The bell rings for everybody to be dismissed from school. Unlucky for me, instead of going home, I have to see L'Austin Space at track.
I pack my things up, as I head out the door, Cheryl waiting for me.
"Hey, you okay?" She asked, in a soft tone, whilst we walked down the hallway.
She always knew when I was in a bad mood, and that's something that made me love her even more.
I nod. "Yeah. Not too excited for track." I say as I shrug.
She puts her free hand on my back, rubbing it gently.
"Don't let Austin get to you." She smiles softly at me.
I couldn't help but smile at her. "Thanks, Cheryl."
She takes her hand off of my back. "Well, good luck. I gotta get to my bus." She smiles. "Call me tonight?"
I chuckle. "Definitely." I say, giving her a kiss.
We give one last 'bye' and 'I love you', as we make our separate ways. I make my way to the track field, dreading the fact of seeing Austin. My head turns slightly, as I hear footsteps approaching behind me, suddenly getting smacked in the back of my head before I can fully turn around.
Austin.
He walks beside me. "Gopher! Where's my hug at?" Austin stretches his arms out, a small smirk appearing upon his face, as I roll my eyes. He lowers his arms. "What's wrong, don't wanna give me a hug?" He asks, sarcastically.
I'd keep my gaze in front of me, not taking a single glance at Austin. I grunt, as he wraps his arm around my shoulders, pulling me close to him.
"Whaddya say we do a friendly little race when we get out to the track?" He glanced at me, giving a subtle smirk. "Just me and you, Gopher."
I glanced at Austin, whose arm was still wrapped around my shoulders. We were pretty close. Closer than I'd like to be around him.
I sigh softly. "Sure, Austin. If that's what you wanna do." I say blankly.
He'd shake me a bit, playfully. "See, that's the spirit." He would smile. "I'll go easy on you, don't worry Gopher." Austin would wink, as he took his arm off my shoulders.
We eventually made it out the back doors of the Highschool, making our way to the field. Whilst walking down there, Austin was doing some arm stretches, as if he were preparing for the Olympics.
Upon stepping on the track, Austin does some leg exercises, as I roll my eyes, looking for coach. Coach was usually late, so I guess a little race with Austin wouldn't hurt.
I know I'm going to lose.
If it makes Austin happy, then whatever.
And I'm not saying that because I like him or anything, he's just very annoying when he doesn't get his way.
I stand beside him on the track, getting into position, as some tenth grader counts down.
"3..2..1.. Start!" He yells, as Austin and I begin running.
We were neck to neck with each other, him glancing over at me, giving a small smirk, as he stuck out his tongue, running faster. He ends up slightly ahead of me.
I begin to arise with anger. I didn't care he was winning, but he didn't have to stick his tongue out at me like that. I use all my might to speed up, running beside him a bit, as I smirk at him. I get close to Austin, nudging him with my body, causing him to stumble slightly, until he regained his balanced.
I glance back at him, Austin grunting, running full speed at me. He tackles me on the ground, us tumbling on the soft grass. I end up on top of him, before he grabbed both of my arms, and pushed me over, him now on top, the back of my head hitting the ground. He held both of my arms above my head with one hand, and got ready to punch me with his free hand, as he sat on top of me, one of his legs on either side of me.
"You really wanna play that game with me, pretty boy?" He paused, widening his eyes slightly, as he realized what he had said. "G-Gopher. Y-You really wanna play that game with me, Gopher?" He repeats, as if that's what he meant to say the first time. I see his face get slightly red.
We stare at each other for a moment, the only thing breaking the silence was the soft breaths that came from us. I could feel my face begin to heat up slightly, noticing the position we were in. We didn't speak a word, all we did was look at each other, not breaking eye contact once.
Eventually, coach comes up behind Austin, grabbing his shoulders as he lifted him up.
"Austin, principals office, now!" He yells, as he glanced down at me. "You too Jared! I'm tired of you two fighting all the time. Go on, get!"
Austin grunts, as he walks away, from me. Coach reaches out a hand for me to grab, helping me stand up.
"Who started the fight this time?" He would ask, in a stern tone.
I would stand up, dusting all of the grass off of me. Technically, I nudged him first. But that was just a playful nudge. He's the one who tackled me.
"..I started it." I would say, my words slipping out of my mouth before I could even think.
Coach would sigh. "You can't keep doing this Jared. You're a good kid, I don't wanna have to kick you off the track team." He says, placing his hands on his hips. "Go on, get to the principals office."
I nod, making my way to the building. Upon entering the building, I head for the office.
My face flushes red as I think about what had just happened.
The way he was on top of me.. the position he held me in.
Austin called me 'pretty boy.' His words kept repeating in my head like a broken record player.
I open the door to the principals office, seeing Austin sitting down.
"Jared?" The assistant principal at the desk would ask.
"Yeah, that's me." I say bluntly.
She nods and types on her computer. "Have a seat. Mr. Greene will be with you in one moment."
I nod, sitting down a few seats away from Austin
It was complete silence, the only sounds were Austin who couldn't seem to sit still. He kept readjusting his pants, crossing his legs, and uncrossing his legs. He seemed uncomfortable, and I couldn't blame him.
I glance at him, looking down at his legs, as he kept on readjusting his pants. He seemed to notice me, and immediately crossed his legs, laying his arms on them.
I glance back down at my feet, tapping them anxiously, before hearing my name get called.
My head perks up in the direction. "Jared?" Mr. Greene would ask, as he motioned for me to follow him.
I sigh softly, as I stood up, following him. Austin and I exchange glances, before he looks away, readjusting himself once more.
Entering Mr. Greene's personal office, he shuts the door behind me.
"Have a seat, Jared." Mr. Greene would say, motioning to the chair that sat across from his seat.
I'm in real big trouble.
