side and started the car. We drove in silence for a couple minutes before I put a CD on.
“I’m so mad at myself. For given in, to what I want...” The song played through filling the air of my car with music. Although the lyrical content may have been a little odd for the situation, I didn’t really mind. I just quietly head-banged in my seat and looked over at Kellin every so often. He was turned towards the window, curled up in his seat.
When we pulled into the Walmart parking lot, I pulled into the parking lot but left the car on.
“You know this is where we first met.” I said, looking out the window.
“Really?” Kellin didn’t move from his position.
“Yeah, Alex told me you weren’t gay.” I smiled at the memory, and the idea of Kellin being straight was pretty funny.
“Well I wasn’t at the time.”
“People don’t change sexuality Kells. You are whatever sexuality you are, but yours was just suppressed.” Was that too harsh?
“I guess.” God Kellin, please work with me here.
“Ok, you are coming in with me. Get out.” I took the keys from the ignition and got out, walking over to the passenger side door and opening it.
“I don’t want to.” Kellin said, his head curled into his chest.
“Well that sucks for you because you are getting out anyways, weather you like it or not. If I have to carry you I will.” I was leaning down to get him out of the car when he stopped me.
“Don’t touch me.” Kellin stood up and got out of the car himself.
“Kellin, please talk to me. Why are you suddenly so angry with me? I don’t understand…” He just continued to walk into the store. For the next twenty minutes, I basically trailed behind Kellin as he wandered around the store. I wasn’t sure exactly how many of us there would be tonight, so I just picked up as much food and drink as I could. Chips and dip, for the normal people. I would probably just want something with nothing in it so diet soda and veggies. And I also got multiple boxes of hot chocolate and toaster waffles and syrup for morning food. As well as coffee. So all in all, too much food for a night and possibly morning that was going to be very very long.
Kellin didn’t ask anything our whole trip. He just wandered and looked kind of distraught the whole time. He was being oddly quiet and kept scratching and rubbing his arms and legs. Hopefully not for the reasons that I suspected. I prayed to god it wasn’t for anything other than being cold. After I payed, I noticed that Alex wasn’t working. Maybe he would be there tonight...Once we were both out of the store, I unloaded all our crap into my car, got Kellin in and buckled and got in myself. The drive to Sydney and Allyson’s house was short and I was wondering about the parking rule of now cars anywhere near the house. I really didn’t want to carry all this shit from eight blocks away though. But I could just drive the car somewhere after we unloaded everything.
I pulled into the drive was and noticed a few lights on inside.
“Kellin, you can-” But he was already out of the car and walking inside. “Go in…” So I was left alone to take all this food inside. I was both excited and nervous for tonight. Not because I thought it would go badly, but just because we hadn’t had to have one of these in a really long time. So with ten bags on my arms, I waddled my way to the front door, banging on it with my foot until and half dressed Allyson came to the door.
“Hey Vic.” She said in her sweet sing-song voice.
“Hey Ally. Mind helping me with this. Kellin isn’t of much help.” She opened the door wide enough for me to see Kellin laying on the ground, his face on Sydney’s lap.
‘That little slut.” I whispered angrily and I stepped inside. Allyson put her hand on my arm and led me to the kitchen.
“He’s real fucked up Vic. I’m not sure what his deal is.” She whispered.
“Well we will find out tonight won’t we?” At this point, the two of us were unpacking and putting away food as well as looking for plates, cups and spoons.
“Hopefully.” She responded.
“So who all is coming tonight anyways?” I was really hoping I got enough food.
“You, me, Sydney, Kellin, Andy, CC, Ashley, Jake and Jinxx. Your brother, Jaime, Tony, Austin, Alan, Alex, Jack, and...um, Jayy is coming too.”
“WHAT?! You are bringing Jayy over?! You know Mike is gonna kill him right?” WHo’s idea was it to bring him here?
“That’s precisely why Austin and most of the other guys are coming. If we need back up, they are here. Also, if tonight is going to be as effective as we would like it to be, we need our entire group, and I mean anyone who anyone could have a problem with.”
“I guess your right. But I don’t like it.” I said the last part softer.
“You remember how these things worked in-”
“Yes of course I remember. How could I forget?” And our conversation was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. I stayed in the kitchen while all our “guests” filed into the house and into the living room. Everyone was here, even Jayy, but more than half of them had no idea what was going on. And that was when Sydney and Allyson got on the table.
“Okay, hi guys. I know you are probably all wondering why you are here. And it is mostly because you are all stupid little bitches who don’t know how to work out problems, but that is why we are here.” So subtle Syd.
“I would like everyone to sit in a circle on the floor and I am going to explain the rules. Tonight's objective is very simple, clear the air and work out the problems that you guys are having with each other. Sydney and I are going to help that process along, but there are a few rules that need to be explained. First off, we are not trained professionals. That has to be said for legal reasons, in case someone decided to be a dick. Second, one person talks at a time. If you interrupt someone, there are two options. Either they get to slap you as hard as they choose, or Sydney or I get to slap you as hard as you deserve. Simple. If you are a bitch to someone for no reason, we have plenty of pair of handcuffs in this house, and we will handcuff you to that person. Thirdly, fighting starts, someone is going to kick your ass and then you will sit naked on the floor. Lastly, no one leaves until this is over. I don’t care what your reason is, you will not be allowed to leave if you value your acceptance into this friend circle. Clear?” Everyone responded with either a nod or a groan. You never really see, or hear Allyson talk to much. I was kind of proud of her.
“Oh and everyone needs to turn out pockets and hand over cell phones. Your phone goes into this basket, and anything else, goes into this box.” Sydney and Allyson sent around the box and basket and both began to fill with things. I sat myself next to Kellin and Sydney and Allyson took seats next to their boyfriends.
“So who wants to go first? I can see it on all of your faces, that either you hate someone in this room or you really don’t want to be here. And that faster you talk, the faster you can leave. So someone say something.” Sydney said. Mike was the first to speak.
“Jayy needs to kill himself.” Jayy was just looking at his hands.
“Andy. My nightstand, in the drawer.” Sydney said to Andy as he stood and disappeared upstairs. “Mike is a bitch, and now you get to spend some quality time with Jayy here.” Sydney said menacingly. Andy returned moments later with three pairs of handcuffs.
“Damn girl.” Alan said, not meaning for it come come out so loud as it did.
“Thanks Alan. A girl can never have too many.” She winked as she proceeded to handcuff my brother to Jayy.
“This is bullshit and you know it, crazy bi-” But she slapped him. Sydney got up in Mike’s face.
“Listen here you little shit. You are in my house now. And I have plenty of things to hit you with in my bedroom, so I suggest you work it out.” She stood back up. “Mike and Jayy are our first story for tonight. I would like each of you to tell your side of the story, and we can work it out from there. Jayy, you can go first. Why does Mike hate you?” Jayy was nearly crying now.
“Because I nearly killed his brother. Vic, I know what I did hurt you and I have done everything I can to make it right. I left Jeffree because of what he and I were doing to you. I have changed so much because of what we did to you. I’m really sorry and I know there is nothing that I can do to change what I did. But if it makes any difference, he hurt me too...and I will never forgive myself for letting it all go so far.” Jayy actually was crying now and I felt bad for the guy. He was basically hated by most people and he never even did anything that bad. Jeffree dragged him along for a lot of it. I didn’t hate Jayy, I was afraid of him. But seeing him like this, he wasn’t someone I should be afraid of. So what I did surprised me more than anyone else. I stood up, walked over to Jayy and hugged him.
“Mike, don’t you hurt him bitch!” Mike snarled.
“Can I please hit him?” I asked.
“Would you like something to hit him with?” Sydney asked.
“No, I’m good.” And I slapped him. “Man have I wanted to do that for a long time. Mike, if I can forgive Jayy, why can’t you?”
“Because I had to find you on your floor that night because of what he did. I held you in a pool of your own blood with ten inch gashes down your arms because of him! Do you-” But I cut him off.
“But Mike, you aren’t the one who tried to kill yourself. That was me. Fucking me! I tried to kill myself. And now, I know that wasn’t the right thing to do and that it hurt you more than I understand. But if that is the case, you should be angry with me and not him.”
“Well said.” Went around the room, coming from a few different people.
“But I don’t want to be angry with you.”
“You were angry with Jayy, what’s the difference?” Allyson asked.
“The difference is my being angry with Jayy wouldn’t make him try to kill himself! My being angry with my brother might!” Jayy coughed at this.
“You're wrong.” He said under his breath.
“Jayy, no one is going to hurt you here. You are safe. You can tell us.” Sydney said cooly.
“You’re wrong Mike.”
“About what? My brother of you?” Mike responded angrily.
“Me. I’m sure you didn’t hear about it. Or maybe you did, but once you started hating me, everyone else followed. And not that anyone here cares to know, but my ex was abusive and not just in one way. And dealing with that, long before everyone hated me at school, was hard enough. But once school stopped being safe, I didn’t want to do it anymore.” Oh my god. “So I tried to hang myself. Not that you would care.” The room was silent.
“Jayy…” Someone said softly.
“It’s fine now.” He said rubbing his arms.
“Jeffree did it to you, didn’t he?” This was the first time Kellin had spoken up.
“Yeah...how would you know?” Silence.
“Because he did it to me too.”