Rancorous

Chapter 8

SIX YEARS AGO

Herlina

Brevin and I were saddened that we couldn't go to our oak tree during recess anymore. Middle school didn't have a nice playground like elementary school did. At least it had a soccer field and a basketball court.

Brevin kicked the soccer ball toward me, and I stopped it with my foot. I took a few steps back and moved my eyes around the goalie net to focus in on one spot to kick my shot. I tried to trick Brevin into thinking I would score to the left by keeping my eyes at tentative gaze there. When I rushed up to kick it, I aimed right instead.

I aimed too far and the soccer ball went flying past Brevin, past the net, and into the basketball court. I blew out an exasperated breath and crossed my arms.

"That's okay Sunrise, I'll go get it." Brevin laughed trying to make me feel that all was fine.

"No Brevin, it's okay I'll bring the ball back." This was the tenth time I had missed the goalie net by an embarrassingly terrible aim. He had retrieved the soccer ball every time and I didn't want him to again just because I had pathetic coordination skills when it came to soccer.

Brevin on the other hand was a natural. He could score on me every time and could evade my feet like an expert. But, I could tell he always went easy on me.

I headed over to the basketball court and the ball landed in the middle of a group of boys' basketball game. They were all currently at the other end of the court and the soccer ball was vacantly sitting there waiting for me. I walked to it and picked it up.

"Herlina? Is it?" One boy with brown hair stared at me. Some of the other boys were lost in their basketball game and a few looked my way in annoyance for stealing the attention of one of their players.

"Yeah. You're Nolan." I recognized him from my English class, the only class I didn't share with Brevin because he wasn't as good in literature as I was. I shamelessly reminded him every now and then. He'd then brag about his math abilities, so we were even. I turned on my heel getting ready to leave when he called out for me again.

Nolan jogged and stopped in front of me with a smirk that exuded a type of supercilious confidence that irked me. "You're in my English class, right?"

"Yeah." I really didn't want to continue the conversation, so I made a move to leave. "I have to go."

His hand shot out to grab my arm in a painfully vice grip and he pulled me hard and roughly back to him.

"What are you doing?" I still held the soccer ball in my hands and was seriously debating on smacking his head with it if he didn't let me go.

"Why do you hang out with that piece of dirt when you could hang out with me?" His head jerked toward Brevin and I immediately felt my blood simmer with anger. Brevin was staring at us in confusion from the soccer field and began walking toward us.

I tugged my arm away and out of Nolan's hands and smacked him across his cheek.

"He's my friend, don't talk about him like that." I gritted me teeth.

Nolan appeared like he was blowing smoke out of his ears and fire out of his nose. I didn't care, I was just as mad. How could he judge Brevin if he didn't even know him?

I finally turned around and saw Brevin walking faster toward me with a concerned gaze. Out of nowhere, I felt a shove on my shoulders making me fall on the ground. The ball bounced away as my knees and palms hit the pavement. I winced in pain.

Laughter rang in my ears from the boys playing basketball. Flushing scarlet, my eyes closed in shock, embarrassment, and pain.

"Just returning the gesture sweetheart." Nolan spoke so only I could hear. I looked up to find Brevin already running to me.