Nero sat Elle down on one of the benches. She knew he was taking her in the locker room.
She heard the door open again and saw Vincent set a white box down on the bench beside her before leaving without saying a word. She had a feeling he might have been just as pissed as Nero.
Nero went to the sink and wet a bunch of paper towels. He then walked back over and handed her one to wash her hand before he lowered himself in front of her, going to his haunches. Elle could only stare up at Nero as he pressed the towels to her head. His face was calm while his emerald eyes looked like they were on fire. She had gotten used to the calm exterior while his eyes showed his true feelings. He is so beautiful.
“I don’t think you’ll need stitches,” Nero said, opening the first aid kit.
Elle tried to lighten the mood with a laugh. “Well, that’s a first.” She regretted it the moment the words left her mouth.
“Elle, this isn’t funny.” Nero stopped what he was doing to look at her. “I can’t let them do this to you anymore. It’s hard enough to hear that you pick what to eat based on who the fuck scares you less.”
“I know, Nero, but please.” She took his hand and touched his battered knuckles. “You promised me you would try.”
She watched Nero take a deep breath before he went back into the box and pulled out a white tube, squeezing the ointment on the tip of his finger. He reached up and rubbed it on her head.
Elle made a face when it started stinging.
“Oh, yeah, this might sting,” he said.
Elle smiled, finally able to calm him down a bit. “Thanks for letting me know beforehand.”
Nero actually smiled back. “No problem.”
He grabbed a Band-Aid from the kit and opened it.
“Do I want to know how you know your way around a first aid kit?” I probably don’t.
He placed the Band-Aid on her head then and leaned his head down. Elle felt his lips brush her skin just above it.
“Nope.”
I figured.
Nero stood and took Elle’s hand to help her up. When she was standing, he swept her hair off her forehead. She saw Nero look closer.
“How’d you get that scar?” Nero touched the high end of her forehead off to the side. A faint scar remained there that almost went into her hairline.
She didn’t like where this was going. She looked away from him, unable to answer him this time.
Nero grabbed Elle’s face. “How did you get that fucking scar?”
“I-I can’t tell you.” Elle could never tell him how she had received it. She didn’t want him to find out Chloe had been a part of it in this very room. She couldn’t risk lying to him and making him mad at her, either.
Elle became frightened at what he did next.
“God dammit, Elle!” Nero picked up the first aid kit and threw it at a wall filled with lockers. The kit broke in half and everything came flying out. Nero then pushed back his hair and shut his eyes.
She realized he had hit the breaking point. She was about to witness all Hell breaking loose.
He started walking for the door and Elle ran after him. She was afraid he would end up doing something terrible. What if he got expelled? Then he’ll leave me.
Elle picked up her feet and reached out her hand to grab him. “Nero, please. Please, stop.”
Nero stopped when Elle’s hand touched his. She walked into him as he stood there, wrapping her arms around his neck.
“Don’t leave me,” she whispered, placing her head in the crook of his neck.
Nero backed her up two steps, putting her back against a wall of lockers, placing his hands on the lockers beside her.
Elle mumbled into Nero’s neck. “If you start a fight, you’ll get suspended or worse, expelled.”
Nero gritted out, “Baby, I can’t let them get away with this.” She felt Nero go completely still, though he remained on the verge of walking out.
“Nero, I don’t want to be alone again.” Elle squeezed him tighter and tried to push her face into his neck deeper.
Nero harshly said each word. “Then make me stay.”
Elle removed her head from his neck and looked up at him, knowing what he was asking. She had found out what it was like being close to him and him not touching her. Elle didn’t want to find out what it would be like not seeing him; as a result, she would give in and give him what he wanted.
“Take off your jacket.” His still-harsh voice started to make her nervous. Nero hadn’t moved an inch; he was like ice.