Just Platonic

05

The rest of the weekend Collynn hung out with his mom and Haily. They went to the beach and took Haily out for ice-cream. It was starting to cool down and Collynn was dreading the cool weather.

Jackie had hung out with her brother all weekend. They went to D&B on Saturday, playing the games for three hours and watched some games at Buffalo Wild Wings. Braden didn't once mention his name. For a while Jackie felt calm around her brother. Upon returning home that night she distanced herself from him once again, claiming she had homework to do.

Come Monday morning Jackie had woken up late. Rushing around she didn't put makeup on to cover the scars, so she was digging in her trunk for a sweatshirt. She didn't hear someone come up behind her so she was startled when arms wrapped around her waist. Turning around she saw Collynn.

"Boo."

She slapped his arm. "That wasn't funny Lynn!"

Collynn laughed. "Oh, it was."

Jackie narrowed her pale brown eyes at him. Then she realized that he had to have a sweatshirt in the back of his car, or he could easily get one from someone on the team.

"Hey, do you have a sweatshirt I could wear? I woke up late and forgot to grab one. You know how cold some of the rooms can get."

Collynn nodded his head as he took off his school sweatshirt with his name and number on the back. "Here."

Jackie took the sweatshirt from him, thankful he didn't see the scars. He would know that she had relapsed. She didn't want him to worry or think it was his fault.

"Thanks." She leaned up and gave him a hug. He gave her one back. Both of them needed a hug.

"Are they back?" Collynn whispered in her ear. Jackie nodded her head.

"Not as bad, but if I stay up later the less likely I am to have one."

Collynn hugged her closer. While he didn't have nightmares from the beatings, he knew she was trying to act strong. Collynn knew that Jackie felt some type of guilt. That it was her fault that bastard rapped her. That she had it coming to her because she gave him the signs she wanted it. Oh how she was wrong.

He knew that her brother and parents had no idea what had happened, and that is why whenever Derik came over she would stay over at his.

Pulling apart they headed into the school, hand in hand.

*~*

Collynn was late to seventh hour, due to Coach Jakson pulling him out of sixth to talk to him real quick. Coach was worried about the homecoming game in two weeks. It was against their rival team, the Black Jets. He asked Collynn what days he had work and if he could go in later so they could all have extra practices and watch old tapes of them from last season. Collynn said he would see what he could do and get back to him as soon as he knew.

Sneaking into Environmental Science he made his way next to Morgan. He noticed that Morgan was wearing a Squid-Billies T-shirt. While the show was terrible, he had grown to like it. It was on late at night and Collynn would turn it on so no one heard him as he did drugs and drank alcohol.

They were set free to work on the recent paper when Collynn whispered to Morgan, "I like your shirt."

Morgan looked up at him. "Uh, thanks."

"I know it's a terrible show, but-"

Morgan laughed. "It is. I am probably going to hell for watching it and wearing the shirt. My momma doesn't see why I like the show, especially when it had the confederate flag in it."

"Yeah."

After that they started to work, asking each other a question here and there about the assignment.

*~*

Jackie had a quick book club meeting before she had to head to Mel's office to talk to her about something. Jackie didn't know what, but she felt as if it was about Morgan's try out.

They picked Just One series by Gayle Forman to read for the next month and a half. This was completely different from the last months book IT. Jackie didn't like the movie and was glad the book was better than it.

Coach Mel had her sit in the chair across from her.

"Morgan had wanted to join the team. He explained why he was unable to make it to tryouts, and it was a good explanation. I had him tryout. I want you to watch the footage and tell me what you think. What you say wont change my mind, but I want you to watch it."

Jackie had wanted to speak out and tell her that Morgan went by they/them pronouns but it wasn't her place to do so. Instead she sat there and watched the footage on Coach Mel's laptop.

Morgan had amazing form. They were on beat and were able to catch on fast to whatever cheer or combination Coach Mel had thrown at them. It was only towards the end when they made big mistakes, but it was on stuff Jackie was still trying to get perfect. She almost had it down.

Looking up at Coach Mel she had a smile on her face. "I know. Amazing isn't it?"

"Yeah. Minimal mistakes. They moved so gracefully that it was like nothing we seen at tryouts."

"I know. Morgan is going to make a great addition to the team. I am just worried about how we are going to get him a uniform in time. For the Homecoming game."

"Well, The next home game is Wednesday. I was thinking we could just wear school gear, like sweatpants and a t-shirt."

"That could work. But what about the uniform for Home-Coming?"

"We could put in a rush order. If it'll be delivered before then, then we don't worry. But if it won't be guaranteed then we have to put the rush order in and pick it up ourselves."

Coach Mel nodded. "I'll see what I can do."

*~*

Arik had returned home, just in time for dinner. Collynn had make Mac-N-Cheese and hot dogs since his mom was working late and he had a bunch of homework to do. Erik disappeared into the basement where he stayed until well after Haily's bedtime.

Collynn thought it was shitty he wasn't spending time with her lately, or his mom, but at least he was in her life still.

It was nearing ten when Collynn looked at his phone before heading downstairs to get a drink.

Mom: I am going to stay at the office. Erik should be home and he has the day off tomorrow. Tell Haily I will see her tomorrow and that I love her.

Sighing Collynn grabbed a Grape flavored water. He was mid sip when it was slapped out of his hand.

"What do you think you're doing?" Spat Erik. "Huh boy?"

Before Collynn could say anything Erik punched him in the stomach.

"What are you doing? What did you tell her? Why is she not coming home tonight when I haven't seen her in three days?"

With every question fired Erik punched Collynn in his stomach. Erik knew he couldn't leave visible evidence, but under Collynn's shirt wouldn't be visible to anyone.

Erik grabbed Collynn by his hair and yanked him to the side. Collynn had learned that blocking the hits only made it worse. That by trying to protect himself he would receive a worse punishment. Collynn eventually blacked out after Erik slammed his fit into his temple a few times.

When he woke up he could already feel the bruises. Slowly heading to the downstairs bathroom he looked in the mirror. He had a bruise on his cheek and on his temple. He would have to hide those with concealer in the morning. Lifting up his shirt he saw that he had a huge bruise on his left side, and smaller ones spread all about his abdomen. Sighing, Collynn headed upstairs to get some sleep.