Chapter 38
"You would be considered a part-time student if you drop both those classes," the admissions office said uneasily, grabbing the paper Kylan had presented them and his advisor raising his eyebrows, "are you sure that's what you want to do?" "Yes," Kylan replied sternly, "I'm certain."
The advisor glanced at his swollen eye, his bruised face, and his scabbed lip; after a heavy sigh, he signed the page and said, "Bring it to the secretary. They'll let you drop those courses." Kylan stood from his seat, "Thank you."
"Kylan," the advisor called one last time, causing Kylan to turned around and face him with a raised eyebrow. He sighed, "I want to make sure you know that I believe you are making a mistake. The counseling office always welcomes students that are experiencing difficulties"
"Appreciating, but as I've said before, I'm fine. I'll be going now."
"If you change your mind, I'll make them register you back in them."
"That won't be necessary," Kylan replied sternly, "I won't change my mind." He exited the office and made eye contact with Charles, who was leaning beside the door, having waited for him to hear what would be the results.
Kylan nodded his head, and Charles smiled, "It'll do you some good to get away from being around him."
"Yea," Kylan said quietly, "I guess."
"Where do you have to go now?"
"Secretary's office to hand this paper in."
Charles smiled, "Do you want company?"
"No," Kylan declined, "I'll be alright."
"Come on," he pleaded with puppy dog eyes, "I'm sure the company would help you."
Kylan chuckled, "I guess you are right."
They headed to the secretary's office together, Charles attempted to keep Kylan's mind at ease, and when that was done, he announced that he needed to head to class. He departed, waving a hand and marching down the hall, turning to the corner to head to his class. He had dropped both first courses he was taking since Jonah was in both classes, and he did not want to risk another scuffle. The best way to move on and forget is to make his way around him.
However, it did not help that Bradley sat with them during lunch every day and mentioned Jonah here and there and talked about the bruises on his face. Charles, who had started sitting with them more often, was the one that changed the subject or asked him to stop speaking on that politely whenever Bradley said something.
Hence why after lunch, when Bradley and Ella went their own separate way, he complained to Ella, "I don't like that guy."
"Neither do I," she shrugged her shoulders. "But he's been helping Kylan."
"Even so, he's pretty uptight."
She was biting into her apple, "I guess you could say that."
Bradley noticed the apple, and when she was not paying attention, he reached over and snatched the apple from her grasp, taking a large bite and beaming.
Ella gasped and then furrowed her brows, glaring at him, "It was my apple!"
"You steal my food all the time," he hissed, "Deal with it."
"Hey, guys."
They both raised their eyes, and there stood Jonah with an uneasy stare on his face. Instinctively, Ella glared at him, to which Bradley chuckled and took another bite of her apple, "What's up, Jonah?" "I'm great," he then turned to Ella, "how's Kylan?"
"You don't deserve to know that."
Bradley rolled his eyes, "You're being bratty. Just tell the guy."
Ella sharply turned her head to him, "You're supposed to have my back."
"I do," Bradley laughed coolly, "but he literally just asked how he is doing, not asked if he could have sex with him. You need to relax a bit. Kylan's a big boy."
Jonah was hoping Bradley's speech was working, which eventually did, Ella rolling her eyes and turning back to Jonah with a scoff, "He still has a few bruises, but they'll heal soon."
"I'm happy to hear that. Why wasn't he in class this morning?"
"He dropped those courses," Bradley said, to which Ella slammed her palm into his stomach, causing him to yelp, "I didn't know it was a secret."
"You don't exactly tell the person that is the reason why they dropped the course, that they dropped the course," she snarled, "it's common sense."
"You know what, Ella? You've had a pretty bratty attitude lately."
"Give me back my apple," she spat, reaching for the apple only for him to raise his hand further away, causing her to growl at him and turn away. They had forgotten Jonah was standing in front of them, and he did not know yet of their relationship. That was how they communicated most of the time, which caused her to clear her throat, but thankfully Jonah had not been paying attention.
He turned to Ella and said, "He dropped those courses because of me."
"Which I think is stupid, but-" when Jonah started walking, ignoring all the words she was saying, she raised an eyebrow as they both watched him storm down the hall, clinging to his backpack. Bradley shook his head, "He's going to talk to Kylan for sure."
Jonah stormed through the halls, racing past individuals before reaching what he knew was Kylan's first afternoon class. He glanced inside but frowned when he did not find Kylan in there yet. Although the class had not started, Kylan usually went to his class early, but it was not until he saw him walking down the hallway, cackling with Charles, that he understood what was occurring. Even so, he did not want to hurt Kylan any longer, but this was a conversation they needed to have. Hence, when they made eye contact, Kylan froze on the spot. Jonah approached them, and Charles also grew a bit anxious as he saw Jonah heading their way. As Charles saw him step closer, he hurriedly said goodbye to Kylan and twirled on his heels, stomping the other direction. Kylan still felt a bit afraid to be in Jonah's presence but was too paralyzed in fear to attempt to sprint in the other direction.
Jonah sighed when he finally came close enough to speak and said, "Can we talk?" Kylan instinctively rapidly shook his head, avoiding Jonah's eye contact since he knew those navy eyes would get to him. Until his quivering voice said, "Kylan, please."
That was how they ended up in a locked, dark classroom that was not being used at that moment. Kylan grabbed a seat near the door while Jonah remained standing, and once the door was shut behind them, a heavy tense silence fell between them. There was quite some tension, Jonah avoiding staring at Kylan's face since all the injuries he had caused were evident. However, he had a deep care for Kylan, one that he had wished went away after the first time they met, but it had not.
After a few minutes, he finally spoke, "How are you?"
Kylan gulped, stressfully exhaling a short breath before whispering, "Fine."
Jonah nodded his head slowly; he should not have expected anything more. He stepped forward, "Look, Kylan. I don't want you to ruin your life because of me."
He knew what he was talking about, and Kylan shook his head, "I need to move on."
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"I agree with you, but you should've told me. I don't need either of those courses, Kylan. I'll drop them. Please, register back into them." Kylan did not respond, turned away, but Jonah continued, "As much as you hate me, I still care, and I'm in love with you. I don't want to see your life tumbling because of me. I'm dropping the courses today before school ends. Register back into them."
"I don't want to."
"Why not?"
Kylan shrugged his shoulders, "I'm thinking of taking this semester off anyways."
Jonah felt his heart crumple, his lips beginning to quiver. It was his fault all those thoughts were rushing through Kylan's head, and he shook his head, "Don't do that, Ky."
"It'll help me move on."
"If you need move on that badly," Jonah raised his tone, "then I'll quit school. I don't need school. It's a nuisance. Please, I'll do anything for you—"
"Anything?" Kylan breathed.
Jonah rapidly nodded his head, "Yes, anything."
After a short pause, Kylan hissed, "Then why don't you jump off a bridge?" When a silence engulfed the room, it was only for a short moment until Kylan said, "Or just jump in front of a truck?" "I'm sorry, Kylan."
"Say that to my black eye," Kylan sprung to his feet, attempting to reach the door, and Jonah rushed to him as well, pressing his palm against the door to keep it shut.
"I'm only doing this to help you." When he faced him, he realized that sweat began to drip at the sides of Kylan's head. His lips were quivering, his fingers were trembling, and he could barely move. That was when he realized, Kylan was scared of him. It was evident, the anxiety beginning to eat him alive as he stood near Jonah; he was afraid it would happen again.
Jonah pulled away from the door and allowed Kylan to exit. It was certainly over between them; there was no going back.