Trophy Child (On Hold)

Chapter 14

Phil hadn't been lying when he'd said that saving me from Josh and his football friends didn't change anything. That much was apparent from the moment I stepped onto school grounds.

"Hey, Casey, drop out of the competition yet?" Dylan asked when he saw me.

Phil was with him, but the other lackeys were nowhere to be seen. Probably off traumatizing some underclassman or something. I'd honestly have preferred for Phil and Dylan to be doing the same.

"He's not all that smart, if you haven't noticed," Phil told him.

Like everyone else, they talked about me as though I weren't standing right in front of them.

"I think there'd have to be some actual competition for me to be scared enough to drop out, Bradford," I said.

I tried to end it there and walk away, but Dylan shoved me back by my shoulder.

Which meant that it would be his own fault if somewhere during the conversation my fist slipped.

I'd never understood how someone as quiet and gentle as Benny had ended up with a guy like Dylan Bradford. I suppose as a closeted gay kid, Benny hadn't had many options, but still.

"If you're so unafraid, why are you always running then, Casey?" Dylan asked.

It took every ounce of my self control to keep calm.

"I'm sure your face sends plenty of people running. Nothing to do with fear," I said.

Dylan threw his head back while he laughed. It would have been fun to hear his reply, but Phil cut in before I got the chance.

"I'll deal with him, go find the others. We need to have a band meeting," Phil said before he turned to me," that's what real bands do, if you didn't know, Casey."

Dylan cackled again and I rolled my eyes.

"Catch you later then, Phil. Don't take too long," he said.

I never found out what Phil had planned.

"Hey!" Eric called as he jogged over to the two of us,"what's going on?"

"Just Phil being a jerk. Nothing big or surprising."

"Whatever. I didn't even do anything. I sent Dylan away for you and everything."

"And I'm sure you did that out of the kindness of your heart," I said sarcastically.

We glared hard at each other. It probably would have turned it into a physical thing if Eric hadn't stepped up between us.

"Phil. Just go," Eric said.

For once, there was no humor in his words, and I think Phil noticed. He had that strange look of regret in his eyes again.

"Fine."

When Phil pushed me out of the way, he made sure to hit the exact spot that Josh had assaulted the night before. It hurt, but not just physically.

"Thanks, Eric," I said.

"No problem, man, I've got you. Just not this very second because I have to go talk to Mr. Henderson before class starts, and it's super important. See ya at lunch!" He assured me before he bolted down the hall.

***

A couple of class periods later, I found Benny in front of his open locker. I used the opportunity of him changing his binders out to rant, like I usually did. Like everyone usually did, really.

"I don't get it," I said," it makes absolutely no sense."

"What doesn't make any sense?" Benny asked.