secluded | harringrove

06

Chapter 06- violent beginnings

2 years ago...

Steve slumped over the chair in the principal's office, rolling his eyes as the man glared at him and then at the boy next to him.

He held the ice pack the nurse had given him closer to his bruising cheekbone. He could feel the bruise beginning to bloom on his skin. The heat of the ice would burn if he wasn't so fucking hot already.

He felt that if the asshole sitting next to him even opened his mouth, he'd snap.

The past few months had all been melting together to get them to this point. Snide remarks and subtle shoves had been pushing Steve to the very thing that landed them here.

Steve had thrown the first punch, but he certainly was not the reason there was animosity, to begin with.

Ever since Billy had moved here, his life has been miserable. Steve couldn't catch a break because Billy wouldn't let him. He's been getting on Steve's ass about everything, never letting him catch his breath because even that bothered him. 

"Mr. Harrington, your father has been informed of today's events and he has agreed with me that punishment for your behavior is necessary. As for you, Hargrove, Neil isn't picking up the phone, so I'll just have to trust that the school's punishment will suffice." 

"Classic Neil!" Billy chuckled, slapping his own knee.

The balding man sat in front of them pursed his lips and held his hands over his desk. 

"Well since basketball practice seems to be the root of all of your problems, gentlemen, you are hereby off the team. Instead of spending your afternoons fighting over balls in a sweaty gym, you'll be spending your afternoons together sorting through and cleaning the library, under Mrs. Koughmans watchful and careful supervision, of course."

"Hell! By the time the next game rolls around, you'll have forgotten where the ball goes and what you're meant to do with it!" The man laughed, "Now, get on." 

Steve sat stunned, he was getting kicked off the goddamn team because of this asshole. God. 

He watched in disbelief as Billy got up without so much of an argument and headed out the door. Accepting his fate head-on. 

Steve hated Billy so fucking much. 

______

It had only taken five days of going through with their punishment before it happened. Only five days of sideways glancing and muttered curses. 

Steve wasn't quite sure what had been said that lead them here. 

They'd been fighting again, meaningless jabs and spiteful names, and then they were breathing into each other. 

Steve had shot up from his place on the carpet to get in Billy's face. That is how their fights usually went. 

Billy would say something snarky that made Steve angry and then he'd get all up in Billy's face before they got physical. Today though it was different. It was different because, although Steve had the full intention of punching Billy in his mouth, he didn't. 

It was too quiet here. Mrs. Koughman had gone out to smoke a cig, or two... maybe the whole pack considering her reputation, and there was nobody else here. Nobody else because it was six in the afternoon on a November night and the sun had set already and everyone had gone home hours ago.