As it turns out Marco was in three of my classes, French, math and chemistry. Though French is the only where I sit next to him. The bell rang after chemistry, the last class of the day, and I got out of my seat to leave. I threw my backpack onto my shoulder and made my way to the hallway. As I was walking, someone knocked my shoulder with theirs and the jolt caused my ribs to ache.
"Watch it, faggot." gritting my jaw I turned. Some dumbass jock was walking away and just as he turned the corner, he turned and sneered at me. I glared back and flipped him off. Fucker. Whatever, I had to hurry if I wanted to make it to work on time. I walk out of school to my car, unlock the door and get in. I turn the radio on to the rock station and head to work. I pull into the back parking lot of Zoe's, where the Employees Park and shuck off my jacket. As I walk into the back, I run into Christa, a server here whom I became attached to quickly. She was short, blonde, and sweet. Her girlfriend, Ymir, was a friend of mine here too, she worked as a hostess. They, like me, felt no need to hide their sexuality from these small-minded pricks and that's probably why we became so close.
"Hi Jean!" Christa chirped. She hugged me and instantly jumped back when I winced. "Oh I'm so sorry!" she backed up and scrutinized me. Then she got a hard look in her usually gentle eyes. "He did it again?" yeah Christa knew, she and I were that close. I could tell her anything and know that I wouldn't be judged. She knew about my father's abuse, my mother's addiction, even my crush on Marco.
"Yeah, I guess he had a bad day yesterday so…" I trailed off; she knows what happens next. She nodded then grabbed my hand. She led me to the computer and had me clock in then she grabbed me to where our storage cubbies were.
"Here I have something to cover that bruise up, so none of the customers will say anything." she reached in and grabbed a small makeup bag. I've come to work like this before so I was used to her putting concealer on my bruises to hide them. I lean down so she can dab the makeup onto my bruise. After a couple minutes, she puts it away and smiles at me. "There, all done." she pats my cheek. "Handsome as ever." I snort and walk away to start my shift. I notice we're not that busy but I grab a small tub, waved hello to Connie who was in the kitchen, and started to clear off a table. When I hear the door opening and loud voices, I look over and see a group of boys from my school all wearing their letterman jackets and in the center of the group was Marco, saying something that made the others laugh. Ymir was showing them to a table when Marco caught me staring. Unfortunately so did one his buddies. The only back to the kitchen was past them so I quickly finished busing the table and tried to walk by them without an incident. I could not afford to lose this job so I had to make sure I didn't cause any trouble. I walked with my head down, hoping no one else would notice me and they wouldn't say anything. Apparently that wasn't what I should have been worrying about. The tub I was holding hid the foot that shot out in front of me. I fell causing cups, plates and silverware to fly everywhere. The glass shattering and digging into my palms and arms. All the guys at the table were laughing, except one. Marco got out of his chair and came to my side, quickly followed by Ymir. They helped me gather the shattered glass.
One of the boys snorted. "Marco you're such a fucking bleeding heart, you'd help someone rob a bank if they gave you a pathetic enough look." everyone laughed, again, Marco did not.
Marco shot them a heated glare, something I have never seen on his beautiful face. He stood up and got in front of me. Shielding me from their laughter. "That was a fucked up thing to do Dan. Really fucked up."
That sure as hell shut them up. Dan stood up. "You standing up for the fag Marco?" he sneered. Marco just turned and kneeled back down to help me pick up the glass. Dan glared at me as he and the others got up and left. "Fine, Marco. Help the fairy, you'll soon find out why no one likes him anyway. And then you'll come running back after he tries to rape you." I Stared at him shocked. Marco was more than shocked. He was livid. It's odd, I'm sure he's seen them picking on me before, he had to. So why was he sticking up for me here?
Marco stood up and faced Dan and the others. "Fuck you." he said, his voice dripping venom. I was shocked, I never heard him say something like that. He was usually so nice. The boys glared, "You'll regret this Bodt." Dan said chillingly, and left with the others.
Marco just shook his head and helped me up. Ymir took the tub to the kitchen. Luckily the restaurant was dead only an elderly couple who had looked on with curiosity. Christa came over to help, when she saw my arms.
"Jean! Your arms, you need to go to the hospital and get those stitched up, they look pretty bad." I just nodded, still stunned that Marco stood up for me.
"I-I'll take him." I looked up at that beautiful freckled face. "I'll have to use your car though," he nodded towards the door, "my ride's gone." he smiled.
Christa looked up at him with suspicion. She looked at me next with a questioning look. I nodded. "Yeah that'd be great. Thanks." I muttered. I looked to Christa. "You think you could cover for me?"
"Of course! You're bleeding you need the hospital, Hanji won't get mad about that!" I nodded again. "Thanks."
I led Marco out the back. Connie came rushing up to check on me. I assured him that I was fine and waved off his invitation to take me to the hospital. We got to my car and stood awkwardly. After a minute Marco giggled, actually fucking giggled, "I'm gonna need the keys if you want to get to the hospital, y'know before you bleed out."
"Oh right." I shook my head trying to clear my thoughts. I searched my pockets and grabbed my keys tossing them to him. He got in and unlocked my door, as I sat in the passenger seat I finally realized just how bad I was bleeding. Bothe of arms and hands were covered in the crimson liquid, blood was everywhere. All over my black work shirt, and my jeans. It was getting on my car seat as well. "Ah shit." I grumbled. Marco looked at me worriedly.
"Are you alright?" He asked, concerned.
"Yeah I just need to find something to stop the bleeding, I'm getting it everywhere." I found a wash cloth, what the hell was that even doing in here? And some duct tape that I always had stashed in my car. I wrapped the cloth around the worst part of my arm and sealed the sides with two pieces of tape. I went to look back to find something to bind the other arm with when Marco handed me a red bandana. I looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"What? I like to keep one with me… just in case." he said. I smiled and took it, making another makeshift bandage.
"Well I'm glad that you do." I smiled at him shyly. He smiled and nodded, looking back to the rode. A few minutes later we pulled into the emergency room. I was called back immediately and Marco came with me. I'm glad he did because I'm terrified of needles. As the doctor was stitching my arms up I clenched my jaw and turned away, breathing deeply. Marco smiled gently at me and I focused on trying to count all the freckles on his cheeks. He didn't seem to mind. After about an hour the doctor gave me a mild painkiller and a prescription for more. Bandaged and a little loopy I followed Marco back out to my car. I gave him directions to my house. My parents' car was in the drive way so I couldn't ask if he wanted to come in. Marco got out of the car to help me out. When he opened the door I asked how he was going to get home.
He smiled again. "I'll call my dad to pick me up." I nodded but stopped him from walking me to my door.
"I'll wait out here with you." he looked concerned.
"I think you should lay down, you need to rest."
I shook my head, "No. I don't want to go in yet. I'll feel better once your dad picks you up." he shrugged and pulled out his cell phone to call his dad and gave him directions. After he was done we were sitting together on the curb waiting. I looked over at him. "Thank you, for everything. You didn't have to stand up for me, I'm used to it-" he cut me off with a shake of his head.
"You shouldn't have to be used to it Jean," God I loved the way he said my name. "those guys were out of line. You don't deserve that." he paused. "Speaking of… um didn't you have a bruise on your face today?" I nodded and wiped the makeup off my cheek.
"Christa puts concealer on them when it might interfere with work."
He looked upset, "So this happens often?" he asked. Just then his dad pulled up, and Marco reluctantly looked over at him. "I'll see you tomorrow ok?" I nodded and waved at him as he got in his dad's car and left.
Author's note
Hope you guys like it! Sorry if there's a bunch of mistakes I didn't have time to edit it