Malediction

4 - Warning

Skyler and I had changed into our tights and singlets, prepared for the onslaught of sweat that would be enslaved upon us from Mr Richmond.
It would be ruthless and he would push us to our absolute limits despite our complaints and begs for mercy.

"Why do we love Tuesdays again?" Skyler sat on the cement sidewalk, pulling her Nike joggers on.
"Because even after the slaughter, we feel better about having cheat days" I reminded her

"Speaking of, what's for dinner tonight?"

I laughed, removing myself from the space between the toilet block and the physical education buildings.

"I'll meet you out there" I called before walking into the open air of the track field.

Two classes had joined forces, standing as one on the outskirts of the field, stretching, chatting, preparing themselves for the reckoning of Mr Richmond and Mr O'Neil. They were known for their brutal fitness regimes. It was intense, but well needed.

"You shouldn't have did what you did" A voice broke through my stare as I stood alone, my hands on my hips, lost in the slow breeze over my bare skin

My head snapped in the direction of the gruff owner, lingering on the tall man beside me. He was looking forward, his eyes - as usual - directed far from me.

"Okay" Was all I could manage out, watching the side of his face, motionless, astounded

"I can take care of myself, I don't need you involving yourself in mine or my family's business" He snapped coldly, darker than I'd ever heard his tone before; even with Mathew

I shook my head "If you don't want to involve yourself in anyone's business, then that's fine, but Andy, allow him the chance to live a normal sociable life" I defended the young boy, despite his apparent distain of me

"Stay away from me, and stay away from my brother" He warned venomously before trudging off.

Spending an hour within constant sight of a man that appears less than pleased with your existence isn't an easy thing to do.
I kept my mouth shut about the subtle warning he had made, uninterested in spending another minute discussing and deciphering the possibilities of reasons behind it.

I forced my mind as much as I could on the workout Mr Richmond had set. It had my heart pumping, my blood rushing and my adrenaline bursting in an escape from reality. For once, I was grateful for the heavy set exercises I did.

"You look tired" Skyler noted as we slumped out in the library, books scattered on our table from our attempted study session.
Skyler and I always spent our free periods studying, only, it never seemed to go to plan. It looked good for us if a teacher happened to waddle past, but in reality, we hadn't read a single full page from any of the various opened books.

"I actually put effort in during P.E today" I mumbled, one earplug inserted into my ear, thumping pop music

"Why?"

"It was a stress reliever" I shortly answered

"He's really getting to you, isn't he?" She guessed, watching me as she leaned her chin on her arms, which rested crossed on the table

I leaned my head backwards so my neck folded at the back "I just don't get it"

"You can't let it get to you, we may never know" She shrugged casually as I returned my eyes to her from the ceiling

"I have to sit beside him in history Skyler, I love history, and as long as he is there, I can't enjoy it, how am I going to do that for the next 6 months?"