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Bystander

Chapter 7

The next day we didn’t have school. Good thing, too. I wouldn’t have gone anyway.
“Oh. Hey Sarah.” says Ash, as I walk down the stairs.
“Hey” I grumble, still not knowing what to do about Luke and Cal.
“Still worried?” he asks. Awe he genuinely cares.
I sigh. “Yeah.”
“Don’t worry it will all work out sooner or later. I’m about to head to Luke’s. The rest of the boys will be there too. You in?”
“I’m in, but I need to get dressed.” Thank god I brought a change of clothes.
“Okay, but hurry up.”
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When we get to Luke’s the boys are already there. It seems to all be okay because Cal is here. All of a sudden I hear yelling.
“You knew I liked her! Why would you do this to me?” I hear Luke scream.
“I-I-I don’t k-know.” I barely hear Cal whisper. “It was like the heat of the moment.”
Before it goes any further, I open the door and run into the house. I’m horrified by what I see.
I see Luke holding Cal up against the wall by the collar of his shirt. Cal looks like he’s peeing his pants, and Lukes face is so red with anger, he looks like he’s about to explode.
“Stop!” I scream, tears streaming down my face. Luke immediately lets go.
“S-Sarah. I--”
“No, Luke. Just no. Come here Cal.” I say, the tears still falling.
I take Cal into the bathroom to clean him up. He looks like he was crying.
“Sarah, I was so scared.” he whispers. “He’s my best mate, but I was so scared.” he mumbles this time.
“Shh. It’s okay, Cal.” I say hugging him. My tears finally stopped. “What happened?”
“I dont even know. I just got here, and when I walked in he immediately pushed me against the wall, screaming.”
“Oh my god” I say under my breath. “Cal, I don’t know how to say this so i’m just gonna say it. I don’t really like you that way. You're my best mate. I do love you, just not that way. I like Luke.”
He’s quiet for a minute. “That’s what I thought.” he mumbles, turning away and walking back to the living room. I stand there for about 5 minutes until it finally sinks in. He knew I was gonna say that?
I soon follow, but take Luke in the bathroom now.
“What the hell, Luke?!” I growl, as soon as the door closes.
“Sarah, I-I c-can explain.” he says, cowering.
“You better!”
“Cal, knew I liked you. They all know. But when Cal asked you out, I couldn’t help but feel jealous. Cal’s a player. He’d be the best boyfriend for about a week, then dump you like trash. He’s still my best mate, but I know him all too well. I didn’t want to see that happen to you. I just don’t think I could handle it.” By the time he was finished, he had tears rolling down his cheeks.
“I came here to tell Cal that it’s totally over and tell you I love you. That way. But, you seem to have changed my mind about what i came to tell you.” And with that, I sashay out of the bathroom and sit next to Mikey on the couch. A few minutes later, Luke is still in the bathroom. I decide to check on him.
“Luke?” I whisper into the door. He doesn’t answer. Thankfully he didn’t lock the door when I left. I open it and see him in the act of making more cuts. As soon as I see him, I fall to my knees and sob. When I finally contain myself, I look up. He’s still doing it, even though I just opened the door. Wait? He’s mumbling something.
“I love you, but I fucked up.” over and over and over again.
“Luke? Luke, stop!” I scream grabbing the hand that had the blade in it and take the blade, holding it out of his reach.
“No!” He screams over and over, until his screams turn to whispers, and whispers turn to sobs.
“Why, Luke? J-just why?” I whisper.
He jumps up. “WHY? WHAT DO YOU MEAN WHY, SARAH?” He screams. “I FUCKED UP THATS WHY!” Then he slumps back down to the floor. I can tell i’m losing him, from blood loss.
“Luke, how many times did you do this?”
“Too many to count.” He replies sleepily.
“Luke! Stay with me!” I scream, running to get the guys.