I'll Fight For You

I've been avoiding Vic all week. At lunch period I've been hiding out in the library. Vic has been coming to my house every night after school, but I've been in my room with the door locked behind me.
Something that is worrying me though is Jess. By avoiding Vic, I'm avoiding her too. I don't want to but she's so starstruck by Jaime now she won't sit anywhere else at lunch times. She's been talking to Vic a lot too. I'm just praying he hasn't told her. She's my best friend in this city, I can't lose her.
I was spending my lunch period in a corridor at school. I was sat on the floor with my back pressed up against the wall.
"Does it hurt?" Lauren's voice came in my ear.
"Leave me alone," I mumbled.
"You're so lonely again."
"It's your fault." I said back.
"No!" she screamed. I bit my lip and pressed my hands over my ears.
"I just want some peace." I muttered.
"I need your help."
"I can't help you. I just can't." I rushed.
"Why not?!" she screamed.
"I'm not a strong enough." I whispered.
"No!" Lauren screamed. But this time it wasn't in my ear, it was across the corridor. I looked up and saw Lauren slumped up against the wall. "Help me, my wrists are bleeding," Lauren sobbed. "My back hurts and my stomach is cut!" she cried.
I blinked and heard someone sit down next to me. When I opened my eyes Lauren had gone. I saw Jess sitting next to me. "Hello." I said, my voice strained.
"Han', we need to talk." Jess sighed.
"About?"
"I've been watching you just."
"Oh." I muttered.
"You were talking to someone before. Just like on the first day. I don't buy you were on your phone that day. Even worse, you were talking to the wall."
"I know what you think. But I'm not insane." I rushed.
"I know." Jess smiled.
"What?" I asked in disbelief.
"Vic's been talking to me. He's worried."
"I've been avoiding him." I explained.
"That's why he spoke to me." she said.
We didn't say anything for a while. Jess took my hand and squeezed it to comfort me.
"You see things, don't you?" Jess asked lightly.
"What do you mean?" I asked weakly.
"Don't lie to me, please. You're special, Hannah. I don't think you know that yet." she said easily.
"I'm not special." I looked down.
"You are. You have a gift to see things. I'm so sure of it and I believe in it and whatever you tell me."
"Why?" I asked.
"Because my brother was too."
"Can I meet him?" I rushed excitedly.
"No," Jess shook her head. She looked at the floor for a while before her eyes met mine again. "He's dead." she eventually said.
"Oh Jess. I'm sorry."
"No, it's okay."
"Was it . . . the bad people?"
"Is that what you call them?" she laughed lightly. "Aidan always said the monsters," Jess told me. "But yes, they killed him in the end. I don't want to say how, it's not very nice. But I understand you."
"Thank you." I smiled softly.
"You should tell Vic. Not everything. But the truth."
"What if he thinks I'm a freak?" I asked anxiously.
"He won't. Vic isn't a judgmental person. If you don't tell him, he'll only find out later. And it'll suck for him."
"He told me he thinks we have a connection."
"He told me that too." she nodded.
"I think it's supernatural though." I sighed.
"If it is it doesn't matter. It's still a connection, and that's really rare Hannah," she told me. "Who knows about you, by the way?"
"Just Jaime."
"Not even your parents?"
"No," I sighed. "I can't tell them. They nearly found out once. They said I was sick. I went to a hospital."
"I'm sorry, Han'." she smiled sadly.
"I'm going to go find Vic." I told her reluctantly.
"Good luck." Jess told me as I stood up.
I walked through the corridor and went into the cafeteria. I went to our usual table and saw Jaime, Mike and Tony. Vic wasn't there. I tapped Jaime on the shoulder and he looked around.
"What's up, Han'?" Jaime grinned.
"Have you seen Vic?" I asked.
"Music room." Tony told me.
"Thanks." I smiled.
I left them and went out into the corridors. I walked to the music room and went anxiously inside. There were a few people lounging on desks. I scanned the room for Vic and when I didn't find him went into the back rooms. In a small room I found Vic on his own, strumming on a guitar.
"Hey." I said quietly. Vic looked up and nearly dropped the guitar. He smiled widely at me.
"Han', come inside." he urged.
"Can I talk to you?" I asked. He nodded and I closed the door behind me. Vic got up so I could sit down. He sat down on the floor in front of me.
"Is it about last week?" Vic frowned.
"Kind of," I said awkwardly. "You saw what happened with the mirror. And then me."
"Yeah."
"I need you to tell me that you're not going to hate me and leave me."
"I promise." Vic smiled.
"I don't know how to say this," I sighed. I put my head in my hands. Vic took one of my hands and I looked up at him. "I see ghosts." I eventually said.
"What?" Vic asked weakly.
"I see ghosts. I always have. But it's so bad now and I'm scared. I'm really scared, Vic."
"You see ghosts. Okay." Vic frowned.
"You think I'm crazy." I muttered.
"No, no," he shook his head. "I'm just trying to get my head around this."
"Are you freaked out?" I asked anxiously. Vic sighed and nodded. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. You're fine," he rushed. "It's me."
"It's not you it's me," I laughed humourlessly. "I shouldn't have came."
"I need to figure this out, Han'. I need five minutes." he said tiredly. I watched as Vic stood up. He squeezed my hand one more time before he turned and left the room. I think I've made a mistake.

Notes

Hey! What did you think? I'm loving the feed back I've been getting. Thank you guys! Jess knows. Who was expecting the news about Jess' brother? How do you think he died? Do you think Vic will deal? Any questions or predictions on Lauren? :)