Time-Bomb-

It was finally Tuesday afternoon and I knew Tay would be showing up soon. I rested my eyes and waited for her to walk in. Someone walked in but it wasn't Tay, it was Ruby. I ignored her presence and continued to keep my eyes closed so she thought I was asleep and wouldn't bother me.
During this time I was rerunning what I wanted to tell Tay through my mind. I wanted to tell her that I liked her a lot but Vic came along and I couldn't help myself. It's all the truth. I knew she wouldn't be happy that I'm leaving her for someone else. Even if that didn't bother her so much, me having that someone else be a male would probably make her really uncomfortable. For the most part as I got to know her she never showed any form of resentment towards anyone, but who knows, she could just be good at hiding it.
I finally heard her ask Ruby where my room was from just outside.
"Hold on a second," Ruby said.
"Your his girlfriend?" Ruby asked.
"Yeah? Why? Do you have a problem with that?" Taylor asked.
"Uh, yeah," Ruby said as if Taylor should know what she means.
Oh no.
Ruby was going to tell her I could just sense it.
"He's totally cheating on you."
"What?" Tay asked, seeming hurt.
I heard her sigh.
"I figured as much there are so many girls who are p-"
"No it's a guy," Ruby interrupted.
"Oh," Taylor sounded in confusion.
I braced myself for the worst as I heard her step into the room. She gently shook me as if she were trying to wake me up even though I wasn't actually asleep.
"Kell," she said sweetly.
I opened my eyes and pretended to yawn.
"Hey," I smiled.
"Hi," she said awkwardly.
"You look.... Horrible," she said.
I had almost completely forgotten about my condition. As soon as she brought it up I evaluated myself and pressed at the bruise on my hand once again.
"I know," I admitted. I took a deep breath and prepared myself to recite the words I had gone over in my head a thousand times by now.
"Taylor I have something to tell you," I frowned.
"Go for it," she said nervously. I knew she already knew but it was so low of me to not admit to it myself.
"I can't date you anymore."
She looked at me as if she wanted me to continue giving her an explanation.
"Do you know who Vic Fuentes is?" I asked.
Her eyes went wide.
"Yeah. The one who supposedly tried to kiss you?"
I laughed.
"Yeah, that one. Well, I guess I've had a change of heart. A huge one, at that. He's just shown me so much kindness and support. I.. I think I'm falling for him. And that's why I need to break up with you. I can't just lead you on that isn't okay. I'm also going to be brutally honest with you, he and I kissed yesterday. It was my fault. There's nothing wrong with you. In fact I really like you. I can just envision myself with her better. I'm really sorry to do this to you," I said. As much as I had practiced saying this I still felt like it wasn't good enough. But it was over with.
She smiled a little bit.
"I knew you'd be honest with me. That's what I liked about you."
"Are you mad? Upset?" I asked, fearing she would quite literally tear me apart.
"No! No. How could I be upset? You can't control who you fall for. Besides, Kellin. If we're being honest I don't feel all too much of a connection with you either. And if it makes you feel any better. I'm a little gay too. Don't worry, alright? I totally understand. I saw the connection you and Vic had before you even talked to him."
"Wow."
"What?" She asked, as if she were afraid she said the wrong thing.
"You're perfectly great in absolutely every single way," I said with a huge smile. I couldn't believe she understood where I was coming from so easily.
"Thank you, Kell," she giggled.
"Hey, Taylor?" I asked to get her attention.
"Could you maybe not tell anyone about Vic and me? He and I will figure out what to do. For the time being I was to keep it on the low down," I said.
"Will do," she said.
"Thank you so much. You're such a great friend," I said truthfully.
"Aw come here," she said and wrapped her arms around me to engulf me in the sad excuse for a hug. It was really difficult for me to hold her because I was all broken and such. It was stupid but whatever.
Ruby walked in and scoffed in disgust.
"You're still with the little pig?" Ruby asked.
"What the fuck is wrong with you?" I defended myself, "are you homophobic or just out to ruin me because I made a mistake? I'm a human. Humans make mistakes. And quite frankly, Tay and I are none of your business. She happens to completely understand the situation and I'm sick of you being a massive bitch."
I knew that Ruby would only get angrier from what I said but what can I say? I got fed up easily.
Taylor burst out in laughter.
"Kellin you just said to her what I've been trying to tell her for maybe five years."
"What?" I asked in confusion.
"She's my sister. She's only looking out for me, but she overdoes it."
"I don't overdue it he cheated on you!"
"And he just told me that himself! I can trust him, Ruby. Have I ever let anyone fuck with me? Bedsides, he and Vic make the cutest couple," she said and it made me blush a little.
But holy shit Ruby was her sister. I felt bad about blowing up on Ruby but I also felt relived because if Ruby was mistreating me I knew Tay had my back.
"Now I'm going to go home. Kellin you text me if Ruby is giving you any trouble," Tay said.
"Bye Tay, thanks so much, I'll be sure to tell you if she does."
Ruby shot me an annoyed glance and waved her sister goodbye before she left.
I sighed and sunk into my pillow. Thank god that whole encounter was over with.

***
After the week passing by and Vic visiting me every day after school we came to the realization that we wanted to make it public that we were dating. He told me that all four years he's attended our school no one has ever said anything homophobic to him even though he was openly gay. It made me feel a lot better about the whole situation.

It was Sunday now, the day the hospital was finalizing my casts and bands in order to ensure a safe healing process and make sure I was mobile. They agreed to let me go back to school tomorrow which I was relieved about because if I missed any more school I think I'd end up dying of all the stress to make up my assignments.
I had to keep a brace around my ribs and casts over two fingers and my left wrist. Besides that I was just littered in bruises that had already faded to a light blue.
Still, I sighed at how ugly he felt. It was horrible being in such a beaten up condition and it was horrible to have to go to school tomorrow. I came to the conclusion I would spend lunches with Vic and his friends instead of Taylor and her friends. I already informed Taylor of that and she was cool with it as long as we got to hang out once in a while. I promised her I'd spend time with her as much as I possibly could.
"Kells," Vic said, interrupting my thoughts.
"Enough worrying about school. I'll protect you. For now let's just get you off your feet," Vic said with determination to get me walking.
I sat myself up carefully, it felt weird with the pressure of the brace around my stomach. I then turned to let my legs dangle off the bed. It felt nice to let them move.
"Alright, nice and steady," Vic said to me while grasping my arm tightly.
I stood up and wobbled a little as if I were trying to take my first steps again. I moved a bit but the brace was a lot more restricting than I thought it would be so I took small steps in order to move around.
I got really tired and attempted to grasp the wall but I missed and would've landed on my face if Vic hadn't caught me.
"I gotcha," he said as he strenuously tried to hold me up from an angle that he knew wouldn't hurt me.
"Thanks, babe," I smiled. It was nice being able to call him that. It felt right.
He wrapped my arms over his shoulders and pulled me in for a kiss. Our lips fit perfectly together. I whimpered when he pulled away. His kisses were the best, they made me feel all warm and happy inside.
"I love you," he said.
I smiled and took hold of his hand, much too scared to tell him I loved him back. I think it was because I've never told anyone that I loved them before except for my parents, who are long gone now.
We walked out of the hospital together and I took the passenger seat next to him in his car. He closed the door for me and go in to drive.
"Seatbelt, Kellin," he warned.
I groaned and slung the seatbelt over me and pouted like a child just to get him to give me attention.
"Aw, you look so cute when you're mad," he said and placed a kiss on my cheek, causing me to smile. How strange to think that we were once enemies.
I really tried to suppress the reason I hated him in the first place, but I couldn't forget it. By now I had accepted it, he had to be psychic it just made so much sense. It felt weird, though, knowing that he could read my mind. But at least I had him to protect me. I just wish I could return the favor.
"Alright, back to the group home we go," he said with fake excitement as he clicked himself in and and turned the key in his car.
While he was driving he sent me quick glances as if he were trying to make sure I was still there. It was weird, almost as if he thought I'd slip away.
"Are you alright?" I asked.
He bit his lip in contemplation.
"Mike could've killed you," he said.
"He couldn't have. He wouldn't do that," I said.
"He would have, Kellin. I know him. He's... He's overprotective and he would do anything he thinks could help me."
"Huh."
"I don't want to lose you, Kells. I love you so much you just don't get it."
"I don't," I said.
He frowned, "you don't get why I love you?"
"No, not really actually. My whole life I've never been loved. Anyone who has ever loved me, left me. Why do you even care?" I was trying not to make this into a pity party. Honestly, I was pretty confident with myself, just genuinely confused as to why he, well, loved me.
"Because I know so much about you, I understand you, I can relate to you and I care about you. I want to be with you and I want to protect you," he said.
"Alright alright enough of the corny mushy stuff," I said. Vic knew by now that I wasn't much for being sentimental.
He rolled his eyes and pulled up the driveway of my house.
"Get some rest, I'll pick you up tomorrow morning," Vic smiled softly.
"Okay, see you tomorrow, bye," I said quietly.
I was about to open the door but he grabbed my hand and pulled me to him.
"Not so fast," Vic said.
He kissed me softly and smiled into the kiss.
"I'll never get used to this," he said under his breath.
"Me neither," I admitted and gently pulled away.
"Bye, Vic."
"Bye, I love you."
"I know," I grinned.
I walked back inside only to be greeted by everyone living in the group home sitting at the table waiting to yell "Welcome home!"
I smiled. It was stupid of them to do it but nonetheless very sweet.
Lisa smiled and gave me a huge hug. I forgot it was her work week.
"Thanks," I said to her.
"No problem," she smiled, "We have a lot to catch up on! Don't think I didn't see you and that boy outside," she grinned.
I blushed and nodded for her to follow me to my room. We spent the rest of the afternoon talking. I told her about Vic and I getting together and she told me about how her boyfriend proposed to her. It was nice being able to have someone to tell everything to, even if she was ten years older than me.
After Lisa and I finished talking I got into bed. It had been such a crazy week but I'll admit, it was one if the best I've had in a while. My eyes drooped closed and I fell right to sleep, nervous about tomorrow, but excited to be with Vic. Life was looking up. Maybe I could finally be happy.

Notes