The Nerd's Secret |Ongoing|

☫ Chapter 14 ☫

☫ Chapter 14 ☫

Chad and his friends were wearing matching bruises.

     Mine, for the most part, had healed while theirs were fresh. I snuck a few wary glances at them, pondering on how they got those. During the period of the day, I kept myself on the down low and watched as people innocently walked along the halls. They all bustled around, their bodies crashing into mine as they moved. I recoiled over the sounds that the lockers made when they clashed themselves closed. It was all echoing in my ears, straining them.

     My cheeks blew up as I made my way to P.E.

     I didn't like P.E very much. However, it wasn't only that, which made me shudder at the thought of entering the court. It was the people I had P.E. with. Yet, another factor I could never comprehend was the reasoning behind placing this class before lunch. As a student, I feel as though it's inconvenient and rather upsetting for my stomach. Though, the administrators evidently think otherwise.

     They most likely believe it gives us an appetite. Personally, that's not the case.

     When I walked into the gym facility, Coach was placing everyone into teams.

     Apparently, we were going to play Dodgeball. Dodgeball, I inwardly flinched. The bane of my very existence. Dodgeball became a customary event on throwing round objects that were meant for sports usage only —but according to nowadays, they were directed at me. I could have avoided them or even made them hover in the air instead of letting them hit me.

     Those options were slightly tempting but I went with a more normal approach, one that would seem realistic. I blocked my face with my hands and waited for the coach's whistle to blow. Signaling the inevitable. Anticipating, the next movements. Sweat dripped down my forehead as I bit my lips and squinted my eyes. Any moment now.

     Yes. It's that dramatic.

     "Out, Vincent!" The coach cried as the dodgeballs were thrown at me, each one landing a graze or hit.

     I clicked my tongue when one slammed into my legs, causing pain to the bruises that had almost been fully recuperated. I dragged my injured feet away from the game, settling myself down by the bleachers. With boredom, my palm rested under my chin and its elbow stayed put on my bouncing knee. My eyes lazily watched the game, disinterested with the events.

     But then I saw two things. Through the hazy blur of students running back and forth, I noticed a group of men. I could see them by the window of the gym door. Anyone could see them if they were to look. But no one was looking. It was all in slow motion. The breathing of everyone in the room thickened against my ears, agitating me. Though, it wasn't that sense that had heightened. My eyesight sharpened, creating a surge of numbness by my cranium.

     I slid my glasses off and blinked a couple of times, shifting my vision back to the scene. I focused on the suspicious looking people, not having the ability to fully decipher what they were doing due to the size of the window. If I wanted a full view I'd have to leave.

     With my limp, I stealthy advanced towards the exit, deciding to investigate further. Everyone, including Coach, was fixated on the game taking place. They were only two people left; Lucas Trevor and Jaxon. It was amusing to witness Lucas easily dodging every throw aimed at him. I bit my lips to suppress a chuckle when Jaxon made his aggravation evident and got aggressive.

     I vigorously shook my head, not allowing myself to get distracted by the game. Even if it was just starting to get entertaining.

     I snuck a peek at the window and realized that the men had left the area and began walking down the hall. With a gulp, I opened the door and left the gym room. The moment the door closed behind me, all was quiet. It was deafening. I clutched my heart, attempting to ease it and maybe stop the accelerated beating. The fingers on my chest were trembling and I wondered the worst of these men. Questioning the reason they were on school premises.