Transcendental Book Two (Working Title)

Hate

Mature Violent Content

Mature Verbal Violence

Hate Group Violence

Michael's POV

I jogged happily towards the coach's office with a spring in my step. Life was good. I had just heard the rumor that I was in competition with Devlin for the MVP award this season. Which had never happened before, like ever, and I had been playing since little league. I couldn't wait to tell Devlin and see the adorable mix of annoyed happiness that he would definitely have all over his face.

It had been a few weeks since mom left, and Devlin had managed to not only comfort me, but had moved in with me full time and really made the house feel like a home. In fact, it felt more like a home now than when my mother had lived there with me. I don't know what I had done to deserve him, but I know my life wouldn't be nearly as wonderful as it would have been without him in it. 

As sad as it made me that my mom had decided to leave me without even giving us a chance to try and work things out. My life felt like it couldn't get any better. And now I had been nominated MVP for the first time ever!

But I knew Dev, and he would need proof, not just an overheard rumor. So I was heading over to snap a pic with his phone. I rounded the corner and there was a guy standing at the end of the hall also looking at the list. I couldn't help but smile, knowing my name was on it.

Recognition for his hard work was something any athlete looked forward to. I had honestly never expected to ever even be considered. Not with Devlin on the team. Not that I was angry or jealous. Quite the opposite in fact. I loved that Devlin was such an incredibly talented athlete. And I was proud as hell of him. Devlin being so good, never made me have any doubts about my own dedication to my practice or doubt my ability. I knew I was damned good in my own right. My natural ability combined with my dedication was why I was first string every single year since I started playing.

Comparing myself to Devlin, I felt like it was similar to comparing a star high school athlete, with like, an all-star hall of fame pro-NFL player. I may be a little biased, but Devlin was that guy. He already had an unprecedented number of college teams approaching him. So as far as I was concerned, just being on the list with Devlin, literally gave me a high. Hell, I had to see it for himself. That's why I had come running when I had overheard it being talked about by a random group of students.

I finally made it to the office wall where the nominations were posted and walked up to it, I was so excited I almost skipped over but managed to hold myself in check. I read the announcement flyer, then just stared for a moment in confusion. There was only one name, just like it had been every year since little league. Devlin's name was the only name on the list. Wait... what? Had I heard wrong?

Without any warning, I found myself on the floor after being hard body checked and bounced off the wall. I felt a hard kick to the stomach then a flurry of punches and kicks began to rain down on me. No one made threats or even spoke, it was as silent as it was brutal.

Just when I thought I couldn't take another hit, it stopped abruptly and though I didn't look up and remained curled protectively around myself, I heard multiple footsteps move back and one set approach. "Hey guys, look who it is. The little blond fag who thinks he's a football star." The voice was unfamiliar and with a sinking feeling, I realized I had been a setup.

I mentally collected myself and took note of where footfalls were sounding, then lept up in a spin to face my attackers and was immediately body checked again, but at least this time I was facing them as my back slammed into the wall. I vaguely recognized them as other students and classmates, I didn't know any of them personally that I could recall, so I didn't understand what they could possibly have against me.