Masters's Son

Seven

The ride there was just dandy. Silence in the backseat as the driver was more talkative than a standup comedian. Just without the funny.

I can't say I know what he was saying. It was so boring I would've fallen asleep if Jazz wasn't shaking me awake every two minutes.

She kept whispering not to be rude. It was making me so tired, it was so boring.

Once we got to the mall, I've never been happier to be in a public place. And I do mean never.

I hate public places if it means interaction.

I jumped out of the car almost forgetting to unbuckle. Jazz was nice enough to pay. Guilt was stronger than relief when she handed the money to dreamland driver. She's in college for crying out loud and wanted to take me somewhere, paying for the drive herself.

She is a few years younger than the average college student, but I guess that's what being the favorite and the smartest will get you. She deserves it though. I'm just sad she has to be so far away.

She only has her learners and is in college. If that doesn't tell you she's going places, I don't know what does.

"Well little brother, lets get some food, shall we?" She puts her wallet back in her pocket and continues to walk. Her pace slow so I can catch up.

This is her outing and I'm the one slowing her down.

Someday, I will make her proud to call me her brother.

We walk closer to the entrance of the small, but still big, mall. We enter to the large dome-like sky light and the food court. The stores surround the court accompanied by the surrounding upstairs.

We go to one of the fast food places and order what we want. I wasn't going to order anything in hopes of not making her pay, but she wouldn't have it. She hands the money over to the cashier and guilt clutches ahold of me.

We sit at one of the smaller tables so we don't take too much room. It being Friday, a few more people are out. Not my preference but it's Jazz's. I'll do go where she wants to.

"Aw man, I forgot the straws. I'll be back in a second. Go ahead and start eating without me." No don't leave me alone. There are predators, bullies, school peers here.

She stands up and leaves my still, silently panicking figure.

You know what? It's just straws, what could happen the small span of seconds she's gone? "Sup, Fenturd." So many things. So many bad things can happen in the few seconds she is gone.

The large figure of the jock school bully, Dash, slams his hand down on the table in front of me. The plastic and styrofoam plates and utensils clatter. He picks up a few of my fries and munches on them. I don't say a word. Like usual.

"After yesterday, I wouldn't think you show your face in public again." He chuckles and his cronies laugh with him.

One of them being a skinny Latina girl named Paulina, aka the hottest girl in Casper High. Her friend Star sits beside her. Kids at school likes to call her the hottest girl's satellite. And then Kwan. The smarter and less mean, but still a bully, of the group.

Glad I'll be rid of them when I'm gone.

I don't say anything. I've learned to stay quiet when I'm near them all. Especially Dash.

He loves to torture me. It's one of his favorite pass times.

He notices my silence and kicks over my crutches and they slide away from the table. Jokes on him, my ankle feels fine. Suspiciously fine. Why doesn't my foot hurt?