The Bully

The Bully. Chapter 2.

Chapter 2.

 “Okay, I am in, but we need to lay some ground rules down.” These were the words I spoke as I sat down across from Andrew and Taylor the next day at lunch. After yet another sleepless night I came to the conclusion that it was either play their game or lose mine completely. Sometimes you have to give ground if you want to win the battle. At least that’s what I kept telling myself.

  The two blackmailers grinned at each other before bring their attention to me. Andrew spoke first.

  “We thought you might be interested,” He smirked and I ground my teeth, not unaware of the irony of this situation.

 “Yeah, you bet I am interested,” I let the sarcasm come through clear in my voice. “Just my cup of tea, the thing is I can’t have people knowing I am in this club. If someone finds out, the deal is off.” 

 “What about the other club members? I don’t see how we could keep it from them.” Taylor said and I took a moment to consider it.

 “Okay, I guess there isn’t anything we can do about that,” I mentally ran though our options. Then it hit me. “I’ve got it. You say you guys need a 6th member to compete right?” Andrew nodded. “The clubs have to allow anyone who wants to enter. That’s what the school’s hand book says, so we tell the other members that I am joining the math club for extra credit cause I am doing poorly in my math. They should believe that, I mean you thought I was a moron up until a week ago.” I waved a hand at Andrew.

 Andrew shook his head. “We don’t need a moron to win the Olympiad though.” He said at the same time Taylor asked;

  “You’ve read the Student hand book?”

  I ignored her and instead focused on Andrew. “Well, you’re on the team so I guess your chances are pretty much shot as it is.” He tried to reply but I cut him off. “Look. you’re the one who is being an idiot, I will fake being dumb until the Math Olympiad and then I will contribute to the contest as much as any of the other team members do.”

 Neither Taylor nor Andrew looked impressed so I relented.

 “Fine, we’ll play it by ear with the club, however if anyone else finds out, the deal is off.” I relaxed back in my chair, satisfied that everything had been covered. I chugged my orange juice half way down before I realized that both of them were still staring at me.

 “What?” I asked confused at why they were looking so baffled.

 “Why are you still here,” Taylor’s tone wasn’t all that friendly. “Are you embarrassed to be seen with us?” She smirked.

 I returned her smirk with one of my own and unwrapped my sandwich before replying, “See, that’s the beauty of what I do,”

 “You mean bullying people?” Taylor interrupted.

 I took a bite out of my sandwich before continuing. “Yeah that,” I paused to open a yogurt. “I don’t have social boundaries I can go where I want, sit where I want and never be suspected of doing anything other than my normal routines.”

 A funny look past over Andrew’s face but I didn’t have time to wonder what it meant because Taylor realized the yogurt I was currently eating I had swiped from her tray. 

 “Is that mine?” She asked and I could almost see the steam coming out of her ears. I almost would have felt guilty if it wasn’t so funny. Still I didn’t let my amusement show instead I let a mask of obvious fake surprise fall over my features.

 “Is it?” I took another bite and made a show of rolling it over my tongue. “You’re right. This is defiantly not mine” Licking the spoon clean, I stuck it back in the container and set it carefully back on her lunch tray. “Sorry about that.” I apologized as I stood and picked up my own tray, leaning forward as I did so. ”I want those pictures in my locker before the end of today or no deal.” I straightened and smiled.  “See you Friday, Andrew”