"I'm pretty sure you've never shared food before. You make it a rule... at least to me." I commented when we exited the canteen. Norah had some meeting with the drama club so she told us to go. That after a whole lunch time getting all lovey-dovey with Macy here. Even if the dark-skinned girl keep trying to make it sound casual.
"So? If we both wanted the same what's the big deal?" Macy blushed, fiddling with her hair as I felt a smile stretching in my lips. Her eyes narrowed at it, but I could tell she was fighting back her own grin. "What?"
"Nothing." I giggled as we dodged some group of students on our way towards the lockers. "You girls are just so cute."
"Ugh-" she pushed me lightly, getting redder. "Don't say that."
"No no, I mean it. It has been kinda frustrating, but I can't be more glad that you're finally together."
"Alyson!" she complained tightening the hold on her folder and glancing around the hallway as if worried someone would hear, but the way she pursed her lips were a clear indication Macy was holding back a smile as well. "We kissed, true. And had a... whatever. But that's it. Don't say we're together."
"And why not?"
"It's... It's all too recent." she whined, tucking a loop behind her ear. "The other night... it all felt right but who knows if today she'll finally got over her hangover and realized the mistake she made?"
"Yeah, because it totally looked like it back there." I rolled my eyes, unable to wrap my head around the idea of Macy being this unsure.
She'd always been the one to help me out my insecurities, who would had thought she herself was this full of those. And with Norah! -who was head over heels for her. This morning I got a call from her to face her own doubts and to decide the proper outfit.
"You're being ridiculous." I shook my head, which only earned me a narrowed gaze from her.
"Oh, am I? So do tell, what's in your mind, uh?"
My brows knitted together. "What do you mean?"
"Well, the dark circles under your eyes are like a neon sign. Yesterday you were completely out of reach and let's not forget you've finally taken your bike again."
My body tensed, but I shrugged it out as well as I could. "I'm already healed." It didn't work.
"So were you last week and it didn't prevent Brett from being your lift. So how come he didn't pick you today as well?" even his mention made that already familiar pang clenched my chest... so imagine the helpless ache that washed over me when his voice halted us from behind.
"Well, it's not like I had a say in it."
Hell. I'd been successful in avoiding him, but I guess my luck only worked so far.
What were the chances of Macy not hearing it so we can keep out way down the corridor without actually having to face him?
Whatever the lame percentage was, it dropped quickly to 0 when Brett caught up with us and stood in our path, blocking the way. Some passers-by gave us weird looks and I found myself suddenly really interested in my shoes.
During the whole weekend I've been replaying our argument, over and over. Like a broken record.
The more I remembered it the more frustrated I got. It felt as if we'd lived completely different realities. I couldn't pinpoint the exact moment, but I came to the conclusion I did hurt him at some point. When? That I got no clue. Maybe when the whole rumor with Jace Turmont spread. Jace himself said he pursued the rumor thinking it would make Brett jealous.
Brett jealous. Right! But what else could it be?
And then in his room the auburn accused me of keeping him always as a second choice. Thinking of it coldly afterwards it could actually make sense with the jealous theory, if he thought I picked Jace over him. But then again, why would someone like him get jealous over someone like me? He distanced himself from me, and back then he was after Jade.
So, as daydreaming that theory seemed I need to find a more reasonable one.
Unable to find one, I'd come to the conclusion, whatever it was what we have back when we were kids, it wasn't that fitting now. We clearly had a lot of shit in our history and going back to what we were only brought more pain. So, I took the best decision in this case: keep my distance.
Judging by the way I felt his eyes burying into me, I guessed he didn't take well the ignored calls and monosyllabic texts. For the way my heart was wildly pounding, my inner self still yet to get the point as well. Especially considering I'd made a fool out of myself again with my weeping show in front of him.
"Oh, hi Brett." Macy must feel the tension, since her gaze darted between me and the pissed guy in front of us. I mean, I was still yet to look up at him, but for the harsh way he stuck his fists on his pockets I could tell he was not happy with my decision.
When is he ever happy with any decision of mine, tho?
"Hi, M." the contained tone he used only increased my anxiety, making goosebumps appeared in my nape and down my arms. "Do you mind?"
Yes!
But before I could fully understand its meaning Macy's head tilted knowingly. "Yeah, mm, you look like you need to sort this out so..." her gaze made my pleading look but chose to ignore it. "See yah."
How could she?!
The flutter in my stomach only grew when she smiled and keep moving towards her locker, leaving me there just like that! I'm going to kill her.
First Norah, now Macy... what's up with my friends siding with him instead of having my back?
"Well," Brett cleared his throat attracting my attention back to him. "Don't you think we have some catch up to do?"
My heart somersaulted in my chest, doing all kinds of messed up tricks. "No..."
"Yes, Alyson. You can't fucking pull on that stunt and leave."
I flinched at his harshness, but I guess I kinda deserve it. He kinda had a point because I did bring all that up and then decided to put an end to what I started. Not like I would let him know, tho.
Not liking his tone or the glances he was earning us I pursed my lips, still yet to meet his gaze since I know I would crumble then. I also had the right to be upset about his ways. He was just as guilty as myself about our messed up situation, and he still refused to 'forgive' me or let me know what had changed. Nothing guaranteed me he wouldn't go back to his old ways and bullied me again since I didn't know why he stopped. Or why he started in the first place.
Whenever I tried to approach the topic he snapped at me and I was done being put down by him.
"I have nothing else to say."
"No? Because the other day you seemed to have a lot to." I pressed my lips together, diverting my gaze at the aching in my chest. Just leave me alone, Brett. But he eyed me carefully a couple more seconds before speaking again when he realized I wouldn't say anything. "Whatever. I do have something to say." I gasped when he tipped my chin up, gently, forcing our gazes to meet. When did he get this close? Chills spread from that small contact all the way down my spine and I felt like melting at the look in his orbs. Anger and frustration swirled in them, but also another feeling. Something soft that was like a pull to the strings of my heart. His breath grazed my lips, stealing more of my common sense. "And you're gonna listen to me."
Listen to him... listen to him! Flashes of his rage last time we'd talked shattered the spell he seemed to have pulled on me. It took all my will power to remember what I was doing with who and command my trembling hand to clamp around his wrist and pulled out his grip.
"I don't want to." another emotion overshadowed the previous in his gaze: disappointment. But he covered it quickly narrowing his eyes. I could feel my pulse mode, drumming in my ears. Take a breath, Alyson. You got this. "I'm tired of this. I don't want to hear it anymore. It doesn't matter. I accepted you're upset and it was my fault from the beginning." He grimaced when I threw his words back at him, but I didn't allow myself to pay attention, knowing I won't be able to walk away if so and swallowed the painful knot in my throat. "I get it. Now can we move on?"
But his hand hooked around my wrist before I could escape and gently tugged me back with a huff/sigh. "It's not that. You're misunderstanding it all over again. You brought it up, remember? And then you bolted away in the middle of it." his jaw clenched. "You can't do that. It's not fair."
I returned his hooded gaze, hoping to look more determined than how I felt. "And why not?"
"Because now you just overthink it all and take the wrong conclusions. And you can't do that without letting me explain the whole thing."
Whole thing? My blood boiled. When did he ever let me explain the whole thing back to when Jace spread rumors? Or anytime after that, really? He just assumed the worst of me and act accordingly. And now he wanted me to be patient and endure his rage when I asked simple questions?! He got a lot of nerve.
"Well," I snatched my wrist free. "Now you c-can't explain the whole thing since I can't be late again. But don't bother, I w-wouldn't want to have you waiting since I'm such a big burden for you." I sidestepped him, deciding an early withdrawal was my best option and heard him groaning in frustration and followed.
He didn't give up, uh? Something clenched in my chest at his persistence, but I couldn't pinpoint if it was good or bad. What I knew is that I couldn't escape the way Brett manage to affect me so much with barely his presence. I tried to ignore him as I picked up my books for the next period. The students were already scurrying away towards their classes and I wasn't lying when I said I couldn't be late again. A proper discussion like the one Brett was looking for would more than probably earn me detention or a penalization.
Brett leaned against the wall, in the spot between blocks of lockers next to mine, hands stiffly into his pockets. "I hate when you do this. I'm trying here."
"I'm not doing anything." I mumbled.
"Exactly." he sneered through clenched teeth. "You just decided you're mad and close off. You can be really infuriating, you know that?"
Ouch.
I let out a sigh, but nothing seemed to elicit the pressure in my chest. Not exactly sure what to answer I focused on slowly picking up my books, buying time to come out with some kind of excuse. My mind remained blank of those, tho. What was I supposed to say without digging my grave deeper?
Just as I'd taken everything and was about to say something lame that would -hopefully- get me out of this, someone bumped into me from behind, not exactly something new but this time distracted as I was I tripped and white pain blinded me when my head banged on the metal. "Oww."
"Oops." but I barely registered the mocking over my own whimpers and shattering pound that seemed to split my brain in two and all I could think was It hurts. Hurts hurts hurts. Damn it hurts so bad! "I'm so sorry, freak."
Noel.
Of course.
It wasn't weird for him to be pestering me around. I happened almost daily. What the soccer player wasn't expecting was that Brett was there, hidden from his view by the lockers, but quickly came out at his dick move and pushed him back, bristled, succeeding since he caught him out of guard.
"What-"
"The hell is wrong with you?!"
"Were did you even come out from?" he shouted back, shoving Brett off him.
My forehead burned and, as much as it slightly get better at the pressure I was inducing, it felt like I been stabbed; my brain pounding. Yet through it all the fog slowly was wiped with my frantic blinks and vision came back to me. Just in time to see Brett fisting his hands, his back towards me as he faced Noel, who looked torn between rage and startledment.
He really didn't expect Brett to be there. Usually his pestering since Jade's expulsion took place in lonely hallways. Where no one could report him to teachers. Now, even tho the hallway was almost empty, we've gained the attention of the few presents and at their yelling more were coming.
I felt my insides churned as my mind slowly registered what was happening. Shit. And I was still whining mess sitting on the floor. I struggled to get on my knees, but the world bent and the pounding get worse, so I give up on standing until it toned down.
"I was right here. I saw it all." spat Brett venomously, all his form tensed, containing himself not to jump on Noel. Right, the no fight team-fella's rule. "Why would you do that, you asshole?"
Noel's nostrils fluttered for a seconds, but he easily regained his taunting -cruel- careless expression. "Calm down, would you? She's fine." but his facade shattered for another moment when they both turned to where he gestured: me.
They both widened their eyes in horror and it frightened me.
"Alyson..." started Brett taking one step closer, his anger swirling with stomach-curling concern.
More people were gathering around and their whispers made me sick. I need to stop this. Pushing the throbbing ache down I lowered my hand, trying to project a more collected version of what I was truly feeling.
"I'm fine." It came out whiny tho. Damn me. Brett kneeled down and my breath hitched at his worries. "What?"
"You-" I flinched when he gently brushed my forehead, that spot that was killing me and a shattering pain exploded. "Shit." he retracted his hand immediately. "Sorry." yet my attention wasn't on his words anymore but on his fingers. It had blood.
I put mine up again to the pulsing ache and another grizzle escaped my lips when I found more covering it. Scarlet, sticky, disgusting. I was bleeding. I panicked pressing the wound again, now realizing the slippery feeling wasn't my dizziness but the blood. My blood.
"Fuck, I didn't mean-"
"Shut up, Whickman!"
"I didn't mean to make her bleed!"
I felt like crying. I felt like throwing up. And everyone was looking.
No no no. I won't make a scene. I refuse to make a scene. I won't-
"Lys..."
"I'm fine, I'm fine, I'm fine-" he peeled my hands from my face, making me grimace at the ripped sensation it brought to the cut, but was only to replace it with a paper towel. My mind was so dense, racing in pain and frantic thoughts that I couldn't even bring myself to think where did he get it from.
"It's okay. It's not deep." Brett said gently wiping the skin and pressing it to cut the blood flow. Concern and something else I couldn't read morphing his whole features. It was as if he was blocking out the rest of the curious students that now were a solid crowd around this mess. Somehow he made it look less real as he spoke only to me. Yet his jaw was clenched and fury ignited under his orbs. "I'll take you to the nurse. Then you'll report Whickman."
"I didn't do it on purpose!" I spotted Noel over his shoulder, just in time to see how he shut his own horror of what he'd done and go back to glare daggers at us. "I didn't know she would be so fucking delicate." he snarled and my stomach switched upside-down. My fault. He was painting it as if it was my fault he'd made me bleed. The ringing in my ears got worst.
Brett's jaw clenched, keeping his eyes on me as he spat, "Shut up." no longer in a smooth tone.
"I swear if you-"
"I swear if you don't shut the fuck up I'll break your face." I flinched at the outburst. In a second he guided my hand over the paper to press it myself and was up his feet, matching furious towards Noel. "Come one. I fucking dare you, Whickman. I'm this close."
There was a collective gasp, matching my bafflement. True, Brett had said a couple times he would make Noel pay; but I never take it seriously. But now, he was defending me. Me. Openly and for everyone to see.
The brunette gave him an ugly snort. "And risk getting on coach's bad side? Nah, mummy and daddy would be so disappointed."
My heart sped. Noel was purposely trying to make him mad. If Brett gets kicked out of the team because of me he'd never forgive me. That thought somehow break through my state and I found myself rushing: "Brett, I'm fine. D-don't do this."
Brett tensed more if possible and the brunette smirked smugly. "You heard it? She's alright. You're just being a drama queen. " Did he have a dead wish or what? "She probably enjoyed it."
The disgust that washed over me at his taunt got nothing on the fear as I see Brett's features hardened.
"I'm fine, I'm fine! Really, I'm fine!" But he didn't listen.
In a matter of seconds Brett'd pressed his forearm across Noel's chest; cutting his bullshit and shoving him against the lockers with a violent thud, balling his free hand. "You fucking-"
"What?" he mocked, drawing a repulsive excessive self-satisfied smirk as Brett raised fist, but keep it there, frozen. "Aw, are you gonna fight me, Ryder? Would you really?" He can't fight him. They'll expel him. I tried calling him again, but Brett's jaw clenched, all his body trembled in ire as he struggled to decide his next move. Breathing hard and after uncountable seconds while we all held our breath, he slowly lowered his fist. "See?" Noel chuckled pushing him off with that cocky attitude as he fixed his clothes and giving him a nasty look. "Just what I thought."
Still trembling with rage, Brett's blue eyes find my wide ones and I saw them growing darker, determinate before turning back towards Noel.
"Fuck it." and stepped menacingly, with every intention of following through no matter what. My heart stopped, too shocked to disuade him not to risk his spot on the team over this. Over me.
But right before he reached Noel someone stepped out the crowd gathered, grabbing Noel's collar harshly and pulling him to face him instead of the auburn before landing a smashing punch on his jaw.
Everyone, including myself, gaped in shock at the new person as Noel was thrown against the lockers again by the force of the swing, groaning in pain and surprise.
Connor Mendley just stood there, not bothered by the attention on him. Glaring the whiny asshole that struggled to stand again, his fist still closed.
"Fuck." Noel groaned, rubbing the sore spot, a deadly promise in his eyes. "I'll fucking kill you, creep!" but Connor dodged his ragged punch and used the new proximity to deal a blow that, judging by the awful sound and cry out, probably broke Noel's nose.
Everything after was kind of a blur. People finally snapped out of the trance as Noel screamed and tried to attack again, but Brett was there, grabbing Connor's shoulder and pulling him backwards as a couple guys stepped in to grab Noel. His nose was red and running you could see how it got swollen by seconds, but it was as if he was possessed, furious and trying to reach Connor.
The Mendley boy, on the other hand, was the same old collected self; impassible at all the stares and awe he'd woken up, absentmindly observing his fist and barely listening to whatever Brett was saying to him. The only indication he was feeling something was the way he keep opening and closing his hand, showing it probably hurt to throw such punches to someone's face.
His eyes met mine, dark and cold, and I could tell he was glaring the scratch on my forehead. I was still wide eyed, fixes on both Brett and Connor, trying to process it all. Had they really just defend me? Did it actually happen? It felt surreal.
"What's going on here? Everyone go to your classes." an imperative voice beamed through the hallway and students immediately parted to let a teacher approach. His face hardened as he took in the scene in front of him. Jumping from Noel, to Connor, Brett and then me. Crap. "Okay, someone explain. Now."
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QUESTION: Ever been in a fight?
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