I backed up.
Shit.
This word kept ringing through my brain. They were cornering me. After school.
No teachers.
No students.
Just me and the whole dang football team. I felt the cold metal of lockers press against my shivering back. I've already earned viruses from that game of oddball, thank god Beckett spared me some hits, which I thought was strange.
I was trembling, already expecting this. I already knew that this was happening. How could it not?
But I did nothing. Their smirks widened at the intensity of my fear. Growning by the second. I need to stand up for myself.
I stepped up towards them. A stinging sensation came across my left cheek, yanking my head in the other direction. I could hear three in particular girls gasp then laugh at the scene playing in from of them, why do they have to be here too?
But I swear I would never. Ever. Ever. Cry in front of them. Or anyone.
My hair hung over me,like a curtain. I was doubled over and I was in the perfect position to be kicked. That'll leave a bruise. He head made hard contact with the floor as I landed. My backpack took the brute of the fall.
But still. Damnit.
I groaned, trying to get back up. The rest if the football team was cheering.
Thank god they weren't all contributing to this. A guy straddled me. He leaned over and gave me a soft kiss, sucking on my neck.
What? That has never happened. This guy, his name was,.. what was it?
Ricky.
Ricky Martinez. Of course. The captain. My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Why did he do that. His lips hovered over my skin. Breathing on my neck.
But it was hot. He enjoyed my confusion. Maybe if I could just-
punch to the right. Punch to the left.
He reared up his right punching arm for another one.
I flinched. The pain ached on my cheek. But it was from the previous hit. Not this one.
This one never came.
I opened my tearful eyes. I looked over me and saw a white shirt, leather jacket, ripped jeans, holding his incoming fist.
Leather jacket glared coldly into his eyes. Burning holes into him. I looked at Ricky. What was the emotion in his eyes?
Regret? Fear? Embarrassment? Leather jacket swiftly pushed Ricky off me. This is when I realize who this must be: Archer Rivers. My neighbor.
Ricky fell on the ground with an oof. He was scared.
scared.
Oh god
I scrambled out of my curled up position and ran. Limping as I did so. My legs hurt. Why?
Getting beat up triggered old memories, and bruises.
