Haven (gxg)

Chapter 7: Friday Afternoon

"Remember to do your A-game." Mavy fist-bumped me and pushed me to the gymnasium.

"Hey, Lane." My other bandmates said and I waved back.

"Alright guys, let's do this." Matt, our lead singer, and guitarist said. We waited for the cue of the speaker to start my count.  

After a few introductions here and there, the speaker finally introduced our band and we quickly rushed to our positions on stage. Right after I sat, I started counting and the band starts to play smoothly just like how we practiced last week.

At the instrumental part of the song, the speaker started to talk again and our school's team started to run towards near the stage as they wave their hands to the crowd.

"Ladies and gentleman, the Keaton High Vultures!"

The crowd went crazy as the league leader came, which is Kayla, Diane's older sister. 

The crowd's noise started to fade after the introductions to our school's team is done. This time, another team was being introduced.

"At this afternoon, we also have another team from...-"

And right on cue when I was playing my solo, a logo with lion and torches was displayed on the big screen. Not caring about the missed note and the worried look from Matt. 

"Deaton Tigers!"

"Lane. LANE."

My eyes landed on Matt who kept on frowning. I shook from the trance and continued playing the drums.

I searched for Mavy and Diane and saw them in the second row. Actually, Diane looks sharply at something just near me.

I followed where her eyes are and landed on Ms. Almighty herself. Kevdin Lowe, standing upright with her tight shorts and a jersey.

I gasped and almost dropped my drumsticks but thank goodness the song is already finished. The speaker thanked us and we made our way down from the stage while feeling someone staring behind me.

"What the hell, Lane?!" Matt harshly pushed me to the shoulders.

"What-"

"You almost messed things up." He growled.

I saw Ms. Thompson from my peripheral vision standing up from her seat and walking to us with a confused face.

"Mr. Daniels, what's going on?" She asked directly to him.

"What do you mean what's going on?! Lane almost embarrassed the whole band by fucking zoning out, again!"

He muttered the last words and with one final glance, he left carrying his guitar.

"I am really sorry, Ms. Thompson, I-" I started but was quickly cut off when she placed a hand on my arms, squeezing it tightly for a short time.

"Don't be sorry, Lane. I didn't even notice it." She winked and left me standing alone at the corner.

"Jeez, do you got the hots for Ms. Thompson or something?" Mavy wiggled her eyebrows as she and Diane walked to where I was standing.

"Oh, shut up. Just because she's 3 years older than us doesn't mean that she can hit every student. Not me, for sure." I huffed and sat on the empty seat beside me.

"Don't be such a drag, Lane. You'll find-"

"-your girl someday, I know." I sighed and rested my chin on my palms while staring ahead at the game that already started.

We remained silent while watching the game go. Diane's sister is probably the one carrying her own team because our school is leading with 8 points.

"So...are we just gonna pretend that she isn't here-"

"We know that." They both said in unison.

"I guess, she'll be just a stranger now." I sighed. My wounds are still healing but the bruise is now gone.

"The Vultures are now leading with 10 points! Can't you believe it, Pete?! After 3 years of competition, finally, the trophy is ours." One of the commentators said.

"Don't get too excited, George. There are still a few minutes remaining and oh...looks like the league leader of Tigers are getting too intense with our league leader!"

With that, the crowd started to go crazy again while watching what's happening between her and Diana's sister.

Kayla raised both her hands as an act of surrendering and going back to play the game but Kevdin chose to pull her hair, earning a large shout and cuss from Kayla.

"That's my sister!" Diane immediately stood up and ran to the field.

"What the hell is going on?!" My eyes landed on a guy eating popcorn while shouting profanities.

"Diane! Get back here!" Mavy tried to follow her but stopped.

The sound of a whistle was heard and a buff guy came closer to the two but they didn't stop hurting each other.

"Ladies and gentleman, first time in history, a battle between the Tigers and Vultures!"

"What is this? A secret fight club?"

"I came for soccer, goddamnit!"

"Diane! Baby! Are you hurt? Is your sister okay?"

Everyone in the gymnasium started shouting at each other and the commentators spoke nonsense on the microphone. It was chaos.

"Fuck this," I whispered and left the gymnasium.

I stomped angrily on the ground and went to the cafeteria to buy some food. There's no one around the cafeteria.

"This chicken sandwich, please." I hurriedly said while gripping the money.

"Here you go, sweetheart."

I ate the sandwich as I walked the hallway and went to the parking lot to unlock my car. I went inside and removed the heavy clothing that Ms. Thompson made us wear.

Here I was, eating my chicken sandwich with only a tank top and metal playing.

I drank some water after I finished the sandwich and gripped tightly on the steering wheel. Suddenly, the light from my left window is again being blocked. The last time this happened, it didn't go well, so I just ignored it and headbanged to the beat of the music.

"Who the fuck listens to Nirvana?" A muffled voice from somewhere said.

I opened my eyes and turned to my left.

"Jesus-"

She laughed and continued to lean on my car. Gulping nervously, I opened the door to swat her away.

"You stay away from me."

She turned her back and that is when I noticed a few bruises on her face and a scratch at the top of her eyebrows.

"Seriously? Of all the people in this shitty school, it's you?" She scoffed and grabbed something from her pockets. She's not wearing her jersey anymore but jogging pants and a plain shirt.

She picked a cigarette and lit it and blew her first smoke straight to my face.

I coughed uncontrollably and faced my car. Her laugh echoed in the empty parking lot. Empty parking lot, shit.

"So, is this where you will beat the shit out of me again?" I said with my back still facing her.

She smiled and stomped the cigarette on the ground.

"No, I am not in the mood." She shrugged and folded her arms.

"If that's the case, then stay away from my car. Bye."

I went back inside my car and took a deep breath. Kevdin was still standing outside, looking very amused.

"You're actually fun." She shouted.

"See you, Lane!"

That girl is a lunatic.