Unbelievable

19

Screams resonated throughout the halls. It sounded like a group of people. When the noise was closer, I assumed a fight was about to happen, and I didn't want to witness another fight. As I rounded the corner, I stopped in my tracks. An army of people stampeded towarded me with Ranea, Chelsea, and Xavier in the front. With her red face, Ranea stomped right up to my personal space and pushed me. My back smacked the locker. I dropped my bag on the ground and pushed her back. She almost fell back onto Chelsea.

"How dare you?" She screeched.

I blocked all of her attempted blows to my face. Getting more frustrated, she backed away and launched herself at me, and we crashed on the floor. Again, she tried hitting me, but I shielded my face with my arms.

I never thought it would come down to this, but I wasn't about to fight Ranea even though I wanted to.

I gained enough strength in my body to flip her over on her back.

 "Calm down," I said.

"No," she screamed, "you sent Antonio to beat up Devin."

"Antonio wanted to fight Devin on his own."

"Get off me." Ranea flapped her legs and arms trying to get free."

"Stop it. This is stupid."

She stilled. "Want to know what's stupid? You thinking Tony likes you. That man doesn't want you."

"Tony has nothing to do with how Devin has you acting."

Ranea thrusted her lower body up, and I flew to the side. Scrambling up from the floor, I dodged her kicks. I didn't know how strong Ranea was. With all the effort she put behind each kick, she could succeed in knocking me down, so I picked up my bag and squeezed in between the crowd to get away.

It was better to walk away. I respected Ranea too much to get into a silly fight. Finding a quiet spot in the hall, I crouched down beside the locker and released the tears I held in.

Ranea cut the last string attaching our friendship. I accepted the fact that she would never believe me. Since Chelsea had the upper hand in our fight, she hyped up Ranea who grew the courage to fight me herself. I wanted no part in any of this.

I skipped all my morning classes that day and hid in the library where all the other students skipped class.  By the time lunch came, I contemplated on walking out the school. Instead, I ate in the courtyard. I slipped into theater avoiding Malesha and Antonio again. Relief filled me when I completed the school day. I could go home. However, when Ranea marched over to me outside with the same group of people, that meant she wanted to finish what she started.

"School is out now. So you don't have to worry about a suspension."

"No, I'm not fighting you. I don't want to," I said. 

"That's too bad. Antonio beat Devin up, and now, I beat you up. Let's call it even."

"Enough talking." Chelsea attempted to slap me, but I caught her hand.

"Get away from me, and leave me alone" I yelled at the two of them.

"I won't. You couldn't leave my man alone, so why should I leave you alone."

"Ranea, read my mouth. Listen to my voice. Nobody sent for Devin to get beat up. If you just talk to me, I can tell you exactly what went down."

"I'm done talking."

"Well come on then," I taunted. "Bring it on."

People rooted for the fight. I paced the circle that formed around us. Nobody was catching me off guard this time. I dared Ranea or Chelsea to try me. But Ranea just stared at me while Chelsea was trying to persuaded her.