How Can I Even Hate You?

Chapter 15

Johnny's pov

I didn't give up yesterday and tried to contact him. Ace and the others also helped me finding him but nothing. I was getting anxious and a lot of what ifs were going in my mind. In the end, we all had to go home without even finding him. I called his stepmom once again and she said that Steve told her that he'll be sleeping over with a friend. I know Steve has a lot of friends outside school but I only knew a few of them. Plus, I don't even have their contact number.

"So there's really nothing I can do but wait, huh?" I sighed as I continued walking down the hall with my backpack, hoping Steve will come to class today. Entering the classroom, his empty seat just made all my hope go down. As I sat down to my seat which next to a window, everyone seemed to be busy. I took out my book and try to calm myself down.

As I was about to go to the next page, 2 of my close friends in the classroom sat down in front of me. "Hey Johnny, did you hear the rumor about Steve this morning?" Evan asked. I shake my head and put down my book."What rumor?" I asked

"Welll, someone saw Steve went to a hotel with this hot chick yesterday!" Jasper said "I wish I could be like him. Like you guys, getting the girls and stuff..."

So he went to the hotel with a girl and I was worried for nothing. I sighed and try to massage my head. My chest suddenly went heavy as I stop myself from crying. As the sadness and anger mixed, I'm still trying to supress my feelings. "Tch! f**k!" I shouted as I punched th window beside me. Everyone panicked while look at my bleeding hands, my close friends took my handkerchief and tried to stop the bleeding.

"You guys inform the teacher! We'll take him to the infirmary," Evan said as he pulled me out of the room. Walking towards the infirmary, they both apologized to me and thought that I was offended. I stopped walking and poured my eyes out. "I'm sorry as well," I cried.

They didn't say anything, they only chuckled and told me not to do it again. "You know, we may not be the best of friends, you can also rely on us, Johnny." Jasper smiled. Upon calming down and entering the infirmary, Evan talked to the nurse about the situation while Jasper guided me to the bed. "We'll go!" Evan said

When they were about to go out, I called out "Evan! Jasper! Thank you," I smiled. They smiled back and wave. As the school nurse was done sanitizing and putting the bandage around my hand, I decided to tell her that I'll be staying for a while. I flinched as the sliding door opened widely with Ace and the others were panting upfront. "What happened?!" Ace asked. As they entered, I somehow assumed that he came as well but I guess I've been hoping and assuming a lot since yesterday.

As they flooded me with questions that I'm unable to answer, I looked down. "Johnny? You okay? Why are you crying?" Austin asked. Tears were streaming down without me realizing it. "Did you already talk to him?" Reiven asks

I shook my head and said "I haven't heard anything since yesterday. Plus, the rumor."

"Uhm excuse me? Sorry for interrupting but I think your friend needs some rest," the nurse interupted "You should go home. You look terrible. I'll just send an excuse letter to your teacher. Alright Mr Johnny?" I nodded at her and thanked her as well. "I'll be going to the office. If I don't come back when you are about leave, just make sure the door is closed and locked okay?" She says as she gets her keys.

"We'll get your bag for you," they all ran out as soon as the nurse goes out but Reiven and Jace stayed. "So you heard about it," Jace said

"The rumor? Yeah." I chuckled "How ironic," 

"So that explains it," he said. As soon as I stood up, everything seems shaky. I hold my head as I suddenly stumbled but luckily, Reiven caught me. I suddenly started panting but I stood up straight and said "Thanks,"

"Want me to carry you?" Jake asked but I declined. As the others came, we go out while they all accompany me. Walking down that hallways, everything started to fade as I stumbled more. "Johnny?" Reiven called out. It didn't take too long for me to lose my consciousness. As I suddenly woke up and immediately realize that I was in my room. I tried to sat up but my head and body feels heavy.

"Ahh Johnny! Thank God you're awake!" they all shouted.

"Hey! Don't be so noisy!" Kai scolded "Feeling a bit better?"

"Where's Steve?" I asked. Kai averted his eyes and answered "Uhm he has some stuff going on."

"What kind of stuff?"

"Oh he's at the coffee shop near the karaoke bar. He said he has someone to meet there," Austin said. Everybody looked at him and palmed their faces. "Right. Sorry," he said and covered his face from his own realization. Although my body feels heavy, I stood up as I secretly took my wallet from my nightstand and run out of the room. "Johnny!" Kai shouted.

I didn't care if it was raining or even about my fever, I need to talk to him. Even though I bought my wallet, I decided to run than riding the cab. When I finally reach the coffee shop, I panted and calm myself first. I entered the shop as the manager approached me. "Sir, the one you're finding is here and I was about to call you."

"Really?" I smiled "Where is he?" I asked. As the manager pointed the table where Steve was sitting, I was frozen as my heart shattered from the view. "It's better if I leave," I sighed and thanked the manager fo his help. As I exit the shop, I gulped and try to suppress my feelings. I stopped on my tracks when I heard someone say "I guess I'm feeling a bit better, thanks for last night."

Steve...

"You never hang out with me anymore," a girl said. "Why don't we go to the hotel again? Just like last night," she giggled. I look back and at the same time, Steve met my eyes. As my eyes widen, I quickly run while he keeps chasing after me. Steve finally caught me and slightly pull me by the shoulder. "Johnny," he said.

I shove his hand away and panted. "Saying you love me and it's for the best. But in the end, you're all the same." I cried "Don't... even think about going back," I said as I walk away and cross the road. The loud noise kept bothering me but I suddenly stopped on the center of the road when I saw the truck headed towards me at full speed.

Steve's pov

"Johnny!" I shouted as I ran and pulled him towards me. As he fell on top of me, I'm surprised that he hasn't move yet. "Johnny?" I said as I looked at him, all flushed and panting. I touch his forehead and realize that his fever went higher. "Babe, is alright?" She asked "The ambulance is coming in 3 minutes,"

I slowly sat up while my ex supports Johnny's body. As the rain kept pouring, my ex stand beside us while she holds her umbrella. I took off my jacket and wrap it around Johnny while he slightly tremble. "I'm sorry," I said as I tightly hug him,

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After calling Ace, I sat down beside my ex while trembling. She pats my back as she tries to comfort me. Minutes later, Ace and the others appeared with Reiven.

I stood up to tell them what happened but Reiven suddenly throw his fist upon my face.

"What the f**k man!?" I shouted as my ex pulled me while Ace tries to hold him.

"You really have the audacity to tell him that you love him then change Johnny for someone else," he said as he escapes Ace's grip. He kicked me as I stumbled down. "It's you f*****g fault that he's sick! He tried to find you yesterday until midnight even though it was raining, you little s**t!"

"Okay, enough." Jake pulls him as my ex-girlfriend help me up.

"He even injured his hand just because of that stupid rumor about you," he glared

"What rumor?"

"A stupid rumor that says Steve went to a hotel with a b***h," he said "You didn't even asked him if what happened after we talked. You just ran away and didn't even let us finish talking, stupid coward."

Austin pulled Reiven as they calm him down. While waiting, Kai suddenly gave me a bottle of water and sat beside me. "We never knew you and Johnny had problems. In behalf of everyone, I just wanna apologize."

"What? Why?" I asked in confusion.

"We knew Johnny had always loved you. We didn't really mind your relationship since you're both chill and didn't seem to have a problem. We were quite insensitive, I know." he sighed. I didn't have the courage to answer or even defend to say that they didn't have to apologize. After a while, the doctor came to tell us that he is malnourished as of the moment and needs to be observed for a few days. As the doctor walks away, I called mom and dad that I'll be staying in the hospital for a few days and that I needed clothes.

After Ace and the others with my ex left, Reiven stayed for a while. "You know, it ended 2 years ago and you have nothing to worry about. I admit I was infatuated with Johnny but I love Blake," Reiven smiled "Rather than confused, he's more of afraid of meeting me again. He's scared that he'll remember,"

"Reiven," a guy called out. I suppose that's Blake. "Let's go," he said as he reached out his hand. Reiven took it smiling and look back to me to say "I won't apologize for what I did a while ago, you kinda deserve it. But I hope it'll work out," he smiled and walk away.

"Steve," Mom called out "What happened to your face?" she said as she caress my cheeks. Dad didn't say anything but he gave her tissues to wipe. She spayed a little bit of alcohol and slowly wipe it on my face. "Where's Johnny? Is he alright?" Dad asked

"Uh yeah," I nodded "They're going to transfer him in a private room a little later," Dad then gave me water as Mom kept wiping my face. "We were quite worried last night since Johnny kept calling if you had gone home," she sighed "We were also about to find you since it was getting late but then you texted us that you were going to stay with your friend,"

"I'm sorry," I said and looked down.

"It's fine but remember to apologize to Johnny once he wakes up. He didn't knew where to find you and I assume he went around just to see where you were," she said

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After they transferred Johnny, Mom and Dad stayed for a while but goes home after staying for a bit in his room. As I sat down and look at Johnny who was still asleep, I realized more and more that I really am a coward. If only I stayed yesterday and said something like he's mine and mine only, maybe he won't be here tonight.

"Steve?" I shook my head upon hearing Johnny call my name. I immediately stood up and quickly gave him a tight hug. "Steve," he cried as he wrap his arms around my neck. "I'm sorry," I said as I slightly push him "I was only running away and afraid of hurting myself,"

"It's fine," he smiled and sniffed. I climb up on his bed as he slowly move to the side and let me lie down. "Why don't you sleep some more?" I said as slide my arms below his head and wrap my other arm around his waist while I slightly pull him closer. "I promise I'll be here," I said

He smiled even more and gave me a peck on the lips. "I love you," he whispered as he drifted back to sleep.

"I love you too," I said as I kiss his forehead and sleep beside him.