Chapter 27~ It's Not Worth It

"Ugh, do you have to go? Can't you just move in with me?" I ask, whining as Austin packs his bag. His mom is waiting on him downstairs. She's probably talking with Andrew about whatever parents talk about when they're waiting on their kids.

"As much as I would love to Den, my mom would get pretty lonely without me," He says, smiling, still shoving clothes in his already full bag.

"She could visit," I say, still standing with my argument.

Austin doesn't say anything. He just rolls his eyes and smiles. My god, his smile, his beautiful smile. With his perfectly white teeth and his dimples, it just does something to me. I have come to a realization this past week; I am helplessly in love with Austin Johnson. He makes me feel safe. Not to mention he is hot as hell, but I could never have him. He doesn't like me like that. He must sense my mood change.

"What is it, buddy?" He asks; he even stopped stepping on his suitcase, trying to get it to zip.

Quick, Denver. Think of something.

"Oh, it's nothing. I just don't want to do homework tonight," I say with a fake smile.

Nice one, he has to believe that.

"I thought you said you didn't have homework," he asks, his eyebrow-raising.

Okay, maybe not. He is harder to trick, then you think.

"I forgot about a history paper I need to write," I answer, maybe a little too quick.

"Denver Blake, you are a terrible liar," Austin says, taking a few steps toward me.

"Fine, you caught me. I'm just going to miss you being here all the time" I lie smoothly this time; well, I didn't really lie. I will miss him.

"Awee, I practically live at your house anyway," Austin says, biting into the lie.

"True," I smile, so he goes back to trying to get his suitcase to shut.

After we successfully get his bag zipped, I lead him down the stairs where his mom is waiting impatiently. From there, he goes out of the door bag in hand.

The night without Austin in my bed, playing with my hair until I fall asleep, passes slowly.

"Morning, pretty boy," Austin says once I get to my locker.

"Morning," I say, not really awake yet.

"Here's your coffee, grumpy pants," He says, handing me a travel mug.

Since he and I became friends, he has always brought me food and things when he stops and gets it, he always brings me my favorites.

Yes, I know he's amazing.

"You're my favorite," I say as I take the mug from him. As I take a drink, he puts in my combination.

"Hey, Denver, can I talk to you?" I hear a voice from behind me ask.

You know what? My morning was going great until now because that voice undoubtedly belongs to Finn Hall.

"Get lost, Hall," Austin says through gritted teeth as he shoves me behind him, so he's in between me and Finn.

"I wasn't talking to you, Johnson," Finn fires right back.

"You know what? Ever since you got here, you've just had this idea that Denver is yours and no one can touch him. Well, news flash, A.J. He's not. He was mine before you had to come and mess it up," Finn says, taking a step closer.

His? What the fuck? Absolutely not. Also, A.J. is my nickname, back off Finn.

I need to break them apart; they can't fight here. Not over me.

"Yours! He's not yours. He never was, and he never will be. Before I got here, you beat the shit out of him every day. Newsflash, Finn, if you think you are so much as going to look at him. You can think again. Especially after the other day!" Austin yells, creating a scene. His arm is still behind him, holding me back.

Some people have their phones out, hoping their screaming match will turn into something more.

"You TOLD him! I trusted you," Finn yells, but now it's directed at me.

I understand Finn has put me through hell, but I hate that I am the cause of the heartbreak plastered on his face.

"I'm sorry! He knew something was up, I had to!" I try to reason with him, hoping he understands.

"Leave Finn. If you know what is good for you, you will leave," Austin says.

"No, I can talk to him if I want to," Finn says, not backing down.

"Well, maybe I don't want you to. You won't be anywhere near him if I have a say in it," Austin says, clenching his fists together.

"You don't make his decisions. Why don't we let him choose" Finn says, and they both look at me.

"Hey, don't put this on him. This is between you and me now, asshat," Austin says, coming to my rescue.

"I hate to break it to you, but I've known him longer. He can make his own damn decisions!" Finn says, taking a step towards us. He gets almost nose to nose with Austin then says, "Plus, we both know you are only friends with him because you fucking love him,"

Finn must have hit a nerve because before anyone registers what's happening, Austin punches Finn square in the jaw.

"Guys! What the hell? Stop it!" I yelled, rushing to them, trying to break them up.

"Denver, get out of the way before one of us accidentally hits you," Austin says in between punches.

"Then stop!!" I yell, but no one answers or does as they are told.

Now Finn is on top of Austin, punching him everywhere he can reach. I know how hard Finn can hit. Austin is going to be sore tomorrow. But, I also know that Austin can fight as well. Finn may have met his match with Austin.

Why did that comment send him over the edge? I guess he really doesn't see me that way. I guess he is disgusted by the thoughts of ever being like that with me. Is it that bad to be in love with me?

With one quick motion, Austin is the one on top. Repaying Finn for what he was doing.

"Austin, get off of him. You are in deep shit as it is," Jack says, coming out of nowhere.

I have never been so happy to see Jack Taylor before in my life.

"He's not worth it. Let it go." Jack tries again, but Austin's still throwing punches.

"Let. It. Go. Johnson," Jack says a little more forceful, but Austin doesn't stop.

I see Jack bend down a little closer and say something else, but I can't hear what he said.

~Austin's P.O.V. ~

"Plus, we both know you are only friends with him because you fucking love him," As soon as the words leave Finn's mouth, all I see is red.

I am in love with the beautiful boy. It's pretty apparent to everyone but him. But that's not why I am his best friend. I am his friend because he is the best human I have ever met. I always want to talk to him, and I never want to go a day without him. He's so kind and compassionate, he really does have the best heart. He will always listen to your problems and give you the best advice. He has the best sense of humor, and you can't help but smile when around him. He's just incredible, me loving him is just a bonus. It's just something that happened over time. Falling in love with Denver Taylor was the easiest thing I have ever done.

I can't control myself. Before I know it, I start swinging at Finn.

I get a few good ones in, but he knocks me to the ground and starts punching me in any spot I can't guard quickly. I feel him bust my lip on the second swing. I can taste metallic, but I ignore it and flip us over.

"Austin, get off of him. You are in deep shit as it is," I hear Jack say, but I have zero intentions on listening. I've dealt with Finn's shit long enough. He's not going to hurt Denver again.

"He's not worth it. Let it go." Jack tries again, but I disagree. It is so worth it. This is for everything he has done to Denver. He actually deserves much worse.

"Let. It. Go. Johnson," Jack tries a third time, but I'm not letting this go.

"Austin, you can't do anything to help Denver if you're suspended. You and I both know nothing is going to happen to Finn. I can't watch Denver all-day. Finn will find a way to talk to him, and all of this will be for nothing. Don't let it be for nothing." Jack says softly, so only I can hear him.

He's right. I hate it, but he's right. I can't protect Denver if I'm not here, and I'll be damned if Finn gets his way. So much to my dismay, I slow my punches and get off of Finn.

"Atta boy, walk away," Jack says, standing in between Finn and me with a hand on each of our chests. Trying to prevent us from going at it again. Because, to be honest, I'm not done with him. And by the look on Finn's face, I don't think he is done with me either.

"Mr. Taylor and Mr. Hall, principal's office now!" A teacher says.

Lady, you are about twenty minutes late. I feel like when there are droplets of blood already on the ground, you are late to the fight.

Finn and I eye each other as we start to walk away.

"Jack, will you escort these boys. I don't want them to get into any more trouble," The teacher adds, not wanting to fool with us.

"Sure, Mrs. Moore, I will happily do your job that you're too lazy to do," Jack says, smiling at her.

He's such a smartass, I love it.

A smile almost makes its way to my face at Jack's comment. My lips curve upwards.

She just makes a shocked noise before she walked back into her classroom, choosing to ignore us.

"Denver stay. I'll come back and get you," Jack says, giving him the "I'm in charge here, and you will listen" look.

Denver just nods and looks at his shoes.

Shit, I forgot about Denver for a minute. He had to see me like that. What if he is mad at me, or worse, scared of me now. Oh god, how will I make this up to him?

"Finn, you deserved so much more than this. I should have walked away and let him beat your ass for all the shit you have done to my baby brother, but Denver wouldn't have forgiven himself."

"Listen, I'm..." Finn starts.

"Save it for someone who cares," Jack Interrupts him.

As we walk into the office, the principal, Mr. Peters, is already waiting for us.

"Thank you, Mr.Taylor, for once you're not the one seeing me," Mr. Peters jokes.

"First time for everything, oh, and listen to both sides of the story before you do anything. If you need a third opinion, call my baby brother up, he was there for the whole thing," Jack says, heading to the door.

"Will do, Mr.Taylor, Thanks again," Mr. Peters says as Jack exits the door.

"Alright, boys, let's go to my office," Mr. Peters says, leading us to another room. "One of you can sit out here while I take the other," Peters says, pointing to a chair sitting by his office door.

Finn is the first to go back. I can't imagine all the shit he is saying about me. I can feel my palms start to get sweaty. I'm not really one to get into a fight. All I want is for Denver to tell me it's all going to be okay, but he probably doesn't want to be anywhere near me. About thirty minutes later, Finn walks out of the office with Peters trailing behind.

"Your turn Mr. Johnson," Mr. Peters tells me, holding the door open for me.

Here goes nothing. There is no way I'm getting out of this. I mean, it's Finn fucking Hall, he's not going to believe me.

"So, Mr. Johnson, what exactly happened out there," He asks, sitting down in his chair with a huff.

"Finn tried to get to a friend of mine, a friend Finn has been bullying for years, mind you, so I intervened," I answer, getting mad all over again.

"What you are telling me is that Finn tried to talk to your friend, and you attacked him," He says, twisting my words.

"No, I protected my friend from a bully," I correct, letting my anger slip.

"Was it not a comment that caused you to attack Finn?" Peters asks, folding his chunky hands together on the desk.

"Well, yeah, but I wanted to keep Denver safe," I answer, clenching my jaw.

"So, what I am hearing is you attacked Finn because he made a small comment," He inquires, still twisting my words. God, I fucking hate this school.

"I did not attack him, I fought him. There is a difference. I fought him because he put my best friend through hell for years, and you people did nothing about it. He tried to kill Denver, and you just turned a blind eye. I took actions into my own hands because I knew that was the only way Finn would learn, and I would do it again," I say, finally snapping.

I'm over him and his snide comments. I'm over everyone protecting Finn. I'm done with this school not doing anything. I am going to protect Denver no matter what it takes. Fuck everyone else.

"Calm down, Mr. Johnson. I don't appreciate the tone. Nothing has been reported on Mr. Hall," The jackass reprimands me.

"Nothing has been reported because every time you see something happening, you look the other way. You pretend you don't know what Finn does, but you do. And you do nothing about it. How can you sleep at night knowing you are letting Denver, the precious thing, go through hell," I say, not changing my tone at all. He can go to hell for all I care.

"That is quite enough, Austin. This is supposed to be a civil conversation to get both sides of the story" Peters tries to reason, but he's getting angry at me. I can tell.

"Both sides of the story, my ass. You picked a side before you even heard Finn open his mouth. The Hall's rule this shithole, and you know it. They decide every move you make, just because they have money. That new football field they sponsored came with a price, didn't it? They now control you, you are their puppet," I say, trying to hit a nerve to maybe open his eyes to what is going on.

"I will not be talked to like this, Mr. Johnson. I suggest you calm down," Peters warns with a red face. I found the nerve I was looking for.

"Is their money really worth almost losing a life at the hands of Finn Hall?" I ask lowering my voice.

His face falters for a split second, his eyes soften.

"So, you admit you swung first?" He asks, his eyes hardening again.

"I might have swing first, but I didn't start the fight. Finn started it when he laid his hands on Denver." I say, leaning back into the hard seat, I have been at the edge of since I got in here.

"That will be all, Mr. Johnson. You can show yourself out," He says, writing something down in a notepad.

I hope that went in my favor. I mean, maybe cussing out the principal wasn't the best tactic, but hopefully it worked.

I am fuming when I leave the small, glass office, but the rage leaves me once I see the blue-eyed boy.

"Listen, Denver, I'm sorry," I say immediately.

"How could you be so stupid? It's Finn Hall he always gets his way," Denver says, jumping up from his seat.

"Well, he doesn't get his way with me. I'm not letting him hurt you anymore. You're my best friend, Denver, he's going to have to go through me to get to you. By the looks of it, he's going to have to practice his left hooks if he wants to beat me," I say, trying to joke with him.

Denver crosses the distance between us and pulls me into a hug. I drop my bag of ice I was using as an ice pack to the floor and use both hands to hug back.

"Thank you so much. I'm so glad you moved here," Denver says his words are muffled against my chest, but I still hear him.

"No need to thank me," I say and lightly kiss the top of his head. Lightly enough to where he can't feel it.

"How bad is it," Denver asks

"Huh," I ask, confused.

"Your punishment, silly." He rolls his eyes that are filled with worry.

"Well, I don't know yet. I may or may not have let Peters have it. He twisted my words around to make it my fault, so I let him have a piece of my mind," I say, making Denver's eyebrows shoot up.

"You what? So he's going to pin it all on you?" He says, his voice rising a few octaves.

"I think so, I might have opened his eyes though, or that is what I was trying to do," I say, scratching his head to try and calm him down.

"What do you mean? What did you say?" He asks, still visibly worried, but he is melting into my touch.

"Well, I might have called him out for turning a blind eye on everything Finn Hall and for being controlled by money," I say, trying to summarize my words, leaving out the part where I tried to guilt-trip him by using Denver's story.

"You said that?? Oh my god, this is going to be bad. So so bad. You will be suspended for forever, I will be alone. I won't have anyone to bring me coffee. I will have to-" Denver starts to ramble, but I stop him before he can work himself into a panic attack.

"Hey, pretty boy, whatever happens, we will be okay. I'll be okay," I shush him, bringing him into another hug.

"It's all my fault," He says. I knew he was going to blame himself.

"No Denver. It's not. This is Finn's fault. We will figure this out. Everything will be okay," I say, trying to drill it into his head.

"How about we go to your house before mom picks me up and cuddle while watching Friends?" I offer, hoping it will make him feel better.

"Aren't you in trouble for fighting?' Denver asks, worrying again

"Nope, mom called while I was waiting to talk to Peters, and she said she was proud of me for standing up for you," I say, smiling at him.

"She is?" Denver asks, cutely turning his head to the side when he asks.

"Yeah, she loves you and thinks you should be protected at all costs. Honestly, I agree," I answer, smiling at his cute expression. "Andrew also said to walk outside once I was finished here. I'm going to assume he meant to bring you too," I inform him.

"Yeah, I may have run in here so I could be here when you got done. I wanted to be here for you," Denver says, making my heart warm.

"Awe, thanks, pretty boy," I say, slinging my arm around his shoulders and walking out the building. Halfway across the parking lot, Denver runs back in the building. He returns, holding the ice pack I forgot.

"Here, you're gonna need this. Your lip looks awful," Denver says, cupping my cheek as he inspects my injuries.

I bite my lip and look him dead in the eyes. He holds eye contact for a minute, but he blushes and looks down, taking his hand with him. I immediately miss his touch. Denver Blake is going to be the death of me.

Edited A/N~ This chapter is almost completely rewritten, but I hope you guys enjoyed the super long chapter! Until next time 💜