The thin line between love and hate

Chapter 2.

Lorenzo knocked on the door nervously.He swallowed down the fear that was starting to brew up in his chest."Come in!"A deep voice called from inside the office.He turned the door knob and pushed the door open revealing the principal, Mr.Scott.

Mr.Scott looked at him expectantly as he took a seat opposite him."Good Morning Lorenzo it's good to see you again."He said in a cold voice as he stared at the documents."I see you're still failing even after we had our last meeting."He continued not giving Lorenzo a chance to reply.

Mr.Scott stared at Lorenzo expecting a response which he knew he wouldn't be getting."You know we had an agreement that if you keep failing you'll have no other choice but to quit football."Mr.Scott continued hoping to get a reaction from the boy.He had to give it him he was pretty good at holding his composure."

I'll work harder!" Lorenzo replied firmly as he glared at the older man.Mr.Scott scoffed, this was the exact same thing he said last time."I don't think you understand me Lorenzo, it's either you give up football or you give up football there's no other option."Mr.Scott replied.

Lorenzo felt like a gun was being held over his forehead.He couldn't quit football, he had worked so had to be the star quarterback of their team.He needed football.He had hoped the he would get signed to play football in college and join the NFL after he graduated from college.

"I can't quit football, I'll do anything I'll even get a tutor!" He said desperately. Mr.Scott rubbed his chin as he studied him silently.He seemed desperate he could see that clearly but they had a deal.He sighed and shook his head pitifully, the least he could do for the kid was agree, he understood how much he needed football.

"Fine but I'm the one who's going to appoint you a qualified tutor, Paige Moore will do a great job she's smart, gets very good grades and she's in the honor roll," Mr.Scott said firmly.Lorenzo could feel his jaw dropping to the floor."What?"He asked confusion written all over his face.

"You heard me, I think Paige is a perfect tutor and she'll really help you in improving your grades." He continued as he folded his arms.Lorenzo couldn't believe what he was hearing.It was a sick joke.He tried to see whether there was some camera recording him.For the second time in his entire life he was left speechless.

          •••••••••••••••

"Yeah right!You don't expect me to pay you back do you?" Chase said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.A bright smile grew on his face as he stared back at his girlfriend,challenging her.Paige put her hands on her hips and squinted up at him.She looked so adorable.

"Of course you're going to pay me back, you owe me! If you hadn't gotten us late maybe we wouldn't have been sent to detention."Paige growled as she stepped towards him causing Chase to take one step back.A smirk grew on his face and he turned to run but bumped onto Lorenzo.

Lorenzo glared angrily at the skinny, red headed boy.How dare he lay a hand on him, he was beyond angry, he was furious.The entire hallway seemed like it was frozen over.All conversations ceased.Before anybody could see it coming, Lorenzo kicked the boy on his stomach while landing punches on him.The boy dropped to the floor and formed a foetal position.Lorenzo continued to throw kicks at him.

Two pairs of arms pulled Lorenzo back from the boy." Calm down, before the teachers get here!" Chad Peters growled as he and Brad struggled to pull their best friend from the injured piece of shit,it was his fault after all.Lorenzo yanked his arm from Chad's grasp and tried to punch the boy."If you ever touch me again, I will break you apart!"He growled at him.

"He didn't mean it!" Paige answered him as she tried to help Chase to his feet.His face was bloody.He had a bursted lip and a black eye.Paige's heart was breaking seeing her boyfriend all bloody and hurt.A dark laugh escaped from Lorenzo's lips that sent a dark shiver down her spine."Didn't mean it?Did you just say that little swine didn't mean it?Maybe I should knock you out so that you can think straight!"Lorenzo replied as he took a threatening step towards the duo but Chad was quick enough to pull him back.

"Look here douche bag! I don't know what's up with you but you have no right to bully my boyfriend....just leave us alone!" Paige screamed at him tears streaming down her cheeks.For a second Lorenzo frowned as he saw a tear drop escaping from her baby blue eyes.His dark soul wouldn't admit that he didn't like seeing her cry.

"Let's get out of here before the principal finds out about what has happened here!" Lorenzo ordered his two friends before giving Paige a dark look.

         ••••••••••••••••

"Why didn't you fight back?Look at you, all bloody and injured.If you had just fought maybe he would finally leave us alone.Don't you ever get tired of all this?" Paige whined as she rubbed an ointment on Chase's injury.Chase rolled his eyes, he was getting angry by the minute."Oh!So it's my fault?Well let me remind you that it was your fault I bumped into a 6'4" giant and got nearly killed!"He shouted his reply as he got up from the chair.

"No!I mean....I mean why not take defense classes maybe you could defend yourself from guys like Leo." She answered her voice quivering. Chase scoffed "Please don't give me that!I've had enough of you for today, just stay here and think about how messed up my life is and that I don't want to change any of it!"He snapped at her before walking out of the kitchen and out of the front door.

Paige sobbed as she thought bitterly of how guilty she was.It was her fault after all, if she hadn't insisted on him paying back his debt maybe he wouldn't have been hurt by Lorenzo.It was her fault, it was all her fault.

"You know, if he keeps treating you that way I'll have no other choice but to tell your father,"Her mother's voice drifted in from the kitchen doorway.Paige looked up at her mother with teary eyes, like always her mother was breathtakingly beautiful.Dressed in a yellow sundress with short sleeves, her head of curly black hair was straightened to perfection.

"It's not his fault mom, if that bully hadn't injured him he would have been in a great mood.He's not always like this,please don't tell dad" She said trying to defend him.He was her rock and she had no idea what she would do without him.Despite the challenges their relationship had, he was always there for her when she needed him, their relationship could confuse other people but it was perfect for her.They were made for each other.

"That should not be an excuse for him to speak to you that way!"Patricia snapped at her daughter.She had enough of it.She was not going to watch her daughter get emotionally abused and not say anything about it.

"I'm going to my room!"Paige grumbled as she got up to her feet and started walking out but, her mother caught her arm."I know you love him but he's not right for you,"She said softly before letting her go.