The Fighter that He Swore to Save

Chapter 1

Everett

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The bus lurched up and forward as it went over the speed bump, waking me from my short nap. Every single morning I fell asleep on the bus and every single morning that stupid speed bump woke me up. It was like my second alarm clock, and it meant that I was at school.

The bus screeched to a slow stop and the doors opened to let the students out. I waited for everyone else to file out in front of me before grabbing my bag and getting off behind them. The wind whipped at a few loose strands of my blonde hair and I pulled my hood tighter over my head as I headed into the school building.

Inside, I went to my locker and put in my combination. I took my time loading my book into my bag since there were still fifteen minutes till first bell. While I packed my backpack, I listened to the conversations of the people around me. My locker somehow ended up close to a bunch of the football players, so there was always lots of interesting things being said around me.

"I missed you last night, babe." I heard Mark Thomas say to my left.

"I know, but I had such a headache..." Tina, his girlfriend, said dramatically. I sent the two of them a glance from under my hoodie hood. Tina's voice was always annoying, but she sound just a tiny bit too sorry about her headache.

"You're feeling better now, right?" Mark asked, worriedly running a hand through his hair. Tina looked straight into his eyes and... oh she is totally cheating on him. The way her body was positioned gave it all away. I scanned the room and then looked back at Tina. I'd guess she was cheating with... James?

I looked over to where James was standing. Ew, never thought she'd stoop so low. I watched James in his group of friends and he kept sniffling and turning his head away slightly in the direction of either Tina and Mark or the vending machine. Not positive, but fairly sure they were together last night.

Poor Mark, he's so oblivious it almost physically hurts me. Tina cheats on everyone she dates. I'm still trying to figure out how she hasn't run out of guys yet.

Some walked passed me and hit my bag as they did. I looked up but saw they were already gone anyways. I bent down and picked up my tape roll that fell out of my bag and quickly stuffed it away before someone noticed.

There were already too many rumors about me. The last thing I need is people wondering why I carry around hand tape. They'll jump to dumb and irrational conclusions that probably aren't too for from the truth.

No one ever talks to me and I don't talk to anyone. I guess they all assume that I'm doing something illegal and stay away. I guess I give off that scary-never-smile-beat-you-up-in-an-alley kind of aura, not that I mind at all. I like my solitude.

I stuffed the last of my books in my bag and closed my locker just as two people rounded the corner of the hall. I heard happy laughter and I turn to see who it was. Everyone seemed to quiet just a little as they turned to see the Eldred twins.

Violet Viola, or usually just Vi-Vi, and Gunner were fraternal twins, but aside from gender they were almost identical. They both shared smiling, freckled faces with great dimples and piercing green eyes. Though the biggest trait that they shared was their bright, red hair, except Vi-Vi's was straight and Gunner had curly hair.

I don't know why, but ever since the first time I saw him I'd wondered what it would be like to run my hand through his mess of curls...

I heard Tina squeal in excitement before running over to hug Vi-Vi. They laughed with each other and Mark walked over to join them. Mark gave Gunner one of those handshake-hug things that guys always do. I smiled to myself as a small group of other people started to form around them.

The four of them were probably the most popular kids in school. Tina was the pretty, popular queen bee. Mark was captain of the football team. Vi-Vi and Gunner, despite being the new kids, had already climbed to the top of the ladder of popularity. Don't ask how, I don't get how this works.

I feel like I heard somewhere that the Eldred's father owned some huge company and they were pretty rich. Maybe they threw sweet parties at their mansion, I didn't really care either way.

I didn't have very many classes with them so I didn't know much about them. I could tell that Vi-Vi was pretty bubbly and I never saw her not smiling. Gunner seemed to be more laid back and probably took life a day at a time. As far as I could tell, the two of them got along well, and I'd say they were pretty close.

"Hey are you two going to Danny's party next weekend?" I heard Mark ask Gunner. "It's going to be lit." There was a pause and Gunner looked at his sister.

"I don't see why not." He said a little hesitantly and looked at Mark.

"Oh, you'll have a blast." Tina said with a tilt in her voice that only I caught. She's trying to flirt with Gunner. In front of her boyfriend no less. Good grief.

"We haven't been to a party in forever." Vi-Vi clapped her hands and smiled. "If there's food, I'm in."

"Awesome." Marks said and the bell rang indicating we had five minutes to get to class.

"Let's go to class, Gunner." Tina said as their group broke off their separate ways. The two of them shared first period and I still had no idea why she wanted everyone to know that fact.

"Actually, I have to go to the office. I'm moving to Honors Advanced Math."

"Oh, we won't share first period anymore. Why do you have to be so smart?" Tina pouted and I rolled my eyes as I pulled my backpack on to head to my first class.

Honors Advanced Math... math has never been my strong suit, but I give Gunner props. I'm in the regular advanced, which is super hard, I couldn't imagine being in the honors too. I watch Tina sulk off to her class and I head in the direction of my first period, science.

As I walked, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye and I looked back at Gunner. Our eyes met and I froze. Why is he looking at me? No one looks at me, no one acknowledges me. Ever. They may talk about me when they think I'm not listening but no one actually talks to me or looks at me for that matter.

But there he was, staring at me...

Okay, I don't like it one bit. It's giving me butterflies. We stood frozen, starring at each other across the hall as the warning bell rings. One minute till class starts. He opened his mouth to say something but stopped.

I sent him my best death glare, which is pretty good, as a warning and walked away. Most the kids here are scared of me and rightly so. I like the way it is. School is a means of education so I can get a job to pay for my life.

So I can get a job that's not what I do now...