Between You And Me
Chapter 9
By: Sarah
I sat on the hard, wooden bench inside the police station. The lights were harsh and fluorescent. I was tired and scared and completely heartbroken. Joel was sitting next to me, slumped down, his arms crossed in front of him, his eyes heavy. I felt horrible for making him stay with me, but he really didn�t seem to mind too much. We were waiting for my case to be filed and put into order. It was taking forever.
� I�m sorry.� I looked over at Joel, an apologetic, pathetic smile on my lips. He shook his head, reached over and took my hand.
� You don�t have anything to be sorry about.� He whispered. He looked away, something in his eyes telling me that he was not all right.
� What�s wrong?� I asked, my voice hushed in the already quiet room. He shook his head, his lips pursed together angrily. I frowned, upset. Was he mad at me? He definitely had a right to be. He looked back to me and shook his head, as if he wasn�t sure if he wanted to say what was on his mind. � Joel�� I said, hesitantly.
� I just� I can't fucking believe Benji did this to you again.� He said, the words tumbling from his mouth. I was surprised, but I only nodded. � He�s such a fucking asshole. And I feel like such a�horrible friend. I didn�t have any idea that my own brother�that he was doing this to you. I should have known.� Joel scoffed, shaking his head. My heart melted. I reached over and hugged Joel, kissing him lightly on the cheek.
� It�s not your fault this happened. It wasn�t your responsibility to look after Benji for me� You, Joel, are one of the best friends I have ever have. The only one that hasn�t turned on me�or just left me when I needed them. If it weren�t for you, I�d still be outside, in the pouring rain, crying my eyes out.� I smiled weakly. He smiled back.
� I just don�t understand him.� He groaned. I nodded.
� Me either.� Just as the words left my lips, the station door opened and none other than Benji walked in. He scanned the room and when he saw us, he nearly ran over.
� Nic!� He jogged toward me, but Joel stood up, blocking his view from me.
� Benji, what are you doing here?�
� Are you guys ok?� Benji asked. Joel nodded.
� Benji, you should just go home. We�re fine.� He said. Benji frowned at his brother.
� Nic�� Benji tried to step past Joel and talk to me, but Joel stopped him, putting his hand on his chest.
� Benji just go home.� He said sternly. I was surprised by Joel�s actions, but completely grateful. I didn�t want to talk to Benji.
� Joel, what the fuck�� Benji said, his voice low. Joel shook his head and then grabbed Benji by the arm, pulling him over to the side. He started talking in a really low, hushed voice, but I could still make out what he was saying.
� Listen, Benj. Way before Nic was your girlfriend, she was OUR friend. She still is. And you and I both know what we�d do to a friend�s boyfriend that keeps fucking up. Benji, I don�t know what the fuck you were doing with Farah, but it obviously didn�t look good. I want to believe that nothing happened, but I just don�t know what to think. You have to stop hurting her�Nic. I don�t know what else to do�so, right now�I think you should just leave. Cuz if you weren�t my brother, I would have already beaten your ass up.�
Benji stared at Joel for a minute, speechless. My heart was pounding, blood rushing to my ears. Joel only stared back at him, letting him know that he wasn�t joking. This wasn�t good. I didn�t want to be the reason for a fight between them.
� Joel�� I stood up, but Benji raised his hands.
� No, no, Nic. Fuck this. If neither of you is going to let me tell you what happened, then fine. Have it your way.� He turned and then started walking away. Joel groaned. I flinched, closing my eyes.
� Benji, please�� I said, my voice barely audible. He turned around and looked at me, his dark eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. I tried to find my voice. I tried to find what I needed to say. � Benj.� I said, my breath short, and choppy. � I thought you loved me.� I managed to mumble, tears falling silently down my cheeks. He stared at the ground; his arms hanging lose at his sides. He needed to answer me. He needed to say something or I knew this was never going to fix itself. I took a step toward him, a tiny step. He looked back up at me. Those eyes that I had stared into so many times� They weren�t the same as they used to be. I had never seen this side of him before.
� I can't do this right now.� He said. He turned and then walked out of the station. I broke down, collapsing to the ground, not even bothering to stop myself from falling. It was all over.