Nowhere Kids

The Drama

Another day of school. Yesterday was so eventful, I didn't know what to expect from today. I approached the school feeling better about it then yesterday, but still unsure of what's to come.
"Hey Jamie!" I looked over to see Zach waving to me. Barry and Eric were with him as they sat under a tree.

I walked over and greeted the boys.
"Want to sit with us?" Barry asked, patting the grass next to him. I sat down in the grass, tossing my bag to the side.
"I'm surprised Brent isn't here yet" Eric pointed out.
"Does he usually hang out with you in the morning?" I asked.
"When he's not with Courtney he does. He might be with her now" Zach said. They all sighed and gave each other looks. I guess they didn't like her, or they just didn't like her taking Brent away from them.

The bell was going to ring soon so we all stood up to start walking inside. That's when I noticed Brent's truck pull into the parking lot. Courtney got out first with him following close behind. I noticed the tired look in his eyes as he followed her into the school.
"Poor guy" Zach said. We all nodded and watched them before going in for class ourselves.

Eric and I headed to our first class together.
"Thanks for letting me hang out with you guys this morning" I said as we worked together on our worksheets.
"No problem, we like having you around. You're pretty cool" I smiled shyly after hearing Eric say that. It was nice to feel welcomed so quickly.

Eric and I enjoyed each other's company the rest of class. I was no longer questioning if he was really a friend or not, I knew he was and didn't care what my dad said. My happiness faded as the bell rang. I was having such a good time with Eric, and now I had to deal with Brent and Courtney.
"Good luck" Eric said as we parted ways in the hall.
"See ya" I waved goodbye then headed down the hall towards my next class.

As I approached history, I saw Brent and Barry hanging out outside the classroom. Barry laughed before saying goodbye and continuing down the hall. I watched Brent enter the classroom before following.
"Oh hey Jamie" Brent had turned around and saw me follow him to the back corner of the room.
"Hey Brent" I said as I put my bag down. I took my seat at the desk in front of him again but turned around to face him.
"Sorry I didn't get a chance to say hello this morning" he rubbed the back of his neck and smiled, making me blush.
"Don't worry about it" I said shyly.

"Hi baby!" Oh no, Courtney was here. She came rushing over to us, dropping her bag at her desk before wrapping her arms around Brent's neck. I noticed him tense up as she held him.
"Hi love" he squeaked out.
"And who do you think your talking to?" She asked, looking at me.
"Excuse me?" I asked.
"You heard me slut. Stop talking to my man" she snapped. I stood up from my desk and got in her face.
"I can talk to my friend whenever I want" I growled. Brent just sat there, completely shut down.
"Look what your doing to my Brently. You've upset him" she whined, putting an arm back around Brent.
"I think you did that" I crossed my arms and looked at Brent, who looked ready to cry. Poor guy. Courtney was about to snap back but the teacher came in the room.
"Everyone take your seat" he said. Courtney and I gave each other dirty looks before sitting down and focusing on class instead of each other.

I was so happy when the bell rang. I just wanted to get away from Courtney. I stopped by my locker before heading to the cafeteria. Just as I was about to walk inside, I felt someone grab my arm and pull me into the nearby stairwell. I turned to face them, only to see Brent holding my arm. His hand slide down to my hand as he smiled.
"Sorry for scaring you, just wanted to say thanks" our fingers locked together as he spoke.
"For what?" I asked, staring deep into those blue eyes.
"You stood up for yourself in front of Courtney. You stood up for me" he said softly, looking down at our hands.
"I just don't want to see anyone bossing anyone else around"
"Yeah, she has a lot of power around here and thinks she can walk over anyone"
"Well I'm not scared of her" Brent looked up to meet my eyes and chuckled.
"I know I shouldn't let her push me around, I think she only wants me around as arm candy anyway. Guess I was just too scared to leave her" he looked back down, tears forming in his eyes.
"Well I hope you find the strength to stand up for yourself soon. Until then, I won't back down from her" I reached my free hand up to Brent's shoulder, getting him to look at me again. We both stood there, staring into each other's eyes smiling. 

"Brent? Where are you?"
"Ugh, that's Courtney" Brent sighed and let go of me to go see what she wanted. I waited a moment before walking into the cafeteria, creating distance between us so she wouldn't know we were just together. I found Barry, Zach, and Eric sitting at a table together.
"Hey guys" I said as I sat down.
"Hey! Where have you been?" Eric asked.
"And where's Brent?" Zach added.
"I think he's talking to Courtney. Sorry I'm late, I was at my locker" I lied, worried over what they'd think if they knew I was alone with Brent.

Brent never did join us at lunch. I assumed he sat with Courtney and her friends. Barry and I headed to English together. We sat in the corner of the room together, silently reading to ourselves.
"Hey Jamie?" Barry didn't even look up from his book.
"Yeah Barry?" I asked, placing my book down.
"I know you just met us, but doesn't things between Brent and Courtney seem... unhealthy?"
"Definitely. But that's between them. It's up to Brent to see it himself and do something about it"
"I hope he does. I hate seeing him upset"
"I get it" I picked my book back up when Barry didn't respond. I guess that was all he wanted to talk about.

I put my book away once the bell rang and said goodbye to Barry. End of the day, so it must be time for gym. I remembered to bring gym clothes today so I went to my locker to grab them.
"So, I heard you were talking to my man again" Ugh, Courtney was back. I closed my locker and turned around to see her with two other girls.
"Says who?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"Says him"
Thanks Brent.
"Well maybe we were just talking classwork. It's none of your business really" I tried walking away but one of her friends blocked me.
"It is my business. I don't want to see you near him again" Courtney hissed.
"Whatever. Just let me go" I pushed her friend aside and headed towards the gymnasium, now mad at both Courtney and Brent.

I entered the locker room and changed clothes before putting my things in my locker. I walked into the gym and met up with Zach.
"Oh, so your participating today?" He asked with a smirk.
"Shut up" I rolled my eyes and turned my back to him.
"What's your problem?"
"Nothing" I sighed and turned towards him again. "Sorry, just in a bad mood"
"Courtney?"
"Yeah, how did you know?"
"Brent told me. We have the same third period" that man really couldn't keep his mouth shut, could he?
"Yeah, she stopped me on the way here and tried threatening me. I'm not scared of her"
"Good. She needs someone to stand up to her"

Our gym teacher let us run laps out on the track field as it was nice out today. I did my best to keep up with Zach's pace. Zach laughed as he watched me struggle, then slowed down to match my pace.
"You didn't have to do that" I said between breaths.
"You shouldn't push yourself too hard" he said with a laugh. We did a couple laps before the teacher called us back inside.

I changed into my normal clothes and grabbed my bag then met up with Zach again in the gym.
"Hey, so Barry, Brent, Eric, and I usually hang out somewhere after school. It's usually always a different place. Want to hang with us today?" I was shocked by his offer. I didn't know them that long after all.
"You sure I won't be intruding?" I asked.
"Nah, you clearly get along with all of us. If you don't like it, we won't ask you again. Come on, it will be fun"
"Alright then. I'll join you guys for today" I was glad I didn't have to go straight home, but I wasn't excited to see Brent. I knew I had a lot to say to him, and he wasn't going to be happy