A Red Lighter

Connor: Warzone

When I woke up the air in the house was thick and angry. I really didn't want to get up and face my dad but I knew I had to. Mom and dad both sat in the kitchen, dad was furious and mom was just stoic. Slowly rubbing the sleep from my eyes I joined them, grabbing a cup of coffee before heading to school.

"Read this" dad half yelled shoving a piece of paper into my hands

The letter I read explained why the air was so thick, this kid dad brought home stole from him...A cop. Even if it pissed me off a little bit I had to give him props, he definitely had some balls. I knew my house was going to be a war ground till they caught the kid and war really wasn't my thing, so I just jumped into the Bentley and went to school.

I stood with my friends talking about how we were going to kick ass in the football game tonight. I loved football, it was one of the things I actually didn't despised. The squeaky wheels of the bus caught my ears and I watched as the kids slowly got off one by one.

I was about to turn back to my friends when the kid from last night took a step off the bus. I wanted yell at him, make him scared but I figured that wouldn't do very good. The best thing to do was just let dad know so he could deal with it.

The kid was violently shoved into the snow covered concrete. While the kids around him called him names like "whore" and "faggot."

"Hey" I yelled against my better judgment, I couldn't stand bullying

"What" one of them yelled kicking the kid in the ribs "it's true...he's just a whore." I threw the first punch; I also threw the last one.

The principal just shook his head at me and I knew there was no way I would be playing in tonight's game. I dragged my feet to the coach's office I knew he'd be pissed. But the moaning took me completely off guard; I knocked softly on the door before entering.

"Shit" the coach mumbled thrusting his chair forward so his belly button touched the edge. This act was rewarded with a gag and a cough which made my stomach twist.

"Hey coach I need to talk to you" my voice shook as I stood in the doorway

"Well make it quick I have work I need to do"

"I can't come to tonight's game...I got in trouble for fighting"

"Great" his voice was grated "Well there's nothing I can do...so leave"

I quickly did as I was told and left the office, but not the change room. And to my dismay Caleb soon came stumbling out of the office with a hundred bucks in hand. I watched as he made his way to the stalls and vomited. I knew I should probably leave and just forget it, forget that coach was a pervert but again I fought against my better judgment.

Caleb pushed through the bathroom stalls and was definitely surprise to see me standing there.

"Hey" my voice was harsher than I intended it to be

"Dude" Caleb's voice cracked "please...I'm sorry about the money; I'll pay you back I promise I just need a few days"

"Caleb" I tried again "Why were you in the coach's office"

"I needed some pocket money" Caleb spoke averting eye contact

"So how'd you make it?" I waited patiently for Caleb to answer but after a while Caleb just crawled through my legs and bolted out of the locker room

"Connor" the coach's voice made me jump "Why are you picking on Caleb." I went to answer but the coach just cut me off "you leave that kid alone okay...I'm pretty sure his life is shit as is" I held back my anger and just stormed out of the locker room

I knew that skipping school was wrong but at this point I didn't care, I jumped in my car and started on my way home. I was half way there when I noticed that Caleb was also walking home. Slowly I pulled my car up next to him and rolled down my window.

"Get in" I yelled and by the way Caleb's shoulders tensed I knew that he'd taken it the wrong way "I'll drive you home" without second thought Caleb slipped into the passenger seat.

"Why are you so nice to me" Caleb's voice was so low I almost didn't catch it

"Because...I have a feeling not many people are" Caleb lowered his head "Besides we need to talk"

Caleb didn't seem too thrilled about the situation he was virtually stuck in. He looked as if I just told him his grandparents died and even though I knew he was probably going to lie to me I still had to ask.

"So first things first" my voice was harsh and demanding "Why did coach give you money"

"Because" Caleb sighed "I did him a favour"

"What kind of favour"

"I just clean his office and sorted out the gym stuff" I knew Caleb was lying, it was obvious

Before I could ask another question Caleb leaned over and turned the music on. I let him have his space, pushing the situation wasn't going to get me answers. And I made the decision to take him to my house; I knew dad would be in at the station and mom had to work late today so it was empty. When I turned down my street I could feel Caleb's eyes burning into the side of my face.

"What" I asked turning the radio off

"Please don't do this...I'll pay you back I swear, I'll work extra hard tonight...Please" his voice was coloured in fear and it made my heart pang with guilt

"Calm down, no one's home"

"That's what I'm afraid of" his voice was just a whisper and I knew that what he said wasn't meant for my ears

I got out of the car and walked to the backdoor; Caleb was practically glued to my back the whole time and when I stopped to open the door he crashed into me, causing me to stumble forward and him to fall on his ass.

When I turned around to offer him my hand he brought his arms up to protect his face. Mumbling I didn't mean to and I'm sorry over and over again. I didn't know how to react so I just put my hands up to show him I meant no harm.

"Please just take me home" his voice cracked as he talked "Dad's going to be pissed as is, me being late isn't going to help"

"Okay...fine" I sighed entering the house, I'd take him home...eventually