The Cheerleader And The Nerd

Chapter 21

‘’Oh please!’’ Kyle exclaimed, letting out a bitter laugh. ‘’You know the freak’s name? This is even more hilarious.’’

‘’Kyle, for the love of all that’s holy, shut the fuck up!’’ I yelled out, as I took Jayden’s face in my hands. When his eyes seemed to not focus, I yelled at a group of frightened freshman students towards the front. ‘’Call the nurse. Now!’’

One of the boys nodded, and scurried away just as I heard a loud gasp and several shouts of Jayden’s name. I looked back, seeing Ryan, Darren, Brooke and the other brunette all hurrying towards us.

‘’Darren, Ryan, help him up! Please!’’ I practically begged as his eyes drooped once. I lightly slapped the left – uninjured – side of his face. ‘’Jayden, stay with me. Look at me. Focus!’’

I moved out of the way as Darren and Ryan each grabbed one side of Jayden’s shoulders and slowly pulled him up. He let out a few grunts and groans but didn’t lose conscious or anything. That, I was thankful for. Wasn’t it better for the person to stay conscious just in case of a concussion? I wasn’t taking any chances with Jayden.

‘’Out of my way, out of my w- Oh my!’’ Nurse Jackie gasped, taking one look at Jayden and rushing forward, the swarm of students parting for her like the Red Sea. ‘’We have to take him to the infirmary immeaidately.’’

Ryan and Darren helped Jayden, well more like half and half carried him. Brooke, the brunette I still didn’t know, and I followed behind them, my hands automatically patting my cheeks to make sure they weren’t damp.

Once we got to the infirmary, Jayden was placed in one of the two beds there. Nurse Jackie ushered us all out to the waiting room while she tended to Jayden, saying she needed to make sure if his wounds were too bad that Jayden would have to go to the hospital.  I was sincerely hoping he wouldn’t have to go. Sitting on the plastic chair, I couldn’t help it as the dam finally broke loose and I burst into tears, the tears flowing down my rosy cheeks like a endless waterfall.

I buried my face in my hands in guilt and shame.

This was my entire fault.

All my fucking fault.

It was because of me that Kyle and his friends attacked Jayden. God forbid, if I hadn’t been there… I covered my mouth as a sob broke through. What they could have done? What lengths was Kyle willing to go to?

Now I was one hundred perfect sure, he wasn’t right in the head.

No sane person did shit like this.

A pair of arms squeezed my shoulders in comfort, and I looked up to see it was Brooke. She gave me a wobbly smile which I couldn’t even return as I just hid my face back in my hands.

‘’All my fucking fault, all my fault…’’ I mumbled through my wet lips, over and over again.

‘’Honey, it wasn’t your fault,’’ she murmured, rubbing my back.

‘’Yes it was,’’ I said, looking straight in her eyes. ‘’Kyle only beat him up because he thought Jayden was stealing me from him. As twisted as he is, his motive was clear. Jayden got beat up because of me. Me! It was intended to be a warning to stay the hell away from me.’’

She stayed silent after that, only sitting next to me, and soothingly rubbing my back. She probably didn’t have anything to say back to that. Perhaps, she too hated me now. I wouldn’t blame her, to be honest. I was the reason for her one of her best friend’s distress. They’d all be better off without me.

A few more minutes later, I heard quick footsteps. I looked up, blurry eyed to see our principal, a good friend of my father’s actually, headed out way. Mr. Schmitt was a short man, probably only 5’5 at the most with a balding head and beady charcoal like eyes. You could always catch him in a different tie each day. Today it was yellow with blue polka dots.