Ethan's POV:
I watch as Benny's mouth opens and closes, eyes wide. He only saw the reflection earlier now he's looking straight at it. And I can see that fear in his eyes again. I wish I could think of a better way to explain this, but there isn't.
"You're going to tell me what happened now?"
"Nothing happened really … I mean, nothing caused these. I'm not being abused if that's what you're thinking …" my voice trails off as I see it click in his mind.
"Y-you did this … to yourself."
"Yes," I say quietly, avoiding his eyes.
"Why?" There's something about his voice that causes me to look over at him. His eyes are glassy and I realize what I heard in his voice. Benny, my best friend, was trying not to cry. I stare at him before answering.
"Do you really wanna know?"
"Yes Ethan! Whatever's wrong let me help you…" his voice dies off as he hesitantly lifts his hand and drags it lightly down my arm. I hiss from the pain. He glances at me before scooting closer and running his hand over the top of my shoulders. I can't help whimpering some as his hand continues over my exposed chest and arms. "Ethan." His voice is barely a whisper but I hear him. I face him and he's frowning at me. His hand stopped on my arm.
"Benny, I'm sorry." He stands up and pulls me up with him, turning us to face the mirror. I avoid his eyes as he looks at me.
"Ethan, why did you do this to yourself? Why?" I just look at my reflection with a frown on my face. "Why would you intentionally do this?" I take in my reflection, see what he sees. From my neck down to my waist, I'm covered in cuts; all along my arms, my wrists, my sides, and up to my collarbone area, some bigger than others, some redder than others. I just sigh as I grab my shirt and slide it back on.
"I've been so … empty lately. I feel so void of emotion. This brought back some of my emotions. I just can't seem to stop." I sit back down on the floor and wince as some of the cuts feel too tight on my skin. "If I'm not empty, I'm depressed. I'm so depressed Benny. I just can't take life anymore." I look up at him and see him just staring at me. He sits next to me and wraps an arm around me, pulling me to him.
"Ethan, let me help you. I'm your best friend. You don't need to be alone right now. I'm staying all weekend and we'll work on this and try to figure out what's got you so depressed. You don't need to suffer alone anymore E, I'm here okay?" I just nod and lay my head on his shoulder. I know he won't give up until he helps me. I curl up next to him before a whispered "thank you" escapes my lips.
…
Benny's POV:
I don't know how long we sit there, but I notice how Ethan's breathing becomes steady and even. He's asleep. I turn my head slightly to look at him and can't help but feel scared for him. What got him so depressed that he did this to himself? The sight of all those cuts on him, knowing he did it on purpose, just hurts me. I'll do anything to help him. He's my best friend. I frown again before I hear the bathroom door open. I turn to see a sympathetic looking Sarah.
"Benny, are you guys okay?" Sarah asks, staring at me. I just shrug, so she turns her gaze to Ethan's sleeping form next to me, his head on my shoulder and my arm around him still. Instead of the expected embarrassment of being caught in the position we were in, I felt something that I could only describe as anger and … jealousy? Why am I jealous? Just because Sarah has been staring at Ethan for like 5 minutes is nothing to be jealous over. I quickly push that thought out of my mind. As for the anger, she walked in on a private moment. Who wouldn't be angry at that?
"Well Benny, I just put Jane to bed and was about to watch a movie. I wanted to see if you two wanted to join me but he is out like a light so I guess that's a no huh?" she said, eyes moving back to me, almost reluctantly it seemed.
"Yeah, I think I'm gonna try to wake him and get him to bed, he's been exhausted. I'm just gonna stay tonight too, can you tell his parents when they get back?"
"Of course." With that, she left us alone. I glance at Ethan's peaceful sleeping face before gently shaking his shoulder. I try not to notice his somewhat shallow breathing as I whisper to him.
"E, buddy, wake up. Come on E." The only reaction I get is him snuggling closer to me, lips barely grazing my neck. For some reason, I can't help but shiver at the contact. Briefly I close my eyes and wonder why that affected me so much. I must be cold. That's all. I quickly shake my head, clearing my mind, before looking at Ethan's sleeping face again. "Come on, wake up." I shake him gently again before his head turns again, this time face turned up. It feels like my heart stopped. I can't stop staring at his face. What is wrong with me? I just turn my face away, forcing myself to breath normally. Finally, instead of attempting to wake him, I just slowly stand up, Ethan in my arms, bridal style. Luckily Sarah had left the door open.
As I walk up the stairs with him in my arms, I hear Sarah walk behind me. I don't bother turning around, not wanting to drop Ethan. "Open his door for me?" I ask over my shoulder. She doesn't respond, just opens the door before stepping out of the way.
"He's really tired isn't he? Is he okay?" I just look at Sarah as I lie him down on the bed, not sure if I should tell her what Ethan showed me. I decide not to, it's his problem, not mine.
"I honestly don't know. This isn't the first time he's fallen asleep on me today, literally. Earlier we were watching a movie and he fell asleep, head on my shoulder, just like you saw in the bathroom."
"I wonder why he's not sleeping well."
"Probably just exhausted from school and fighting the supernatural. It takes a lot out of us mortals."
"I suppose you're right. I just hope he'll be okay." For some reason, hearing the concern in Sarah's voice sent me into jealousy again. I just shake my head, hoping to shake the feeling away. She sees me and raises an eyebrow at me. "You okay Benny?" I just nod, forcing a small half smile on my face. She seems to buy it and heads back downstairs to wait for Ethan's parents. As soon as the door closes my smile falls. I lean down to where my lips are almost against his ear before speaking.
"Ethan, buddy, please be okay. I need you, you're my best friend. I'll help you through everything. I'll be here through it all. I promise. Goodnight." After that, I set up my place on the floor, changed into my pajamas and watched Ethan until I finally fall asleep.
