[Jarvis Harding]

The day I hooked up with Nona for the first time, I thought it'd be just a one time off. Yet, I find myself worrying for her. I have no idea of where she is. Since she quit school, things have gone back to being the usual shit.

I can't bring myself to taking part in any sort of social activities at all, let alone with my so-called friends. To add insult to injury, Fallon has been calling me a loser for rejecting her for an entire week. She knows I enjoyed myself at her stupid party only because of Nona; however, she still believes she can act smug towards me.

Since those fuckers can't target Nona anymore, I am their new punching ball. They all show their real faces, those of slimey, disgusting pricks. If I can't have Nona by my side, then I'm better off on my own. The Principal got what he wanted: starting a witchhunt out of prejudice to allow the true culprit to avoid accountability.

When the final bell rings, I don't even go to the bleachers. There's the season's final football game, but I don't care. I just want to go home. No-one even bother stopping me. Good for me. This means I can go and look for Nona undisturbed.

***

My search for Nona has been fruitless. I've literally rode the entire town for answers, but to no avail. Her family were anything but welcoming when I passed by to ask about her. It turns out she left school and they kicked her out as a result.

Nona is in trouble. I must help her. This why I'm relieved when I notice her message, buried among the ones by the other students mocking and degrading me. I read it frantically. 'Jarvis, I'm at the hospital. Come find me. I need help with the bill.'

The hospital? Why so? This is even worse than I thought. She must've taken such a hard beating that she got injured. Otherwise, she might've fallen badly ill. Who knows? What matters is that I reach her safely. I can't waste any more time. She needs me.

***

The situation, on one hand, isn't as bad as I thought. She sustained a leg fracture; something that requires a recovery period of approximately two to three months at best, but it isn't so serious. The problem is, the hospital bill is expensive as fuck. 400 dollars! This has to be a joke.

"Have you got a plan?" I ask her, aware of the fact that she can't count on her family's support, whether financial or emotional. It may not be a big deal to her, but I doubt insurance covers unexpected injuries, especially for homeless people. I don't mean to be brutal, but Nona is one as of now.

She confesses. "While, actually, I had a different one."

I snicker at her. "To die? Nona, I was worried about you as fuck. Like, seriously?" I'm about to ask her why, but prefer not to. Maybe a deeper motive led her to do what she did. It can't be merely another stunt of hers.

So, I just warn her. "Don't do that again, Nona. I was scared. What if I lost you forever?"

She initially chuckles, then bursts into deep laughter. "Under another circumstance, I'd tell you I can't grant you anything. However, since it's you..." She doesn't finish the sentence, leaving room for imagination. Well, kind of.

"Never mind. By the way, if you need help with the bill, I can help you. I'll sell some items of mine. I can try and set up a GoFundMe or stuff like that. I have so many ideas-" Nona clears her throat to interrupt me. I'm not sure about what she thinks of my enthusiasm.

"Okay, okay, I'll tone it down. Sorry."

"Oh, I didn't mean to say your ideas are bad, Jarvis. Just, slow down. You sound like you're out of breath."

"Again, I'm sorry."

"Stop apologizing. You make me feel bad." She has a point this time. She did nothing to make me feel uncomfortable. So, why am I taking my irritability out on her?

She reassures me as she sees my tense face. "It's okay, Jarvis. We'll get through this together." I barely notice, but I end up squeezing her hand. I don't feel her touch warm on my skin, I find it burning hot. The passion between us explodes like that night in the shower.

One day, we'll let that passion bloom again, under a better, more comfortable occasion.

***

I gather all the books I no longer read and place them in two tote bags. Then, I proceed to declutter my wardrobe: so many clothes that are completely ruined or I no longer use. I throw the former in a blue plastic bag for them to be disposed of, while I place the latter in a brown box. I'll sell them along the books and other items I have to choose to get rid of.

I search for more stuff that's worth being sold throughout the house. I set my eyes on some vinyls Dad keeps on a shelf in his studio. As soon as he passes by, however, he asks me, "What are you doing here? Is there a problem?"

Going straight to the point, I reply with another question, "Do you plan to keep them all?"

He shrugs. "Why would I get rid of any? They're precious! I'd be stupid to let go of even one of them, Jarvis." Okay. The vinyls are off limits, and I supposed most of Dad's stuff is. I'll ask Mom instead. Maybe she has a few bags she no longer uses.

To my disappointment, however, she only hands me one, along with an old hat she was gifted but has never worn so far. "That's all I can give you, Jarvis," she says. "The rest... I'll keep them all. I hope you understand." I keep myself from letting out a sigh and force a smile. At least, this is better than nothing.

I make a list of all the items that I have to sell, adding an estimated value to each piece. If I'm lucky, I'll raise up to eighty dollars. Not enough to cover all the expenses, but it's a good start. It may encourage me to see if others in the area are willing to help me.

By the way, given all I've gathered so far, I don't think I need Dad or Mom to drive me to the flea market. I can go there on foot. Walking is also a way for me to clear my mind. I really need to, especially because of the jumbling mess it has become.

After thirty minutes, as I arrive at the entrance of the flea market, I notice three familiar faces. Jay, Audrey and Fallon. I don't know whether it's better to just walk past them, pretending they don't exist, or to at least acknowledge the former two one more time.

I opt for the later option. I wave a hand at them; Fallon blatantly ignores me, Jay forces an awkward glare at me, while Audrey rolls her eyes. They aren't pleased to see me. At this point, I have no other choice than move on. They don't care about me anymore.

They have all rights to do so, but it's safe to say they can stop acting as if I were a monster simply for choosing to give Nona the benefit of doubt. If they want to keep judging me for that, their loss. I have more important stuff to deal with.