Be Brave

Chapter Twelve

EDITED*14/03/16

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I managed to convince the detention teacher to let me go to volleyball practice once a week and she agreed because I had shown up to all my detentions so far, even though I had only gone to three with Four. She said if I missed one detention then I wouldn't be allowed to go to volleyball anymore.

I shut my locker, heading towards the gym for practice, when I see Lauren at her locker. Ever since her breakup with Four she's stopped all extra-curricular activities and hanging out with us. She took her contacts out and went back, to what I assume to be, her old glasses. She only focuses on school now and doesn't talk to anyone anymore. She spends her lunches in the library reading and doing her homework. The breakup really had an impact on her and a part of me feels bad for her. I pause mid-step debating whether I should go over and see how shes doing but I continue walking down the hall not knowing what I'd say to her if I did go over. 

Practices were literally the highlight of my days. I loved playing volleyball even if the workouts or drills were brutal on my body, nothing could get rid of the smile on my face. 

Today wasn't any different. We had gone to the weight room for the first hour and now we were back in the gym scrimmaging for the rest of the practice. Coach wanted to try different combinations of players so she could see who worked well with who. The season was starting soon and coach was starting to stress a bit because it was hard to book gym space for us to practice.  

At about a quarter to five, coach told us to pack up and we could leave straight after. I wrapped up the net and put the volleyballs away before going into the change room to get my things. I switch my gym shoes for my converse before applying some deodorant and body spray. I place an over-sized grey hoodie over my head and walk out of gym after a quick wave goodbye to the girls.   

I quickly go to my locker only taking the things I need home in my regular backpack so I don't need to carry everything while I walk home. I shut my locker walking towards the front doors. I check my phone sending a quick message to my mom letting her know I'm leaving school now. I take my headphones out plugging them into my phone. 

"Hey babe."

"What'd I say about you calling me that?" I say turning around to face him with a small smile on my face.  

"You and I both know you love it when I do" he remarks smirking at me.

I chuckle checking the time on my phone before changing the subject, "Aren't you supposed to be in detention? You still have another 15 minutes."

"I was just about to ask you the same thing, and no I didn't go today." he says.

"Awh did you miss me that much?" I coo placing a hand on my heart. 

He chuckles moving closer to me to lean on the bench a couple feet away from me, "Why weren't you at detention?" he asks. 

"Coach got me out one day a week, so I can go to practice for volleyball" I say .

"Well lets just say, thanks to you I got out of detention once a week so I can work out in the studio with the guys." he says smiling. 

I've heard a few times from people that we have a studio at school but I've never actually been in there. From what people have told me, it's pretty much empty except for a few punching bags, a boxing ring and some other worn out equipment teachers no longer use.  

"Come on, I'll give you a ride" he says, placing his arm over my shoulders and walking.

"I didn't know we had a studio at school." I say taking his hand off my shoulders and walking beside him. 

"A lot of people don't know about it." he says handing me his helmet. 

Four had given me a lift home this entire week and I still didn't completely trust him or his motorcycle. I placed the helmet on my head adjusting it until I was comfortable before getting on behind him. I wrapped my arms around him tightly just before he sped off down the road.

As he pulls into my driveway I loosen my grip on him. I get off carefully and take the helmet off handing it back to Four. 

"Thanks for the ride" I say, "I'll see you at school" I give a quick wave and turn on my heel heading for my front door. He grabs one of my wrists making me turn around again. I try to free my wrist from his grip but he isn't budging.

"Why do I feel like you're hiding something?" he says in a serious tone staring at me.

I look up at him stopping my attempts of breaking free and just stare back at him. A part of me is shocked at how hes noticed this about me and then another part of me is scared of him finding out and to be honest I don't know which one is worse.  

"I'll find out eventually." he whispers in my ear before letting go of my wrist and leaving.

After he's out of sight I turn around and head inside.

"Mom! Are you home?" I yelled closing the front door.

"Yes sweetie, in the kitchen" I dropped my bag at the bottom of the steps walking into the kitchen.

I went to the fruit bowl on the dinner table and took an apple. I quickly washed it and take a seat facing my mother as she prepares dinner. 

"So whose that boy that's been dropping you off lately?" she asks suspiciously.

I finish chewing and swallow not taking another bite after. 

"That's Four, he's in my fitness class. He stays after school with a few friends and works out, he lives close so he doesn't mind dropping me off" I say calmly.

I left out the part about us having detention for a month. She's been thinking I've been going to volleyball this whole week and I'd like to keep it that way.

"Okay sweetie, just be careful" she says giving a small smile.

I can tell by her tone that she's worried for me, she doesn't want me to get hurt again. I understand where she's coming from but I have to move on at some point and overcome my fear. 

"Your father will be having a friend from work come over tomorrow evening and he's bringing his family as well. This is really important to your father so be good, okay?" she says cutting a carrot.

"I will, don't worry." I say simply.

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