I'll Keep A Secret If You Keep Me Guessing

Jack's p.o.v.

I walked into school without Alex.

Fuck him.

I can't believe what happened yesterday - it was still fresh in my mind. I held onto every single word. I did something I thought I'd never do again.

Relapsed.

All up my arms and thighs. Every cut was a reminder of every word he said to me. Every single little word that sent daggers to my heart.

~~~

School was really weird today, because Danny and Drake weren't saying anything to me. They actually left me alone, but the few glared were still there. I was actually relieved.

I was walking out of school late, going over to the bike shed.

So maybe I used Alex's old bike to go to school with so I didn't have to face the stares as long as I would if I was walking. Even though I was a little embarrassed, as no one - who I knew of - in my year used a bike to school. Even if they did, it probably would've been a really expensive one, instead of a rusty one I was using.

As I got to the bike shed, I saw a body sat down, back and head leaning against it. His head was rolled to the side and had blood dripping down his nose and head.

I was hesitant at first, but I jogged over to the body. And when I got there, I couldn't believe my eyes.

Rian was covered in bruises, cuts, burn marks. On his forehead, the words: "I've got HIV because I'm gay" was sprawled across his forehead in what looked like felt tip pen.

"Oh, shit, Rian!" I yelled, remembering he was sat there, in pain, instead of scowling at the words on his head.

I crouched down to his side in worry and shock, wanting to help my friend. He looked at me with tears in his eyes, making a sting at the back of mine.

"Who did this? Never mind, let's get you home and cleaned up." I moved his arm around my shoulders, holding onto his waist as I helped him stand up. He appeared to have a hurt leg, and I wanted to punch whoever did this to him.

I ditch my - Alex's - bike, as it had a lock and was locked to the poll, I didn't need to worry about it.

~~~

I managed to get limping Rian home safely, and helped him inside. As he got in, he told me to shush. I nodded, and quietly helped him upstairs, managing to just dodge his singing mum in the kitchen.

Getting him to the bathroom, I closed the toilet seat and let him sit on top of it.

I instantly grabbed some toilet roll, wetting it with warm water, then applying it on Rian's head, which he winced at.

"I know, Ri. I'm sorry." I sighed sadly, frowning.

Rian let tears spill out after I finally got rid of the pen on his head. We were in his room, and I held onto him as he cried into my shirt.

Such a sweet, nice, amazing boy got hurt so badly. He doesn't deserve this, not in a million years. He deserves the whole world, because he's the nicest guy Jack has ever met. He's the one that offered a place for me to stay when I ran away from Alex. He's the one I proudly stood up for. He's the one I wanted to stay with, but Alex pulled me away from him.

Even though we barely got the time to know each other, Rian is my best friend. My first real best friend that's not ashamed of me.

"Hey, shh, stop crying. I'm always gonna be here for you, Rian, okay?" I pouted, giving his back a soft rub. He looked up at me, and broke a smile.

"Really?" He asked in shock, which I was slightly confused about, because I thought he would've known that.

"Yeah, I promise you that, Dawson." I smiled back at him, then got serious. "Who did this to you?" I frowned, trying to keep my anger in. It wouldn't help any of us. Rian took a breath, looking down.

"Drake and the new kid." He mumbled, sniffing. Ugh, fuck those assholes. I was beyond angry, and I'm quite sure nothing could make me anymore angry than right now.

"Why?! Why would they do this to you?" I threw my hands up, before running my fingers through my hair to try and calm myself down, because I knew I was gonna end up scaring Rian.

"If I told you, you'd kill him." Him? So it was someone else as well? I'm sure I could never win in a fight, but with this anger, I knew I could throw a punch.

"I won't, just tell me." I breathed calmly, giving Rian a reassuring smile. He looked worried as he lifted his head to look at me. Taking a gulp, he finally spat it out.

"Alex. He told them I was a f-faggot." He started crying again.

Alex, you son of a bitch.

Fuck being calm, I'm going to kill that motherfucker.

"I'm gonna go sort some... business out. Be safe, yeah?" I said too quickly getting up. Rian grabbed my wrist, making he yelp in pain. He quickly let go, looking at me in horror. I gave him an apologetic look.

"Jack pleas-"

"Mrs Dawson! Rian's hurt!" I yelled twice, before booting out the room. As I ran down the corridor, Mrs Dawson ran into me. I said he was in his room, crying, and that I had to go.

Exiting Rian's house, I scrawled. You better prepare yourself for a mouthful, Alex.

~~~

Getting home, I opened and slammed the front door, looking around to find Alex wasn't downstairs. I then stomped up the stairs, throwing Alex's door open.

He sat with that stupid fucking laptop.

"You are one disgusting, vile piece of shit." I growled each word at him, glaring at him. He furrowed his eyebrows, placing his laptop aside and sat up.

"What?" He asked, looking at me was a confused look. Oh no you fucking don't.

"Don't act like you don't know, Alex, because I'm sure you fullly well know." I angrily spat, moving into his room and slamming his door shut. He jumped at the sound of the door closing. Good, he deserves to be scared, the lying twat.

"Jack, what are you even on about?" Alex sounded annoyed, stiffening his face, clenching his jaw shut. Don't play this fucking game with me, asshole.

"Does telling Drake and Danny Rian is a "faggot" sound a motherfucking bell inside your pathetic little head?" I raged, pointing to my head to emphasise.

Fear shot across his face, and his mouth opened and closed.

"Rian got the living shit beaten out of him today. He was sitting against the bike shed, blood, fucking blood and bruises all over his face along with a nasty, sickening comment written on his head. I hope you're proud of what you did, you ignorant, stupid fuck!" I yelled at him.

"I didn't mean to! In case you didn't know, I fucking save your ass from those bastards!" He yelled back, grabbing a hold of the bed sheet, making his knuckles white.

"Oh, don't try and act like your not with them, Alex. You're the one that made Rian's life a living hell, and I witnessed it! That poor boy has no friends whatsoever because of yours and Zack's lame ass shit. Clap clap for you Gaskarth for making that boy suffer, clap fucking clap." I sarcastically clapped loudly, and he shot up off the bed.

"Don't bring Zack into this." He growled, his fist yet again clenched, placed at his sides.

"Fuck off." I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Why don't you fuck off to your pussy daddy, and start being the boy who was afraid of everything, because you're really pissing me the fuck off with your loud ass mouth!" Alex yelled, grabbing something off the side and threw it at me. I didn't care what it was though, because yet again, Alex managed to defeat me and make me cry.

"Jack, I'm sorry. I didn't...I didn't mean to." He came up to me, trying to hug me, but I pushed his chest, running off crying like I always fucking did.

Notes

Sorry I didn't update yesterday. No internet :| Yes, there should be a sequel, but it won't be up straight after this finishes as I have to think of a plot and stuff :3 I kinda know what I want doing.

RIAN!!!