“Isla, open the
door.”
For the past ten minutes I’d been standing in front of her apartment waiting for her to let me in. I knew she was home, where else would she be at 8.30 am? After the ‘incident’ last week, she hasn’t replied to any of my calls nor has she answered my texts or Facebook messages... Well, I’m not shocked. I yelled at her, even though I had every right to I shouldn’t have done that. I’d even asked Edith to give me the spare key to her sister’s apartment but she’d been told not to. Isla hadn’t told her any of the details, just that she didn’t want to see me. Edith had given me a sympathetic smile and wished me good luck knowing my attempts were futile.
“Are you just going to skip school then? Stay home, sleep? You can’t avoid me forever, you know.” I knocked my head against the door and leaned there. I closed my eyes and listened to see if she was even up yet. At first I couldn’t hear anything, just the distant sound of the traffic from the nearby main road. But after straining my ears and focusing on the tiny details I could hear a soft scraping noise that I assume to be Homer in his litter box. I listened for the sound of water running or of something frying. Maybe even Isla talking to Homer as she does or maybe the melody she hums when she’s organising something. I knocked again; the vibrations on the door buzzing through my head. She’s probably curled up in her duvet with her iPod plugged in.
I let out a sigh and knocked my head on the door a last time before weakly swinging my bag over my shoulder and walking down the hall.
It was snowing again this morning, not as heavily as it had been yesterday but snow was snow and the thin slush that covered the city was good enough for me. After I’d left the Café, I’d gone straight home, wordlessly walked past my parents and face-planted on my bed. I didn’t want to think, I didn’t want to eat, I didn’t want to do a thing. I’d screwed up. Everything I’d run away from was coming back and slapping me in the face –but this time Isla is involved and she doesn’t exactly seem to be on my side.
I slid my hand into my pocket and retrieved my car keys before stepping out of the elevator and into the dark and dank parking lot ahead. The familiar echo of the car being unlocked was strangely comforting against all the sudden change. But the basement seemed so quiet this morning. Usually there’d be two pairs of footsteps; mine and Isla’s. She’d nag about all the problems she’s having in French and I’d retort with a sentence I knew was too advanced for her to comprehend. I don’t like this; going to school without her in the morning is surprisingly lonely. Is what I thought as I reversed the car out of the lot.
~~~
I backed up into the Starbucks parking like I did every morning and reversed my car into the space at the very left –facing the shop window. I turned the key and the car’s humming stopped as the engine shut down. I was greeted with a smile by the girl behind the counter but a puzzled look crossed her face when I didn’t return it.
“Morning, Alex.” She called cheerfully. “Where’s your haughty little girlfriend? She hasn’t been visiting us as often.” She wrinkled her nose and started the coffee machine; my regular stops here not needing me tell her my usual order.
“Morning.” I replied monotonously. “She’s not around.” I said. I wasn’t fully awake yet, my eye-lids were heavy and my body ached. As stupid as it may seem, the fight with Isla really had taken its toll on me. I hadn’t been sleeping much, hadn’t been eating. The fact that it was my fault made it even worse.
“Oh. So you don’t deny it then?” For some strange reason the smile on her face had faded and her tone was flat. She looked down at the Styrofoam cup as the hot, brown liquid bubbled into it.
“How could I deny it? Clearly she’s not here.” A yawn left my lips and I sat on one of the high metal stools, resting my head on the counter as I awaited my latté.
“That’s not what I meant.” A hint of irritation broke into her voice and she placed the coffee in front of me with a little more force than necessary, causing it to spill over the side. “$3.99.”
I unzipped my wallet, counting loose change as I asked what she did mean. When I placed the money on the counter and grabbed my coffee, I looked at her -patiently waiting for her reply.
“It doesn’t matter.” Though she said that, the hurt look in her eyes said something else. Before she stormed into the back of the shop she added “Idiot” for good measure.
Standing there alone and confused as to what just happened I stared at the empty space in front of me where the brunette girl had stood.
“Right. Thanks for the coffee.” Is all I said before awkwardly leaving the shop and heading to my car.
What was her name again? Was the last thought that ran through my mind as I pulled out the lot and returned myself to the main road.
For the past ten minutes I’d been standing in front of her apartment waiting for her to let me in. I knew she was home, where else would she be at 8.30 am? After the ‘incident’ last week, she hasn’t replied to any of my calls nor has she answered my texts or Facebook messages... Well, I’m not shocked. I yelled at her, even though I had every right to I shouldn’t have done that. I’d even asked Edith to give me the spare key to her sister’s apartment but she’d been told not to. Isla hadn’t told her any of the details, just that she didn’t want to see me. Edith had given me a sympathetic smile and wished me good luck knowing my attempts were futile.
“Are you just going to skip school then? Stay home, sleep? You can’t avoid me forever, you know.” I knocked my head against the door and leaned there. I closed my eyes and listened to see if she was even up yet. At first I couldn’t hear anything, just the distant sound of the traffic from the nearby main road. But after straining my ears and focusing on the tiny details I could hear a soft scraping noise that I assume to be Homer in his litter box. I listened for the sound of water running or of something frying. Maybe even Isla talking to Homer as she does or maybe the melody she hums when she’s organising something. I knocked again; the vibrations on the door buzzing through my head. She’s probably curled up in her duvet with her iPod plugged in.
I let out a sigh and knocked my head on the door a last time before weakly swinging my bag over my shoulder and walking down the hall.
It was snowing again this morning, not as heavily as it had been yesterday but snow was snow and the thin slush that covered the city was good enough for me. After I’d left the Café, I’d gone straight home, wordlessly walked past my parents and face-planted on my bed. I didn’t want to think, I didn’t want to eat, I didn’t want to do a thing. I’d screwed up. Everything I’d run away from was coming back and slapping me in the face –but this time Isla is involved and she doesn’t exactly seem to be on my side.
I slid my hand into my pocket and retrieved my car keys before stepping out of the elevator and into the dark and dank parking lot ahead. The familiar echo of the car being unlocked was strangely comforting against all the sudden change. But the basement seemed so quiet this morning. Usually there’d be two pairs of footsteps; mine and Isla’s. She’d nag about all the problems she’s having in French and I’d retort with a sentence I knew was too advanced for her to comprehend. I don’t like this; going to school without her in the morning is surprisingly lonely. Is what I thought as I reversed the car out of the lot.
~~~
I backed up into the Starbucks parking like I did every morning and reversed my car into the space at the very left –facing the shop window. I turned the key and the car’s humming stopped as the engine shut down. I was greeted with a smile by the girl behind the counter but a puzzled look crossed her face when I didn’t return it.
“Morning, Alex.” She called cheerfully. “Where’s your haughty little girlfriend? She hasn’t been visiting us as often.” She wrinkled her nose and started the coffee machine; my regular stops here not needing me tell her my usual order.
“Morning.” I replied monotonously. “She’s not around.” I said. I wasn’t fully awake yet, my eye-lids were heavy and my body ached. As stupid as it may seem, the fight with Isla really had taken its toll on me. I hadn’t been sleeping much, hadn’t been eating. The fact that it was my fault made it even worse.
“Oh. So you don’t deny it then?” For some strange reason the smile on her face had faded and her tone was flat. She looked down at the Styrofoam cup as the hot, brown liquid bubbled into it.
“How could I deny it? Clearly she’s not here.” A yawn left my lips and I sat on one of the high metal stools, resting my head on the counter as I awaited my latté.
“That’s not what I meant.” A hint of irritation broke into her voice and she placed the coffee in front of me with a little more force than necessary, causing it to spill over the side. “$3.99.”
I unzipped my wallet, counting loose change as I asked what she did mean. When I placed the money on the counter and grabbed my coffee, I looked at her -patiently waiting for her reply.
“It doesn’t matter.” Though she said that, the hurt look in her eyes said something else. Before she stormed into the back of the shop she added “Idiot” for good measure.
Standing there alone and confused as to what just happened I stared at the empty space in front of me where the brunette girl had stood.
“Right. Thanks for the coffee.” Is all I said before awkwardly leaving the shop and heading to my car.
What was her name again? Was the last thought that ran through my mind as I pulled out the lot and returned myself to the main road.
-x-
He knocked again, pleading for me to open the door or at
least respond to his persistent knocks. “You can’t avoid me forever, you know.”
His voice sounded so odd and distant from behind the door. That may be true. I thought. But I can avoid you for now. Can’t you just leave me alone? Eventually he did. He thumped against the door one last time and I stared at it in the ever-growing silence.
We hadn’t spoken since he yelled at me last week. Well, he did make the effort. He’d knocked at my door too many times to count and I’d gotten at least ten calls of which only one was answered; the only words that were said were ‘fuck off’.
I know that he’s sorry and I know I’m not being fair but I just don’t want to see him. Surprisingly enough, I seemed to have found some comfort in the silence accompanied by loneliness.
It was early morning and normally I’d be up and ready to go to school but instead I stood in front of my easel, adding the finishing touches to my latest piece of work: darkening a shadow here, adding a tiny bit more detail to a water-droplet there. I had spent the last two days depending on espresso shots to keep myself alive as I slaved over this one painting. After all, the Art Exhibition during the winter fair was just before Christmas- meaning I didn’t have very long to have my share of paintings done.
“One down, three to go.” I let out a sigh, taking a step back to look over the fine strokes and perfect detail. I let my lips quirk up in to the first smile this week, and I couldn’t help but feel a little proud.
I’d done it without a model, dead scared that I’d just end up wasting paint, time and canvas. The painting was that of the back of a woman –shoulders up- visible through the foggy glass of a hot shower. Decorating the class –as realistic as I could make it- were tiny, stray water droplets and patches of clear glass. The woman’s skin was soft and pale under the shine of water and her hair was a deep auburn, loosely scrunched up in her hands at the back of her head. Part of her face was visible over her left shoulder –her face was tilted up towards the pouring water; her eyes closed and her lips parted slightly.
Sure, I may not be good at dealing with fights or making friends but I'm damn good at what I love to do, and that is art. Well aren't you modest?
I danced over to my bedroom, spinning and skipping as I went along. I burst through the door and landed on my bed with a thump. For a few moments I just lay there listening to the hum of distant traffic and the chirping of waking birds. Sun poured through the open window, rays of warm light falling over my face. The fresh, winter air entered my room as a pleasant breeze against the warmth from the various radiators around the room. I looked up at the black ceiling; glow-in-the dark paint and stars formed my own personal galaxy. I’d painted that with my mom when she used to live with us. It brought back strange memories. Ever since I was little my mother had travelled in and out of the country due to her job, she’d never really lived here. Sometimes she’d be gone for a couple of months, sometimes only day trips. Eventually, she got a double promotion and was stationed in Beijing at a non-family branch of the company she was employed to. Figuring Edith was a responsible woman by now, she left to Beijing.
New year’s not too far off…I wonder if she’ll show. I shook my head, letting the thought pass. I'm not going to get my hopes up.
~~~
“Isla~” A childish, sing-song voice filled my subconscious. I ignored it and rolled around in the fluffy blankets caressing my skin. Small, cold fingers poked my cheek tentatively. “Isla, get up.”
“Mmm.” I let a yawn escape my lips before squinting out of grogginess at the round little face in front of me. “Go away, Joanie.” I moaned, rolling over toward the left, bundling the sheets up underneath me.
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere.” He climbed up onto the bed to emphasise his point “Mom and dad let me in and told me to stay put until they came home from the grocery store.” He explained, poking my cheek again “They better bring me cookies.” He muttered.
“mmm.” I mumbled in response, letting my eyes droop. “There are some cookies-” I paused to clear my throat, hoarse from not speaking the whole day “in the kitchen. You can have all of them if you let me sleep another hour.”
There was a pause, and I opened one eye wondering if he had left only to find the five-year old boy sitting cross-legged staring out the window as if lost in deep thought. Slightly concerned, I propped myself up on my elbows and rubbed my eyes, looking at him through my curtain of hair and poking him back; my index finger sinking into his pudgy little stomach.
“What’s up?” I asked. He looked over and without skipping a beat asked an unexpected question.
“Where’s Alex been?” The look that crossed the little boys face was a lonely one; his eyes slightly glassy.
I opened my mouth but words didn’t come out. I can’t lie to Joanie, but obviously I can’t tell him the truth. I let out a sigh and flopped back down; patting the empty space next to me, indicating that he should do the same.
Once he did, he buried his face in my arm like a cat. “We had a little argument, sweetie.” I stroked his soft hair, twisting the longer curls around my fingers.
“He hasn’t come for dinner in a long time.” Though it had only been a week, days must be stretched for the little boy, who goes to school for only a few short hours a day.
“I know.” I said, remorse sneaking its way into my voice “but, I promise. He’ll come for dinner soon.”
My words lingered in the air and dragged on in a pleasant silence; my thoughts melting as I drifted off into another spell of sleep.
His voice sounded so odd and distant from behind the door. That may be true. I thought. But I can avoid you for now. Can’t you just leave me alone? Eventually he did. He thumped against the door one last time and I stared at it in the ever-growing silence.
We hadn’t spoken since he yelled at me last week. Well, he did make the effort. He’d knocked at my door too many times to count and I’d gotten at least ten calls of which only one was answered; the only words that were said were ‘fuck off’.
I know that he’s sorry and I know I’m not being fair but I just don’t want to see him. Surprisingly enough, I seemed to have found some comfort in the silence accompanied by loneliness.
It was early morning and normally I’d be up and ready to go to school but instead I stood in front of my easel, adding the finishing touches to my latest piece of work: darkening a shadow here, adding a tiny bit more detail to a water-droplet there. I had spent the last two days depending on espresso shots to keep myself alive as I slaved over this one painting. After all, the Art Exhibition during the winter fair was just before Christmas- meaning I didn’t have very long to have my share of paintings done.
“One down, three to go.” I let out a sigh, taking a step back to look over the fine strokes and perfect detail. I let my lips quirk up in to the first smile this week, and I couldn’t help but feel a little proud.
I’d done it without a model, dead scared that I’d just end up wasting paint, time and canvas. The painting was that of the back of a woman –shoulders up- visible through the foggy glass of a hot shower. Decorating the class –as realistic as I could make it- were tiny, stray water droplets and patches of clear glass. The woman’s skin was soft and pale under the shine of water and her hair was a deep auburn, loosely scrunched up in her hands at the back of her head. Part of her face was visible over her left shoulder –her face was tilted up towards the pouring water; her eyes closed and her lips parted slightly.
Sure, I may not be good at dealing with fights or making friends but I'm damn good at what I love to do, and that is art. Well aren't you modest?
I danced over to my bedroom, spinning and skipping as I went along. I burst through the door and landed on my bed with a thump. For a few moments I just lay there listening to the hum of distant traffic and the chirping of waking birds. Sun poured through the open window, rays of warm light falling over my face. The fresh, winter air entered my room as a pleasant breeze against the warmth from the various radiators around the room. I looked up at the black ceiling; glow-in-the dark paint and stars formed my own personal galaxy. I’d painted that with my mom when she used to live with us. It brought back strange memories. Ever since I was little my mother had travelled in and out of the country due to her job, she’d never really lived here. Sometimes she’d be gone for a couple of months, sometimes only day trips. Eventually, she got a double promotion and was stationed in Beijing at a non-family branch of the company she was employed to. Figuring Edith was a responsible woman by now, she left to Beijing.
New year’s not too far off…I wonder if she’ll show. I shook my head, letting the thought pass. I'm not going to get my hopes up.
~~~
“Isla~” A childish, sing-song voice filled my subconscious. I ignored it and rolled around in the fluffy blankets caressing my skin. Small, cold fingers poked my cheek tentatively. “Isla, get up.”
“Mmm.” I let a yawn escape my lips before squinting out of grogginess at the round little face in front of me. “Go away, Joanie.” I moaned, rolling over toward the left, bundling the sheets up underneath me.
“Hey, I’m not going anywhere.” He climbed up onto the bed to emphasise his point “Mom and dad let me in and told me to stay put until they came home from the grocery store.” He explained, poking my cheek again “They better bring me cookies.” He muttered.
“mmm.” I mumbled in response, letting my eyes droop. “There are some cookies-” I paused to clear my throat, hoarse from not speaking the whole day “in the kitchen. You can have all of them if you let me sleep another hour.”
There was a pause, and I opened one eye wondering if he had left only to find the five-year old boy sitting cross-legged staring out the window as if lost in deep thought. Slightly concerned, I propped myself up on my elbows and rubbed my eyes, looking at him through my curtain of hair and poking him back; my index finger sinking into his pudgy little stomach.
“What’s up?” I asked. He looked over and without skipping a beat asked an unexpected question.
“Where’s Alex been?” The look that crossed the little boys face was a lonely one; his eyes slightly glassy.
I opened my mouth but words didn’t come out. I can’t lie to Joanie, but obviously I can’t tell him the truth. I let out a sigh and flopped back down; patting the empty space next to me, indicating that he should do the same.
Once he did, he buried his face in my arm like a cat. “We had a little argument, sweetie.” I stroked his soft hair, twisting the longer curls around my fingers.
“He hasn’t come for dinner in a long time.” Though it had only been a week, days must be stretched for the little boy, who goes to school for only a few short hours a day.
“I know.” I said, remorse sneaking its way into my voice “but, I promise. He’ll come for dinner soon.”
My words lingered in the air and dragged on in a pleasant silence; my thoughts melting as I drifted off into another spell of sleep.
-x-
The second I entered the school building, the façade began.
Saying good morning to people whose names I didn’t remember, talking to
teachers in a polite and ‘interested’ tone as we discussed the upcoming ‘NYAA
Winter Bazaar and Art Exhibition’, discussing with the council members the
changes that are meant to be made to the club activities and the most boring
and most irritating of all, guiding the foreign exchange students through the
senior branch and pretending to give two shits about their sense of direction.
I walked into homeroom to be greeted by clusters of people gossiping about what happened in the last episode of “Pretty Little Liars” or of some scandal between a high-up businessman and his new whore.
I slumped down in my usual isle seat beside Walter Yukan. Walter was short and stubby with a pretty solid build. Though he may seem like a tough guy, his only interest was piano. “Hey, why is the new guy looking at you like he wants to rob you of your lunch money?” Said Walter. His voice as calm and detached as ever.
“Probably cos he does and thinks he can.” And we left it at that.
The day went by in a rush of council duties and lectures, just like every day and once the final bell sounded I walked out as silently and as unnoticed as possible. Or so I thought.
“Alex, how about we go for another coffee. Yesterday was fun.”
Just my luck I thought as Jasper’s sarcastic and patronizing tone filled the hall. I let out a sigh and kept on walking, pretending like I couldn’t see or hear him.
I just want to go home.
“Alex~ I’m talking to you.” He sang as he tried to catch up to me. “Still mad at me, hmm? Come on, I wanna have a chat.”
“And as you can see, I don’t give a shit.” I responded, dodging people in the halls as I made my way to the student parking lot.
“Oh but you know I know you do. Deep down you’re burning to just have a go at me”
“Fuck off, Jasper.” I muttered, clenching and unclenching my fists to keep myself calm.
You’ve managed to go through the entire day ignoring him, you can last another few minutes I reassured myself.
By now the halls were flooded with students ready to leave this prison and return to the comforting solitude of their bedrooms. Student council members and others alike saying good bye to me as I walked along. I forced a smile at some of them, silently cursing myself for being so fake.
“Oh look at you.” He said in the most condescending tone he could muster “All these people smiling at you, saying good bye to you. Ah how things have changed! A few years back, did these people even know you existed?” His words stung and as much as I hated to admit it, he was right. They didn’t know my name, who I was or even that I’d been going to the same school as them ever since playgroup. I grit my teeth and reminded myself that it was all in the past. I’d changed and people’s opinions of me changed. With that in mind I ignored the urge to retort and kept on walking, eventually reaching the school exit.
“We used to have fun back then.” He laughed softly but with no mockery in his tone. I looked over my shoulder and was slightly taken aback by the genuinely pained and lonely expression on his face. An unexpected feeling of remorse came over me, and I suppose it is well deserved but I shrugged it off and remembered that this is how Jasper manipulates people. Someone like him could never feel anything real.
And just like that, he went back to his usual, deriding tone. “But now you’re such a bore. I guess I’ll just have to settle for your little pet.” He spat out the words, annunciating every T with a bitter thump. “She was telling me you two haven’t talked in a few days.” My body tensed; she’s been talking to him? Ignoring my calls, leaving me waiting at the door, not coming to school but talking to him?
“Think I’m gonna go over and say hi, maybe I might get lucky and - ”
I felt my blood begin to boil and I cut him off by grabbing the collar of his hoodie. “Now that’s more like it.” He said with a smug grin.
“The fuck is your problem?” My words came off more aggressive than I’d intended and for a second even Jasper seemed slightly taken aback.
But only a moment later his eyes were twinkling with mischievous intent “Oh nothing, nothing.” He looked over to the left where a crowd of students was beginning to form; gaining some confidence from the new audience he carried on “You’re the one with the problem.” Jasper whispered.
“Cut the shit, Jasper” I practically growled at him then shoved him against the red-brick of the school building, knocking the air out of his lungs. After his small coughing fit, he shot me a glare so sharp it could cut through stone.
He stood upright –the difference in our height evident as he looked down on me- and shoved me with a force matching my own “Finally taking me seriously?” I all but scoffed.
“Tch.” Jasper grunted and shifted his body as if to turn away, but instead mumbled “fuck it” and before I could even blink his fist collided with the left side of my face.
I flew backwards and clutched my jaw. “Fuck you!” I briefly glanced over in the direction of gasps and cheers; phones in hands recording the scene.
“Let’s give them a show then.” I mumbled; spitting blood out onto the pavement before barrelling forward, returning the favour with a punch of my own.
He blocked it and almost effortlessly yanked me forward, his knee pounding into my abdomen. Falling on all fours; the energy drained from my body as I gasped and gagged.
Another kick.
Then another.
And another.
My head was spinning, one second blurred into the next and when I opened my eyes, realising the kicks had ceased; a form other than Jasper’s was standing over me. I wasn’t sure who it was, and I didn’t really care.
Fuck this. Was my last thought as the scene around me blurred to black.
I walked into homeroom to be greeted by clusters of people gossiping about what happened in the last episode of “Pretty Little Liars” or of some scandal between a high-up businessman and his new whore.
I slumped down in my usual isle seat beside Walter Yukan. Walter was short and stubby with a pretty solid build. Though he may seem like a tough guy, his only interest was piano. “Hey, why is the new guy looking at you like he wants to rob you of your lunch money?” Said Walter. His voice as calm and detached as ever.
“Probably cos he does and thinks he can.” And we left it at that.
The day went by in a rush of council duties and lectures, just like every day and once the final bell sounded I walked out as silently and as unnoticed as possible. Or so I thought.
“Alex, how about we go for another coffee. Yesterday was fun.”
Just my luck I thought as Jasper’s sarcastic and patronizing tone filled the hall. I let out a sigh and kept on walking, pretending like I couldn’t see or hear him.
I just want to go home.
“Alex~ I’m talking to you.” He sang as he tried to catch up to me. “Still mad at me, hmm? Come on, I wanna have a chat.”
“And as you can see, I don’t give a shit.” I responded, dodging people in the halls as I made my way to the student parking lot.
“Oh but you know I know you do. Deep down you’re burning to just have a go at me”
“Fuck off, Jasper.” I muttered, clenching and unclenching my fists to keep myself calm.
You’ve managed to go through the entire day ignoring him, you can last another few minutes I reassured myself.
By now the halls were flooded with students ready to leave this prison and return to the comforting solitude of their bedrooms. Student council members and others alike saying good bye to me as I walked along. I forced a smile at some of them, silently cursing myself for being so fake.
“Oh look at you.” He said in the most condescending tone he could muster “All these people smiling at you, saying good bye to you. Ah how things have changed! A few years back, did these people even know you existed?” His words stung and as much as I hated to admit it, he was right. They didn’t know my name, who I was or even that I’d been going to the same school as them ever since playgroup. I grit my teeth and reminded myself that it was all in the past. I’d changed and people’s opinions of me changed. With that in mind I ignored the urge to retort and kept on walking, eventually reaching the school exit.
“We used to have fun back then.” He laughed softly but with no mockery in his tone. I looked over my shoulder and was slightly taken aback by the genuinely pained and lonely expression on his face. An unexpected feeling of remorse came over me, and I suppose it is well deserved but I shrugged it off and remembered that this is how Jasper manipulates people. Someone like him could never feel anything real.
And just like that, he went back to his usual, deriding tone. “But now you’re such a bore. I guess I’ll just have to settle for your little pet.” He spat out the words, annunciating every T with a bitter thump. “She was telling me you two haven’t talked in a few days.” My body tensed; she’s been talking to him? Ignoring my calls, leaving me waiting at the door, not coming to school but talking to him?
“Think I’m gonna go over and say hi, maybe I might get lucky and - ”
I felt my blood begin to boil and I cut him off by grabbing the collar of his hoodie. “Now that’s more like it.” He said with a smug grin.
“The fuck is your problem?” My words came off more aggressive than I’d intended and for a second even Jasper seemed slightly taken aback.
But only a moment later his eyes were twinkling with mischievous intent “Oh nothing, nothing.” He looked over to the left where a crowd of students was beginning to form; gaining some confidence from the new audience he carried on “You’re the one with the problem.” Jasper whispered.
“Cut the shit, Jasper” I practically growled at him then shoved him against the red-brick of the school building, knocking the air out of his lungs. After his small coughing fit, he shot me a glare so sharp it could cut through stone.
He stood upright –the difference in our height evident as he looked down on me- and shoved me with a force matching my own “Finally taking me seriously?” I all but scoffed.
“Tch.” Jasper grunted and shifted his body as if to turn away, but instead mumbled “fuck it” and before I could even blink his fist collided with the left side of my face.
I flew backwards and clutched my jaw. “Fuck you!” I briefly glanced over in the direction of gasps and cheers; phones in hands recording the scene.
“Let’s give them a show then.” I mumbled; spitting blood out onto the pavement before barrelling forward, returning the favour with a punch of my own.
He blocked it and almost effortlessly yanked me forward, his knee pounding into my abdomen. Falling on all fours; the energy drained from my body as I gasped and gagged.
Another kick.
Then another.
And another.
My head was spinning, one second blurred into the next and when I opened my eyes, realising the kicks had ceased; a form other than Jasper’s was standing over me. I wasn’t sure who it was, and I didn’t really care.
Fuck this. Was my last thought as the scene around me blurred to black.
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