Chapter 22: Chapter 22

Ethan's POV

I sit in the last row of the history class, anxiously looking at the doors with my textbook and assignment notebook sitting on the nearby chair, the chair near the window. Students pour into the class like colonies of ants, each one taking seat at their respective chairs along with their partner.

The class fills in no time and I sigh looking down at my feet. I had a little hope that Michael will come today. But now I lost it. He isn't going to come. How could I expect him to class after yesterdays events ?

Yesterday he got hurt badly. We beat him almost to death. we were about to go out for a party when he jumped in front of us. I actually didn't want to go but I couldn't say 'No' as I already avoided two parties last week.

I was the first one to notice Michael. I prayed they won't see him and he'll walk away quickly. But things happened against my wish. Michael wasn't observing his surroundings. He was walking very slowly, looking down at the ground. And unfortunately Amelia correctly noticed him.

I didn't sleep yesterday night. I know Michael would never forgive me for this. And I don't deserve forgiveness.

But I was actually trying to help him. I honestly didn't want to hurt him. Kevin was beating him with such a force that I was afraid he would get his eyes or ears permanently injured. That is why I interrupted Kevin.

I only had the intention to somehow save the boy. But he was being too much stubborn. He could have simply agreed to do the work instead of taking all those beats. I pleaded him but he didn't agree.

When I beat him the second time, I could see his dizzy eyes rolling backward. I was sure he'd pass out with one more slap. So I brought the last slap hard on his cheek and he passed out. That was the only way I found to help him. They would leave him alone, only if he lose consciousness.

" Guys, he passed out.", I turned and said to them, holding his body firmly to the car's bonet, so that he won't fall down.

Tony sighed. " What to do now ?"

" Let's take him to hospital.", I said.

" Hospital? Are you mad ?", Amelia asked. " Just leave him there. He would get back his consciousness after sometime."

" Yeah..C'mon, let's go.", Kevin said. " Move him from there.", he said and walked towards the driver's seat of the Mercedes. Apparently it was his car.

Though Amelia has a car, she rarely brings it to college. Kevin is the one who picks her from home everyday and drop her back at home. Tony and Sophia are staying at dorm but they aren't roommates.

" If something happens to him, we'll be in trouble.", I said.

" Nothing will happen to him. ", Sophia sighed. " And Tony will take care if there's some problem. C'mon now..we are getting late to party."

" I'll take him to the nurse then. ", I said and took Michael into my arms after taking his bag from his shoulder and hauling it on my back. His lips were bleeding and his left cheek was bright red with a bruise just under his eyes.

" Hey ! Don't do foolishness.", Tony almost yelled.

" Guys, look he passed out. And I'm the one responsible for this. He passed out when I beat him. I don't want something serious to happen to him and I obviously don't want to go to jail.", I said.

" Ethan..you're crazy.", Amelia shook her head in annoyance. " Just drop that thing somewhere already. Yuck !", she said pointing at Michael who was lying in my arms, close to my chest.

" No. I'm taking him to Nurse.", I said and started walking with him.

" Hey ! What are you doing ? You're being stupid.", Kevin yelled, rolling down the window of his car.

" You all don't need to worry. I'll take the whole responsibility of this.", I shouted back and walked.

" oh fuck Ethan ! Are you coming to Party ?", Amelia screamed.

"No need to wait for me. Send me the address. I'll come if possible.", I yelled back and continued walking. I heard all of them cursing and growling as I walked away.

Michael opened his eyes before I reached the nurse. I was then walking through the empty corridors of Biology department, leading to our small clinic.

Michael looked at me through half lidded eyes and then smiled. I stopped walking and looked at him confused. He parted his bleeding lips. "Alex..f...finally..I- I reached..", he paused and opened his eyes wide. "NO ! Ethan, p..put me down.", he yelled looking around.

"Michael, I- I'm taking you to the nurse.", I said as he squirmed in my arms. "Please..I'm trying to help you."

" Enough with your help. Put me d..down.", he said furiously and squirmed out of my arms, hitting the hard floor and groaning in pain.

" Michael..Are you okay ? I'm sorry.", I said.

" G...Get lost.", he growled sitting up and leaning to the wall of the corridor whilst biting hard on his already bleading bottom lip.

" Michael...please..."

" Leave.", he yelled furiously. I didn't utter a word after that. I turned and walked a little away from him. Then sat down on the veranda, waiting for him to calm down. Because I knew he won't be able to walk alone to his dorm, considering he got punches on his stomach.

Michael hugged his knees to his chest and buried his face in between them. He was probably crying, his body was shivering slightly. Guilt bore it's teeth into me as I sat there observing him the whole ten minutes he sat like that.

Then he slowly lifted his head and wiped his face. He winced as he tried to stand up and I quickly stood up, rushing to him. But he managed to stand up before I reached him.

" I'll walk you to dorm.", I said grabbing his hands.

" No need.", he said through gritted teeth, yanking away my hands. " I t..totally hate you." His blue eyes were hard and cold as he said that. For some reason it hurt me a lot. He walked away as I stood there frozen, feeling a heavy weight over my chest.

After all that, it was obviously foolish of me to expect him to class today.