The King, The Enemy, and the Wars[Sequel to The Slayer]

Chapter 14

How did he hurt himself? I had all his cutting utensils. What had Trace done? Shit! I should have intervened, what was wrong with me? He did this because they picked on him, and I stupidly didn’t do anything. I've got to go apologize to Trace when class is over. The whole free period I thought of ways I could apologize, but when the bell rang I still didn’t know how to apologize. I walked out of the café and bumped right into Trace, he looked annoyed at me then I saw sadness.

"Trace I'm sorry, for not doing anything to stop them yesterday! I am so sorry." I said to him.

"Thanks, you're forgiven." Trace said flatly and walked away.

                I was not forgiven. I knew it, and I deserved it too. Why is he acting like this? I mean I'm trying here, so why shut me out? Photo came around and Trace didn’t even look at me. Josh came in looking strong even though Trace could break him. Trace tried to look strong, but kept his hair in his face to cover the bruise. Josh thought he could just beat on Trace because he was lanky and looked weak, but I've trained with Trace and he is nothing but strong and determined. Where was the Trace I knew during the summer at training? The one who wouldn’t let anyone mess with him, and if they did he put them in their place. Where was the Trace I knew? The teacher left again, and I knew trouble was going to start.

"Nice paint job Emo." Josh said laughing.

"Shut up." Trace hissed.

"Ohhh, defensive are we? You can talk, but can you the walk?" Josh challenged.

"Shut up Josh, what did he ever do to you?" I interfered.

"Shut up Violet, I can fight my own battles." Trace snapped at me.

"Oh really? Because I know you can, so why aren’t you fighting back?" I asked anger rising in me.

"Because I know when an enemy is worth fighting, and when an enemy is worth forgetting." Trace said.

"You will never forget me Emo!" Josh said getting up.

                Trace stood up and faced Josh head on. Josh smirked and some of the kids laughed. Trace stood there ready to fight. Josh walked right up to Trace and swung at him, and Trace dodged it and threw a punch right back which landed. Josh staggered back, and shook it off.

"Lucky shot Emo!" Josh taunted. Trace stood his ground.

                Josh took another swing at him and missed, but he kicked Trace in the stomach and Trace stumbled backwards. The teacher came back in and Josh gave Trace a dirty look and sat back down. Trace grabbed his things and left. I ran after him.

"Go away Violet!" Trace yelled at me.

"Why? Why do you want me to leave Trace?" I asked.

"We shouldn’t be friends or whatever it is that we are, we are enemies. So I would love it if you would give me my things back." Trace said.

"No!"

"They are mine, and I will get them one way or another, so take your pick. The easy way or the hard way…your choice, and choose wisely."

"I'm not giving them back; I won't let you hurt yourself." I whispered walking closer to him.

"Whatever, you don't care, and I can always but more, and have other things I can use, so you aren’t stopping me." Trace countered.

"Why are you being so difficult? I'm only trying to help."

"If you want to help, stop talking to me. We aren’t friends and never were, so just leave me alone and don't interfere in my fights! I can handle myself." Trace said and walked away before I could grab him.