Cry-Baby

Chapter 11

Having kept you waiting so long, I decided to upload 2 chapters today. And sorry about that, but I am back on track and stronger than ever!! WOO.

School wasn't too bad the next day. Multitudes of girls gave me the stank look though. Clyde looked at me more with his unreadable expression. In that class, to my pleasant surprise, Julian came to sit next to me and we worked pretty good. We were very quiet though, I was trying hard to keep it that way in order to diminish the idea we were together. I told him I'd go there afterschool on Friday and that's where I was currently headed.

I rang the doorbell and waited with my history book in hand. We were supposed to do loads of research on a person who was assigned that was in the time period we were studying. Then we just had to make a poster or powerpoint about it. We got lucky and had to do the President at that time, Theodore Roosevelt.

That class was full of seniors, but due to having been ahead back in my previous school before I moved years ago, I was always one year ahead in history and math. Just to solve any confusions.

"Mi A-Moore!" He said using my last name to say 'Amor.' Which, although I'm not the best in spanish, I know he said 'My Love.' I frowned, how in the hell did he even configure that? "Welcome once again to my house." He then whispered in my ear, "I'm sorry, he came out of nowhere and I couldn't get rid of him."

Stepping inside, I quickly saw what he meant. There was Clyde, giving me a wave, although his expression was more dead-like. "It's cool." I said and waved back smiling. We were friends right?  

"Do you have a computer?" I asked and made my way into the dining room where I had studied with him last time.

"Yeah, I'll bring my laptop." He went upstairs and I decided to unpack my stuff. I looked over to where Clyde was. I couldn't see him, since he was laying down on the couch, but I saw that he was watching Regular Show. I see someone else is into cartoons themself. I smiled and turned back in my seat getting out my pen to get ready to write.

He came back quickly and sat next to me opening up his laptop. I looked over at his arm to see his tattoo sleeve. It looked like tribal print, but up higher were some actual designs. There was a few skulls going around, and some roses. On his opposite wrist was a name.

"Who's name is that?" I asked as he was scrolling through google to find a proper website.

He looked at his wrist, already knowing the name I was talking about. I was able to notice that it read Cristian. "My little brother who passed away." He said simply and went back to his search.

I stayed quiet letting that sink in. That was sad. "Where's your parents?" I asked noticing I have yet to see them either time I've been here.

"My dad is probably in another country for all I know, and my mom. She's probably getting wasted." He clicked on a site and took out his notebook and pen. Well I guess I didn't expect his home life to be peaches and cream. But I decided not to pry anymore.

"I like your tattoo." I pointed to the sleeve, which caused him to look at it. He then gave me a huge smile like nothing was wrong. I liked that he could be carefree like that.

"Thanks. Actually," He moved his arm a bit to show me an amazing Lion's head. It was beautiful and the mane was so detailed. The face was dignified and powerful. "Clyde designed this one. Since I'm a Leo." He smiled more looking at it. My eyes got big. Clyde designed that? No effing way.

"Clyde!" I called and saw his head pop up from the couch. "Did you really do this?" I asked still in complete shock. He couldn't be that good in art.

"Yup." He moved his head back down, seeming not to care. I grabbed his arm to observe it more. It was really nice. But I couldn't bring myself to believe that Clyde actually did this. "So here look. How do you like the information here for T R?" He asked moving back to his laptop.


We got down a ton of information since Roosevelt was so super easy, and I knew in the next 2 days we would be completely done, although we still had 2 weeks.

"I guess I should be going then." I said after packing up my stuff.

"We will meet again, mi amor." He winked pulling out a cigarette. He was obviously a charmer. No wonder girls swarmed him. I scrunched my nose. He was not getting to me. He poked my nose and I swatted his hand, frowning even more. He just laughed.

I couldn't help but smile as I turned to leave. "I'll take you home if you want." Clyde said from the couch.

"I was wondering when you would be of use today." I said sarcastically and he frowned but got up. I just laughed some more. "Bye Julian!" I called as Clyde led me out. He all but slammed the door and we made our way to his car.

The drive was pretty silent. I felt anxious and was hoping we were still fine. "You okay?" I asked barely a whisper. Not wanting to come off as pushy.

"Horrible actually." He said with no hint of emotion in his voice.

"When are you starting your project?" I tried to keep the conversation going in a more positive way. He smirked.

"My partner's doing it." He said as simply as he always does. My phone rang, some annoying tune and I quickly picked it up seeing it was Rick.

"Hey Rick, what's up?" I asked, but couldn't help notice Clyde's knuckles whitening on the steering wheel. I wonder what's his deal with Rick.

"You wanna come over tomorrow?" He asked almost shyly.

"Yeah I can go over there tomorrow!" I smiled. "See you then." I hung up.

"You going on another date with your boyfriend?" I did take note of how sour his tone was.

"Just to his house. Why you jealous?" I teased but then the thought struck me. Could Clyde be jealous?

"Yeah right. Just asking." And that thought of him being jealous quickly left my mind. I knew Clyde didn't find me too attractive. I think he only kept talking to me because he felt bad about what his friends tried to do to me. I don't like to admit that, but it's true. But I'll take it if we can sort of be friends. I like being his friend. His nice side is great.

We pulled up to my house almost immediately after that and I was thankful.

"See ya! Thanks for the ride." I smiled and opened the door, embracing the rush of fresh air to relieve the tension this boy naturally carries. I felt a hand wrap around my arm and I was being pulled back in.

"Give me your phone number." He demanded quickly. He didn't make eye contact with me though. I smiled slightly. He was bad at asking for things nicely.

"Sure." I said, and waited for him to pull out his phone. After he took my number he smiled at me, well more like smirked, and I couldn't help but poke his dimple.

I left the car and waltzed into my house. I was on top of the world. And it was only made better that my parents had already left. My dad left me a note on the table, like he usually did when they left before I got home.

We're leaving. We'll just be gone for a day like usual. I left some money for pizza tonight. Enjoy that. It's $20. I don't know why you need that much, but your mom swears you eat a lot and if you don't have enough to feed a family of four you will die before we get back.
I smiled at that. My mom was a bit dramatic. But I know she wanted me to save money for emergencies.
Well, don't have a crazy wild party, and don't have sex with any boys! But I trust you, have fun doing what you usually do alone.
                -Dad
I grabbed the $20 and plopped down on my couch. I decided to watch some Johnny Bravo. It was one of my favorite shows, despite how old it was. The man in this show was like most guys. Except the girls here were strong independent women, who didn't need such a cheap/player type guy. And they knew how to whoop some butt!

I called the pizza place after some hours and ordered half a pie. I decided I could use the left-overs for the next day, and I asked for an iced tea.

The man came quick, and after he handed me my change, I set it on the table and went to take a quick shower to fully enjoy my night. After my shower I tied my dense hair into a sloppy damp bun, and wore a simple blue tank with a bra, and my shorts were too short to wear out, but so soft it was like just sleeping in my panties. I returned to my couch with food in hand. I didn't bother with a plate just tore right into my pizza from the box.

I put on Despicable Me to watch and chilled until my phone illuminated with a text message. I grabbed it and was confused with the random number that came up.

I opened the message anyways. It's Clyde. Are your parents at work?

It finally came back to me that I gave him my number and I saved it before replying. Yeah why?

After 20 minutes I hadn't recieved an answer and was feeling pretty on edge. I continued watching my movie but looked at my phone about every 2 seconds. I hated not being replied to. It filled me with so much anxiety.

Then after unlocking my phone to check if I did get a message and it just didn't notify me, which never happens, the doorbell rang. I jumped, nearly knocking my pizza on the ground and got up hesitantly.

I grabbed the metal bat I keep under the couch, which my parents don't know about, and hid it behind my back making my way to the door. It was too dark to see and I opened it fast, gripping the life out of my bat.

I loosened my tense muscles when I noticed it's Clyde. He had a scratch near his eyebrow and his nose looked a bit bruised. His one arm is wrapped around his stomach, his hand clutching the side. His eyes were dark and dangerous. He pushed past me and I closed the door behind us.

"Let's go to my bathroom." I walked past him now, and lead him to the bathroom, holding onto his wrist that wasn't occupied. "Take off your shirt," I said after sitting him on the toilet seat and going to get some wash cloths.

I turned around to see his shirt fully off. I gasped, but played it off that it was from the growing bruise on his side and the few cuts. I really gasped because, although this is the second time I've seen him shirtless, it hadn't gotten old how nice his body is.

"It's not that bad right?" He snapped me out of my stare. He only thought I was examining the bruise. Thank goodness.

"No, you'll be fine." I knealt in front of him and started wiping the cut on his eyebrow. I looked into his eyes to see that he was looking straight at me. I looked back to what I was doing.

Why must he stare at me while I'm helping him? This was much better last time when he was unconcious. And I felt some butterflies, it made me nervous. I then moved to his nose and the rest of his face. Why was he getting beat up? I don't like this. I thought it was a one time ordeal.

I removed the wash cloth to examine my work. His face was almost the way it used to be. I made eye contact with him again, whose eyes hadn't moved and this strange feeling washed over me. I didn't really know what it was, and it felt really weird. A lump formed in my throat and I looked down to the side of his stomach swallowing.

I grabbed the other wash cloth and gently placed it on. He moved away from the cloth, taking a sharp intake of breath through clenched teeth. "Well it's not going to feel too pretty at first." I said and quickly placed it on. He groaned but I didn't stop wiping up the blood.

I moved to the other cuts on his firm chest, and couldn't stop myself from biting my bottom lip. What the hell? I released my bottom lip. Why was I acting like a horny child. This was Clyde! Clyde Wood. I took the other wash cloth and went to the door. "Wait here." I didn't bother looking back before exiting.

I washed them up in the sink in my kitchen and decided I'd keep them, even though they were bloodied. Just in case he ever came back like this. Although I really hoped he wouldn't. I took an ice-pack from the freezer and stood at the sink once again looking into it. What the hell was wrong with me? It was about 11pm and I did have a busy day. I was just tired.

Tiredness messes with your brain. I accepted this idea and made my way back to the bathroom. "Put this on that bruise." I handed him the ice-pack and he obliged. I then went into the medical kit to get some gauze. I wrapped it around the ice-pack and his stomach, ignoring how shirtless he was to the best of my ability. I tied it off and started replacing the rest and taking out some band-aids.

"You're a great nurse." He spoke softly into my face as I applied the band-aid to his eyebrow. I looked into his eyes, that were still frickin on me.

However I couldn't help but smile at this. "Thanks." I never really thought about my skills in the medical field. After helping him put his shirt down, we made our way to the living room. I turned on the light, and paused the movie, forgetting it was even on. I would need to rewind it. "What is going on with you?" I asked.

He looked up at me, not seeming so happy. But I wasn't happy seeing him like this.

"I don't like seeing you hurt. Can you just stop?" I asked, well more like pleaded. It was weird, but I kind of wanted to cry right then.

He got up all angry but grabbed his side in pain. "Can you just mind your own damn business?" In the quiet night, his voice traveled and his firm tone made me feel like a 4 year old in trouble. I felt the tears sting the back of my eyes and knew my eyes probably turned red. "Dammit Alex!" His voice caused me to jump slightly and I looked up at him who was fuming. "Why the hell are you always crying at everything?!"

He stayed quiet for a moment, but I didn't say anything. "Sh#t!" He yelled exasperated and left through the front door, slamming it shut.

The tears streamed down my face then. Through blurred eyes I managed to lock the door, and turn off the t.v. I sniffled and wiped my nose on my tank top, then grabbed my food and put it in the kitchen. I turned off the light and went into my room keeping the light off before plopping down onto my bed. I snuggled my face in the pillow and ugly cried. "I don't know why I always cry at everything." I mumbled into my pillow and continued sobbing until I became unconcious.

Author's Note: Last chapter made this story unofficially 1/3 of the way done! Yay. And am I getting some actual feelings coming from Alex?