Challenging the Boys

Chapter 10

I slowly opened the gate to get in and it made a loud squeaking sound getting his attention.

"What are you doing here Mel?"

"Emm...I-"

I have to do this. I have to confront him about the letter.

I kept on repeating it to myself, but my thoughts weren't strong enough while watching his six pack covered in sweat under the dim light of the backyard.

"Like what you see?" He said with a light chuckle, noticing I was staring.

I felt my cheeks getting hotter and hotter. Why was I acting this way?

I had to get my act together.

"Why did you try to blackmail me?" I say fast, nearly spitting out the words.

"What?!"

"You heard me! Why did you try to threaten me with this stupid note!" I say furiously chucking the small piece of wrinkled paper at him.

He slowly picked up the small paper ball and straighten it out so he could read it.

"When did you receive this?" He asked, now in a serious tone.

"Don't act like you don't know!"

"WHEN DID YOU RECIVE THIS?!"

We are now both shouting, and I really don't care, if he didn't write the message then I really don't know who did.

I try to go back to a normal tone, breathing heavily a few times.

"I got it this morning at school."

"And you tried out anyway."

It wasn't a question. It was a statement.
It was obvious I would tryout anyway.

"Yeah. Did you really think I wouldn't because of a stupid note?"

"No...if I were you I wouldn't have given a fuck either. I would have tried harder just to get back to whoever wrote this. But I can defend myself, you on the other hand....this is serious."

"Are you saying I can't handle whoever tried blackmailing me? Because last time I checked you also said I wasn't going to play for the team and here I am." I said heading back to my own house.

So it wasn't him.

I tried to let the words sink in slowly, but the only thing I could think about was the fact I was back to square one and I had no idea of who had a problem with me.

...

It felt weird.
Walking down the hallway and looking at everyone like they were potential criminals.

I couldn't say I knew these people, because I didn't.

I had only been here for little less than a month, and a big part of me was ready to pack my bags and go back to Los Angeles, were I felt nice and safe; but I had to admit that a small part of me wanted to stay and figure out what was going on here.

I hadn't told anyone apart from Aaron about this situation and I had no intention of speaking about it anytime soon.

I was just going to need to be more careful about things, check out whomever came close to me or to my locker whenever I could.

"Hey Mel" said a voice behind me, making me drift away from my thoughts and back to reality. "Did I straddle you?" continues on Will.

"No, I was just lost in thought."

"You look like you haven't slept at all last night. Is everything ok? Do you wanna talk about it?"

"No I'm fine, just a bit tired that's all. I need to go to maths, I'll meet you at lunch." And like that I left.

I needed to reconsider who I thought where my friends and find out who was the person who had a thing against me.

And I needed to do that fast.

•••

I was already in my third period and I still didn't have anyone on my list of suspects. How could I? I didn't know anyone well enough to take them off the list or put them on it.

It could easily be one of the people who I've talked to, but it could be someone who I've never had a conversation with. It could be someone on the team or just someone who loves the team and didn't want me on it.

I'm so confused.

Then lunch arrived and I sat at my usual table with my sister and my new friends, or at least I thought they were.

I started studying them one by one. I must have been deep in thought, because when something, or better yet someone, plopped down besides me it gave me a little fright.

Aaron.

Why was he sitting here now, instead of with his usual friends?

"Mind if I join you?" He asked nonchalantly.

"Sure" answered Will, looking at me with a questioning look.

"Yeah it fine" I say, just to put everyone at ease.

The talking among the table started once again, but I wasn't joining in. All I could really think about was the stupid note and I kept on wondering if something bad was actually going to happen.

"What do you think Mel?" says Monica.
"Mel..." shouted Becca, nudging me.

"What?" I hadn't kept up with the conversation and I really didn't know what they were asking me.

"What's wrong? You haven't really said anything today and you have barely touched your food. Ps if you don't want it, I'm always happy to finish it for you." Says Will.

"It's nothing, just having one of those days. I need to go talk to professor Ross about our test. I'll see you guys later." and just like that I left the cafeteria.

I obviously didn't go talk to my maths teacher, I just needed an excuse to leave.

Instead I headed to the gym. I needed to get my mind of things and shooting hoops always helped.

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I am so sorry for taking so long writing this. I just wasn't sure where the book was heading and it took me ages to decide. Anyway I'm back now. Goin to try and write a chapter a week.

Clauds