Cage of Butterflies

Chapter 3

I walk on my own to form. Being queen isn't the best thing, people only love me out of fear. Perhaps if I'd chosen to be the best ballerina in the area, school would be easier off. Unfortunately my heart belongs to fighting. With fight consuming my blood there's no room for love.

I hate that term anyway, queen. I am no royalty. I come from the shittiest home of all. I'm not a leader, I hardly talk to my friends, I'm in no position to create motivational speeches. It was just a term thrown onto me buy my peers. I'm still thankful that at least the 'queen' is me, not some pretentious arrogant ass hole that would make school even worse than it already is. I go easy on new kids. I represent equality between genders. Im able to stick up for kids being bullied. I don't mean to use a cliche but I use my powers for good.

As soon as I reach my seat in the back of the room I dig through my bag for gum. It's kind of a fighting ritual. I know I'll have a fight today. It's predictable. We all know the new guy is a guy and he's our age. They'll say you need to fight me to win over the school. He'll think that it will be easy, I'm just a girl. Small, white, blonde and quiet. Little does he know, I love being underestimated.

Someone flicks my thigh and my eyes dart up. Much to my surprise I watch my opponent stumble into the room. I didn't know he was in our form. I don't pay attention in form but still. You can recognise a fighter when you see one. He wasn't one of them. They have that spring in there step, alertness in there eyes, walks chin down. He'll be easy. He hasn't even looked at me yet. I can imagine his laugh if someone points me out. The confusion on his face as everyone's expressions remain neutral. Amusement in his eyes.

I saw him with Kate earlier. I hope for her sake they won't have to fight. She's been much weaker since she split up with Dan. Then losing a fight to him humiliated her. Kate is ranked 5th at school but she could be dropping fast. Losing to someone like Dan is crucial. He may be strong but he's slow and has no strategies. He can only use arms. Kate's fast and smart and actually trains. Only twice a week but that's still something. Most people have a bag at home but only few people are members at a gym, I'm the only person with an actual trainer.

The kid takes a seat on his own and twiddles his thumbs. Something's telling me to sit with him, start a conversation, ask him how he got expelled but I stay put and watch him under my hoodie. He catches me staring a few times but I don't look away. I can feel his discomfort, it's much to my satisfaction. I chew my gum and stare the kid for the full twenty minutes whilst everyone else pretends to be busy on there phones. I wonder whether or not I would be so enticed with my phone if I had one. For me it was either a phone or a trainer and well that's a no brainer.

The sirens sing and but I stay seated until everyone has left until I stand up to leave. Despite being a fighter I hate crowds. The only time I will accept being in a crowd is if I'm watching a fight. I always prefer to be on my own. I'll die alone.

I find the staircase where my group chill and sit on the top. I don't speak, I just wait for Kate and the kid. The other girls are all hung on their durries. My clothes stink of tobacco constantly because of them, but they're still the only girls I can stand. My feet bounce on the step and I work on getting myself hyped. It's always thrilling. Kate comes speeding towards me, grinning like a mad women.

"I overheard people just then, you've got a fight!" She squeals, 'go easy on him though, he's a nice guy," she's says more seriously. I don't say anything instead I just rummage through my bag for tape. I find it at the bottom and spin it around my hands. Looking up it's all too familiar. The crowd of 'men' practically skipping towards me like monkeys on a way to a meal. The one in the middle pretending to keep his cool although everyone knows they're freaking. The girls rise on the stairs, butt out there cigarettes. Kids from younger years try to watch from a distance and like there heads around corners. I hear whispers, bets being made, friends nudging friends nudging friends. I love it.

I get up from my position on the stairs and take my sweatshirt off, leaving me in my training bra. I get the usual hoots and hollers but I ignore all the immature remarks. The kids eyes widen. I'm trying to figure out what at. He hasn't really seen my face yet, is it because I'm in a bra and he's just like the rest of our age group or is it because he hasn't seen my arms yet? They're more toned than the average females but I'm no heavy weight. I step into the cage the students have created for us, I hold out my hand for him to shake first.

'Andy," I nod.
"Tyson" he firmly grasp my hand, "nice to meet you" he smiles.

Then I do something I've never done before. I smile back.