Extant

Chapter 7

What can I say.

School blows.

It seems like every year gets more dramatic. That's highschool I guess. Shit starts to happen.

It's homecoming week and also the week I go without crutches. I have to start strengthening myself. Fun fun.

Monday: Merica Monday.

Which America though? North? South? The United States of America? What if I come with Brazilian pride, that's part of an America.

I would if I could, however I have an American flag onesie specifically for this day, so I'll be going in that. When our school has spirit week, we go all out.

School also seems to be getting more an more boring each day. Yippee. I usually walk a few blocks to the Starbucks near school and chill there until my mom picks me up.

I don't think going in to Starbucks like this would be a good idea. I definitely couldn't walk all the way home without crutches.

RIP.

I get to lunch with Alex by my side. We don't really talk on our walk here anymore. We both probably aren't sure what to say. It's kind of depressing.

"Wow, I'd tap that." Ash said as I sat down. "No crutches? How's that going?"

"It's okay. I'm just a little insecure I guess. Like, everyone knows that it's not my actual leg, I don't know."

Everyone at the table went quiet until Servando came up behind Alex. He put his hand on her shoulder and she jumped at the touch.

"Babe, you agreed that we would leave before lunch." he said, looking at Alex. She swallowed hard. "Hey gimpy. Where's the crutches? Sprout a new leg?"

"Leave her alone Servando, I know you can entertain yourself." I said, causing him to laugh.

"You don't tell me what to do gimp. Not if you know what's good for you. Shut your mouth before I take you down right here and now." he said, standing up taller.

"Is that supposed to intimidate me?"

He took the hood of my onesie and lifted me off the stool. He shoved me to the side slightly, letting go.

"You don't know when to stop."

"That's enough. Leave." Hope said. Everyone at the table got up, moving to Servando. He threw his hands up in surrender. He took Alex's arm and started pulling her away.

"Without Alex." I said. He stopped and turned to look at me. He smirked at me and then kept pulling her down the hall.

I started jogging to the best of my ability after them. I could hear voices from behind me telling me to stop but I didn't care. I was sick of him controlling her.

I felt like I was in a movie, because all I could see down the hall was a door leading to the parking lot close, getting only a quick glimpse of Alex. I continued my weird hobbled jog and got to the door.

I opened it and got to the parking lot. I looked to my right and there was nothing. I heard a yelp and looked to my left. There I saw Servando and Alex.

"Shut up bitch."

Slap.

Alex went to the ground. I couldn't see her between the cars now. All I could see was that asshole Servando and his smug look from a distance.

Speed isn't really on my side so I guess stealth will have to be.

What am I saying, I have no skill whatsoever in fighting.

What the hell am I doing.

Fuck it.

I start quietly sneaking my way down the line of cars. Servando bent over, probably down to Alex. Hopefully he can't see me as I try to do this.

Whatever I'm doing. I really don't have a plan. Go behind him and punch him? Pretty sure he'll easily retaliate. I'm not stable enough to kick him so a few hits will have to do.

I stop at the car on the left of them since that was the way I was coming from. I see him over Alex whispering in her ear, tears rolling down her cheeks present. He's holding her arms back and she struggles against him.

Was she trying to hit him?

I step out from the side of the car and slowly walk behind Servando. I can't reach him and get a good hit if he's leaning so far forward.

I was hesitant until Alex shook her head at him, a barely audible 'Please no' heard. Another slap. That's it.

I kick him as hard as I can with my left foot. I was pretty ambidextrous with my feet in soccer, and I definitely still had a good boot.

I gave him a nice kick to the back of the head.

Sadly since im not used to balancing with my other leg, I swung too much and fell backwards on to the blacktop.

My back smacked hard onto the ground, followed by my head. I let out a groan. Good going.

I sat up and Servando was already up and towering over me. I looked between his legs to see Alex trembling behind him.

"I told you to stop before I did something to you. I give you a chance and you ruin it by doing this. Smart move on your part huh? Turns out your bark is bigger than your bite."

What do I do now. I'm literally in no place to talk when he has the upper hand.

"Who said anything about biting you?" I said. I immediately regret it. What the hell. What's that supposed to do?

"What a comedian. Heard the one about the gimp who overstepped her boundaries and got taught a lesson?" he said, kicking me in the stomach. The wind was knocked out of me and I started gasping for air.

"Nope, don't think that's an actual joke." I said breathy. Why am I still talking?

Why am I still talking.

I need to be quiet.

Another kick to my side.

"It goes like this." he said with a smile. He balled up part of my onesie and lifted me easily, shoving me against his car.

I reached for something, anything I could get a hold of. I had the collar of his flag polo and pulled it to the side, the rest of him going in the direction. The fabric digging into his neck.

He let go of me and put a hand on his neck, massaging it slightly. I started to hobble away. I had made it to the sidewalk when he was back for more.

He rammed me into the wall, as if he was tackling me like a football player. I stuck my hands out and cushioned some of the force. I saw this in a movie once.

Worth a shot.

I yanked my elbow back and clipped his ribs. Not really what I was going for but it can work maybe.

Slam number two into the wall.

Nope.

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A/N:

rest in piece