rise above it all

Michelle froze in her spot, hearing his words and knowing the reason he was really here. He was the last person she wanted to know about her situation, and what she was dealing with. Not that she didn’t trust him, but she didn’t want him to worry and only be around her for this reason. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath, thinking of a way to approach this situation she was in, and knew she wasn’t getting out. “You’re not gonna let this go, are you..?” she said, in a low voice. “I don’t know what to say right now. There’s no point in trying to hide it…I just didn’t think anyone would find out about this.” she took a moment, with a million things running through her head at that moment. “I don’t know what to say, Cole…I mean, I think you can guess what’s going on, and I’m not gonna lie and say that’s what it is…He’s not just bothering me, it’s more than that, and I can’t control it. After you left, he was hard on me. He feels that he has no competition now.  He left the school, and considering I’m eighteen…it’s nothing to be trouble for. As much as I want to leave it, I can’t…he has his ways of making me stay with him.” she said. She thought about all the threats he’s done, as well as the forcing of things in order to keep what they had. It made her want to break down, but she was refusing to do so in front of him, especially someone she cared about more than anything. She just knew he wasn’t going to leave until he knew, and at this point, she was tired of holding it in. “I don’t know what to do…And, I really don’t want you to see me like this, and have to deal with this…I hate it..”

He could tell that this was hard for her to talk about, and he knew deep down that he had no real place to bring it up, but if she was in danger he had to say something. He had to do something. Not matter what had happened between them, he still found himself wanting to keep her safe, and he doubted if that would ever change. She deserved to be happy, and even if it wasn't with him, he was going to make sure that it happened. No mater what it took. No matter the pain it could potentially cause him. "No. You can't expect me to... So please, don't ask me to let it go." He replied honestly, knowing that going behind her back would only do more harm than good. "Y-You told me to leave, Michelle. And I get it, that's fine, so maybe the sick fuck has no competition or whatever his twisted mind has imagined up, but you still have people who want to help. You weren't always eighteen. You weren't always of age. He -- He took advantage of you, and he's still trying to do it now." Cole looked down and took a breath. He hated the idea of anyone doing such a thing to her. Not thinking in the moment, he reached his hand out and placed it on top of hers, squeezing lightly. "You don't have to go through it on your own. You still -- You still have me." 

She watched as he sat in front of her, feeling nervous about what he had to say, but tried to remain calm. “I don’t know what there is to talk about..” she trailed off, putting down her pencil, and sitting up, looking at him. “But, go ahead…I guess..”

He didn't really know how to approach the subject, it had always been a bit of a sour one between the two, and had caused a few problems for them in the past. He had just gotten back, and they were still on shaky ground, but he couldn't just ignore it. Any anger he had was now gone, and all that was left in it's place was concern. "Uh, I don't really know how to say this, but the other day in class when I was sitting behind you, I know you got a text and I know who it was from... I'd rather not mention his name because even the thought of him makes me want to track his ass down and get rid of him. And trust me, if I didn't have a family to worry about then I would have done it a long time ago." He stopped and took a calming breath, realizing how worked up he was getting, but he he couldn't help it. For as long as he had known her he'd had this overwhelming need to keep her safe. "You seemed scared... I don't want you to be scared. I still care about you, Michelle. Maybe a little more than I should, but that can't really be helped. As much as I wish they would, my feelings aren't going to just magically disappear. --Is he bothering you?"

"Is there a reason you chose the one room in this school where I’m at? I just wanted to be here alone…"

"Yeah, actually," he nods, walking further into the room before taking the seat in front of her. With a sigh, he looks at her, dreading the conversation that they're about to have. "I came to see you. We need to talk."

I’m pretty sure, you’re the one who scared me in the library the other day, Cole.

l still think you're thinking of someone else, but I'll take it. I'm sorry that I scared you. 

“Boo! I seriously scared you! Ha! Pay back!”

Oh yeah, you got me good. Consider me terrified. Hang on, payback for what? Are you sure you're not thinking of someone else? 

I was joking and said ‘I’m a princess’ and my daughter corrected me that she was THE princess.

Laying down the law already, huh? How old is she? 

Yeah, because I really needed you but instead, I spent most of my trip brooding under my sheets and being insulted by a girl every time I step out of my empty hotel room. Cole, I didn’t call you because I had to find out a day later that you didn’t come on the trip so I thought you didn’t want to talk to me. Well, you kind of were a dick these past few weeks but…I’m not afraid of calling myself a dick too because I am. A giant dick. But that’s why you’re an okay guy. God, make that twenty problems for twenty and you got yourself a deal. Shut up, I’m still mad at you and I will never forgive you — but maybe I’ve missed you too and I don’t want to go through any of this alone anymore without my best friend.

Well, I'm sorry. I'm sorry that you needed me and that I wasn't there for you. I was selfish and I can't take it back but I'm here now and I don't plan on leaving again any time soon. Who insulted you? And why? Usually you're like...everyone's favorite. Didn't want to talk to you? Come on, I know you are one a lot of the time but don't be an idiot. You're making me get really soppy now. I don't even get this soppy with girls -- I sometimes think we act like more than friends. And we are. You're like a brother to me and I never want you to think that you can talk to me. I don't know if I have twenty current ones, but I can list off some old ones just so I can hear all of yours. --Yeah, well, I'll never forgive you for stealing my baseball cards so I guess we're even now. And you're not alone. So stop thinking that you are. Now, are you going to tell me what's going on? Maybe start with the smallest thing and work your way up. If you get too overwhelmed then I'll throw in whiskey and strippers after the first ten. Just don't tell your girlfriend because she can be scary when she's mad. 

I guess that’s true…I mean, sometimes it’s something you can’t exactly move away from, no matter how hard you try. It’s always apart of you, whether you like it or not. It’s something that just stays with you, as much as you wish you could move on…you can’t. There’s nothing…I-I don’t know…You don’t have to continue standing here, or I can just leave..

Look, Michelle...it's really good to see you. It is. But after how we ended things I just don't really know how to be around you...right now. I mean, I'm surprised that you're even standing here talking to me. You made it perfectly clear that you had no interest and that's alright -- I'm a big boy and I'll get over it. I just didn't expect it to hurt this much and I didn't expect seeing you again to be this hard. So, I'm sorry that I'm not exactly being there nicest person in the world right now, but I just don't know how to act with you any more, because things have changed. I still just want you to be happy. That's all I want. So no hard feelings or anything, I'll get over it eventually. And if you wanted then maybe we could at least try to be friends. But if you don't then I'll understand.

I get you had your own stuff and that’s okay because half the town had their own shit these last few weeks but could’ve called. Hell, I waited for a roommate and best friend that wasn’t even going to show up. — Just…—just shut up, okay? I’m just angry and you’re supposed to call me the dick and other stuff but whatever, just stop. You’re okay for a dick. How about a problem for a problem, for old times sake. And shut up, I hate you.

I know. I should have called, and I was going to but then you were all away on some trip and I just assumed that you'd be having a good time. You could have called me, you know. Works both ways. Yeah, well...figured I've called you a dick enough over the years so it's probably about time it was the other way around. How about five for five? I have more than one...may even have to stretch it to ten. You keep telling yourself that but we both know that you're happy to see me. I missed you, alright? Couldn't go it alone without my best friend. 

I guess this is me trying to continue to lie and hoping you could believe it like the past two weeks you did, Cole. And I fucking hate the word ‘peachy’, god damn it. — A lot of things happened, though but I wouldn’t think you cared, right?

Are you serious right now? Look, I didn't even know anything was going on with you and you should know by now that if I did, I would have been here. I got out of town to deal with my own shit and suddenly I don't care? That's great, Jonah. Nice to know what you really think of me. I mean, it's not like I've been there through everything else. So you're right -- I'm the dick. I'm the bad guy. I'm sorry. And peachy probably hates you too, but you still used it and I'm not going to let you live it down. 

I guess that's just life, huh? Nothing ever goes the way we want it to and all we can really do about that is accept it and move on. There's no point thinking about the past because when you do you just get stuck there. Nice...yeah. I, uh -- Is there something that you wanted form me? 'Cause I don't really know what to say...

There’s always bad that’s somehow in the good. You can’t control that, but that doesn’t always mean that they’re fully bad. Some things happen, and it may look like that. Cole…don’t say that…I-I was just…I don’t know, honestly. I thought you left for good, so…I’m just surprised that you’re actually here..

No, it just means you get hurt no matter how hard you try. Don't say what? The last time we spoke you told me to go away so please don't try to act like it affected you in any way. I had some family stuff to take care of and now that's...gone. My home is here. My best friend is here. They're the reasons I came back. 

Yeah, well....that's Lynwood for you. Even the things you think are good have a habit of biting you in the ass. --Hi. You can take back that almost welcome back now and pretend we didn't see one another. We wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea now, would we? 

There’s always stuff happening around Lynwood, so you probably missed a lot.

I actually regret asking now so it's probably best that you don't fill me in. I'm sure I'll know everything by the end of the school day. Melrose has not changed a bit, though I never really expected it to. Just kind of hoped that it would.