The Squad Effect

Chapter 18 | Apology Denied

Matthew Espinosa

I was leaning against the wall in the hallway outside of the resting room in the infirmary. Luckily, Jacob wasn't badly hurt, so a hospital visit wasn't needed. Seeing him in pain left me with a strong feeling of guilt, as if his injury was my fault.

I heard the creaking of a door opening and closing.

"Matt?" I heard a voice call out from the front doors of the infirmary. I walked through the hallway only to be met by none other than Carter f*****g Reynolds.

"Leave." I grit my teeth angrily.

"No. I'm here to apologize."

"What, apologize for smashing a vase on my boyfriend."

"No. You can't truly apologize for things you're not sorry about, right? I've come to say sorry for scaring you. My stupid emotions got the better of me." I say.

"You mean your jealousy? Face it, you're jealous of Jacob and I's relationship!" I accused.

"I'm not jealous. He was insulting me, and I reacted. I'm sure you would have reacted as well. The bottom line is that I care about you and I want us to stay on good terms."

"You should've thought of that before smashing a vase on my boyfriend." I say.

"But I-"

"Leave before I make you wish you had never entered the room." I threaten while turning away from him.

I heard him leave through the entrance to the infirmary. Once I was sure he was gone, I turned back to the entrance, setting my attention on Nash and Cameron who were sitting by the door. They had an empty seat between them which symbolized that they were in the middle of a fight right now. I stormed over to them, to try and help them sort it out.

"What's wrong with you two now?"

"Cameron got a visitor." Nash mutters while crossing one leg over the other.

"From who?"

"His boyfriend." Nash replied pettily.

I'm confused.

"Sammy is not my boyfriend. I hate that guy. If anyone's my boyfriend, it's you. You're the one I want to be with." Cameron pleas. Nash scoffs.

"You guys are f*****g ridiculous. Seriously, do you know how many people would kill to be in a relationship like yours? Y'all are lucky to have each other. I know that you both know it, but f*****g act like it for once, okay?" I ask them, fed up with their nonsense. They look at me like I should say something more. "And stop beating around the bush and just confirm your relationship already. You clearly care for each other."

The two boys sat in silence for a second before standing up and looking each other in the eyes.

"I'm sorry." Nash apologized.

"I'm sorry too. And I genuinely want to have a stable relationship with you." Cameron reveals to Nash. They hugged happily.

"I'd like that too." He replied. Cameron pulls Nash in to kiss him. While they're enthralled in their special moment, I awkwardly walk back towards Jacob's room.

"Thanks Matt!" I thank myself. "You're welcome, anytime!" I answer, since nobody else was going to do it. I opened the door to Jacob's room. He was sitting with his legs hanging off the bed.

"Are you okay, Jake? Just because the nurse said that you could leave when you're feeling better, doesn't mean that you should automatically take the first chance you get to actually leave." I state while walking up and standing in between his legs.

"I'm fine. I think I'm ready to go back to my dorm now though. You know if you're not in the mood for staying with Carter right now, you could stay with me. I have no roommate." He offers. I nodded excitedly, eager to spend time with my boyfriend.

Once Jacob gathered his stuff from the chair in the room, he held my hand and guided me back out into the hallway. Nash and Cameron were still passionately making out in front of the waiting area.

"Okay guys, we're leaving." I informed the mesmerized couple.

"That means we're leaving too." Nash mumbles while grabbing Cameron's wrist. "Your room or mine?" Nash whispered while looking at Cameron with lust filled eyes.

"Mine." He whispers back. They hurried out of the infirmary in front of us.

"Wear protection!" I yelled after them.

*

Jacob and I were cuddling on his bed when my phone vibrated in my pocket. I had received a text from none other than Carter Reynolds. Hooray.

Carter:

Matty I'm truly sorry for overreacting. But can you really blame me? I have obvious feelings for you and you're making out with some random dude in our room.

Me:

I can make out with whomever I please, thanks, and just because you're jealous doesn't mean you can go around hurting people

C:

I just get so angry and annoyed that I just snap. But I'm sorry. I know how much Jacob means to you and I shouldn't have hurt him. Will you come back now?

M:

Apology Denied