The Void

10

10
Recall 2: The Fight

It is morning in Ms. Kelsie's AP English class. Seconds remain before the bell, and she does her best to speak over restless students. From his desk, William quickly jots down the reading assignment for the week before packing up.

At the strike of 10:00, a dull bell chimes through the intercoms overhead. Students respond immediately, rising in near sync with each other and moving out. William shoulders his backpack and follows the crowd. He steps into the hallway and banks right, heading for his locker to exchange textbooks.

The halls are alive with activity—students weave between each other, tumblers click and spin on navy metal lockers, and clusters of friends block the walkways, caught up in conversation. Entering another hall, he ducks around a group of chatty girls and approaches his locker. After one failed attempt, he spins the correct combo and opens the door. He swaps out books, English 1 for Algebra 1, and shuts the door.

Content for the moment, he turns back to tread the busy hallway once more. But through the other students, he spots Angel, chortling as he hooks his arm around some brunette cheerleader's shoulder. The sight irritates him, dragging his thoughts back to his poor sister's tearful breakdown.

He tries to shake it off, focusing instead on the path ahead. But then he notices his sister walking towards Angel. His brow furrows, his concern growing as she draws nearer in small timid steps.

She clutches her binder tightly to her chest as she approaches. A tense minute passes as they exchange words. The cheerleader suddenly bursts into laughter directed at his sister, followed by Angel's stupid wagging of his hand to blow her off. Their mocks cause her to recoil into herself, and she shies away. They brush past her without a care, leaving her standing there, broken and unwanted, like a stray animal.

A silent rage ignites within him, setting his skin ablaze with intense heat that could singe the students around him.

Why is he doing this to her? And to let that other girl mock her? How could he be so cruel?

Violent visions project in his mind as his sight blurs with a crimson hue. All at once, his wild emotions whip up in a vicious tornado, circling and striking him with the weight of his sister's pain. His nails dig into the skin of his palms from clenching able fists, but he does not notice their pinch. He acts on impulse, sending his voice across the hall.

"Hey! Dick head!"

His words land like a bee sting to the cheek, triggering an immediate scowl across Angel's face. The hall begins to split, and the bustling sounds of students simmer to a murmur. Finally, Angel's eyes find the culprit.

"Yeah, you know exactly who I'm talking to..." he continues, his adrenaline surging and causing his words to shake, "You owe my sister an apology!"

Angel's astonishment falls quickly, and his lips then curl into his smug little smirk. He slips his arm from his new girl and hands her his binder. With free hands, he steps towards William. A few students caught in the middle scramble to clear a path. The traffic in the hallway clots as students all crowd around them to get a view of the brewing confrontation.

"Your sister?" Angel scoffs, playing to the crowd around them. "You mean Jessica? Apologize for what? She knew what this was."

An intense pressure grips his chest, feeling as if his heart beats against strangling hands. Fear sets in, noticing Angel's form grow larger with each encroaching step. His legs suddenly feel weak under him, his body already regretting the impulsive words that left his mouth.

"You used her," he spits out, his voice stronger than he feels. "Made her think there was something more—"

The gap narrows between them. Both boys now stand just a few feet apart. Angel pauses for a second and leans against the lockers. Another smirk tugs his lips as he crosses his arms.