I was walking towards them what should I say. My mind was racing with idea's like "hello failed wanna be boyfriend stealer." Or "hey the bane of my existence." As I approach them I said the first thing that popped in my head . "Hey, boyfriend and best friend. Tolan had a smirk on his face " hello girlfriend?"
He gave me a kiss on the lips. She just sucked a breath in." What are you guys talking about. The amazing pep rally my brother, did for me? "
"We were talking about, the game and old promises ."Lydia answered
''And she was asking for some picture? That was in my phone." Tolan added.
''Yeah can I get it?'' for some reason, she sounded hopeful. It brought immense pleasure, because I knew I would burst her bubble.
"I deleted them, ALL.OF .THEM.OFF.HIS PHONE.'' I pronounced each word, to make sure she heard each word. Her eyes were darting around, like a heroine addict  between my boyfriend and I.
"Did you hear me I can repeat it, if you like me to?" I offered. She looked me dead in my eyes. "No I heard you just fine." IÂ shot her the most authentically factitious smile, I had to offer.
I span around to look at Tolan, to divert my attention off her to my boyfriend. " Oh." I took a good look at Tolan. "You look real handsome, in that uniform."
This old thing he started to playfully turn. Showing off his best angles" This old thing." I bursted out laughing. "Hey, where's your brother? I cant find him?"
I asked him, "Why?"
" He said we suppose to practice after this. He said he was going to the gym.' "Babe we got to bounce. See you later." He kissed my cheek. "Don't you have class." Lydia spoke ,I forgot she was still standing there. By looking at Tolan's face, IÂ guess he did to. He scrunched his face "I do." Than he jogged off. I turned around to find Analia.
"Hey stop." I heard a annoying little voice behind me. I kept going ."Bree I know you hear me." I picked up my speed. "Look I did not see you in Biology, You were suppose to be there. Because us AP students are only getting, separated from you ordinary people, next week. So where were you?" I stopped for a moment , than kept on walking . The nerve of her.
I wanted to snap so bad, but I kept reminding myself. I was not suppose to know
She was still following me " Where was I?" I stopped walking and looked at her "I was minding my business. " I walked off to find my friends again. I thought Bestfriend would leave me alone, but she was still hot on my tail. Annoyance and irritation was starting to spread through my body until it eventually, it flew out my mouth like cold hard venom.
"Why do you care? You don't see me caring about you!" I said through clinched teeth. She placed her hand over her chest, and took few steps back. "Did I do something to you? I just wanted to make sure you weren't in trouble." Her whole energy shifted she sound almost sincere .But I did not care. I looked her head to toe, hoping the venom was spilling through my eyes, and I delivered the final blow.
"Even if I was I wouldn't call you." Her eyes got wide. "I just wanted to help." She dashed off.
GOOD RIDDANCE
"Now that was intense .People call me a mean girl." I turned to look at the source it was Violet. "She had it coming." I murmured while I crossed my arms, across my chest.
" Why?" Violet questioned. "She is disrespectful, that's why? We will tell you later." Analia added in a monotoned voice.
" Glad I did not miss no drama. "Bowie added, Analia just shook her head with a smile on her face. "Bree if you need me to mess with her, trust me I will." Violet offered.
"Violet if you waiting on my permission, you already have it." I reassured her, then something else pulled my attention. "Bowie what are you doing here? Was first period not enough, for you." I jested with Bowie. "I am glad to see, you are happy to see me. Since Ace and Tolan are running after your brother. I am walking home with you Ladies."
We start moving, "Well Bree if you want me, to help you. You must tell me. Because we all know IÂ will tell you later, means IÂ am gonna post pone telling you until you forget." Violet interrogated ,I gave her a smile.
"Well let me tell you everything girl....." of course I did not tell everything, I left out the part of the phone call she gave Tolan.
The only person that knows and will only know is Analia. Her face was in pure disbelief. "So that is  how that encounter started, with Miss Owens. Don't worry I got you."
"Still wish I was there to witness it. Gossip ain't the same, when people tell it. You need to be there to experience it yourself" Bowie murmured to himself. We all laughed, at his unexpected response.
Hey Bree what's the story with you and Ace." Violet questioned with her eyebrow raised ."He is a cool guy I enjoy his company. That's all. Violet and I simultaneously mimic her "that's all..... oooh."
"Last time I talked to Ace, he was saying he was getting ready, to get on one knee." Bowie jested, Analia just rolled her eyes and responses with.
"No we just friends."
"Really because I think he is cute. I see him when he works out, with the team he and your boyfriend Bree has serious talent." Violet spoke up " I really won't mind, getting to know him." She continued to chirp.
Analia gave her one of the most, plasticky smiles on her face. "Oh good luck with that ." The whole energy shifted after she said that. "Anyways on a whole unrelated note, how is your relationship going with Arden." Lia asked her. Bowie and I looked at each other like it's about to go down.
"WE are currently on a break?" she answered nonchalantly. "Again I swear you guys are more on breaks than together." K.O Lia snapped. Than I remembered this is why we are bestfriends.
Violet was about to respond when, Bowie cleared his throat. "Analia you still going to join me and Blake?" She nodded her head.
"Wait you guys have plans. Why did you not invite me?" I asked shocked.
"Bree I thought, you would be busy training.'' Analia tried to explain.
"You can't decide for me, you didn't even asked me, if I wanted to join." I pouted
"I totally agree, that is your best friend." Violet chimed in." Lia rolled her eyes .
"Girls I don't think it is that serious, do you want to come Bree?'' Bowie was trying to calm us.
" No I will be too busy training.'' I put heavy emphasis on training . Bowie just shrugged his shoulders and kept walking. Analia kept looking at me, without saying a word further.
The rest of the walk I was conversing with violet. Analia kept looking back at me. Bowie and Lia's turn was coming up. Before they disappeared into it "Bye Bree."
"Whatever." IÂ murmured back to her. "That was intense." Violet commented. I nodded in agreement
"Wait are you? going home." Violet asked
"Yes and than, I am going to the Dojo to go train until....I don't know." I spoke.
"So you going to the game. " She asks me. "Yeah I can't wait, because that is my boyfriend's first game." The excitement was boiling over.
"But your brothers last one ever." Violet remanded me.
"No, it's not like he is going to play in University. Plus I will be there just wearing my boyfriends jersey it's no big deal."
"If you say so." Violet remarked.
We continued walking in the blazing silence. "I hope you know your brother, really adores you. He would do ANYTHING, for you."
I just nodded my head. "Why did you, and my brother not workout."
A bitter smile grew on her face. "Life."
~~~~~~~~~~~
I walked into a silently loud house. There wasn't a single soul roaming around the house. I ran upstairs. Took a shower and change. I walked down stairs. I saw a black briefcase sitting on the dining room table. I walked towards the brief case.
buzzzz
IÂ pulled out my phone it was Tolan
Your brother has serious issues. The way he is making us work is inhuman
I laugh to my self because I have seen him workout, and he plays no games. I replied with a laughing emoji. I put my phone back and proceeded to go to the briefcase.
I open it and their was a laptop. Their was no document that could have led, me to the identity of the owner. I know IÂ shouldn't, but their is a suspicious briefcase lying around, I had to investigate. This could have been a bomb for all I knew.
I switched on the computer and their was a picture, of my brother catching a football. Who's is this, it does not belong to my brother.
As I was closing the laptop it fell onto the cold hard floor. I gasped, my heart was pumping.
Please don't be cracked, please don't be cracked, please don't be cracked.
I mentally prayed. I opened it up. My mouth fell wide open, like a prostitute's legs.
Their was a huge crack that ran across the screen. I switched it on and there was a huge crack, in the middle of my brother's face.
This was bad IÂ panicked. Threw the laptop in the case grabbed my phone locked, the door and left.
Whose laptop was that? I tried to push it to the back of my head. It doesn't matter.
~~~~~~~~~
"Bree you are early." My instructor said as he walked out.
"I skipped school had to blow off some steam..." I froze mid sentence.
"Why would I tell him that?" I mentally scold my self.
Mr. fletcher started laughing "Don't worry. I was once young too, and I know how annoying school, can be at times." He walked away than turned around.
"We going to talk strategies and your first match up, after you warmed up and done your workout routine."
I finished my warm ups, than I started with my workout routine. I had ten minute breaks after, a set I did not look at the time, once all know is I got here at ten o'clock.
I had so much on my mind, I was just channeling all my anger, annoyance and vexation for Lydia, her side kick Mickey mouse ,Lia , especially my dad and the doubts in my head telling me I can't do it. The pain was like a wounded creature, that needed to escape. But I couldn't let it because I knew it gave me comfort.
I went from standing position, squat down, placing my hands on the ground. Than jump to my feet back into a plank position. Jump my legs out. Than back into a plank position.
I kept doing it quicker and quicker, than I finally found my rhythm. I was doing Explosive burpees .It was the last part of my work out.
"Two ...more ..s--sets." I was to motivating my body.
"Yeeessssssssssssssss." I moaned on to the floor. As soon as I finished I laid on the floor. I looked up to see Alyssa staring at me like she saw a monster.
"You are raining." I scrunched up my face. At the tall brunette in grey sweats. Huddle down next to me.
"What are you talking about? How long were you staring at me?" I proceed to dig my face into the ground.
"Since I got here I came at 2pm. I bet the floor was is in so much pain..."She continued to ramble on, I was to exhausted to care ." I HAVE never seen anyone sweat this much after a workout." Alyssa continued to be amazed.
I am still laying, on the floor trying to catch my breath.
I sat up once again something hit me. "Is it four already.'' I looked her in disbelief
"It's 3 , I came early." Alyssa clarified
"You are always late, how are you early." I joked with her
"You don't belief in miracles." Alyssa jested
"Bree come in my office. Right now." Fletcher yelled.
"We will talk later." She nodded her head and walks off.
~~~~~~~~~~
"Okay the Dragon ball officially starts next month it's going to start the 11 the and ends the 27."
"Your first mash up will be the 12 th . Your opponents name is Vicky. This is her first year too, I could not find any tapes on her. " Passes me his laptop." This Vicky girl is the least of my worries. This girl named Bonnie is the real deal. She has won the dragon ball 5 times not in a row. But she is good. Look at this." He played me a few videos; when I say this girl was fast. I don't even know if sound, can keep up with that. But in the words of Tolan good thing I'm the light.
"How to you feel?" I was about to make a smart remark.
"Scared I don't think I can beat that..."
"Look their is a reason I chose you, you are so determined. Seeing you everyday at that local gym working out. When their was no match coming up for you." I gave him a smile, I felt like a fraud the only reason, why I went to the gym was to support Analia. I wonder if he will still feel the same if he knew the truth.
"Don't worry with your determination and my game plans YOU. Will become the next Dragon. Do you know you could single handedly put us on the map." He opened his drawers, and pull out some papers.
"This one is your new work out routine, your new, diet and your new workout times." The more he was speaking, the more I felt a ton of bricks crushing down on me.
I look down on one of the papers, "3 times a day. You workout 3 times a day." He gave me a look "Not that is a big deal, you want me to wake up at 4. No big deal who needs sleep anyways."
We continued to talk. He tried to reassure, me that I can do this. I really did try to believe him. I walked out and I saw Alyssa. I walked right towards her.
Instead of working out further we started to chat .I felt so light, there was no drama just two girls kicking it.
"How are things going with your Dad?" She innocently asked
I started to play with my fingers. "His my dad man. IF I WERE JUST TO SEE HIM......that's asking for too much. Him just answering my texts would be a blessing. "My happiness is always shallow and my sadness always becomes deep. When I think of him."
"If you saw him what do you think you will do."
" I-I would  yell at him and question him.'' Alyssa took my hand." Don't cry... I didn't mean to make you cry.''
I touched my face, their were tears. I jumped up. "I am so sorry, feel so embarrassed." I wiped my tears
"Don't feel bad tears are a start for healing. Don't ever be embarrassed by them." She stood up and touched my shoulder.
" Yeah whatever...I have to go." Rushed into the bathroom. I can't deal with those feels just yet. Not now.
"Bree please don't run from me. I just want you to know you can't run away from sadness, without running away from happiness." Than she walked out.
I pulled out my phone and changed his contact to name to stranger I thought I knew.
--
"Thanks for coming to get me Colton. It's a real shame my brother was busy." I saw him smile in the rearview mirror
"I know, he told you what happened between us. About the jersey situation." I stated.
" He was a bit disappointed." Colton admitted
"A bit?" I gave him a don't believe you look.
"Okay a lot. But are you sure you don't want to wear it Bree."
"I am so sick of people asking this question. YES I am sure. Even Tolan is comfortable with the Idea." I defended my choice.
"Oh so this boyfriend ...um Tolan already gave you his shirt." I could tell it was a genuine question.
" Well I will text him later to bring it for me." I informed him.
"Okay cool, but that is neither here nor there is a huge surprise waiting for you at home." Colton quickly changed the topic.
I leaned back in my seat smiling
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I jumped out the car door smiling, like a kid on Christmas. I can't wait to see my surprise.
"Yeah it was me that broke it." I heard my brother's voice
"Well don't stress about it. I will just buy a new one." I heard a deep voice, coming from the dining room. I ran quicker so I can see the familiar voice that is paired with the familiar face.
I stop dead in my tracks, when I saw him. Not my brother but my dad. It took him a while to notice me. When he did he cocked his face to the side.
"Is this a friend of ours Arden." My heart broke
"It's your daughter." Colton corrected sharply. He started laughing
"I was just joking. It's been a while, but still remember my daughter." My dad laughed at his dry joke
'Who's fault is that know.' I wanted to say because I was still frozen. I didn't know whether he was joking or not. And that's the scary part.
I walked towards him and gave him a hug. I wrapped my arms around him, he just patted my back. Near or far he is still my dad. I wish we were closer than this. It feels like there was a river between us. I wanted it gone.
"I really missed you Dad."Â I had so many questions. I just stood there frozen.
Did he enjoy the river between us?
_______________
Did her dad really not recognize her? why did Tolan take the blame for the laptop? Does her dad enjoy the river between them?
~~~~~~~~~~