it all started with detention - a killer bass five story

chapter four - dj

♪ mirrorball - taylor swift ♪

As I draw, sitting alone— I watch everyone else talking, and I can't help but feel a little left out. Even if Courtney's and Duncan's 'conversation' is a heated argument, and that Bridge and Geoff are drunk off their asses— I just wish they'd talk to me.

This day was supposed to be something that brought Dad and I closer together. I mean, shit— I only got this detention for him. Mama was angry, real angry— but I tried to look tough for Dad.

As far as I can recall, this is what he's been wanting me to do my whole life. Be like him.
It's hard, living up to some kind of 'high-school legend' (his words, not mine). And after he bragged on and on about it, I figured it was his way of suggesting for me to do it. When I did, I thought I'd feel some kind of accomplishment. Something would just click, all that he finds wrong with me would be right and he'd be proud. But I found myself feeling bad like some loser and apologising. I still feel bad.

I sigh, and a tipsy Bridgette notices.
"You okay, Deej?" a line of worry forms in between her eyebrows. I've spoken to her before, we have third period cooking together.

"Um..." I mumble, scratching the back of my head. I barely know these people, and half of them are wasted. What have I got to lose?
"Not really.". I shrug.
"We supposed to comfort you and shit?" Duncan snickers, but is soon met with Courtney's hand slapping him, hard enough to echo throughout the library- along with his pain filled yelp.

"What's wrong?" Courtney asks as she sits down next to me on the floor. Everyone else follows suit.
"I..." I start, feeling a little overwhelmed by the amount of staring eyes. "Why did you guys get detention?" I ask.

Courtney sighs, rubbing her temples but still replies.
"I knocked over textbooks during a test." she mutters, keeping her eyes on the floor.
"Hey, that's not too bad!" Bridgette reassures her, a lazy drunk smile plastered across her face.
"I skippedclass forae suwrf." she slurs her words.

"Got caught smoking weed in the courtyard." Duncan shrugs.
"The teachers found out about the party I was supposed to throw this weekend. Found out about the underage-drinkingggggg!" Geoff deadpans, rolling his eyes.

I sigh.
"I... I, um," I take a deep breath in. "This kid, he's the towel boy for the football team— and um..." Another breath. "I uh, I guess... well I..."
"Well, out with it." Duncan says.
"While he was showering in the locker rooms, I took his clothes and ran with them. He, um... he walked around school basically naked and... yeah." I manage to get out.

Everyone looks at me like I'm some kind of villain, even Duncan.
"That's cruel, man— even for me." he shakes his head in disbelief. I bite on my lower lip, staring down at my paper as their eyes burn holes into my skin. Was it really that cruel? I'm a really shitty person.
"Why'd you do it?" Courtney asks, seemingly out of nowhere as I look up. She has an... understanding look on her face, I think. Maybe she'll understand.

"My dad." I admit. "He didn't... he didn't force me, or anything— but..." I take a deep breath in as I try to keep my tears at shore.  "He thinks I'm too nice. Too pussy. I wanted to make him proud, y'know?" My eyes dart to the floor when I hear my voice crack. "He was this 'high-school legend' and he always says I should be like him."

Everyone is staring at me. I feel my lip tremble as they stay quiet. An uncomfortable silence settles over the five of us as I break into a sob. God, Dad would be so embarrassed of me right now. I'm just like he says I am. A pussy. "I thought it'd click." I sniffle as sympathetic faces look at me.
"But I'm a terrible person. Can you imagine how embarrassing it must've been for that kid?" I cry. "His... his parents-" sniff "How could he tell them?" I bury my face into my hands.

"My dad hits me." I look up in disbelief when I hear Duncan say that. So simply, too. Was it supposed to make me feel better? He shrugs at all of us.
"No he doesn't." Courtney laughs nervously, munching on her lip.
"He does." Duncan rolls his eyes as if it's no big deal. He rolls up his black sleeve, revealing bruises and... cigarette burns? Courtney's eyes flare in shock, and I think she feels bad.
Her hand slides up to her mouth as she gasps.

authors note:
soooooo... this chapter is a lil heavy guys :( but the next one is soon and its gonna be in duncan's pov (SORRY GEOFF, YOURE COMING SOON, BUD). love yall !!!