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Ch. 8 In Tatters
The food muse prepared tasted so delicious, however I could barely eat much. I mostly looked down at the rare steak, garlic potatoes and buttered greens.
The three older of the party sat between Chet and I, Angelique at the end, the two eating their meals while talking lightly with Angelique who was lightly sipping from her cup, her dinnerware bare of any food.
I felt his eyes staring into me from directly across the table. I looked up only to meet his eyes directly. I looked back down as I took a bite of the lovely seasoned steak. Yep right at me.
His expression was of total surprise as he saw me frozen on the stairs looking back. Neither of us had expected this.
" Do you two know each other from school much?" Asked Angelique looking between the two of us. I needed to figure out a good time to tell Angie about what Chet did to me. Being they are her Familiar they will want to know, and it only seems like the right thing to do. I didn't know if he had treated anyone else this way, or would in the future. Maybe they would send him to juvie?
" No not really, we run in separate circles." I mumbled out. I didn't think it would be polite to say " oh yes I got to know him pretty well while he tried to rape me."
" Different circles? Darling you must be careful who you make friends with, I know they're all teens there but you wouldn't want to hang around an untoward crowd. There's all sorts of unsavory people around this part of California." Chet's mother Dotty said as she tapped my shoulder. She was sitting to my right, her husband was directly across from her. " I'm sure if you stay with Chet and his girlfriend Tiffany they will look out for you, isn't that right cheddar cheese?"
" Mom, seriously? I'm not five anymore, you don't have to call me that." Chet took a large bite of stake as he scowled at his mother. Angie just seemed to giggle at it.
" We can look after him no problem." Chet looked over at me with a wide sinister grin. "Besides there's nothing but trouble with that group of mutts."
" Chet come now, it's not their fault they were born as such dogs, there's no need to call them names for what they can't choose." His father said as he cut his steak. Jesus Christ the bigotry of these people.
I looked over at Chet as something he said stood out to me.
"Wait, mutts, plural?"
Chet's grin widened. " What, you didn't know that more than just your boyfriend and his two goons were Lycans at that table? Practically everyone there is, save for that gas station chick you hang out with and Xander."
My eyes widened at that. Everyone at that table but Xander and Gabbs were also Lycans? Why didn't Izz tell me? I guess he never really had a chance or a right to out them but somehow it still hurt a little.
" You're dating a Lycan? Oh goodness how quaint, aren't you afraid they'll hurt you?" Dotty chortled before taking a drink of her wine.
"Dotty, that's not fair, Lycans aren't that dangerous, they're just like normal people." Angie gave a light scowl towards the other woman who looked a bit apologetic.
" Well I wouldn't let Chet date some Lycan girl, our dog already gets fur all over the place!" All three gave a light chuckle. Angie looked totally embarrassed at the others' behavior.
" Please dad I wouldn't date a Lycan anyways you know intermingling is against the laws, we aren't supposed to get into each other's affairs, which is why it's quite fascinating that Alex is here with you mistress Vanderbelt considering I hear he's been marked." His grin turned into a sneer.
Mrs. Brensen gave an audible gasp, both adults looking over at Angie who put their hands up.
" That detail is being contested by my brother, the pack has no right to mark a Familiar Lineaged individual."
" I didn't know you had another Familiar Mistress, I was wondering why you had graciously accepted him into your home." Drew started looking over at me, practically staring daggers down at me. It was obvious he thought I was lower than him, just some foster kid or something.
"I don't have any other Familiars Drew, Alex is a special case, all I can say is that he comes from a very important prestigious Lineage, in fact any vampire would be honor bound to oblige him room and board should he ask."
That was all new to me. What did my parents not tell me? I was quickly brought out of my thoughts as I saw a mix of expressions from the three guests who were staring at me. The only way I could describe it was a mix of jealousy, contempt and disbelief.
"Alex? Really? I have more prestige in my finger than his entire tiny frame!" Scoffed Chet as he looked over at my smaller frame on the other side of the table.
"Chet I always allow my familiars free reign to speak their minds, however I would deter you from speaking in such a way about Alex or any other members of his family in the presence of other vampires. Such words would get you AND myself into a lot of trouble for allowing you to speak that way about him, and not human trouble for being rude, but Vampire trouble." I could tell my face must have mimicked Chet's in equal surprise and confusion. That made me feel uneasy. What did she mean Vampire trouble? I didn't want Chet getting hurt because of his stupid actions as a kid, I may need to rethink how I handle what he did to me...
" I'm nobody special, Miss Vanderbelt." I muttered as I looked down at my half-eaten meal.
" Oh please hun I told you to just call me Angie" she had a warm smile on as she looked over at me. I could tell the other three weren't comfortable with how she wished for me to address her in such an informal manner.
" May I be excused, Angie?" I had no interest in being at the table at this point. I felt I had stayed long enough to be polite.
"Sure dear, in fact why don't you show Chet your new room while me and his parents finish?"
How could this get any worse. I stood, gave a light nodding bow before making my way towards the stairs. I could practically feel Chet behind me as he followed.
I made sure to keep the door open as we both entered the spacious room on the third floor.
" Well fuck me I didn't think you were this important, I heard you were rich but this is something else." Chet sneered, looking around the art deco styled room with a whistle. " Nice digs here Richie rich."
I sat down on the bed, crossing my arms. " What the fuck is your problem Chet?" Looking over at him with as much hatred as I could muster.
" Hey chill out pretty boy," He leaned back against my dresser, taking my shirt I had placed on it the other day between his hands. " Can't believe someone like you grew up in such a high class environment and all you want to wear is this band shit and leather pants? You know with your kind of money you could be wearing top brand clothes? Armani, Supreme, Ambercrombie, Gucci, yet you go traipsing around in this?" He chucked the shirt at me. I quickly caught it as it headed towards my face.
I looked down at the slipknot logo on the front below what looked like a mask made of skin and plastic. I fondly remembered the concert I had bought this at, front row tickets I and a friend had to sneak out of our dorms at night and ride in the back truck of a chicken farmers pick up to get there. I placed the shirt to the side as I glared back at him.
" Those brands are so pretentious, they don't mean anything, they're just brag-wear, a way to show off how much money you have. There's no substance, no meaning behind it other than flaunting." I explained angrily. " Nothing but shallow garbage. "
He simply rolled his eyes as he adjusted himself. He seemed to be thinking about something as he looked around the spacious room.
"I can't believe someone as girly as you can be supposedly so prestigious in vampire society." He scoffed as he looked me over.
" Your 'mistress' is a woman, you bigoted misogynist." I quickly shot back an angered look appearing on his face. He didn't seem to know how to respond to that. " Besides it's just more shit having to do with my family I'm sure, nothing with me." I think out loudly about it.
He got quiet once again for a few moments before speaking again.
" You gonna tell her what I did?" His expression was a mix of fear and angered curiosity. I gave it some serious thought. He deserved to be punished for what he did to me, and possibly others. Something told me he wouldn't be simply put into juvie if I did.
I shook my head as I kept my arms crossed. " No, if you keep your hands off of me, and others I won't tell on you, even though you deserve it." He looked at me from the side as if trying to figure out what I got out of this.
" Why not? What do you get out of not telling me? Did you actually like it?"
I felt the sadness change my look as I stared at him.
"No I didn't like it, you're still young, maybe you can change, and I don't want that on my conscience if I can help it. After how Angie described how other vampires would react to me, something tells me if I told on you, I wouldn't ever see or hear about you again, and I don't want to think of what they would do to you, Chet." I explained solemnly. I could see the fear in his eyes as what I said sank in.
" Jesus Christ you're probably right," his eyes turned down to the floor as he thought of what hole he dug for himself.
" You know you really could be with me instead of Izz, I can be gentle too. Besides, we seem to be part of the same world after all, And Izz isn't supposed to be, by their own laws." his voice cooed as he stood up from his resting position against my Dresser. I immediately put my hand up.
"Hard pass." I immediately shot back with a frown. "Your first interaction with me was to call me names and threaten me. You thought you were better than me because of your status and your physical prowess. Izz never looked down at me for being smaller, or not being part of his `community'," I explained flatly before continuing. "Like most people your tune is only changing because of what I or my status may do for you... also don't you have a girlfriend?"
He gave a shrug as his arms crossed again, he took a seat next to me on the bead. I immediately scooted to the other side.
"I only date her because it's expected from my family, and Honestly I was her second pick, head of the soccer team isn't nearly as prestigious as a football captain. If Izz hadn't let her down she would not have given me a second glance." I looked over at him, his face was scrunched up as if trying to think hard about something.
"Maybe you should stop doing what others expect of you, and start doing what you actually want, you only get one life Chet, why let someone else dictate it?" I internally cringed at my words. Even with all of my rebellious actions I knew deep down that the majority of my life has been dictated to me. I couldn't even choose what classes I could take. If I was being honest with myself, my parents' death had been the most liberating thing to have happened to me. It at least threw a wrench in things I guess.
"Maybe you're right... I am sorry about what I did to you. You don't seem so bad, you know we could still fool around. Doesn't sound like Izz is gonna be able to be around you for a while.. And I'm sure like me, you have needs?" He reached out towards me. I looked over at him like he was crazy.
" Again, hard pass Chet. I don't know if I can forgive you for what you did. If you hadn't tried to do that to me, if you hadn't beaten the shit out of me, if you had been nice, and if Izz hadn't asked me out or before he did I probably would have. You're very handsome, but you ruined that with how you treated me." His face scrunched up at my words.
Chet got up from my bed with a heavy sigh, walked over to my door and looked back. "Well maybe I can get you to forgive me one day. You won't have to worry about me at least, I promise I'll play nice." And with that he simply left, closing my door behind him.
Staring back at the closed door after Chet left, I slowly leaned backwards until I fell onto my covers, rolling to the side until I was in a fetal position with my head on the pillow. I ran my hand up inside my shirt, fingers lightly running along the teeth marks of Izz's Mark. I took my phone out and typed a message to Izz and hit send. "It's been only a day and I already miss you like crazy!" A few typing bubbles later and I got a response: "We aren't supposed to contact each other right now Babe, but I miss you too, more than you know" His words were followed by a sad puppy dog emoji that made me smile. It wasn't long before I slowly drifted off to sleep.
Though it felt like I had just closed my eyes, I was woken up abruptly by the alarm on my phone. I groggily got up as I turned it off. It was already morning. I felt like shit sleeping on the top of my covers fully dressed.
I took a shower quickly and decided just "fuck it", and went and got a pair of leather pants, my boots, and a band tee. I wanted to wear something I felt more comfortable in than those preppy clothes.
After eating a quick breakfast by Mose I headed out towards my car in the garage. When I went into the driver's seat and got my keys out I noticed the car key was missing from the key ring. I gave an irritated sigh and went back inside only to be stopped by an older gentleman in a chauffeur uniform telling me the car was ready. I looked at him like he was crazy.
" What are you talking about? I can drive myself, do you know where Angie is?"
He looked at me blankly as he opened the front door gesturing for me to go through.
" Mr. Vanderbelt has insisted you be driven to school by me sir." What the hell is this? I needed to talk to Angie or that arrogant bastard Loren. I looked at the time on my phone and just gave an irritated head and shoulder shrug as I went outside and got into the back of the black car.
Thankfully the chauffeur didn't seem too talkative. I kept my head down out of embarrassment stepping out of the small limo-like car. I looked up at those hanging out front in the parking lot as the car drove off. I noticed the normal groups, staring and talking between each other as they looked at me. What really caught my eye though was that between the crowd of other students staring, two people hadn't even noticed. Chet and Tiffany were heatedly whispering between each other. It looked like Tiffany was on the verge of angry tears.
I turned and walked into the building trying to ignore the eyes following as I did. I quickly made my way to Orchestra and hid in the classroom, playing piano until class started. Biology and Calculus were torture. Sitting next to Izz but not really being able to talk during class. My shoulder and his kept brushing together. Finally after the fourth or fifth time I decided to just lean mine into his fully. I felt his arm stiffen a bit before relaxing. I looked up to see him smiling down at me.
Halfway through Calculus I was called to the Office. The cupcake-like Agnis looked at me with a small frown at my appearance. I looked down at the counter in front of her where she gestured to a brown paper bag. Attached to the bag was a small letter from Angelique.
"Please be sure to change into these clothes after school. Chet will be taking you to the Club after school to get you registered and show you around.
A.V."
I rolled my eyes snatching the bag in my hand, the thin brown paper material crumpling between my fingers. Making my way back to class I decided to stop at the men's locker room to shove the bag into my locker. The rest of class was basically thrown out the window. I couldn't even concentrate. I didn't like the idea of going to a Country club. Nothing but carbon copies of Dottys and Drews. Having to go with Chet no less wasn't something I was happy with either. I would choose the chauffeur over that.
Lunch was rather quiet at first. I was the first one to the table. I looked over at Mu'izz Moss and Lo sitting at their old table. I don't know how Loren would hear about it but we were both pretty sure he would hear about us sitting together if we did. Soon I was joined by Xander, Mark and Carlotta. Gabbs must have been out sick today.
"Why isn't Izz sitting next to you Alex? Something happened?" I looked over at Izz one more time before addressing Xander's question.
"Ah, we're uh, on a break I guess." I gave a slight awkward shrug as I thought that was the best way to describe things. I needed to find a way I could be alone with him for a bit. Xander gave a shrug before going back to his sandwich.
" Well I hope things work out between you two, you're pretty cute together."
I looked over at Carlotta and Mark. Their knowledge of the situation was written all over their faces. I still couldn't believe these two were part of Izz's pack.
I honestly wished Xander wasn't here so I could speak to either of them about the subject. I had so many questions for the two of them. I honestly would've never guessed the two were part of this. They seemed to be normally friends with Gabbs and Xander so I doubt they had joined in because I was here. I felt like I was starting to get paranoid again.
Not long into my inner monologue I realized the table had gone silent. I looked up to see the others staring behind me. I turned my head at the sound of clicking heels walking up behind me. As soon as I turned my head I felt before I heard the hand sting across my cheek, the force sending my face the opposite direction. I placed my hand over my stinging cheek looking back at who hit me.
An angry, teary red faced Tiffany looked back at me, rage in her eyes. I could see Izz shoot up from his seat across the cafeteria as he saw Tiffany's hand make contact with my cheek.
"You stupid little fag, I don't know what you said to Chet to make him break up with me but you will regret it!" She pointed a single perfectly manicured finger in my face. "You Better watch your back!" I was frozen with shock, watching her walk back to her table with the other cheerleaders.
" Yo what the fuck was that about?" Mark asked as he looked at me, Xander and Carlotta in unison.
" Did you say something to Chet, Alex?" Carlotta asked with a bit of a frown on her face, her hand stretched out towards mine.
I rubbed my cheek as the throbbing sting started to dissipate. "His parents are apparently friends with my... well, I guess guardian? He was at her house last night with them for dinner. He told me he wasn't happy with her, or at least that he felt he was expected to date her. I told him he should do what he wants, not what others expected him to do... I guess he took what I said to heart." I looked over at Izz slowly sitting back down.
" Wait, I thought you were living with your aunt?" Xander asked as he looked at where Tiffany and her friends were sitting, taking a break from the plastic looking burger between his hands.
"The family lawyer doesn't think she's a fit guardian, so he had me relocated." I explained flatly.
"Does Izz know this?" I looked over at Carlotta as I heard her voice pipe up. I tilted my head to the side as I looked over at her. She was looking over at me from below her bangs as if afraid to ask about who knew what things.
"That I have a new guardian? Yes. That Chet was at her house last night and close to said guardian? No, he does not. It doesn't really matter anyways there's not much he can do about it... not much I can do about it either for that matter..." I mindlessly picked at my own lunch as we spoke. "Apparently he has to take me to some country club after school, and I am not looking forward to it."
"That's probably Aspen Brooks, a lot of people like..that go there.." How Mark said "people like that" made me think he meant Familiars, and not just the cream of Santa Monica's social society.
"Are those associated with you guys not allowed?" I tried to say it quietly so as not to let Xander think about my words. Carlotta shook her head with a grave face.
"You know we always stick together Alex, you're one of us, if you ever need anything you can always call on us, especially with what's going on with you and Izz right now, ok?" I looked over to see Mark giving the same knowing worried smile Carlotta was giving as they waited for me to respond. Xander was too engrossed in his food to really be paying attention, let alone I doubt he'd get the underlying meaning anyways.I looked between the two of them, giving a firm nod before going back to my own food.
Normally I love my time in art but today I just kept getting more and more frustrated. Usually when I'm painting I can slip into the motion of the brush, the choosing of color with thematic depiction. Not today. I couldn't get my mind to "slip into" the art. I couldn't get this situation off of my mind and put my attention into the work.
I looked into the partially painted landscape. I had been doing the basic layouts of the painting's background. The deep blue sky base, soon to be layered on with the sunset before going into the pier and the ferris wheel, the other rides and amusement booths that are normal for the boardwalk. I couldn't get the right shades for the dipping, egg-yellow sun on the silk of the darkening waters.
Giving an audible irritated exasperation I tossed my brush onto the lip of my easel. I needed to talk to Izz. I asked the teacher if I could be excused, and got an affirmative response. I made my way down the hall and out the doors of the back of the school. I made my way down to the space below the large football field's bleachers and leaned my shoulder against the thick beam. I sent out a text to Izz to see if he would sneak away and meet me.
After I sent the text out I switched my phone out for my pack of Camels, placed one to my lips and lit it. The smoke of my first exhale slowly dissipated around me as I looked out at the green field from between the slatted bleacher seats in front of me. It seemed the current P.E. class was playing soccer on it. The two teams playing admirably, their minds seemed to be in the game. I wonder how many of those students out there were dealing with similar things to what I was going through. How many were members of Familiar Families at least.
How many of them had more common, normal lives. Of worrying who may like them, or of whether they hoped they would do good on a test to get something promised from a parent. How many were closeted, dreading telling their parents about being gay. How many of them were already accepted or denied by them? How many like myself never even had gotten to bring the subject up. I felt a tinge of jealousy run through me at that. I was jealous of these kids who seemed to have much less complicated lives.
I wish I could worry about such things. I never would of course. I would never have to worry about coming out to my parents. Or whether my parents would accept the person I was dating. I would never get to have a loving father walk me down the aisle of my wedding. I'd never get to go to them crying or upset about some love interest. I would never get to have small talks over dinner about my school load at college or how it's going.
I suppose I wouldn't have to see them grow old now though either. I'd never have to watch them decay and grow senile, forget who I was. Though my parents didn't even give a fuck enough about me to make treasured memories you would wish to cradle and keep safe away from the ravages of time and old age.
Those customary memories of baking cookies together with your mom, or throwing a ball between father and son would never be something I would get to experience. I felt robbed. Robbed of the normal life and normal memories a normal person would get to cherish as they grow old.
I felt warm lone tears running down past my lids as I took a deep deep inhale of my dart. Almost on cue as if they had heard my saddening thoughts out loud a pair of warm, thick muscular arms wrapped quietly around me from behind. That familiar smell of masculinity and spice absconded their origins from the man behind me and lingered within my nostrils mixing with the smell of the cigarette butt slowly dying between my lips as it came to depletion.
"I've missed you so much, Small Thing.." At the sound of that deep familiar voice I flicked the butt of the dart into the dirt. I blinked my eyes to clear the tears as I felt his warm breath tickle my ear. I was glad I had switched over to waterproof mascara.
I turned within his arms, looking up into the deep dark pools of his eyes. I quickly leaned forward, pressing my lips to his tightly as my arms wrapped around his impossibly warm, larger frame. I felt so safe in his arms. His presence was enough to cause those depressing thoughts to flee. I suggestively ran my tongue along his lower lip, inviting his own oral muscle to play. Soon my mouth was invaded by the thick warm tongue of Izz. I relished in the feeling of fullness it brought. He tasted so wonderful, it was hard to pull away.
"I missed you too Mu'izz, so so much."
It wasn't long before I was sitting in his lap, his arms wrapped around my waist as I leaned back into him, and him into one of those poles keeping the stands above us. My fingers lightly traced around the cuticle of his left thumb. I was still amazed at how much larger his hands were than mine.
"Are you doing ok at this new place? Are they treating you ok?" I could hear the genuine care and concern in his voice. I nodded back against his chest as I listened to him speak.
"Surprisingly yes, Loren brought me to his sister to look after me, they're both...the same where body temperature is concerned, but they are nothing alike." I explained as I continued to trace around his finger, his hands tightened around mine.
" I don't trust any leeches, especially around you. I wish you could stay with me."
The idea of staying with Izz and his father flashed into my mind. The idea was very comforting, getting to sleep in his bed every night, in his arms.
"that sounds so heavenly Mu'izz.." I looked back at his loving grin over my shoulder, smiling back. " She really isn't that bad though, I think you would probably like her. She seems very wise, and very caring." I could feel his large chest rumble against my back as he snorted.
"A caring leech, right." His face went a bit more sour as he looked out to the field off beyond the bleachers seats. The wall of slitted metal letting in the sunlight to caress over our sitting frames. I dreaded what I had to say next. I think he could tell I was reluctant as he looked down at me with a confused, yet caring face, his left eyebrow raised.
" She...well, I mean..." I tried to think of how to word it.
" She's what?" the concern in his features amplified.
" Chase, and his parents are her Familiars..." I saw his face turn from concern to deep concern, to anger, and then to worry.
"You think she's ok, but she looks over that piece of human garbage? I don't trust that, something is going to happen around that place, and I couldn't stand it if something happened to you. Please, just, come live at my place with me. Just, don't ask, just come with me after school, please Alex, I'll look after you, I'll keep you safe." he pleaded, hiding his face into my neck. I felt him placing light, warm kisses along my shoulder blade as he muffled into the crook there. I closed my eyes as I once again imagined it. I knew it wouldn't be though. Loren wouldn't let it happen.
" You know Loren would not let that happen, not only would he probably have you and your father arrested on charges of kidnapping, you know he would use it as an excuse for whatever it is he's planning between your people and his." I felt and heard a gruff rumble from behind at his angered acknowledgement of what I had said. " Did your father tell you anything about that?" I asked as the thought occurred to me that Loren said he would be in touch with him. I felt him nod into my neck as he gave a deep sigh.
" Yeah, he did. He says they have to have a disputed challenge between the Pack elders and their own elders about what to do about it... apparently marking you was against the codes."
" Angie had mentioned my family was part of a Familiar lineage, ...apparently a very important one too. She said and I quote, `Any vampire would be an honor bonus to give me room and board if I asked for it.'" I tried to do my best Angelique impression as I spoke.
" What? I've never heard of anything like that, though to be honest I didn't even know they had a council or anything. They are by nature pretty secretive," he thought out loud as he answered me.
" Aren't both of your species secretive by nature?" I inquired with a sly grin.
" Well ... yeah I guess, but, they're the more secretive ones." His voice got quieter, more pouty as he spoke. I rolled my eyes at his childish behavior.
"There's one more thing I need to tell you, but you aren't going to like it." His demeanor got a bit more stiff as he looked down at me questioningly.
" Angie is making Chet take me to Aspen Brooks Country club after school." I could see the heated fire in his eyes as he physically growled out his anger.
" I don't want you being alone with that piece of shit Alex!" Anger radiated off him as he hugged around me tighter.
" I know, again I don't have much of a choice, but he did say he would be nice, and I trust him. Last night he was over for dinner and we had a pretty good conversation. I think he's starting to see how much of a jerk he's been."
"A jerk? A JERK?! He tried to rape you babe! That's a bit more than just being a fucking jerk. That's wholesale a-moral!" I pushed his arm slightly away as it tightened too much around me, making it hard to breathe. His grip loosened as he looked down with an apologetic smile.
" He's still young, He may become a much better person, Learn from his mistakes if someone gives him a chance to. I don't want him to have his life ruined because of his young stupidity and arrogance."
" You're too nice sometimes Alex, You're going to get taken advantage of babe."
I tried to ignore his words, leaning back into his chest.
" Let's just enjoy the time together before the next period..."
History wasn't too bad, but still pretty boring. I was rather excited for P.E, but not what came after it. I absentmindedly stared at Izz as he changed, forgetting that I was changing as well until he said something about freezing in headlights. I quickly finished changing and headed out to the others sitting among the bleachers. I playfully pushed Mark with my shoulder as I sat down.
" How are you holding up?" I looked up into his face as I asked the question.
"As well as I could hold up I guess. Mom's taking it much worse but taking care of her seems to be helping me keep my mind off things," his shoulders gave a shrug which seemed like it took a lot of effort with how drained and down he looked.
Just as I had expected, soccer was the name of today's class. Chet and his second on the official soccer team were both chosen as captain. I saw Chet eye me immediately. I was silently thankful he didn't pick me. Both me and Izz were placed on the same team.
Halfway through the first game and three times landing face first in the grass tripping over the ball I was placed as the goalie. I must admit I was pretty good at it. Only two balls got past me that second game, both kicked by Chet's foot. One ball came very close to hitting me in the face. I felt the air around the ball graze my hair. Izz saw too and gave one of the darkest states I'd ever seen him give towards Chet.
We were at the final game, the last stretch before the bell rang. Chet had the ball. He ran past our defenders, Izz came hurtling behind him. I saw the smirk on Chet's face as he stared straight at me and took the shot, faking which side he would kick it. I barely jumped to the correct side only to have the ball go flying as hard as I had seen it this entire session straight towards my face.
I saw the swirling octagonal-stitched ball as it went straight for my face. Time for a short while felt as if it slowed down. As it came closer to pressing into me I closed my eyes, shielding my face with one arm I put my other outstretched to try and stop the ball from making contact.
I felt a sudden pressure fling me back into the net as a large popping sound emanated from the space in front of my face as if a small explosion had occurred.
The class went from yelling for me to watch out to screaming in surprise. When my form fell from the middle of the net and landed heavy in the grass I looked up to see a strange sight. Where the ball had been once hurling towards my face there was nothing. I looked around as remnants of what used to be the ball fell to the ground in ripped stringy strands of once pristine white leather and stitching.
My vision was soon darkened from a tall large figure kneeling In front of me, checking my face with large hands.
" Alex, Alex are you alright? Jesus Christ what happened?!" I barely heard his words as he checked me over, my eyes were fixated on the stringy pile that was once the ball. Soon I could see others had come by to check me over Moss and Lo, the coach, even Chet had a face of shock as he looked over from where the other students were.
" What...what happened? " I asked as the ringing fully left my ears.
Izz was the first to answer.
" We don't know. Chet kicked the ball. You seemed to go to block, you covered your face and the thing fucking exploded!"
" Mr. Owis Language!" Coach Nemik was checking my eyes before he spoke again. " It may just be shock but it's best you get checked out by the nurse. Mr. Owis, can you take him down to the office?" Izz gave a firm nod and picked me up with both arms as you would to bring a bride over the threshold of a newly weds home.
" Put your arms around me. It'll help you from not falling." His voice was nothing but a concerned whisper in ear.
" Izz I'm fine, I think I can walk, you don't have to carry me, put me down." I argued. He would have none of it.
" Not a chance."
The nurse gave me a full check over. I was completely healthy, not even a mild concussion, not even a scratch. Her left eyebrow practically flew off her face at the sight of the bite Izz left on me .
The entire time she looked me over she seemed skeptical that anything even happened, as if what we told her was a complete fabrication. But, then, anyone would think it was a fib had they not seen the thing.
It wasn't ten seconds after we stepped out of her office that the bell rang, the school day was over and I was expected at Aspen Brooks, much to my vexation...
Hello! Saudade here, I just wanted to give a HUGE thank you to my Editor johnny He has been donig an amazing job on helping with the new chapters, and another HUGE thank you to Fang Saito who has been helping me with some wording, and very helpful feedback. I also wanted to give one more HUGE thank you to all who have sent letters telling me of what you think fo the story so far. it feels amazing to know you are enjoying the piece, and is very much fueling to cdontinue the wish to write :)
thank you