Hit Like A Girl

15

The sun-set was reflected in the river that flowed between the two gangs of boys, like a current of liquid gold dividing them.

I didn't even have to ask, to know that the two groups of boys were not on friendly terms. The tension between them was electric. Even Leana, who had now slid off the table and clutching at the hem of her red dress, now walked to the space beside me, as if she knew that I would defend her from anything.

I glanced to Jason for a reaction, though from the way he stood angled facing the group, I couldn't see much of his face. But from the expressions on everyone else's, including Ty - I could tell that things were about to go badly.

I almost debated whether to go back inside.

But that was silly, there was a whole river separating us - there was nothing that they could possibly do. 'The Cannibals', Jason had called them. Another childish name for another group of rebellious teenage boys.

Though, I had to admit, it was certainly intimidating enough given the reaction it had on the Renegades. And from the way the rival gang were all dressed, in dark hoodies and baseball caps - they certainly didn't look like the sort of bunch you would want to meet in a dark alley.

Leana brushed her arm against mine, her crystal blue eyes wide with worry. She whispered to me under her breath, as if she was afraid they would hear her, "Who are 'The Cannibals'?"

But she never got an answer, as one of the tallest boys on the other side called out across the water.

"Dave, you bastard - what's happening?"

I craned my neck over Jason's broad shoulder with a frown, trying to spot who was talking. He wasn't hard to single out.

Blond hair was stark against his dark brown hoody and navy jeans, a wide cocky grin plastered on his face that told me he knew exactly what effect his presence had on The Renegades. I could tell by the way the others seemed to cluster around him, that he was the one who called the shots, he was the one in charge. A guy used to getting his own way.

I glanced over to Dave, who was sat on the edge of the table still clutching his beer. He didn't look pleased to see them either, despite the banter laced in the Cannibal's greeting. Dave's usually relaxed slouching posture had disappeared, his shoulders were tense, and all amusement that had glowed in his eyes a minute ago was gone.

"Hey Axel." Dave ground out, grimacing as he stared out across the river.

I could have sworn Jason tensed up at the name, but I kept my focus on the individual stood on the grass on the other side.

The Cannibal grinned, but it was far from reassuring. "What's all the fuss?" He nodded toward the house behind them, where the strobe lights were still blazing. "And who put on that shitty music?"

Dave looked at his beer before glancing at Ty and Rowan for help, but they could give none. They stayed silent, facing off the other boys, who stared across at them with crossed arms and bored expressions. Aiden beside him was entirely focused on Jason's face, concern lining his usually grinning face as he watched his friend. Waiting for him to explode, I realised with no small amount of alarm.

As for Jason himself... I'd never seen him this silent. Only on this occasion I couldn't relish it. He looked seconds away from going to erupt, and the only down side of that was that I was going to be on his side of the river when it would eventually happen.

What on earth could have happened between the two groups to have caused such friction between them? That caused Jason to get so angry at their presence? I had a feeling the answer would soon reveal itself, which was the primary reason why I hadn't yet gone inside - much to Leana's dismay.

Dave gave a reluctant sigh from the bench and focused back on the rival gang. "House party." He called back.

Another one of the group chimed in the conversation. The Cannibal had a shaved head and wore a leather waist-coat over his bare chest which looked carved from marble. "Cool man, who's it for?"

Dave idly glanced to the other's for back-up again, "It's just a little welcome for my man here -"

"What's it to you?" A cold voice interrupted him.

Jason.

Everyone immediately tensed.

Aiden swore under his breath again, glaring at his best friend to get him to shut his mouth, which I was inclined to agree with. Even Ty winced sat on the grass across from me, as if he knew just how volatile these guys were on the other side of the river.

I stayed silent beside Leana, who still clung to my arm, looking terrified of the whole situation. Part of me still wanted to go inside, but mostly I was just curious what would happen next between these two gangs.

Axel now stepped forward, just as the boys around him began talking among themselves. Glaring at Jason and sneering at him, some of them swearing under their breath and taking up defensive positions. Rowan and Aiden didn't looked intimidated at all, rather they pulled their shoulders back, their faces like stone.

These boys were here for a fight, I realised, and Jason wasn't helping the situation. In fact, Jason looked like he was spoiling for a fight, provoking them even. Rowan suddenly seemed to also realise this, and cast Jason a warning look not to say anything further to anger them.

Jason just ignored him, and watched as Axel refocused his attention on him.

"Is that you Blake?" The Cannibal cooed, leaning forward like he was talking to a child. "Damn, long time no see."

"Not long enough." Jason growled under his breath, so that only we could hear.

I spotted Ty holding back a smirk, quickly lifting his beer to his mouth and taking a long drink from it. Aiden and Rowan could only shuffle uncomfortably on their feet.

Axel seemed to get the message anyway from Jason's glare alone, but didn't appear to be phased. "We really aught to catch up," He called out to Dave with a wicked grin, "If you've got any of those beers left, mate - we'll come over and join you."

Dave looked like he'd rather crawl out of his own skin and slink away. I didn't blame him.

Aiden now took a step closer to Jason, as if ready to stop his friend from doing something stupid. Leana immediately tensed beside me, enough that I was about to interrupt and ask him to refuse - when Jason saved us all the trouble.

"You're not welcome here, Axel." He growled, his low voice echoing across the water. The Cannibals shifted, their postures stiffening with violence. Jason didn't seem to care, "Take your dogs with you, and leave."

Rowan whipped his head round to stare at Jason in disbelief, "The hell are you doing?" He rasped, so only Jason could hear. "Shut up."

But Jason continued to just stare at Axel, who was grinning like a fiend.