The Truth Is.

Chapter 4

       ACE

The leaves above me rattled a lullaby to my ears, morning doves jumped into the chorus with their own melody. I liked these birds, until they shitted on my head.

        Early sunlight fell through the humid morning. The oak tree did a good job of keeping the sun from my eyes; except for when it betrayed me, and allowed the burning rays to attack my unsuspecting eyes.

         "Damn Bastard." I swore, holding a hand over my eyes.

        Two-pick howled from across the lot, close to his trailer, where Talon and him were tossing around a football.

        I rolled my eyes and laid down. Cold gravel bit at my back.

We lounged in the middle of the trailer park. Around us, everything itched with sound; mainly cheap trash screaming cause they ain't got nothing better to do. But there was an occasional laugh from dirty kids. Damn children never shut up.

        Paige and Butch were slugging it out a couple of feet away. Their laughs and grunts ran like a bitchy loop in my head. Butch had Paige in a head-lock, I ignored them until she kneed him in the balls and he dropped to the ground.

        Dirty move, just like I taught er'.

        Butch took it like a champ. He hunched over, releasing a string of beautiful constructed curse-words. Paige giggled, and started fretting over him. Her palm touched his face, and checked the pulse of his neck.

         Now I didn't teach er' that.

        My fist itched to knock the grin off Butch's face

        Diana sat underneath the tree across from me. Her large nose stuck itself deep into a book. That's just how Diana was, but I didn't give a shit. I picked up a small rock from beside me and tossed it at her.

        The gravel bit crashed into her fluffy Latina hair, and stayed there, stark brown eyes flickered across the page.

        "Ace, catch!"

        I barely turned my head when the point of a football hit me square in the jaw, and bounced across the ground. My burning gaze landed on Talon and Two-pick.

        "You damn fuckers." I picked up the football and chucked it back. Talon laughed as the football clattered to the ground.

        I stretched. The wind blew against my burning skin, clearing out the hot flush. Spring only just started, how'd it get so damn hot already?

        I faced Talon and Two-pick. The two idiots clambered one another over the football. Talon was bigger than Two-pick. He was all broad-shoulder steel, with thick dark skin. Two-pick agile build didn't stand a chance.

        "How're you gonna get on the team playin like that?" Two-pick taunted.

        "Really?" Interrupted, cracking my neck. "You're goin out for the team?"

        Talon looked a kid caught messin' with stuff he ain't s'pposed to. His neck flushed, and he looked away.

        "Thought I might."

        "You won't get on. Rich bastards never let a Scant play with them." I glanced at the sky. I didn't have a phone to tell, but I knew school would start in a couple of hours.

        "I could." Talon said hopefully.

        I pulled out one of the mint leaves breaking through the crack in the concrete. I stuck it between my teeth and under my tongue. The chill of mint bit my tongue and I relaxed, somewhat.