The Understanding Cowboy

Chapter 4

Jason's pov

She's asleep now, her arms bandaged and laying across her stomach as she lays beside me on the couch. How could family be so cruel? Why do they hate her so much? She's such a sweet kid! Sierra and Rachel are staring at me worriedly. "What?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "We're worried, Jason, why do you have a razorblade?" "It was hers! I found her cutting in the locker room at school so I took it from her. I just hadn't ditched it yet." I shakily stand up, pocketing the dangerous weapon. "Thanks guys, I gotta get on home though, Mom'll have my head if I miss curfew again." I grumble, glancing at my watch. They both wave. "See ya at school."

*later*

I get out of the shower, staring at myself in the mirror. My hair still dripping with water. That poor girl. Man, what did I get myself into? My eyes land on her blade. Why do I still have that around? I sit on the floor, my head in my hands. I can't keep her safe forever. She has to go home sometime. What do I do then? I stand back up, gripping the sink, my eyes landing on the blade again. I snatch it up and without even thinking, I slice my wrist. I drop it and quickly cover the cut. I turn the water on, wincing from the pain. Don't do this again. Once you start you won't be able to stop. "I know that!" I shout, throwing the razorblade. Why did I do that?! I sigh and bandage it then go to my room.

Miranda's pov

I shakily wake up and it's really dark. Where am I? Oh yeah those girls' house. "Jason?" I call. Silence. I shakily stand up. My arms are killing me. "Jason?" I call again. A light flashes on and a man with brown hair and glasses walks out. "Jason went home sweety." He says. "W-Who-" "I'm Sierra and Rachel's dad." He says, waving me over. I cling to the wall. He walks over and hugs me. I can't help it. I start crying. Then I hear footsteps and feel someone hugging me from behind too. Sierra. "I've got it dad." His dad leaves and we walk back to the couch. I wrap my badly mangled arms around my legs. "Jason's the first guy well the first person period not to call me a freak or a weirdo after seeing my scars. I've always kept them covered but of course people see occasionally." "Jason's a great kid. He's been through hell and back and wouldn't wanna see someone else going through it." I force a smile. "I'm glad he had you to help him." She smiles, genuinely and stands up. "Hey let's make ice cream sundaes." I'm a little surprised. "At 3 AM?" She laughs and nods. "Go get Rachel up. First door on the right." I go down the hall to the room. "H-Hey Rachel, Sierra says for me to get you up?" She stirs slightly but doesn't wake up. I shake her slightly and she sits up and screams, "Free piggy back rides!" I jump back in surprise, a hand to my racing heart. "Oh sorry. I was having a really weird dream." That was really odd. We go back to the kitchen where Sierra already had ice cream and toppings ready.

*later*

For the first time in a long time, I had a good time.

Jason's pov

I go to the girls' house to pick them up for school. They're eating ice cream sundaes. I laugh. "Only you guys!" I gasp, walking in, my ball cap falling. I bend down to pick it up when the girls laugh. "What are you guys up to?" They laugh again. Hm. I rub my chin in thought. "What'd you guys do?" "Nothin'. Want some ice cream?" "Sure."

Sierra's pov

He reaches over and my eyes go wide in shock and surprise when his sleeve rolls up, revealing a white bandage around his wrist. I decide to stay quiet and talk to him later.

Jason's pov

*later*

Sierra stops me in the hall to the school. "We need to talk." Uh oh. I wave the others on ahead of me. "What's up?" I ask, nonchalantly leaning against the wall. "I saw the bandage, Jason." My hands start to sweat. "I uh I was helping mom with dinner and the knife slipped." I lie. She crosses her arms. "Jason, I'm not stupid. You went home at ten last night. You wouldn't have done that!" "Damn." "What happened?" I sigh and roll my sleeve up. "I don't know. It was there, I didn't even think before I did it." "Jason, don't do this again!" "I know. I know. I won't. Don't tell Miranda. I'm trying to get her to stop and if she knows I did it, she'll be less likely to stop." She hugs me. "Please don't cut yourself." I sigh and wrap my arms around her. "I'm sorry." "Don't be sorry. Just don't do it." I nod and stuff my hands in my pockets. We catch up with the others and we both keep quiet about the earlier conversation. We get to gym class and I hug my newfound girlfriend. Then I head to my class.