Survival of the Toughest

The Trial- Aftermath

It was Thursday. The buzz of my near-expulsion was still going strong. It seemed that's all anyone cared to know about.

I still wasn't excited for playing softball all Saturday and then having to pretend to like Cecelia Lombardi. Everything on the outside was attractive about Cecelia but everything on the inside, personality-wise, was very repulsive.

At least Halloween was during the week after.

School had let out for the day. I had exactly eight minutes to get to the bus lane and take one nice, deep breath of fresh air before I was to be bombarded by questions.

I walked out to the bus lane with Dustin and Tony.

Inhale. Hold. Exhale.

"RICKY!"

Random sixth grader. I think his name was Nathan.

"Ricky is it true that you're in a gang?!" He asked. "Ike DuPont told me you were!"

"No, no." I said. "It's a social athletic club."

"What sport?"

"Baseball in the spring and summer. Bowling in fall and winter."

"Cool!"

"Look at you, Mr. Popular." Tony joked. "I should get your autograph."

"I don't know." I raised an eyebrow. "I think one of these hyperactive sixth graders stole my last pen."

"They tried to take my bandana when they found out I was involved." Dustin said. "I wish I was joking."

I could see our bus was pulling in. I had never been more relieved to see a school bus.

After answering questions from a few more students, Dustin and I elbowed our way through the crowd and jumped on the bus.

I noticed heads turning as I made my way down the aisle. Dustin and I flopped down in our seat and a head popped up from the seat in front of us.

Angel.

"Ricky!" She whined. "You've been ignoring me all week!"

"Well, it was successful up until now." I groaned.

"Excuse me?"

"You can be a real pain in my ass and you know it."

"Ouch." She frowned. "Rude."

"Angel, you're acting like the sixth graders that have been bothering us all week." Dustin said. "For crying out loud, please let us exist in peace."

"Screw you, Dustin."

"Piss up a rope, Angel."

The two argued for almost the whole trip home.

We made it to our street. Dustin and I hopped off of the bus. And went inside our individual houses.

Dad had already left so I sat down in the kitchen and stared at my cast. I looked at everyone's signature on it from Josh's to Eva's. The damn thing itched so much that I couldn't wait to get it taken off. I also had Mr. Arlington to thank for covering my E.R. bill.

I decided to skip any fun since it was Thursday evening and went down to my room. I watched TV and played games until I passed out.

Friday morning. One more day before the dreaded softball game and the even more dreaded date with Cecelia.

I sat on the bus with Dustin. It was quiet until we were halfway to school.

"So," He turned to me. "Excited about tomorrow?"