" Hey, Allen. I'm goin' out with Daisy, I'll be back by 10 " Alex said as he walked out the door. He wasn't actually going out with her, he was going to fight Jim. Nobody backs out of a fight unless they're a sissy, and Alex was far from a sissy.
" Just don't get anyone pregnant " Allen replied.
Alex rolled his eyes and giggled as he left.
" Can I go hang out with Risha and Johnny and Layla ? " I asked. I wasn't about to let my brother go alone, and Layla wouldn't want to miss a fight.
" You got a knife ? " he asked. After the incident, he was ridiculously protective.
" No "
" Here " he said, tossing me an old work knife. It was rusty and barely functional.
" Thanks " I said, shoving my feet into my shoes and walking out.
I ran to catch up with Alex, almost falling and scraping my knees of the pavement.
" Addie, for the millionth time you can't come " he sighed.
" I ain't comin' to fight I'm comin' to watch. Jim'll have his friends there and someone's gotta call an ambulance if you get beat real bad " I explained.
" Not plannin' on gettin' beat, but since you're already here I guess you can tag along " he agreed.
" Thanks " I replied.
I didn't bother him on the walk there. There wasn't a whole lot of stuff to talk about anyway.
It wasn't as dark as I thought it would be, the streetlights actually worked. Jim, Kevin, a tall black - haired guy and Darla were standing in the alley, waiting for us.
Risha, Johnny and Layla were already there.
Alex walked up to Jim, looked him right in the eye and said " I'll give you the first swing "
Jim punched him in the face, causing his nose to bleed. Alex wrestled him to the ground and punched him back, a few teeth falling out. So far, Alex was winning. We cheered him on, Layla being the most enthusiastic.
" Get him Alex ! Give him what he deserves ! Get him ! " she hollered.
They punched and kicked each other for a while, Jim was getting the worst of it and Darla had the most terrified look on her face.
" Jim, come on it ain't worth it ! You lost ! " Kevin shouted. He ignored his friend and got hold of Alex's ankle and twisted it back completely. I heard a snap and grimaced.
" It's alright, Addie. He'll be fine. See ? Alex's 'bout to give him a concussion " Johnny said.
Jim wrestled my brother off of him and sprinted away with Kevin. Darla tried too, but she couldn't get very far in high heels.
The other guy stayed, though.
" They're runnin' away ! They quit ! Look at the filthy fuckers run ! " Risha shouted.
" Good job, man. You beat Jim Nelson ! " Layla said, helping him up. " Get in my car, everyone. Y'all ain't walkin' home by yourselves "
Everyone headed to the empty parking lot and got in her stolen Corvette.
" Wait ! " the mystery boy shouted as I opened the door. We all looked at him confused. " I wanna talk to you "
Alex gave me a glance and paused for a moment, then nodded.
I followed the boy to the wall, my hands sweaty and shaking. I was beyond scared.
" W - what the hell do you want ? " I stuttered.
" Easy, you act like I'm gonna kill you. Listen, I heard what Jim and Kevin did to you. I know you don't trust me 'cause I'm one of them but I wanted to tell you I'm real sorry for what they did " he explained.
" Why are you apologisin' to me if you're one of them ? You're on their side, you ain't supposed to feel bad for me " I replied.
" Just 'cause I'm on their side don't mean I wanna be. I can't be their friends after they beat you up like that " he said.
" You're just sayin' that so you can trick me into lettin' you do the same thing, that or you're spyin' on us. I may be dumb but I sure as hell ain't fallin' for your lies !" I yelled, turning my back and starting to walk away.
" Hey ! Wait ! I never said you were dumb and I ain't tryin' to trick you " he replied.
" You're just like your friends, you bastard. You think sayin' sorry for what they did is gonna fix anything ? "
" I didn't say it would, and I swear to God they're not my friends no more "
" You mean it ? Do you mean you ain't part of their gang no more ? "
" I swear on my dead brother's grave that I ain't one of them "
" What's your name ? "
" Jack "
" I'm Addie "
" I guess I'll see you in school "
" Yeah, I guess "
I hurried back to the car and sat next to Risha in the back.
" What the hell was that all about ? " Johnny asked.
" He said he's sorry for what Jim did and that he's one of us now " I answered.
" Sounds like bullshit " Layla added.
" Probably is " I agreed.
" I think I've seen him at school. He plays football " Risha added.
" Yeah, he's Debbie Capperson's boyfriend. She's the hot cheerleader, huh Alex ? " Johnny teased.
" Shut up " he replied.
The whole group laughed. It was obvious he liked Debbie. She was everybody's friend, the most popular girl in the school and every guy had a crush on her. She was awfully pretty, she was towheaded with bright blue eyes, and she was tall and skinny. Jack and her were probably the most cliche couple ever.
Layla dropped us off at our house, and me and my brother prayed we weren't late. I opened the door and Allen was doing the dishes.
" It's 10 : 03. Y'all are late " he said. Alex sighed and started to explain.
" Calm down, I'm just kidding y'all " he laughed. " There's food in the icebox "
" I already ate " Alex lied.
I was hungrier than ever, and I ate leftover chicken and then went to sleep.
I'd been having bad dreams and getting scared over everything ever since the indecent, but that night was the worst.
