Teaser, Tester or Protector

|Chapter Eight|

It's been a week and a day since I called Jersey out at the game. She hasn't been in school all week. I'd say she's ran back to Barns and the ravens. Let's hope she stays there.

It's Monday morning. I'm so much better now. I don't need my crutches and all my bruises have healed. Today will be my first day back training for football and I'm going to start up training after school so I can finally get rid of that scumbag.

I walk in the school doors a lot earlier today. Ryan asked me to meet him here at 8:30 seemed important.

I walk in and spot Ryan.

"Ry, what's up man?" I asked.

"Hey Jay, look I needed to tell you this as your mate, Barns has been running his mouth off about you" he looked down at the ground.

"What's he been saying?"

"Well uh..look Jay why haven't you told me none of this man? We're mates. I ain't gonna pass no judgement on you"

"What did he say Ryan" I say through gritted teeth.

"How none of us know the real you. Where you actually live. About your old man" he can't even make eye contact with me.

I storm out the school doors with Ryan hot on my heels.

"Jay come on mate. Don't let him get to you" he grabs my shoulder.

"He's been spouting shit about me and my family. I'm going to have his head on a stick Ry"

"At least let me take you over there so I can be there to stop shit ok?" He walks over to his car and jumps in waiting for me.

I jump in without a word. There's an awkward silence.

"Why didn't you tell me? Did you honestly think I'd have something to say about it?" He asks sadly.

"It's not that"

"Then what is it? I always knew something was up, you never invited none of us over ever, you never let me drop you to the house, and man I see you change direction when I drive off"

"Not now okay. Il explain it all later just not now"

He stops asking questions. I've always wanted to be honest with the boys but it's just never come up. It was never a suitable time to get into it.

We arrived at Baltimore Ravens. I jump out before the car even comes to a stop. I run up the steps and straight to the office. Before I reach the door I compose myself.

I give a gentle knock and push the door open.

"Hello there m'am, I was wondering if you could tell me where Luke Barns would be right about now? Silly little brother left his lunch at home today, mom wouldn't be happy to hear if I left him with an empty tummy" I smile a friendly smile.

"Of course hunny, how nice of you. Mr.Barns is actually out on the pitch for some personal practise right now, so it's good timing"

She's an old lady but friendly. She has white curly hair and a light layer of makeup covering her face. She's dressed in a smart blue blazer and a long skirt to match.

"Thank you very much, have a nice day now" I leave the office and head for the pitch with Ryan at my side.

"You ain't gonna do nothing stupid are you?" He questions.

I look over to Ryan with a straight face. Barns has this a long time coming. It's about time he gets what he deserves.

As we reach the pitch we see Barns. I walk slowly might give me some time to see some technique if he even has any at all.

There he is. Mr big-shot. Running up and down the pitch side stepping all the invisible players. So easily done when there not physically there to stop you.

As I get closer I start to clap which attracts his attention. He stops and looks up at me.

"Alvarrez, miss me that much?" He grins.

"Getting in some personal practise are we? We both know you need it"

"Funny boy ain't you, so what's the deal?" He slowly walks towards us.

"I heard your getting a bit too brave. Thinking you know all about me?" I laugh.

"Oh but I do, I know about it all. Do you want to do this in-front of your security?" He points to Ryan.

I slightly turn my head back to Ryan. It's about time he learnt the truth. I've kept so much from him for so long. I don't want him getting involved but maybe it'll help if someone knew.

"Nah you can say it" Ryan puts a hand on my shoulder to let me know he's there.

"I basically just said how your dad is a low life scum bag, but sure you know all this already, no new info there. Do you know how deep in death he is?" He says casually as he tosses the ball up into the air.

"How would you even know about any of this Barns? becoming a stalker now are we?" I'm afraid to even hear his answer.

"Because it's to my father he owes his death. He joined fathers little gambling group awhile back and well let's just say he's never had a lucky streak in him" he lets out a shallow laugh.

"Do you think I care about any of this? He isn't my father so he isn't my problem"

"Oh but he is, and you see he hasn't been paying up in quite some time, father needs his money back, so if he hasn't got it, we travel down the line and we'll your mothers a working women isn't she?" He smirks.

"We have nothing to do with that weasel Barns. His deaths have nothing to do with us. Why don't you go and get your goons to ruffle him up and shake what ya can out of him"

"If you dare touch off of Jay or his mother you'll regret it Barns" Ryan steps in-front of him.

As we go to walk away Barns has one last thing to get out.

"If he doesn't pay up Jay, your next"

Next thing I knew he was on the ground with a bloody nose and Ryan was standing over him with busted knuckles.