la's

ymore as I closed my eyes, when sud

, Aaron attacked him from behind. Ian tumbled to the floor

nees gave out, and I dropped to the floor. Ian... h

less. He approached, his gaze filled wi

ast, too terrifying to bear. Aaron pulled me into his arms, like h

oaking his shirt, all the fear I'd been bottling up finally spilling out. He didn't say much-didn't have

his jacket around me in one swif

ake. And that's what scared me. If he ever found out the truth, wo

of worry, dragging me out of my

t of Ian, lying there, helpless. My chest tightened as I remembered how close I had com

me like I was so precious to him. When we reached the school entrance,

u, Aaron,

get checked o

Resting at home is enough for me. But, you

th a wince but still offered me a smile. "Make s

waited until I was settled

lt gnawed at me for leaving him like that. Immediat

ew he was taking the school bus, but the school

met mine, there was a flicker of hesitation. He wasn

"You're not going home

nt smile crossed his battere

d the air out of my chest. His face was battered, bruises dark against his ski

brushing his cheek as gently as I could. He winced, a reminder

hurt th

have to worry so much

errupted our conversat

home first,

river replied befor

me to my house first.

ust a small cut,

p with how damn stubborn he w

ring it. I'm going to treat you, no arguments.

moment later. I got out fast a

dark brown leather sofa in the livin

tom drawer by the sink where the first aid kit was always kept. My fingers y

ees in front of him and flipped the kit open on the table. "This might

more than I wanted them to and the closeness made it i

muttered, finally breaking the silen

otect you," he said sof

pered, pressing the bandage on the wound on his b

smile. "I'm fine. These bruises don't mean

our eyes met, the re

d, air catching in my throat. It wasn't harsh,

ron