An Exchange

Chapter Six - Tension

Ryan

Spencer trotted up beside me from the student parking lot. He handed me a flier. “There’s a party Friday. It’s a welcoming party for Penny.”

I raised my eyebrow. “Since when has Dylan ever been welcoming?”

He brushed my comment aside as he noticed the bruise on the side of my face. “What will the excuse be this time? You got it in training? You should tell someone.”

“No, don’t worry about it.” I rubbed my temple.

“So, do you think you’ll go?”

“The party?”

“Yeah. Should be good. Loose girls, plenty of beer…”

“I don’t know. I’ll have to see.”

As we walked into the school, Penny stood with a group of Mormons. She had incredible curves. So few girls carried a little extra in the best places like she did. She saw me and smiled, so I smiled back. She took the gesture as I had intended and came over. Giles glared at me.

“Hey fellas,” she said to Spencer and me. “Would I be able to play again later?”

“Yeah!” Spencer answered. “You have to teach us Australian Football still.”

“Ahh, indeed I do.” She grinned. 

“Are you going to Dylan’s on Friday night?” Spencer asked.

She tilted her head. “Yeah. How did you know about that?”

He shrugged. “Dylan throws them regularly. Everyone knows about them.”

Giles came over and rested his hand on Penny’s shoulder. “We should go. It’s almost time for class.” He shot me an icy look.

I couldn’t help but retaliate. “It’s all right, Giles. We can take her when we’ve finished talking.”

He glared at me. “What happened to your face? Did someone try to remove that growth? Oh wait, it’s still there.” He poked at my bruise.

A sharp pain shot through my skull. “Oh no, this was the gift you sent me. Your dad passed it along to mine. He gave it to me when he got home yesterday.”

Giles squinted, confused. Then, as he realized my implications, he clenched his jaw. “Well you should learn to keep your pants on.”

I moved to swing at him. Spencer grabbed my wrist and Penny stepped between us, pushing Giles back.

“I’ll see ya later, okay?” she said and gave Spencer and I concerned looks as she nudged Giles away.

*

Giles

Jonas and Penny rode with me to school the next day, and I managed to keep her with me before classes. She told me she had choir first, and since I knew a couple of people in the choir, I introduced her to them.

Then, she excused herself and walked away from us. I glanced over and saw her heading for Ryan and Spencer. I watched her closely as she spoke to them. Spencer seemed distracted while he spoke, not terribly interested in her, but Ryan seemed fixated even though he didn't say a word. The way he looked at her made me feel sick. So despite how I knew he'd treat me, I made my way over to let them know she wasn't just another one of their floozies.

I stood beside her and rested my hand on her shoulder. “We should go. It’s almost time for class.” I gave Ryan a warning glance.

He sneered at me. “It’s all right, Giles. We can take her when we’ve finished talking.”