The Perfect Two

4 - mano y mano

"won't you just stop looking through me? cause I can't take it"
- right thru me, nicki minaj

The last two periods went by even slower. I wish I had Alicia with me again. But I'm just grateful that it's finally the last class of the day. But did it really have to be calculus? I get to class and the second my footsteps into the door, I dread it as I see the irritating Conway brother. Brooks sat in the back surrounded by some of his football friends and I'm pretty sure all of the cheer squad. I can't help but remember our interaction from this morning. Quickly I push the memory away and find the furthest possible seat from Brooks, in the first row. Great. I shove my bag under the desk and sit down.

"Well, if it isn't little miss Sparkle," Dean says as he grabs a chair to sit down in front of my desk. How did he leave his seat so quickly?

Dean was one of the guys behind Brooks this morning. Also one of his best friends and possibly the biggest dickhead in school.

I roll my eyes at the terrible nickname and look up to face him.

"Hi, Dean," I say with a stiff smile, slowly meeting his eyes.

I feel a burn on the back of my head as if someone's staring. Slowly, I turned to see Brooks' eyes watching Dean and I's conversation. His glare is strong as his eyes seem to pierce back into mine. I decide to ignore him and address Dean again as he begins to talk once more.

"So it's gonna be like that? I'm just trying to talk to you" he remarked.

"Sorry Dean, I'm not trying to offend you in any way. I just don't wanna talk, alright." I state trying to look toward the board behind him. Nothing against Dean but I really just want to finish the first day.

"But why, I'm not doing anything wrong...or am I?" Dean questioned leaning against his chair, continuing to annoy me. I don't even bother to make eye contact anymore.

"The only thing you're doing is taking 'I don't wanna talk' and ignoring it. So can you please just go sit down and leave me alone?" I asked trying to keep my voice light. Why can't he just get the hint that I don't want to talk?

"Ok, my bad. I just wanted to know if you'd wanna grab a bite sometime. But forget it" Dean retorts as he gets up out of the chair and makes his way towards the back of the room.

"Dean, I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry" I said turning in my chair, looking towards him as he walked.

"Nah it's fine," Dean says as he slowly turns his head back around, "But Brooks should've mentioned what a bitch you are".  He now had the nastiest look on his face.

I start to get up, offended by his remark.

"You're the one to talk— Brooks!" I yell as Brooks plants a right hook, square into Dean's jaw. Dean stumbles and almost falls to the floor. Everyone in the class gasps in confusion.

"What the fuck, Brooks?!" Dean snapped while holding his jaw, some redness beginning to form.

"Watch your fucking mouth, Foster" Brooks fumed clenching both his hands in fists. Rage is painted all over him. He looks over at me for a split second before turning back to Dean.

"Oh right I'm sorry, let me rephrase that. Selena's not a bitch, she's your  bitch" Dean smirked now standing upright. 

But before I knew it, Brooks tackled him headfirst straight into the ground. Punches from both Dean and Brooks begin flying. Their fellow teammates struggle to pull the two of them off each other. The cheerleaders are screaming for both of them to stop while others are standing in shock. Some even root for one or the other.

I run out of the class, spotting the calc teacher, and begin frantically waving my hands for help.
"Help, Mrs. Cristobal! There's a fight!" I hollered. She nods quickly and goes into the teachers' lounge dragging the principal, Ms. Silva, and two security guards out. Other students in the halls rush to the class to get a look.

"Move, students! Get out of the way!" Mrs. Cristobal barked at the students now gathering outside of her classroom. 

Ms. Silva and the two security guards following behind, jump in to pry Dean and Brooks off of each other. The security guards manage to get both of them restrained, one in each of their arms. I look at Brooks and quickly notice the only injury he has, a busted lip. The same couldn't be said for Dean, who now sported the beginnings of a black eye and some redness pretty much everywhere on his face. The lasting rage coursing through Brooks is evident as he huffs heavily from the brawl.

"That's enough boys! A fight on the first day back, are you kidding me?" the principal questioned angered at both Brooks and Dean.

 
"Sorry Ms. Silva, if it wasn't for Selena, none of this would've happened" Dean scowled referring to me. Brooks tries to lunge out again but is restricted by the security guard holding him. 

Dean just laughs at Brooks' attempt to hit him again. Guilt begins to creep up on me as I watch the two boys wanting to practically tear each other apart.

"Cut it out, Mr. Foster. And you, Mr. Conway, I expected better of you. Actually, of both of you! Gus, and Will, please escort both of them to my office. We'll settle their consequences there" Ms. Silva sighed as the two security guards took Brooks and Dean away. 

The principal then turns towards me.

"Ms. Moore, you as well. Let's go" she sternly stated. I nod following her out of the classroom.

Walking to the principal's office, I wondered what was going through Brooks' head.

Why did he have to punch Dean over something that didn't even matter? All he did was call me a bitch, nothing that I couldn't handle. Brooks knows I don't need help to stand up for myself and for sure as hell wouldn't let someone like Dean Foster get to me. But then again you don't just hit your closest friend for calling someone a bitch. Maybe he was just trying to defend me. The first time ever in fact. I always felt like he did see me as a little sister, even when I wanted to be more. He probably just felt the need to be a "big brother" and protect his "little sis".

Right?

Ms. Silva and I arrive at her office. She tells me to sit in the waiting area as she arranges some things before bringing me in to talk. I notice Brooks and Dean sitting separately on one side and sit on the opposite side of the waiting area. I nervously fiddle with my thumbs, looking down at them trying to avoid eye contact with either of them. Especially Brooks with the amount of guilt I feel right now. I still keep my head straight down, trying my best to act like they're not there.

But eventually, I give in and look up at Brooks. Our eyes meet and his intense stare is now on me. Looking at him I mouth my apology. His face softens for a second as he mouths "Don't worry about me, I'm okay". I crack a small smile and nod to show him I understand. His eyes crinkle in a similar smile, slightly. They put my worries slightly at ease. But I still can't help but feel like shit because of what happened. Our gaze breaks as Ms. Silva opens the door to his office.

"Selena, I'd like to talk to you first please," she said holding the door open.

"Okay," I say quickly getting out of my chair and begin walking into his office. As Ms. Silva closes the door, I feel Brooks' eyes on my back.

For some reason, a wave of security washes over me, as if he's easing my guilt through this gaze. But I don't dare to look at him, no matter how much I want to. I don't think I would be able to handle it if I tried.