PJ blinked a few times, seeing Caroline come in the room. She was completely baffled at the entrance of the girl. “B-but… but aren’t you dead? I- I don’t mean the rudely in the slightest… I- I don’t understand.” PJ said confused, knowing Caroline as soon as she walked through the door. Little did anyone know, PJ was incredibly jealous of Caroline. She always felt useless when Caroline Woods walked through the door.
" I had a best friend a boyfriend and a sister to come back to" she opening the mini fridge "ohhhh apple juice" she said taking it out and opening the starae and putting it in the jucebox and took a sip
“I…” Tears started to sting at PJ’s eyes, as she tried to find her words. “That doesn't make sense. I- how did you even get back down here?” She seemed upset, hurt even, though she was trying so hard not to let the tears through. So badly she just wanted to leave, but she didn’t want to seem bitter.
"My sister drove me not lily Jane "she said leaning on the counter" here's the thing if you and Brad like each other go for it date I won't stop you" she said taking another sip
Brad froze up a bit, looking over at Caroline concerned. "Uh- but… I..?" Standing there like an idiot, he glanced over at PJ who was getting more and more stressed out. "I'm trying to tell you, any one who listens. I don't want to try and go out with him. I want to be friends, and it may be awkward because I still like him, but I still want to try. Can none of you hear me?"
Caroline walked over to her "oh I can hear you loud and clear I was just saying Don't you think I remember how in love you were with Brad" she smiled " oh and if you ever talk to my sister like that again I will break every bone in your fucking body' she growled
PJ froze up a bit, swallowing down the lump in her throat. "And you would get praised for it. You're Caroline Woods, everyone loves you." She muttered sharply, gritting her teeth. "I don't understand why you hate me, all of you. None of you will listen to what I'm saying. So I give up." Breaking down in to tears, she walked out rather frustrated.
She shook her head grabbing her backpack and her apple juice and she started to walk out of the bar
"Caroline," Brad said softly, holding on to her arm. "I would just leave her alone. I know her, she needs to go drain her frustration." He insisted, pressing a soft kiss to the back of her hand. "Though I'd like to say, I could have handled that. I know you were trying to help, but that's what I was trying to avoid. Scaring her off completely."
She huffed "family's stick together glad to know Collin will stick up for me and Lily" she said
"I- That's not fair." Brad said rather hurt at her words. "Whenever I try to stick up for you, you tell me to back down. But when it's me who has to handle something, you're all up on it. Do you not think I can handle myself?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. "Do you think I'm a wreck, that can't do anything?"
She rolled her eyes with a a laugh " I could ask you the same thing" she growled " Collins had to defend my sister and I I can tell how much I really mean to you" she said
Brad went quiet, pulling back from her. "I don't know why you're so mad at me, I really don't. This isn't fair in the slightest. I never asked for help, but Lilly stepped in. I was fine dealing with this on my own. I was going to get involved, but Collins stepped up. I'm really unsure why you're so ticked off at me, but it really frustrates me. You always seem mad at me, for something I've done. I'm getting kind of sick of this, Caroline." He delivered rather calmly, glancing up at the others who seemed rather awkward in the moment. "So whatever this is about, just tell me straight forward. No games, no leaving out details. What did I do?"
She closed her eyes " you weren't going to stand up for me go on go after her " she said
"I don't like her like that though. I love you, and I care. I would stand up for you, but you tell me not to. How am I suppose to know what to do?" Brad asked her, still keeping a calm tone when he spoke to her. "Do you not want me anymore? Do you just want me to leave, so you use this as an excuse for me to hurt you?"
"i never said that Brad I love you more than anything cut me some slack I've been in Vegas getting taking taken advantage of" she said
"Cut you some slack?" Brad asked softly, taking another step back. "I've been in a depressive state, I can't begin to describe. I've physically hurt myself, to the point I'm surprised I'm still even alive. Some days I wonder how I'm still alive. Others, I wonder why."
"i was taking advantage of I feel disgusted they touched me where no one should ever touch a girl and I had no one so I sat there and took it knowing I would come back to you that was the only thing stopping me from ending my life maybe I should've stayed dead" she said
"Then maybe I should have killed myself." He whispered, tears starting at his eyes as he turned around. "Stay here and wait for the rest of your friends. I'm going back to the apartment, and will be waiting when you get back." Brad muttered as he ducked out of the bar to head home. Running his hand up and down his arm, he tried not to break down just yet. He had to get home, he wouldn't be able to see through his tears if he did cry.
(Do we want to end the chapter there?)
(yeah)
Caroline got to the apartment her knuckles extremely bloody from punching things she walked in and went to the kitchen looking for bandages
Not knowing Caroline was home yet, Brad had locked himself in the bathroom. He had a feeling she would have showed up soon, and didn't really want her walking in on him. He was a wreck. Staring at his shirtless torso, he traced the scars from various nights of him physically abusing himself. 'It's your fault she died… and now you're back at square one. It's exactly what happened last time.' With his thoughts screaming awful things at him, he pulled open the medicine cabinet's door in attempt to look for something.
" Brad!" She called out " babe I'm sorry " she cried
Pausing in his search, he fell quiet for a moment. His voice was mostly gone, from screaming at himself in frustration. Yanking back on the long sleeve shirt, he pulled the door open and wiped his eyes. "C-Caroline?" Brad called back out, his voice weak.
She saw him and ran over to him being sure not to touch him with her bloody hands she hugged him crying in his chest
"B-baby doll… why are you crying?" He asked softly, wincing a bit when she hugged him. The contact was unexpected, so he couldn't prepare himself for the shock of pain he felt. "What happened after I left?" Even with his sore throat, he forced himself to talk to her and figure out what was wrong.
"Star came in" she cried " she said you two got together" she cried
"W-what? Why did she tell you that?" Brad asked softly, scooping her up to carry her back to the couch. "Why would you believe that?" Once in the living room, he sat on the couch with her on his lap.
"I didn't but with no one backed you up" she cried wipping her tears getting blood on her cheek
Groaning, he tilted his head back on the couch. "I ask someone one time to let me handle something, and everyone ditches me… great." Brad mumbled, sighing heavily as he wiped the blood and tears off of her cheeks. "I'm sorry baby-doll." He whispered, his throat more scratchy than before.