Three's a Crowd

[kailey]

"Jace, stop it!" Evangel called out. But it was too late. Before her eyes, Atticus threw the first punch, missing her in the process. She felt someone grab her to pull her out of the mess, and she was grateful seeing it was one of Atticus's friends.


She was scared. Very scared. "Stop it, both of you!" Eva shouted, safely out of the way and next to Nick. Everyone was cheering on the two as they continued to fight. It disgusted Eva.


No way was she letting them do this. They were being complete idiots. She looked up to Nick for help. "How can we stop them?" She asked quietly.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Jace raised a hand to his jaw as a first instinct. He knew that if he had been sober, that would've hurt a lot more than it did at the moment. It made his head whirl though and he got pretty angry, pretty fast. He wasn't about to let some James Dean wannabe kick his ass in front of everyone so he did what anyone else would, he starting punching back.


The first one missed, due to his lack of aim from the alcohol, but the second one hit him somewhere in the side of head.


Nick shook his head as he watched the boys get into it. He looked over at James who had came with them and he just shrugged and looked back to the fight. He looked down at Evangel who looked a mix between lost, scared, and angry and he sigh. "We don't," He answered her,"You just have to let them get it out of their system." It was true. That was just how guys worked. If you interrupted it, they were only bound to fight again, and soon.


For a split second, it was as if Jace sobered up and he used is football skills to bring Atticus down to the ground with a shoulder right under his rib cage where he then had the upper hand and started to wail on the kid.

 

[kailey]

Eva stared at Nick, horrified. So they don't intervene? They just stand there and let her boyfriend and best friend beat the shit out of eachother?


Suddenly, Atticus was on the ground underneath Jace as he began mercilessly beating him. This was too much for her.





"Jace!" Eva screamed, rushing forward unsure of what to do. "Get off of him right night or I swear I am leaving!" There was blood. Too much blood. Evangel felt faint, but she stood her ground.


She heard protests from the group as she tried breaking it up once more. They wanted to see a fight. In their drunken state, it probably seemed purely fun and games to them. A form of entertainment. They also seemed confused as to why the quarterback's girlfriend seemed to care so much about the bad boy underneath the star jock.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Nick just gave Eva a sad grin, knowing that it wasn't what she wanted to hear but doing anything else would just make it worse.


Atticus, for the time that Jace was punching him without any breathing time, felt completely helpless for a split second because of all the drinking he'd been doing. He might have underestimated Jace's strength which was stupid because he was on the football team after all. They worked out a lot... But hell, so did Atticus.


Nick lunged forward and grabbed Eva again. "He knows what he's doing," He told Eva, lowly, regarding Atticus, not her boyfriend, who was currently getting his ass kicked.


Atticus built up enough strength to finally push Jace off of him and the tables turned where he had Jace pinned down and Atticus was just going to town, repaying Jace for what he'd done to him. His nose was bleeding, his lip was busted, and he was sure his jaw and eye were beginning bruise but he wasn't going to just walk away.


Jace heard Eva's screaming but he was so lost in the moment that he couldn't even stop if he wanted to. The rage took him over and he was in his own little violent world. Well, he was until Atticus got the upperhand.

 

[kailey]

"God damn you both!" Evangel screamed, thrashing in Nick's grasp. She needed a hug, a reassuring comfort, anything. The tears began to form again as she covered her face in her hands, turning into Nick's chest to hide,


Eva just couldn't watch them beat the ever living shit out of eachother, and she didn't do well with blood either. She wanted it to end. She wanted to be far away from here, with normal clothes and no drinking and no noises or aggressive boys or anything like that.


"Please stop them," Evangel whimpered, still hiding. It would be a long time before she forgave either of those two.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Nick held back Eva, which wasn't too hard considering how tiny she was. He felt terrible when she started to break down and was quick to hug her in an attempt to comfort her. It might have been weird if he didn't know but he'd known her for just as long as Atticus had. They weren't as close but friends, yes.


Atticus showed no mercy for Jace and he didn't feel bad about it either. In his mind, Jace deserved it. He deserved it for being an egotistical, arrogant human being and even more for even daring to lay a hand on Eva. That was really the thing that sparked it. Why couldn't Eva see all those bad things in Jace? He just wanted her to see..


Nick looked down at Eva who begged him to stop the boys. He looked over at James and nodded in the direction of the two boys and he nodded. He rubbed Evangel's back before stepping away from her. James and him sauntered over to Atticus and Jace. Nick yanked Atticus away from Jace and basically had to drag him away from the poor kid who was just laying there at this point. James, on the other hand, leaned down and grabbed Jace's hand with one of his hand and his arm with his other to get him off the ground. He was fine, just drunk, dazed, and bloody. The both of them were.


Atticus tried to get back to Jace but Nick yelled at him to knock it off. That it was over and Eva was upset.


"You don't deserve her, Jace!" He yelled at him as Nick pushed him in the direction of his car,"You son of a bitch!"

 

[kailey]

Evangel found comfort in Nick holding her. He had always been a good friend to her, and she was sorry that this had to happen. She should've known better.


As he moved away, the girl just stood there helpless, fighting back the urge to completely break down. She needed to be strong for the two boys who were now being lifted off of one another. Luckily, they were both okay. For the most part.


Atticus, of course, was dragged away kicking and screaming, obviously not satisfied with the fight. Eva watched him as Nick dragged him to the Mustang.


Sighing loudly, Eva fell into the chair behind her and placed her head in her hands. If the two boys weren't knocked back into reality by now, she didn't know what was going to.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Atticus turned from the scene and went walking on his own back to his car. He cursed the whole there, damming Jace's name and whatever else he could think of. He ranted to Nick about how he didn't understand how Eva didn't see what he saw. Meanwhile, Nick searched around the back of Atticus's car for something to stop the bleeding with. The best he got was an old t-shirt that was in his gym bag. It'd have to do. He walked over to Atticus and started to aid his friend.


"Kicking his ass isn't going to make her understand.. Whatever it is that you think she needs to understand," Nick noted.


Jace stood up with the help of James, who he nodded to as a thanks. He raised his hand to his nose which was bleeding like crazy and shook his head. He quickly surrounding by a huge group of his football friends who were all shouting suggestions that they go and finish what that "bad boy" had started it all. Jace shook his head and took a wad of paper towels that someone handed him and pressed it to his nose to try and stop the gushing blood.

 

[kailey]

Eva didn't feel like speaking to anyone as a few came up and offered sympathy. She just said thanks and turned away. The whole thing made her feel sick to her stomach. She wanted to leave, but knew she couldn't just leave the two bloodied and battered boys.


With a sigh, the girl stood and made her way over to Jace to see how he was holding up. She would go check up on Atticus in a moment.





"Hi, you okay?" Eva asked him, not really sure what else to say. She was angry at him, very much so, but decided they could address that later after he got fixed up.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Jace looked up, hearing Eva's voice. He turned to her and lowered the paper towels from his nose.


"Eva, I'm so sorry. That fuckhead wannabe started it. I didn't know what else to do," He apologized, knowing that she absolutely hated even the mention of fighting so him actually doing if after being a dick to her was even worse. He pressed the paper towels back to his nose and winced at the pain. "I'm fine," He said through it all, not wanting her to worry. Something made him think she wasn't very worried.


Atticus looked over at the group who was crowded around Jace as if he was a hopeless little puppy who needed all their love and attention. It was sickening, really. And then Eva, standing there talking to him. Him of all people. Even after he hurt her. Was he just stupid? Did he see something that no one else did or what? He looked back to Nick.


"I need to talk her," He told his friend who just laughed and shook his head,"No. What you need is stitches," He corrected, looking at the gash in his eyebrow.

 

[kailey]

Evangel didn't respond. She just smiled gently at him and glanced around at the rest of the kids. Some we're leaving already.





"It's fine. Looks like your party's breaking up though," She sighed and looked up at her boyfriend. She didn't know what to think, but giving him the cold shoulder wasn't going to help anything. She could yell at him later.





"I'll be right back, I'm going to go make sure the other kid is alright," Eva said, moving toward him. She leaned up to kiss him, then noticed the blood everywhere and stopped. She managed an apologetic smile, and started toward Atticus's car.


He stood there receiving help from Nick. As she walked over, there wasn't a trace of a smile on her face. Just worry, anger, sadness, a hint of relief that he was okay. That they both were.





"I'm so sorry,"

 

[PrincessKaty]

Jace looked around when Evangel noted that his party was ending and sighed. He was hoping for a little bit of a longer night than this. Longer and far more fun. It was make for a good story at school, he supposed. He wanted to fight Eva on going to talk to Atticus after what he'd just done but he quickly decided, for once in their whole relationship, that it wasn't his place to tell her what to do. He just nodded and grinned slightly. He watched her walked away but was quickly distracted by his friends who started talking excitedly about the whole thing.


Atticus shrugged off the stitches comment, knowing that he could probably just superglue his skin back together. He'd done it before.


He looked over when he heard someone walking towards them and was surprised to see that it was Eva. And she apologized..


"Why are you saying sorry?" He asked her with almost a laugh,"You didn't do anything.."


Nick decided to give the two of them some time and left Atticus with the bloodied t-shirt while he went to go find James.

 

[kailey]

Eva sighed and leaned against the Mustang, a small smile of relief curling into her lips. "Because of Jace." She replied simply.


She walked up to him and looked up into his eyes, a frown on her face. "I'm sorry he said those things, but I wish... I wish you two didn't have to go do that to work it out," she was angry with him too, yes, but it was harder to stay mad at Atticus than Jace.


Eva shifted her gaze to the ground and thought hard. "I guess it's my fault for inviting you. I just wanted you to have some fun. I wanted to actually spend some time with you, I'm sorry it ended this way,"

 

[PrincessKaty]

Atticus sighed softly, listening to her.


"I shouldn't have confronted him but.." He said,"Eva, I can't just stand around and watch him treat you like shit. You don't deserve that and you know that.. Why are you with him?" He knew he needed to stop asking her because she didn't know but he couldn't help it. He pressed the t-shirt to his eyebrow and sighed softly.


"Are you going to friendzone me forever?" He asked her as if it was the most casual thing he could've said,"Because this isn't worth it if you're just going to date douchebags."


He was so tired of just sitting around, watching guys give Eva all the wrong attention. He felt like he was the only one that actually knew her and she could care less. Was it him? Was he doing something wrong? He knew he was hard to deal with sometimes but she still stuck around..

 

[kailey]

Evangel looked up at him, a bit surprised at his questions. Truth be told, she didn't know why she was with him. Maybe it was because she was insecure... Guarded, fragile. A bit broken.





"It's... I don't know, Atticus. I don't have any damn clue why I'm with him. I know he's a jerk and I know he treats me badly sometimes but maybe... Maybe I thought I could bring out the good in him. It's there it's just... Hidden. Obviously it's not working. Maybe it's just me, maybe I'm the reason he treats me like-" she stopped and sighed.


Friend zone? Was he waiting for her? Is that what this was about. "Don't leave, Atticus," Eva stepped forward, a bit closer than was just friendly. They were pretty well hidden by his car, and frankly she didn't care. She looked up at him with her big brown eyes. He had always been so good to her. So kind. Sure, he was a real hardass sometimes but... Maybe she liked that.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Atticus gave Evangel a look.


"Don't start blaming yourself. That's not the reason. I don't think anyone can get past that ego," He told her honestly. He knew that Evangel was really giving and friendly and sweet but he felt like sometimes that was her weakness. She wanted to help him be whatever hero she thought was underneath but some people were just.. Mean.


Atticus lowered the t-shirt from his head when she told him not to leave. He looked down at her and felt his heart just sink by the way she was looking at him. He suddenly felt terrible for starting the fight. He thought he was doing it for all right reasons but maybe he hadn't at all. He was only angry because he was jealous. "I'll never leave you," He told her honestly. She took it whatever way she wanted it, whether it be in the moment or as a friend or whatever else. He meant it generally. He'd never skip out on her, no matter how shitty he was feeling about their situation.


"I just really want you to be happy and when you're with him, pretending and all, I don't think you are. But hey, if I'm wrong. Don't let me stop you," He told her with a little bit of a nod.

 

[kailey]

Eva nodded and continued to look up at him. She found assurance knowing he wasn't leaving. She needed something stable and consistent in her life.





"You're right, I'm not happy like that. But what do I do, Atticus," Evangel asked, her eyes pleading him to do... Something. She felt so lost but so complete at the same time. So complete standing before her best friend, closer than they had ever stood before.





"I need you," she said simply, her voice soft and fragile. All thoughts of Jace were being pushed from her mind. She didn't even want to think about it.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Atticus hated seeing Eva upset and he felt like every word out of his mouth only did just did.


He didn't answer when she asked what she was to do because he thought the answer was simple. She could leave him. As wonderful as that thought was, he was almost certain tomorrow Jace would show up with some big ol' apologize and have her blindly following him again like nothing had ever happened.


His heart broke at her words and he frowned, listening to her. He put his arms around Evangel and pulled her close to his chest. "I'm here, Eva," He told her quietly. She knew that whatever she needed he'd be at her beckon call.

 

[kailey]

Evangel greatly leaned into his embrace, a gentle smile forming on her lips. She had always liked Atticus's hugs better, she decided. After a few moments, Eva pulled away slightly, but so his arms were still around her. She leaned up and gingerly kissed his cheek.


It surprised her that she did that. Her eyes opened wide in astonishment as she stared into his. Why did she feel so... Different. Why did she suddenly not care if Jace or his friends saw?





"Atticus..." Was all she managed to say. She didn't know what else to say, or if anything needed to be said at all.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Atticus grinned a little bit, feeling her kiss his cheek. It wasn't completely out of the usual for her but it just seemed different in the moment. Maybe it was just the alcohol?


He looked down at her when she pulled away and just looked at her. She was so innocent and sweet it hard for him to picture someone like Jace corrupting her. It funny because he was pretty sure than himself and Eva were eve less alike than her and her boyfriend but it was just.. It was different. A different kind of different. They still understood each other.


He was completely locked on Eva when she said his name and one of his hands moved to the side of her neck and as he pulled her closer. Everything seemed to move in slow motion as he started to lean down. He almost did it to but he stopped himself from kissing her less than an inch away. His jaw tensed slightly, knowing that he couldn't. Two things stopped him. One, it was wrong because she liked Jace and not him. And two, he knew that she wasn't a fan of blood and quiet frankly, his face was still smeared with it.


"I'm sorry," He told her quickly, dropping his hands from her all together. He grinned almost sadly at her and moved the t-shirt back up to his face as he looked down.

 

[kailey]

Evangel froze as Atticus's hand was on her neck, pulling her to him. Their lips were an inch apart and she began to close her eyes, fully prepared for what was to come.


And then it stopped. Atticus pulled away and put the t shirt back up to his bloodied face. Eva sighed and smiled at him gently. She wanted it, but it was good of him to stop them. It was wrong, she had a boyfriend. It wouldn't be right. But it would've felt right.





"Maybe I should head back before another fight breaks out." She teased. She reached to touch his arm before turning to go back to Jace.


On the way over there, her mind was overflowing with emotions. She wanted to kiss Atticus. She really really wanted to. Was she starting to lose feelings for Jace or...?


Speaking of. "Hey babe, I'm back," she announced to him, putting on a smile and walking up to him,

 

[PrincessKaty]

Atticus nodded, listening to Evangel He didn't say anything but instead just walked her walk away. He felt like that was what he'd always being doing. He'd never win the girl in this situation.


Just about that time, Nick and James made their way back to the car, probably because they'd been watching. They just sort of looked at him but Atticus's face was blank and free of any expression, as usual. "Let's go," He said simply. He walked around the driver's side and got in. He knew he'd been drinking but he really wasn't drunk. Maybe a little tipsy but fine enough to drive for sure. He'd drove in worse conditions.


He started up the old car and it roared to life and rumbled under them, earning them a few glances from whoever was left. He revved the engine a few times, then put the t-shirt down beside him. He burned out of the dirt campsite and dirt and dust formed around his car and then they were gone in an instant, flying down the roads of the lake to get back home. He was pissed about the whole damn night and really wanted to get away. He wasn't going to go home but he really wanted to be alone.


~


Jace was sitting down in a chair, drinking a water and feeling a little bit better than he had earlier.


"Hey sweetheart. You alright?" He asked her, feeling terrible for what he'd done.

 

[kailey]

Evangel watched Atticus tear out of the camp in his Mustang, and in an instant he was gone. She sighed softly.


As Jace spoke, Eva moved to stand in front of him. Again, all of the chairs were occupied. "I'm just glad that's a non alcoholic beverage," she responded.


Eva wasn't sure if staying now was her best bet, but maybe she should just so nothing seemed suspicious. She really didn't want to. She had a burning desire to go follow Atticus and get that kiss. But her moral side ruled against it.





"Do you still want me to stay the night with you?" She asked sweetly, being the responsible and helpful girlfriend that she was. Like always, she needed to put his best interests first. Running off with another boy would definitely not help anybody. At least not right now.

 

[PrincessKaty]

Jace laughed a little bit and nodded. "Yeah," He agreed, holding it up a little bit to observe it. Drinking right now probably wouldn't be smart. Everyone was on their way out anyway, slowly, so it wasn't it even worth it to drink if he'd be the only one.


He grinned at her question. "If you want. I understand if not. You have test tomorrow and stuff," He said, looking down at the water bottle. He did feel bad for getting into a fight. He didn't feel bad for punching Atticus in the face all the times that he did because he started it but he knew that Eva liked him, for whatever reason, and that it upset her. So for that, he was sorry.


~


Atticus didn't drive fast for much longer because he knew that if he got pulled over, he'd be put in the slammer for criminal speeding and underaged intoxication. The ride back home was so painfully quiet that he had to turn on the radio that only played about five shitty stations to make it not so terrible. They'd both seen him try and kiss Evangel and knew that he wasn't in the mood to talk about it, so they didn't.

 

[kailey]

Evangel nodded and looked around, wondering where they'd be staying. "I'll stay. I'd feel horrible to leave you all beat up like this." She pulled out her phone to see if Atticus had sent her any messages, he was the texting and driving type anyway.





"Can you do me a favor and just try and be nice to him? He has a rough life and it wasn't right to say those things about his parents," Eva said suddenly, surprising herself. She didn't want Jace to be mad at her for saying it, but rather to respect her wishes. It was the least he could do.





"And then once you promise me that, we should go decide where we're sleeping, I'm getting tired," she exclaimed softly, yawning a bit. It was well into the night, as the moon and stars were fully out.


She pulled out her phone, send Atticus a text: "Hey... Sorry about all that again. Can we hang out after school to talk tomorrow? Needing help,"