A Tangled Web We Weave (Completed)

9. Untwisting My Knickers

Sabrina

After the whispers in 5th period, I was pissed. 

All day, everyone had assaulted me with questions, cornered me and interrogated, thoroughly harassed me about the supposed fight between Israel and Cal. Was it even going to happen? No. Was everyone talking about it anyway? Yes.

 The worst part about it was that Cal was so stressed about boxing. Normally, he hangs around the house more, always around to annoy me. But recently, he's been more closed off, training at all hours of the day and night. My mom mentioned being worried about him.

My mother's never worried.

Cal kept getting slaps on the back and I kept getting asked if I knew what was happening, if I was worried, if I was going to root for Israel just because he was so hot. The entire school buzzed with forbidden excitement. The seniors were excited since they remembered the old feud and the rest of the school just missed the days where fights were more common. My history teacher would make a joke about how we haven't come that far from the bloodthirsty Romans and their gladiators.

I was ready for a little bloodshed of my own.

Israel turned, raising his eyebrows and looking me up and down. "What did you just say, Sabrina?"

I folded my arms, raising only one of my eyebrows. "You heard me. We need to have a chat."

He chuckled a little, leaning back to his buddies. "Give me a sec, ok?" He strolled over toward me with a look in his eyes and I got almost nervous. I took a steadying step back and he put his hand on my arm, smiling complacently. "Let's chat," he stated. He walked me over to a stairwell several rows of lockers away and leaned against the railing. "So," he motioned towards me. "Chat."

I folded my arms and glared at him. "I need you to stop spreading rumors about my brother."

"Why? Because you've never gossiped before?" He laughed, tossing his head back. "But they aren't rumors, hun, they're facts." His diamond earrings caught the light and I was briefly distracted.

I straightened my back. "First off, don't call me hun, it's condescending and rude. Secondly, no matter what they are, leave my brother's name out of your mouth. What did Cal ever do to you?" My brain screamed at me to walk away, that I knew what Cal did, and that I shouldn't stick my nose into this, but my pride was too far into this.

"What did Cal ever do to me? That is an extremely valid question, but one you wouldn't have to ask if you knew all the facts. What did I ever do to you? Why do you hate me?"

"I don't exactly hate you, but if you were on fire, and I had water," I paused, glaring. "I'd drink it. And, I know what happened."

"No, you know Cal's version."

I didn't to let his smug smile win. "I think-"

"Do you want the facts or should I just go?" He got up to leave, scowling.

"Alright, Mr. Fact Man," I fumbled over my words, curling my lip a little bit. "What's your story?"

"You might wanna make yourself comfortable, princess," he snapped, scowling. When I didn't move, he shrugged and sat down. "Freshman year, I was new to the district and had never even seen this school before. Cal and Hudson were just two guys in my World Geo class. Suddenly, one day, they invited me to sit with them at lunch. It was so unexpected and so kind, I went home that night and told my dad that I had finally made some friends, completely bawling. I quickly learned how having the two coolest guys in our grade would rocket me from nonexistence to girls in the hallway knowing my name. I started going to parties and learned about the feeling of Sunday morning hangovers. For the rest of the year, it was always Cal, Hudson, and Israel.

"Then, my dad decided we were going to spend summer break at our lake house in Arizona. I didn't see my best friends all summer. I began getting texts less and less, but I just assumed that it was because they didn't want to make me feel bad about not being there. When break was over, I hung out with them again but something was different. We hung out just as much but there was something ugly in their conversation with me. I always was left feeling sore after hanging out with them. The stupid, benign shoves in the hallway turned into bruises and scrapes that stung for hours afterwards. I could tell that our friendship was going downhill fast." He took a deep breath, seeming to realize that he had been sort of ranting.

"At McKenzie Pyle's birthday party in September, we were all completely wasted and being stupid. I was sitting on the couch next to McKenzie and I guess Hudson got jealous because all of the sudden, he was on my lap and my neck was aching because his elbow bounced off of it when he landed. In pain, I shoved him off my lap. Instead of just normal teenage anger, he and his right hook whipped around. We started fighting and Cal along with three other people joined in. I can't remember the exact point I realized it wasn't just Hudson and me fighting, it was me being used as a punching bag. I went home with a broken nose and a severely bruised rib. And that was only the first time it happened. After a couple other 'parties', I cut off all communication with them." Israel stopped fiddling with the zipper on his jacket and straightened. "Does that answer your need for a chat?"