GUNS and GANGS

Chapter 3 : Trials and Temptation

While Pete was having class, Jake and I head towards the basketball room. We weren't the only ones who'd come for an early morning trial.

Jake walks up to Bryon, the Basketball team leader and they shake hands while I stand from a distance watching them. Jake turns back signalling me to come over.

"Nigga, you coming or not?" Jake said putting his hands on his waist. I jog towards them.
"Name's Paul--."

"I know that, Walker." Bryon said spinning the ball on his finger.

"Think fast," he said quickly, throwing the ball at me when he'd began walking away.

I catch it, bouncing it against the floor.

He turns back to me and said, "you're never gonna hit your target while standing there playing with a ball. Like I said 'Think fast, Walker' ."

With that, I run with the ball, while bouncing it. I did play basketball while I was a kid. Never tried it since then. Let's say I never took it seriously. How about now? Well, let's say now... I needed something to take my mind off the trauma that I went through recently. With enough momentum built up, I throw the ball. It spins in the air, soaring high, it lands inside the net and through. It really was a long shot.

I turn back to see people staring before they began clapping. Jake smiles.

"Atta boy, that's the spirit." Jake claps while walking towards me and gives me a nudge.

Bryon shouts, " Practice makes Perfect, Walker." He folds his arms. "join us sometime, let's see what we can make of you." He smirks.

I nod in affirmation. I go pick up the ball and throw it back at Bryon.

"Think fast, Bryon." I walk out with Jake, with a smirk across my face. Never truly knowing the reaction that got to him.

***
As soon as the bell rang, we all grab our things heading towards the door, ignoring the teacher. I walk to my locker and drop my books. Hopefully, I wasn't having any classes today says the timetable. After arranging it to my satisfaction, I close it to see a girl. She catches my gaze but continues whatever she was doing. I wasn't one for greetings and pleasantries so I began walking away when she said something under her breath.

"You dropped something." I hear her say. At least, I assume. I turn back.

"Sorry, were you talking to me?" I ask, trying to look into her eyes.

She turns from her locker and it seemed she was walking towards me but stopped and picked a pen. Wait. That looks exactly like my pen.  Now, she was definitely walking towards me. She hands it to me.

"Uhm... thanks." I say. "Sorry, I didn't get your name." I stretch my hands towards her without realizing my body was going against my mind.

"That's because you never asked." she says, shaking my hands.

"My bad." I said with the brightest and nicest smile I could muster. "I'm Peter. You are?"

"Red. Vixen Red." She says folding her arms.

I finally take in her looks. Something I never let get to me. Something I'd never let Vixen Red do to me. Her eyes were brown just like mine. She had a soft feature. Something that made me believe her skin was soft. Her lips were...Well, I just couldn't say until I was there. I'm quite taller than her so she bends slightly while looking at me. Her hair, scarlet red and curly. Something wasn't quite right with it. I reach out to it and pull it out when someone runs into her, making her cling onto me, eyes wide and surprised. I catch her as if expecting it. She was looking straight into my eyes, her full attention on me as was mine on her. It felt like hours but it was just for split seconds. I realized I was holding my breath when she pulled backwards and smoothens her hair.

"Sorry for that, Vixen Red." I say shyly.

She smiles  as if enjoying my uncomfortabiliy. "Red is just fine, Pete." She adjusts the rebel strand of hair blocking her sight.

" Well, Pete is fine by me, Red." I said, emphasis on the Red, making her laugh. It was a rare moment I guess.

"Alright Pete. Don't be late for class tomorrow."

She smiles, closing her locker and walking away.
I was still standing there, watching and when she was about turning around the corner, she looked back, holding the book against her chest. I waved.

"Indeed. Red is a beautiful color, Peter." I turn back to see Jackson looking in the same direction as I was.

"It is. " I said angrily and walked away.

"I do hope it doesn't end up fading like your Blue rose." He shouted and then I stopped. But I didn't turn back. Not yet.

"Sarah deserves better." I say and then I turn back " but you, you deserve nothing."

"We'll see about that." He says walking towards the exit.

***

Incase you were wondering, I didn't have classes today. Some teachers aren't fully active yet.

It was quite eventful today. After basketball, I tried out the soccer team. Turns out I I'm quite good at it but not so much that I'd get put on the first line. As for Jake, he had 3 classes today later on. I was quite the lone wolf there on. Most of my friends have transferred to a new school. Well, let's just say all, leaving just Jake. I heard there was a fresher. A new girl, red hair and all that. She had classes with Pete. Oh, Pete. I've gotta move.
I turn by my left towards the corner and walk down, all the way. I ran down and took a sharp turn to my right, dodging everyone in my way. But as the unfortunate fellow that I am, I run into someone. Fuck it! I take a step back and analyze the situation. Oh, for the love of Casper! It was her. Her books fall to the ground. Damnit.

"My apologies, dear." I said immediately. We bend at the same time to pick up her books and hit our heads together, even worse.

"Ouch!" She holds her head, looking at me. "Watch where you're going, dude."

"My bad." I apologize, "let me help you with it, please."

I quickly arrange her books and stood up, realizing she had been looking at me. I raise my eyebrows in question still in possession of her books.
"Sorry, you remind me of someone I met today."she says smiling.

"Oh, really?" I say, charmingly. "I hope I hold I a strong impression on you too. Oh, forgive me, where are my manners? I'm Paul by the way."

"I'm Red. Nice to meet you." She says, stretching her hands for her books.

"Oh, this?" I point at my chest, knowing fully well what she wants " you want it?"

She giggles, "Don't be ridiculous.  I meant my book, silly."

"Ouch! Now it feels like you banged me real hard. How good are you at it?" I ask smirking.

"Red means danger. I'll do worse than that." She says.

"I laugh in the face of danger, " I said, coming closer to her. "And if I were to choose a color, I'd choose green so I could go with you."  She takes a step forward.

"Nah, you seem like a coward,"  She taps my cheek. "I see the looks in your eyes."

"I know a few things a coward couldn't do; A coward wouldn't be talking to you nor would he be insistent on wanting to carry your books." I say, looking into her eyes.

"If you say so." She began walking, leaving me behind. I watch her graceful steps and join her, smiling like a coward.