Gregor and the New Race

Chapter 3

The rest of the day passed uneventfully. He had shared most of his classes with Abigail. But aside from his new classmate, nothing extraordinary happened. He got home from school and walked through the door. He walked straight through the kitchen and into his room. He shut the door behind him and fell onto his bed. His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket. So I guess you're not coming to the movie tonight? It was from Harry. He was about to make up and excuse for not going, but before he could think of one, his phone vibrated again. I asked Abby if she was coming, she said yes. If that helps your decision. He read, with a winky face at the end. Gregor sat there for a second. Wait. Was he actually thinking about this? A week ago, he would have turned him down in a heartbeat. But for some reason, he felt himself type, is anyone else going to be there? He asked. Harry replied, not unless you have anyone else in mind...so no lol. Gregor laughed but he knew it was true. He had no one else he wanted to be there. Gregor gave in. What time?

At the movie theater, he met up with Abigail and Harry. Harry bought everyone's ticket and Gregor bought the snacks. After the movie, Abigail said she owed them for buying all the stuff, so they went across the street for ice cream. They talked about the movie and school, and soon Harry had to leave. His mom picked him up. Gregor decided he should probably head back too, and since he and Abigail lived on the same street, he asked if his uncle could drop her off. They drove back to the street, and he pulled into her driveway. It was dark so Gregor walked her to the door.
"Thanks for coming, Gregor." She said, turning around to face him as she got to the door. "It was fun" she smiled. Two dimples formed on her cheeks.
"Yeah...uh no problem. It was" He said, somewhat smiling back.
"Well, see you tomorrow!" She said. But what she did next caught Gregor off-guard. She lifted her arm and pushed her hairband up onto her head. It was a gesture that Gregor had seen Luxa do many times with her crown. Memories of her fell on him like a ton of bricks. He stopped smiling and quickly turned to leave. Abigail saw his sudden mood change.
"Are you okay, Gregor?" She called after him, but he was gone. Thankfully, she didn't try to chase him. When he got to his uncle's truck, he paused. He took a deep breath and got in.
"Everything okay, pal?" Nick asked, seeing the worry on his face.
"Yeah... I'm fine. Can we just go home?"
"Sure" He said and started up the truck. The ride home was silent.

When he got home, Gregor went straight to his room and shut the door. Immediately, he took out his wallet and pulled out the picture. A single tear fell on the picture. He wiped it off and put the picture away. As he put it under his pillow, he heard a knock on the door.
"Who is it?" Gregor asked.
"Lizzie. Can I come in?"
"Sure" He said quietly. She came in and sat on his bed next to him. She saw that his hand was under his pillow.
"Thinking of her again?" She asked. He didn't answer.
"Brought you dinner." She said and placed the plate on his desk. She was about to leave when he asked,
"Do you remember much?" He looked at her. "of the underland?" She walked back over to the bed and sat down.
"Yes. Sometimes, I think of Ripred. I miss him." She said quietly. "But I can't imagine how you must feel." She added to be sympathetic.
"If you had the chance, would you go back?" He asked.
"If you went I would go." And with that, she hugged him and left.

Gregor slept somewhat sound that night. No terrifying nightmares to wake him. He went to school that morning and met up with his new friends. He avoided eye contact with Abigail, however. At lunch, she decided to ask him about it.
"So...um, Gregor." She started, while picking at her mashed potatoes. "What happened last night exactly? Did I say something that upset you."
"No. It's just... no you reminded me of something...someone...actually." He stuttered. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
"Who?" She poked.
"No one." Didn't he just say don't worry about it?
"What's happening now?" Harry interfered as he sat down.
"Gregor's just being secretive."
"I'm not being-ugh! It's nothing! Okay?" He yelled, standing up and leaving the table. He stormed off in the direction of the exit, but something blocked his way.
"Little Greg's having a bad morning, is he?"
"Not today, Drake." Gregor said staring down at his feet.
"The race is on Saturday. It would be a shame if our star runner..." Drake said, bending down to see his eyes. "Couldn't make it"
"How do you figure that would happen?" Though Gregor already knew the answer.
"Let's just say he had a little accident."
"Leave him alone, Drake!" Harry budded in, stepping in front of Gregor to meet face to face with the big bully.
"Oh. I guess it wouldn't hurt us to have two openings." Drake said and waved his arm. Immediately, two of his "boys" came up from behind and grabbed their shoulders, pushing them into the hall. Gregor's rager sensation was burning inside of him, but he fought it, and clenched his teeth hard.
"Leave us alone, and we'll give you our money."
"I don't want your money, I want you place at the race." And with that, he kneed Gregor square in the ribs. "And one of my boys could take Harriet's place too." He said and turned to punch Harry in the face. Gregor couldn't hold it in him any longer. It was biting at him, trying to get out. He knew he would regret it if he let it loose, but he didn't care anymore. He saw Abby out of the corner of his eye, just as he let the rager sensation take over. The world around him faded away, and all he could see was Drake, his buddies and Harry bracing for the blow. But it never came. Gregor's arm flew out to meet Drake's fist midair. He caught it with his right hand across his chest. He then quickly turned so his back was to Drake and elbowed him in the face. One of Drake's buddies flung himself at Gregor, but he quickly dodged and flung him into a locker. He heard the other come up behind him and tried to wrap his arm around Gregor's neck. Gregor grabbed his arm and threw him over his shoulder. He blocked another kid's punch, and was about to knock him out, when something pulled him away from the blur of the rager sensation.
"Gregor! Stop!" He heard Abby scream.
He had just enough time to turn around and see her. Her eyes were watering and shocked. But then everything went black.