Chapter 4 So I Punched A Guy In The Face
So I Punched A Guy In The Face
Jake
It had been a pleasant day. The sun was shining, classes were ending for one glorious summer break, and I was in a good mood going into the last practice of my Junior year. Went to practice, nailed it, talked with my bestest of friends about them coming to my summer house, and they agreed.
Until that fuckface known as Blade Topper waltzed like a little bitch into the locker room.
Who is even called Blade? What a weirdass name.
Madelaine’s name comes up, and my ears immediately perk up at that. Riden grins at me, but I couldn’t care less. I’m trying to listen to this conversation.
“What about you? You went out with her, didn’t you?” Nick asks Blade, who grins that stupid, pathetic grin, and I breathe calmly.
“Yeah, but the girlfriend found out.” And then he laughs. What a dumbass. “Before I could even feel her up.”
I throw my clothes and immediately turn around, coming close to him.
“What?” I question, really, as if I’m asking to reconsider his words.
“Easy, bulldog, it’s the truth. It’s not as if your girlfriend would have let me, god knows she probably bites people who try to touch her.”
“How about you shut up before I do something I won’t regret?” I level him with a passive-aggressive smile, inviting him to test me.
“C’mon, man, everybody knows her mom left her, that prissy has so many issues it wouldn’t really work out, I was just expecting some reward, you know.”
“Oh no…” Graham mutters beside me, and I snap.
I lunge towards him, grab him by the collar, and throw his body against the wall.
“Say that again. I dare you, and you’ll never be able to play in that field again.” I slam him against the wall again, and his eyes flash concern. He puts his hands up in surrender, and just as he thinks he can relax, I punch him just for the message to, you know, sink in.
“Don’t ever talk about shit you don’t know. And her. Especially her.”
Because I know. I was there when her cowardly mom left her, and she tried to chase her down the road.
My mom had to help her with her first period, which isn’t bad, except she’s not her mother.
It wasn’t supposed to be like that. She can’t even wear her natural hair or makeup because I know she can’t bear to look like her mother at all.
Because they’re exactly alike. She’s her younger twin, and I can see it pains her.
I also kept an eye out for her on Mother’s Day, her longing glances at every other kid, at my mom and me, how she would disappear and run away so no one could notice her.
And they don’t. They don’t know anything; they don’t know the pain she’s in.
She’s always in pain. She only crashes against me because it’s the only thing she can count on.
Our banter. So I’ve been doing it since then, gladly.
Because when she’s almost smiling, I feel like I’ve made my year.
And maybe a little bit of hers. I hope it makes hers.
I don’t even have to warn off all the remaining guys, as I see several of them backing up with shocked expressions.
“What the hell just happened here? Why is Topper bleeding from his nose?” Coach comes in, and we all look at each other. No one would rat me out, but I don’t mind turning myself in. I’m actually proud of the angle at which I caught him.
“Just a disagreement. Won’t happen again.” I wink at Blade, and he scoffs, trying to murder me with his eyes.
Oh, I’m terrified. Please…
“Was that your work, West?” I shrug at his question, a proud smile on my face, and he shakes his head. “Detention.”
The boys all groan for me, but I’m delighted. As soon as the coach leaves, I sigh a dreamy sigh. Grabbing my stuff and back to my everyday clothes from the training gear, I pass by.
“Don’t pity me, gentlemen, for I am going to heaven.” My friends shake their heads, knowing exactly why I’m this cheery. It’s not like I put Madelaine in detention too- Oh wait, yes I did.