Page 48 of Greased

The relief I felt when she finally posted was instantaneous. Knowing that she was somewhat okay. The sad look in her eyes still broke through, breaking a piece of me even through the screen. It didn’t seem to fade either. Post after post, her haunted eyes broke me.

I had done that to her. We did that to her. We took her light away.

I count my blessings that I am placed on Scarlett’s team along with Dacre. Nicky, Dawson and Sonny are all on the opposite team, a displeasure Sonny made sure we all knew about.

I stand as close as I can to Scarlett. She doesn’t look at me but my attention will stay firmly on her. I’ve already noticed the way Coco has been watching her.

I’ve got no idea why Dawson is even entertaining her. He thinks he is fooling everyone with his act, but he can’t fool me. Being best friends with someone since you were in diapers makes hiding your true emotions near impossible, even for someone like Dawson who hideshis emotions like someone was paying him to do it. All he is going to do though is push her away until she has had enough and completely wipes him off.

I wouldn’t blame her either. I can understand wanting to protect her, but pushing her away? Treating her like she is worthless? She's not the kind of woman to stand for that.

Our volleyball game is fairly uneventful. Our team won. I smile watching as Scarlett celebrates with Brandy, Jen and Maxie who were also on our team. It's the first genuine smile I have seen since she’s been here and I can’t help but smile right alongside her. Some of the light comes back into her eyes, but once the celebration is over, it dims again. It causes mine to drop as well.

Mr Green calls our attention and we all turn, walking over to stand in front of him. “Well done blue team. You can all hit the showers. Nicky, Dawson, Sonny, Dacre and Pike,” he says, catching our eyes, “see me once you are done.” Without another word, he turns and makes off towards his office.

“Fuck. We are royally fucked, aren’t we?” Sonny groans, throwing his head back.

“Yep.” My reply is short. I watch Scarlett as she follows the girls into the locker rooms. I feel a tinge of disappointment as I watch her disappear amongst the throngs of people.

I turn my head back around, focusing on where I’m walking instead of watching my girl. Nicky catches my eye and gives me a knowing sad smile. “We will get her back.”

I give a sharp nod. There’s nothing I can say.

“I refuse to give up on her. She was in the palm of our hands and we let her slip.” Dacre’s voice hitches. He clutches his hair in his hands ashe stops walking. “Fuck!” He shouts, the sound echoing around the locker room we just walked into causing the guys to all dart their heads towards us. His back straightens as he whirls around to look at us. Fear deep in his eyes. And heartbreak. Something I can feel mirrored on my own.

“We just fucking abandoned her! We broke our girl's heart. Did you see her out there?” He shouts, pointing back out the door. “That was a mask she was wearing with us all day. She had to put on a fucking mask just to deal with us. Then she finally snapped.” His fingers return to his hair and he pulls to the point of pain. I honestly don’t think he is even focused on the feeling of it right now.

He is too consumed with self loathing in what he has done. In what we have done.

He starts shaking his head, muttering quietly to himself. I step closer to him and I’m finally able to hear his pleas. “I can’t lose her again. I can’t lose her again.” He repeats over and over.

I grab his shoulders in an attempt to snap him out of it, but he fights me for a moment, like he is lost and doesn’t know where he is.

“Dacre,” I say, firmly but quietly. He doesn’t hear me. “Dacre.” My voice gets louder. Still no response.

I turn a pleading eye at Nicky. We don’t have to say words, he just knows. He needs Scarlett. If I can’t calm him down, none of us will be able to. It’ll only be her.

Nicky takes off out of the room in a dash to find Scarlett. I pray that she will hear him out. That there is a part of her that loves us, or Dacre, enough to help him.

Mental health is a fucking demon. It’s plagued Dacre for fucking years. Yet, it went quiet the moment we met Scarlett and again nowthat she is back. But it's the threat of losing her that has sent him back into that pit.

The door to the boy’s locker room swings open and Nicky rushes back through it. I look at him as if waiting for an answer but I don’t need it.

It's like the entire room stops moving, everyone frozen in place as Scarlett darts through the door. A towel is all that is wrapped around her body. The ends of her hair are wet from where it looks like she has tied it up halfway through her shower.

Her eyes widen when she sees the state Dacre is in before she rushes towards him. I step away to give her enough room but decide to stay close. I trust Dacre completely but I know that his episodes can be unpredictable. I know he would hate himself if he did something to hurt her and I refuse to let that happen.

“Sweet boy.” She coaxes, her voice whisper-quiet. I note the slight shake to her voice. She is scared.

My eyes stay glued on them. I watch as Scarlett tucks the towel tighter around her chest so she is able to use both of her hands.

Slowly, she brings them up to cradle his face. He jumps the moment her skin touches him. Like a jolt of electricity through his system.

“Sweet boy, you aren’t going to lose me. I’m right here.” His head shoots up. Tear tracks line his cheeks from where the emotions were just too much for him.

“But, we broke you.” His voice is so quiet I can barely hear it. It's loud enough for Scarlett though. She shakes her head, sighing.

“I’m not going to lie to you Dacre, you did break me. You broke my heart. But that doesn’t mean you are going to lose me. You know that right?”

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