Caving In

6. Violent Things

Song: Love at First Sight

Artist: The Brobecks

Warning! If you are sensitive to mentions of blood and violence, you might want to skip a bit of the chapter at the end.

Saturday

"GET YOUR LAZY A** UP CHAEL, WE HAVE TO GO." Is the first thing I hear in the morning. I know right? What a nice way to wake up.

I quickly dress myself in a Twenty One Pilots tee that says 'Don't trust a perfect person and don't trust a song that's flawless.', long black waterproof pants that have zipper pockets, black socks, and a light blue waterproof, sleeveless vest with a hood. I grab my black elastic so I can tie my hair up, brush my teeth, wash my face, and comb my hair, then rush out the door with my wallet stuffed in my pocket.

"Hey, dad. I'm gonna be hanging out with some friends at Clearview Mall later at 11. I'll be back at 3." I tell him as we drive down to the library.

"Who's going? Any parents?" He asks me sternly. I gulp. 

"3 boys, and 3 girls. No parents. We'll only be shopping and eating some food." I answer. He thinks about it for a while.

"Do you need a ride?" 

"No, we're taking the bus." 

"Take some cash just incase." He hands me a 20 dollar bill. I thank him, and we stop at the library. I get out of the car as he drives away to pick my brother up from his badminton practice. It 9 right now. I go around the building, into the garden where I practice for 2 hours. Push ups, jogging on the spot, more push ups, then holding to heavy stones with my arms outstretched, and then punching and kicking a very sturdy pillar. Soon enough, 10 o'clock rolls around and Valerius appear in my sight, jogging a small path that leads to the gardens. He's drenched in sweat by the time he reaches me.

"Well hello to you too." I look at him from head to toe. Looks like he just had a morning shower. 

"Hi... Hello... Oh god, I'm dying..." He pants as he collapses onto the stone floor. I just giggle like an idiot. 

"So, what are you doing?" He asks as I sit on a large rock beside a tree. 

"I need a sparing partner." I get up and crack my knuckles. He looks at me suprised, and gets up as well.

"Let's get on with it I guess." Val shrugs. I smile.

We spar for 45 minutes non stop. I almost feel bad for him, considering how bad I beat him. He was pretty good in the beginning, until I started getting serious. We tidy up, I grab my vest and wallet, he grabs his little bag and water bottle, and we set off to the bus that will take us to Clearview Mall. When we arrived, 3 people stood there waiting for us. Kane, Ike, and Helena. My shoulders sagged as my eyes landed on her. We greeted each other, as we waited for the last person, who arrived shortly after us. Margaret. Perfect. Just absolutely perfect. Sarcasm noted. She greeted everyone, as we made our way to the food court. Margaret and I ordered some noodles and a fizzy drink, Val, Ike, and Kane all got burgers, and Helena got sushi. We get our food, and sit at table where Kane and Ike are already digging in to their food.

"We ate too early!" Was their only line of defence as I questioned why they were eating like they had been starved for 3 days. 

Helena whispered something to Margaret, who only swatted her away and told her that she was trying to eat her food. I sat and drank my fizzy drink quietly as Val chatted with Ike and Kane. Then Margaret kicked my leg. Hard.

"Ouch! What the hell?" I nearly spit my drink out at the sudden pain that grew in my leg. Margaret looked at me, then at Helena, desperation showing in her eyes.