Falling For The Opponent

Chapter three

Carter's p.o.v:
  The minute Randie and I had walked through the gym doors, I headed for the punching bag. Now I'm standing here, really letting loose on it. I feel a tap on my shoulder,and I turn around, fists up. When I see that it's just Randie, I drop my fists and sigh. "You really should stop doing that," I growl. "I'll take your head off one day." He doesn't say anything. Only sidesteps to reveal another person. A blond haired girl with a grey tank top and jeans. Hot, I think. Then I notice the scars running along her, and I instantly feel sorry for her.

  "Little brother," Randie says to me. "This is Marie. Marie," Randie adds to the girl, "this is my little brother Carter." I hold out my hand. Marie shakes it, and sparks instantly fly up my arm.

  "I thought you two could hang out," says Randie. After glancing at me, then Marie, then me again he says, "well, I'll leave you too it." With that, he turns and walks out the door. Marie and I just stare at each other for a few moments, and I see something flash in her eyes. I smirk.

  "Well," I say. "I was just heading home. Come with?" She just nods, and we walk out. I turn to look at her. "So what's up with the scars?," I ask. She freezes slightly, then turns to look at me. I cross my arms over my chest and raise an eyebrow.

  Suddenly, her eyes narrow. "That's none of your business," she growls.

  "Honey," I say. "It became my business when you walked in with my brother. Now spill." She ducks her head away, and I move toward her. As soon as I do, her head snaps back up, and she raises her arms in front of her face, blocking it. "Just as I thought," I say. "You're abused." She slowly lowers her arms, then nods. I move toward her again, and rub my hand gently up and down her arm. Her scars are like brail across my hand. I look up at her.

  "Come on," I say, dragging her back into the gym. She looks confused.

  "I thought you were going home," she says.

  "My house can wait," I say, pulling her into a small room and sitting her down. "First," I say, sitting next to her, "we're gonna play 20 questions."

~~~~~~~

  I don't think I'd ever wanted to cry so much then I do now. I look at Marie, who's giving me a blank stare. Everything she just told me, I feel like her scars are the best of it.

  Without warning, I lean over and hug her. She sits frozen for a few moments, then hugs me back. I run my fingers down her long, soft blond hair. "I'm so sorry," I whisper in her ear. She pulls back, looking confused.

  "For what?," she asks. "It's not your fault." I grip her tighter at just the thought of everything she told me.

  "Okay," I say. "Now spill." Marie's reluctant at first, then nods.
"My mother's dead, my father has made attempts against my life because he believes that her death was my fault." She gulps. "My older brother's dead, my older sister killed him and is in jail. My friends aren't really friends and harass me." She thinks for a minute, then says, "that's it."

After that, I about died. This poor girl, nothing good in her life. I want to change that. Grabbing Maries hand and standing her up, I drag her out of the gym. "Honey," I say, "your life's about to change for the better."