The Baneflower

Chapter 14

Morley
Afterschool was different today. Clearly distinct from the other days of just wandering around and being bored out of my mind. Riley and I were on the ground, in the rain, trying to comprehend what just happened. We were hurt bad. Real bad.
Coughing out blood ain't normal, but we were doing that right now.
This is what happened.
-
I was still pissed off about Kody lying to me about coming back. It's been three weeks after he promised to apparently "steal something" to get my family money. He told me bullshit and left me bruised and yelling. He didn't care, and never did. Where was he now? Was he sleeping on the streets like another street druggie? I shouldn't care either. I didn't seem him anymore, but he'll probably show up sooner or later.
Anyway, someone called my name from a distance. I ignore the guy, and start listening to music with my crappy headphones. He was walking towards me. Then I hear a familiar voice, a girl.
"Lithium? That's my favourite song now!" Riley runs to me and takes my headphones.
Riley
I love this new genre. It defined me.
Grunge is a new type of freedom.
I listened to so many bands now, Greenday, Nirvana, and AM. Although you get to make new friends with this type of music, you also get the shitty reality that 95% of the school wouldn't agree with your music taste. I call it musical discrimination.
Morley rolled his eyes as he took his headphones back.
"Buy your own, aha." He scoffs teasingly. I glare at him.
"I lose everything I get." I admitted, my responsibility was poor. He looked at me, as if he was mesmerized by my words. I realized it sounded deep, like I lose everything, a loss.
"No, not in that way, I mean-"
"Fucking idiot!"
Morley and I both flinched by the yelling. I was sure that is was directed to Morley, by the look of the guy's face.
Morley
It was Conner. I hated him since grade five, when he showed the whole class what a black eye looks like. He gave an example that involved me being punched in the face and both him and I being suspended. You know the old saying where you have to just tell a teacher and leave it to the adults?
I don't believe in that shit, and Riley once told me that you always have to punch them back, but just don't throw the first punch.
Great, like that makes any situation better. It's as if people are meant to do that to you.
-
Conner smirked, and he was ready for another fight. Why did he hate me so much? What was his godamn problem with me? I tried to leave him alone as long as he did the same with me. Too late for that.
"Conner, what the hell." I muttered.
Conner pushed me to the school wall, and I pushed him back.
"Don't be a pussy and fight like a man." Conner sneered, getting ready to punch me. Riley stared at us in horror.
Riley
"Real men don't fight, they solve problems you fucker." I snap, and the guy apparently named Conner looks back with the dirtiest look.
Morley seemed panicked, and I look at him with confusion. Why was he afraid? For a split second I had no idea. Then I felt it.
It hurt a lot. My head was pounding and I clutched my stomach, bracing for another full out punch by this massive piece of bullshit named Conner. It hurt more, and it was not time for jokes, but I felt strangely brave, as if I had a gun in my pocket ready to shoot his head off.