TOUGH LOVE

THE ODD

Friday's are supposed to be fun since it's the last day of the week but I was dreading this day. After everything that happened yesterday I didn't want to face James. I decided that James and his pack shouldn't stop me from wearing what I want.
So I put on a blouse with small purple flower pattern on it that and some skinny jeans that flattered my curves and I braided my hair into a headband and let my curls flow in the back of my head. I liked dressing up but I would always get insecure through out the day and ask either Lenny or Tre for their jackets but I wouldn't let myself today.
Tre complimented me and asked if I was ready. I nodded and we drove to school with a comfortable silence.

In my first class James kept turning to look at me with sorry eyes. I did my best to ignore him and it seemed to be working. Until the bell rang. I wanted to get my things fast so that I wouldn't have to be the last one but I didn't have enough time and everyone was already out of class except for James and I.

"Rider" he starts. He hasn't called me Rider since we were kids. And I didn't even realize that yesterday he had been calling me that too.

"Rider... I want to apologize" He says looking directly into my eyes. Usually when we made eye contact, even when we were arguing, I would feel something in my stomach whether it was anger or even butterflies but this time was different. This time I felt nothing when my eyes met his.

"I shouldn't have done what I did. I- I just I don't know what came over me"

"It's fine" I say emotionless.

"No, it isn't. I hit you. It's not ok, Rider"

"You've done worse. Please just leave me and my friends alone" I say making my way to the door.

"Rider..." James calls me.

I ignore him and made my way to my second period. I knew he only apologized because he was afraid that I would tell Tre. He wouldn't apologize because he wanted to. He did it out of fear. If I told Tre that James hit me all hell would break loose. As much as I wanted James to be hurt, I didn't want to risk Tre's chances of getting scholarships.

LUNCH TIME

I was excited to introduce Daniel to my friends. Daniel's bruising was fading and his concussion was long gone. He looked nervous but I took his hand and squeezed it to reassure him everything was ok. He smiled at me and we reached the table at the cafeteria.

"Guys, this is Daniel. He's new and he's my friend. Daniel this is Kathy, Tre and Lenny" They all waved at Daniel. We sat down and everything went just as I thought. They all bonded over sports, music and movies. We all made plans to hangout tomorrow and watch the new Star Wars movie so I was excited.

AFTER LUNCH

Everyone went to their next class. Daniel and I made our way to History. I was a bit nervous because I knew James was going to be there but I decided to put on a brave face. We were early as usual. Daniel and I were talking so I didn't even notice when James walked in.

"Get a room" James says after fake gagging.

"Why don't you shut your mouth" Daniel says

"Why don't you make me?" asked James with a cocky smile.

"Just let it go" I whispered to Daniel.
Daniel sat back down looking tense.

"Yeah. Just listen to your fat bitch. Let it go, right? fucking fatty" James says.

Daniel immediately got up and the next thing I knew, James was on the floor bloody and some guys were holding Daniel back.

I was in shock.

I knew Daniel said I should defend myself from James but I didn't think it would be like this. I went with Daniel to the Principals office to try and explain that Daniel was just defending me. Fortunately, the principal believed us and since Daniel was new he only gave him detention for a day. James was in the nurses office and I had no intention of visiting him.'Wasn't he all regretful in the morning? Why was he acting like this' I thought to myself. James has some serious issues that I did not want to be involved with. When Daniel and we're leaving the principals office he began to apologize.

"Rider, I am so sorry. I let him get to me."

" You don't have to apologize" I said genuinely.

"I know how he is and how he can get."I continued.

"Please, don't be mad at me"

"Daniel how can I be mad at you? You kicked some jerks ass for me. I should be thanking you"

"Actually, thank you. If it wasn't for you I'm sure I would've gotten expelled" said Daniel

"It's the least I can do" I said smiling. Then Daniel put his arm around my shoulder and we walked happily to our next class.

LAST PERIOD
"May I go to the restroom" I asked my Ap Calculus teacher

"Please take the pass Rider" Mr. Jones said while typing on his computer.

Janitors lock the restroom upstairs during our last period so I made my way downstairs to the restroom near the office. I went in and did my business. As I was getting out I saw someone familiar in a wheelchair. He was being wheeled out by a security. The guy was James. I guess he noticed me staring at him because he looked up at winked at me. I looked at him with disgust and confusion then made my way to my class.

Did Daniel hurt him THAT bad? And why was a security wheeling him out? Why would he even wink at me? I had so many questions but I knew the only way they would be answered was by talking to James and I did not want to talk to him any time soon.