He stared at her still. Quickly he gets to his feet and goes to her, touching her cheek gently not to hurt but just to inspect. Oh God. People might think he hits her Or something bad happened. His stomach knots up, and he shakes his head.
“Y-you shouldn’t do that… you shouldn’t let them goad you in-into violence like that. It’s, it’s what bullies do. They lower you to th-their standards and make you fight, a-and you become li-like them, relying on violence.. I-I know because all the doctors told me that, when-when I was bullied so badly…” he trails off, groaning, and shuts his eyes.
“Katelynn I am grateful bu-but what if she comes after you even more now, t-that you tried?”
Her face contorts in pain at his words, a bit of worry leaking into her eyes. “She’s the one who found me..I should have had my disguise on but I guess she wanted to tell me her handiwork..” She frowned, looking away from him.
“Goad me..she definitely did that..I’m sorry Jack..I was just…I’ve never felt so angry at someone..she was the one who burned your artwork and I didn’t want her to laugh at you like that..”
“I always make you cry.” Jack said quietly. “W-when did I start making you cry so much…? I, I don’t know what to do…” he admits, pulling his hand away from her, as if he’d touched a hot oven. “I-I don’t you, I don’t mind about the artwork because you were safe and unharmed b-but…”
He stops himself, and rubs at his temples, shutting his eyes. “God.. I’m sorry. I am.” Jack shook his head. “G-great. So Hot Flash knows who I am, now…” he whispered to himself.
Jack Maple 