Double Or Nothing // C.T.H

29 ~ Thomas

"Wait, wait- how did your head get stuck in the first place?" Valerie asked for clarification, laughing at the ridiculous topic.

"Oh this is a good one," Calum muses, shoving my shoulder slightly causing me to scowl with a "yeah, maybe for you!"

"Well, when we were around 6, Calum and I were playing in the hall way that connected to the stairs, it looked over the living room, where our parents were below.

Anyways, We were crawling around with toy cars- were racing, and Calum being the sore loser he is-"

"Hey!" Calum scowls, slapping my arm lightly. "I am not a sore loser."

I chuckle, sending Valerie a disagreeing look. "Well, I had won-" Calum huffed at this, "And Cal shoved my car off the banister, causing me to dive for it and I 'accidentally' got shoved between the rails," I say, shooting Calum a pointed glare.

"My arm slipped," He held up his hands in defense. However, he sent Valerie a not-so discrete wink that caused her to laugh.

"Yeah, well my head was successfully stuck between the metal bars. It took several hours and lots of soap to get me out,"

"You guys are too much," She chuckles, her hair bouncing slightly as she shook her head.

Just as I was about to reply, I spot a familiar tuft of blonde hair down the other end of the hall. "Great," I exhale under my breath.

Valerie follows my gaze and her shoulders broaden in a protective manor. "Oh heck no," Her eyes narrow as she pops her knuckles loudly, "Today's gonna be his last."

I sigh, shifting my books to my other arm, my eyes casting to the tiled floor under my feet, "No Val, it's okay."

Calum growls, "I didn't know it was okay for someone to- to make another hurt, on purpose, it's completely- it's so mental." His words fumble over each other in irritation.

"By you imitating his actions to 'show him a lesson' is only becoming just as bad as him," My voice comes out soft, growing weary as Seth comes closer, still not noticing my presents 4 classrooms down.

"You should go," I bring my eyes up from off the ground to look at both of them, my books held tightly to me chest.

"No." Valerie crosses her arms, "I want to know what's been going on," Her stone gray eyes flicker down the hall, sending a look that would scare even my dad, because it already did.

Calum nods too, his nose flaring as he sent his own daggers toward Seth before pulling Valerie towards the closet behind them. His eyes connect with mine, and I could tell he wanted nothing more than to  use Seth's head for the football in the next match, before the door hid his dark eyes.

I gulp slightly, only a bit nervous. I've learnt to face the music, this is now my reality- well at least until school ends.

"Hey, Thomas, you look much better after that nice shower you took," Reagan laughed, elbowing Seth and jerking his head to my direction.

My chest expanded in aggravation, They didn't know that it was Calum they actually froze, and I felt a brotherly protectiveness blanket my heart.

"You know, that was low, even for you." My words come out with a new-found confidence, the same one that had sprung up the other night with my dad.

All trace of amusement left Seth's face, his brow setting in irritation as his friends gapped between the two of us.

"What did you just say?" He questioned roughly, his abnormally large hards snatching my books from my arms and flinging them against the lockers with a loud clatter.

"Did I stutter?"

Seth's cheeks flushed red in anger and he gripped both of my shoulders, ramming me into the lockers, causing me to wince.

"I don't know why you've been acting like you're so tough these past few days, you're really nothing but a pansy," He spit, looking my right in the eyes with so much frustration.

The air was suddenly forced out of my lungs with a loud cough, as his fist hooked me right in the stomach,.

Seth chuckled, "See boys, tough Thomas couldn't even handle that," he turned to his friends and they all shouted maligns at me.

"Hmm, what else does Thomas think he's tough enough for?" Seth smirks at my wheezes, my breath still not regained.

"Absolutely nothing," A sturdy voice vibrated through the hall, causing Seth to curse under his breath.

He immediately dropped me, causing me to hunch over slightly, cradling my stomach.

Mr. Wilsons salt and pepper hair was a welcoming sight, it reminded me that Seth was still here, but trying to run.

My foot slipping under his, and though it did hurt, his slowed enough for Mr. Wilson to grab him by the shoulder before he escaped with his friends.

"Sir, we were jus-"

"Playing around? Having fun? Does getting punched in the stomach sound fun to you, mr. Daniels?" Mr.Willson was fuming at Seth, causing the boy to pale severely. I busied my self with picking up my books as Seth answered with a simple no.

"Mr. Daniels, I'm afraid it's necessary to contact your father," Mr. Wilson states, Looking over Seth with daring eyes.

Seth visible stiffened, his face went from pale to green. "Oh no sir, you don't need to do that, please," Seth shook his head violently, holding up his hands in defense.

This action caught my attention, what would Seth have to be worried of?

Mr. Wilson stood for a moment, observing Seth, he looked indecisive.

"I won't call your father, only because I know how important his business is for him, I'd hate to cause difficulties," Mr.Wilson said, almost knowingly.

Seth let out a long blow of air, his poster slacking greatly and he closed his eyes briefly.

"However, you do need to apologize to Mr.Hood,"

Seth's blue eyes met mine, and he looked at me for a moment, causing my to rock on my heels slightly, becoming uncomfortable under his gaze that shockingly held no glare.

"I'm sorry, Thomas." He said with a small nod, his voice sounding unsure. "I really am," his voice and eyes dropping at the end.

I glance to the door hiding Calum and Valerie from view. Why did the mention of his dad flip a switch in Seth? He seems so sincere with his apology.

Mr. Wilson lead Seth away and I couldn't help but wonder,

Maybe even the 'perfect and popular' ones have some imperfection.

-

A|N

Long wait for a sucky chapter.

I just haven't felt like writing much... with this book anyways.

Well, what did you think?

Love y'all!

❤️❤️