The Keys to freedom

The sting of words and a busted lip

"Pyke stop!" Oz screamed as he relentlessly pummeled Grayson into the ground. But he didn't stop. He didn't even slow. "Pyke, please!" she cried again, desperately chasing after them. She grabbed at his arm, trying to pull him away, but as he lifted his elbow to swing again it struck her squarely in the mouth. She stumbled backward, hitting the ground. Pyke's fury evaporated in an instant, once he realized what he had done. Panic filled his eyes as he turned toward her. Grayson scrambled to his feet wiping the blood from his nose.

"Oz!" Pyke stammered, forgetting the fight. He rushed to her side, gently lifting her up. "I didn't mean to—are you okay?" he said cradling her face.

Before she could respond, teachers rushed over, breaking up the brawl of the others as they quickly began grabbing shoulders and pulling students apart. "All of you! To the principal's office, now!" one teacher barked.

Pyke eyes remained Oz, worry lining his features. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice softer now, "I'm sorry,"

She ignored him as they were led away. She wiped her mouth, feeling the sting. Grayson shot a look back at Pyke, anger still simmering beneath the surface as he fought the urge to throw more punches.

In the principal's office, they all stood in the center of the room, bracing for the consequences. Oz, Jessper, and Evie stood at the front, feeling like gazelles amongst giraffes. Each boy behind them loomed over them, towering well over six feet. Pyke, at 6'4", was the tallest, his broad frame shadowing over them.

"Who started the fight?" The principal's voice broke the heavy silence as she leaned against her desk, her eyes scanning the group.

Pyke stepped forward, his hands crossed over his chest. "I did, ma'am,"

Oz turned to him, eyes wide in disbelief. She hadn't expected him to take the blame, even thought he was to blame.

The principal, Mrs. Reynolds, narrowed her eyes. "Mr. Hastings, I expect you to lead by example, not engage in this kind of behavior." She frowned, her disappointment evident. "I expected more from you."

A faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Doesn't everyone," he muttered under his breath, barely audible.

Mrs. Reynolds' gaze shifted to Evie, who stood with her head bowed, trying to shrink into herself. "Miss Fox," the principal said sharply. Her head snapped up, her eyes wide with fear. "It's your first day here, and you're already involved in a fight. This doesn't bode well for you."

She nodded, too nervous to speak.

Oz stepped forward. "Mrs. Reynolds, Evie had nothing to do with the fight. She was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. She shouldn't even be in here,"

Evie glanced over at Oz, a grateful smile tugging at her lips, though her face remained tense.

The principal's eyes narrowed. "That's enough, Miss Harris. Don't act like we don't know the real reason behind this fight." Her words were sharp, almost accusatory.

She frowned, insulted by the implication, and stepped back, her face hardening as she realized the principal had all but blamed her for the entire ordeal.

After what felt like hours of stern looks and discussions, the verdict was finally delivered: three days of suspension for everyone involved.

As they exited the principal's office and made their way down the hallway, Grayson walked beside Oz, his jaw clenched tight, his eyes filled with guilt as he watched her lick at her lip.

Pyke caught up to them, his long strides closing the distance in moments. He grabbed Oz by the shoulder, halting her in place. Grayson stiffened his fists clenching as he turned toward Pyke, ready to step in.

But before it could escalate, Oz placed a hand on Grayson's chest, her touch gentle but firm. "It's okay, Gray. Go on ahead. I'll meet you in the parking lot."

His nostrils flared, his eyes burning with the urge to protest, but he swallowed hard, his jaw tight as he nodded. His hands trembled with restrained anger, his teeth clenched so tight it looked like they might shatter. But he turned and stormed out the front doors without another word.

Once Grayson was gone, Oz turned back to Pyke, her arms folding across her chest. "What do you want?" she asked, her voice cold, her lip swollen and bruised.

His expression softened as he looked at her, regret written all over his face. "You have to believe, I would never hurt you on purpose, Oz. It was an accident," he said quietly.

She nodded slowly. "I know it was an accident, Pyke. But you did hurt me."

His shoulders slumped slightly, his arms crossing in front of him "I know," he whispered. "I'm sorry."

Her eyes hardened as she looked at him, her voice laced with more than just physical pain. "What you said... that hurt me more than any physical blow could."

His face paled. He opened his mouth to speak, but his words seemed to catch in his throat. "I didn't mean it," he whispered again. "I don't know why I said it,"

She took a deep breath, her eyes filled with hurt as she looked at the boy she loved but was forced to hate. "It doesn't matter," She sighed. "Just... please, leave me alone, Pyke," she finished, her tone firm but lacking the fire it once held. She turned and walked away, leaving him standing there, alone in the hallway, with his regret