Luke

Chapter 25

I skipped the block after lunch. I still felt like shit for doing that to Jay, and what was even worse was that she thought I got a boner from Brielle. I mean, I'm not saying it wasn't. Or that it was. I'm just saying that it happened. It happens--and sometimes at the worst times.

But I went back for last block. I finished my fifth cigarette and tossed it to the ground, walking back into school and down the hall. There were noises--yelling--coming from the other side of the school. I travelled the cheering, checking out the commotion.

The yelling and cheering got louder and louder. I was able to figure out what it was before I even got to the crowd. I rushed over, standing behind the enthusiastic crowd to see who was fighting who. Through pumping fists I saw a shortish boy, probably a sophomore or junior, and someone else-- someone I didn't expect.

I pushed my way through the crowd, occasionally getting yelled at. When I got to the front, I watched the commotion. Brad and some other guy were hitting the shit out of another. It was terrible. Anxiously, I watched, too nervous to get involved. But anger welled up in me. No one would punch Brad. Not on my watch.

Before I knew it I was standing between Brad and the other guy, acting as a shield. The crowd became quiet and confused, along with the boy.

"Get the fuck away from him, you prick," I demanded as firmly as I could. The boy stared at me in disbelief; the crowd murmured. I suddenly felt this overwhelming sense of uneasiness. I looked behind me, seeing Brad staring at me with this look. He was...angry, but also embarrassed and confused. I froze up, realizing where I was and what I just did. I was being stared at by everyone. As soon as I was about to run out, I felt a strong shove, sending me hurdling towards Brad and then towards the ground. It all happened so quickly. I was on top of him, our faces only inches--centimeters--apart. I felt the heat come from his skin and I remained frozen. This was the closest I've ever been to him.

A hand grabbed my shirt and tugged me up, swinging me around and punching me in the stomach, doubling me over. The boy was as strong as Sam, maybe even stronger. The next hit wasn't from the boy, but from Brad. I was pinned against the lockers, Brad's heat hitting my face again.

"What the fuck do you think you're doing?" he screamed, staring at me with more anger than I've ever thought I'd ever see in him. I was at a loss for words. "If it wasn't for you being a stupid bitch, I could've had my shit with that guy! But you just had to barge in and ruin it!" His fist hit my face hard. He was much stronger than Sam, each hit packing a blow that took the wind out of me. He hit me in the gut, making me lose my breath and cringe, then he slammed me against the lockers again, sending me towards the ceramic tiled ground. I felt like I was going to be sick. The cheering seemed to be muffled, Brad's movements blurred in motion. The sad part was that I didn't care I was being beat up because it was Brad. I felt like he could do anything to me and I would be fine. But I kept feeling more blows to my gut from his foot, sending me out of more breath each time. I anticipated another blow, but I never received it. Instead, I felt a pair of kind hands on my shoulders and Brad being taken away through a dissipating crowd. Jay was next to me, holding my face in her palms and continuously asking if I was okay.

I managed to say that I was fine, groaning in pain from trying to stand up. Another teacher showed up, helping me up and brining me to the nurse's office. Jay came along for as far as she could before the teacher told her to go to class. He set me down on one of those white beds then went to consult the nurse. The anxiety started to build up. The walls were a light blue and the beds a pale white. The smell was all too familiar. It smelt like a hospital.

"Mr. Wright? Can you hear me?" The nurse asked from over me.

"Yeah, I'm not deaf," I muttered.