First Punch ➟ Kellic

S I X

I wake up far too early as the neighbouring kids start screaming. I groan and roll over, trying to fall back asleep. I wrap my pillow around my head, but nothing can manage to drain out the high pitched sound.

I huff in defeat, deciding to just get up and go. It's rare that I make it to first period, so I need to take advantage of these opportunities. I can't get kicked out.

I dress in my usual all black, with long sleeves again since the bruises have faded significantly but aren't quite gone. I tie the bandana, as always, around my ankle, grab my switchblade and out the door I go.

The walk is pretty normal, boring as ever since it's so early. I decide that because Jacob and I had called a truce, I can use my old hiding spot. So as I approach the abandonned house, I slip out the loose brick and drop my blade inside before putting it back in place.

I wander down the hall, already dreading the day and wanting to turn around and leave. As soon as I get to the room, people shoot me weird looks, probably forgetting I'm even in their class.

The day seems to drag on. I half fall asleep in English. We were watching a movie, so the lights were out, and if it weren't for the bell I think I would've fully dozed off.

I smile as I stand from my seat, weirdly excited about calculus. I'm curious about whether Jacob will even show up today. I mean, I stabbed him and even though I stitched him up, I doubt he can move around much. Besides, the stiches fixed the outside gash, but not the massive internal bleeding and damage that likely lay under his skin.

I walk into the classroom, not spotting him anywhere in sight. I take my seat at the back, leaning on my hand and sighing. He has to show up at some point, we have detention soon and if he misses that he'll get another week added on. Well, unless he's excused for a valid reason, but both of us have parental issues so I highly doubt he could be excused. Maybe he just doesn't care about getting another week added on. I guess it'd be worth it to avoid dying.

The second bell rings, and I roll my eyes as Mrs Turner starts speaking. I pull my phone out, almost texting him when I remember I'm supposed to be mad. I have to ignore him; he's killing off my family.

Just as I think the thoughts, the back door beside me whips open. I glance at it, forcefully supressing a smile as he limps into the seat next to me.

I don't look at him, just staring down at my phone again. I don't really pay attention to it though, I can't stop myself from watching Jacob in the corner of my eye. He's being a good student and copying stuff down, following the lesson.

The longer I sit there, the harder it is  not to talk to him. That's something I never would've expected. I start to hate myself more than I hate him. This should be easy. He killed two of my friends, my brothers. He tried to kill me. Why do I still want to talk to him? Why do I still want to hang out with him, laugh with him? This is wrong. All of this is so wrong.

Jacob sighs from beside me, looking over in my direction. I clench my jaw, forcing myself not to make eye contact.

"My stomach fucking kills, you dick," he whispers, chuckling a little afterward.

"Good," I reply shortly, still not looking at him. "You deserve it."

He rolls his eyes, adding, "Yeah, yeah, whatever. At least I didn't hit you with a brick."

Normally, I'd laugh. But I'm stuck in my head, forcing myself to rerun all of my memories with Lamar. I force myself to think about him taking Carter from me. And when I do that, it's easy to ignore him. I just roll my eyes as a response and that's it. He seems to sense my mood and shuts up after that.