Untilted
I walked into the cafeteria and sat at a table in the back. I am a senior in high school. I have three friends, all guys. Lance is my bestest closest friend, Luke is my second closest friend, and Lyle is the third closest friend. I had waist length blue-black hair; I had a thin athletic body with long legs with a height of 6’0. Today, I was wearing a black shirt, black low-rise jeans, black combat boots, and a black leather jacket. I had black nails, a black watch on my left arm. My make-up consisted of black eyeliner, light red lip-gloss, black eye shadow, and foundation. My hair was pulled into a high ponytail, making it go to my mid back. My name is Lalee Kipson, but everyone calls me Lee, and I am one of the toughest teenagers in school, along with my three friends. Everyone pretty much kept his or her distance from us, except the occasional guy or girl wanting to date one of us.
Lance Thepsom is 6’2, well built with very noticeable muscles, and had short spiked black hair along with very vibrant blue eyes. He was wearing a black muscle shirt with black baggy jeans and black skater shoes. Luke Sumans is 6’1, not as built as Lance, but had muscles, and short black shapeless hair along with beautiful vibrant green eyes. He was wearing a black T-shirt with dark blue jeans and black sneakers. Lyle Nitrotman is 6’2 and a half with black shaggy hair, you would never know he had muscles or that he was strong along with hazel honey brown eyes. He was wearing a black button up shirt with black cargo pants and tan worker boots. Lance is the toughest, then Luke, then me, and finally Lyle. If you messed with one of us, then you messed with all of us. It was a bad idea to mess with all of us. Anyways, we have been best friends since fifth grade. Always together, barely apart.
I looked up to see Lance, Luke, and Lyle sitting down in the chairs.
“What’s up, Lan, Lu, Ly?” I asked as I took part of Lyle’s sandwich and ate it. I usually did not bring my lunch, so I took some of one of theirs.
“Nothing much, same old same old. How about you?” Luke replied, taking a bite of his hamburger. I was about to answer when Jim sat next to me and put an arm around my shoulders. Jim is my height with short brown hair and a thin lanky body. He was always hitting on me and stuff. He was wearing a bright red T-shirt and jeans with tennis shoes.
“Hey beautiful, how’s it going?” He purred in my ear, completely ignoring the glares he was receiving from Lance, Luke, and Lyle.
“Jim, I swear if you don’t learn to control yourself you won’t be able to have children or do that.” I said annoyed as I tried to pull away from him, but he held firm.
“You wouldn’t do that because then how could you get some of me?” He whispered before he kissed my neck. I elbowed him, disgusted and stood up.
“Pervert.” I hissed at him before walking out towards my next class.
I sat down in front of the class, because the teacher was still at lunch and locked the door. I looked up to see Lyle, Lance, and Luke standing above me. They sat down, Lance on my right, Luke on my left, and Lyle in front of me with a smile on their faces. I glanced at all of them before I leaned my head back and closed my eyes.
“What’s up with the smiles?” I asked, not bothering to look at them.
“You’re just funny, that’s all.” Lyle replied, poking my leg.
“Whatever.” I stated, as we waited for lunch to be over.
“Nice threat though.” Lance complimented, nudging me with his shoulder.
“Thanks, I guess.” I shrugged, relaxing a little.
“So, we hang at your house today?” Luke asked, poking my side. I nodded as the teacher walked up and unlocked the door. We got up and went in.
We hang out at my house, mainly, after school. I was the richest of us four and had the mansion big enough to house six families. It was at the edge of town with about fifty acres. I had a stable with horses, and four dogs. My parents ditched me when I was a freshman and left me the house and everything. They lived in some other country and I barely heard from them. They send me money and pay the bills, but otherwise they want nothing to do with me. I have four dogs Yin, Yang, Peace, and War. Yin is a black dog that looks like a wolf. Yang is a white dog that looks like a wolf also. Peace is a blue Great Dane. War is a tan and white St. Bernard. All four are very loyal to my friends and me.
After school, the four of us walked to the parking lot. We parked in four spaces in a row. Lance has a black F150 truck, Luke has a bright red old mustang, Lyle has a midnight blue SUV, and I have a black crotch rocket motorcycle. I also have a black F250 truck, blood red H2 Hummer, a teal SUV, and a magenta new Ferrari Enzo, but I love my motorcycle the best.
“So, you guys coming straight over? Or what?” I asked, walking over to my bike and putting on my helmet before I zipped up my jacket.
“Homework shouldn’t take too long, so we’ll just do homework together like always.” Lance responded as he jumped in his truck. The rest of us nodded, Lyle and Luke got in their vehicles as I got on my bike and started it. I waved to them as I pulled out of the space and out of the parking lot. Lyle pulled out second, then Lance, and then Luke. They followed me to my mansion, as I sped down the roads, zig zagging in and out of cars.
After about thirty minutes, I pulled up to the gate surrounding my mansion. I pulled out the remote from my jacket and opened the gates. I put it back in my jacket as I pulled into the driveway and up to the garage as the other three pulled into the circular driveway in front of the front door. I parked my bike in front of the garage door, took off my helmet, setting it on the bike, and walked over to my three friends, waiting for me at the front door.
“Come on, let’s get our homework done with first.” I said walking up and walking into the mansion. They followed behind me as we stopped a couple feet in the hallway. We took off our jackets as a house cleaner came up and took them as we took off our shoes, leaving them by the door. I had at least ten maids, five butlers, and three chefs. We ran up the huge marble staircase and down the long hallways.
My room was in the east side of the mansion, along with the rest of the guest rooms and such. We walked into my study, which is connected to my bedroom and game room. My study has floor to ceiling bookshelves filled with books of all kinds. I had two maple desks side by side, two high backed leather chairs, and six beanbag chairs scattered around the room. The room was about twenty feet high and thirty feet wide. The room was lit with bright lamps, in each corner along with four desk lamps, one on each corner on the top of the desks.
The mansion is decorated in dark and light colors; like blues, blacks, reds, and silvers. It was supposed to look like ancient castles with a modern look. The mansion was mainly dark colors, with red and silver accents. My room was huge with a king sized bed with a side table on either side, two oak dressers, a big walk in closet, with a large bay window overlooking the back of my property with a window seat. My game room had it all, a pool table, air hockey table, pinball machine, computer with computer games, a top of the line stereo system, and a dartboard. On one wall I had a theater sized TV, which took up half of the wall, with all the game systems out, and all the awesome games for each of the systems. The game room was twice the size of the study, with beanbag chairs. It was all black with some silver and red. We sat down in the chairs of my study and started our homework. We may be the toughest, baddest, and coolest people to walk the halls of our school, but we are also top of our classes. Therefore, we finish our homework in less than an hour.
An hour later, we finished our homework and sat in the study clearing our minds.
“So, what would you guys like to do now?” I asked as I stood up and stretched.
“I want to go play Xbox!” Lyle exclaimed as he ran out of the room and into the game room.
“I want to drive your bike, Lee!” Luke said hopefully as he ran up to me and got on his knees to beg me.
“I’m up for whatever you want, Lee.” Lance said, shrugging and laughing at Luke’s attempts. I looked down at Luke to see him using the puppy dog eyes, as he clasped his hands together as if he was praying.
“Aw, come on Lu, you know my bike is my most prized possession. I love that bike, what if you wreck it?” I sighed, stepping back from Luke and giving him a sad look.
“Fine, I won’t drive it. I guess I’ll go to the game room and race.” Luke said dejectedly as he walked out of the room and into the game room with Lyle. Lance and I laughed at Luke as we walked down the halls, to the back door that was near the kitchen in the west side of the mansion.
We walked out of the back door and were bombarded by four large dogs. They happily licked us and barked at us as we petted each one, laughing.
“How are my babies today?” I asked, scratching Yang’s head. Yang was the only girl and the other three were boys. They barked in reply and licked any part of me they could reach.
“I’m guessing they missed you.” Lance laughed as he started to walk to the stables.
“Yeah, me too.” I replied as I pushed through the dogs and followed Lance. Lance, Luke, and Lyle were with me when I got the dogs. We each named one, I got to name Peace, Lance named Yin, Luke named War, and Lyle named Yang.
“So, Lee, have ya heard from your ‘rents yet?” Lance asked as he looked to see which horse he wanted to ride. I went straight to my baby, Lightning.
“Of course not, you know I never hear from them except on rare occasions.” I stated as I walked Lightning out to get his saddle and such on him. Lightning is a midnight black stallion that I got from a friend when he was just a calf. I raised him, he is about three and fully-grown. He was a couple inches taller than I was, when his head was standing up straight.
“Right, right, I forgot sorry.” Lance said, pulling out Hazel. Hazel is brown and strong, a good friend of Lightning. Lance started to get Hazel ready as Luke and Lyle entered the stables.
“You guys going to join us?” I questioned, glancing at them as I started to walk Lightning out of the stables.
“Yeah! Why didn’t you tell us you were going riding?” Luke exclaimed, as he walked over to his favorite, Spot. She was white with little black spots all over her. Lyle went over to his favorite, Prince. He was a copper colored stallion; I only had two stallions, Lightning and Prince. As Luke and Lyle got their horses ready, Lance and I walked our horses out of the stable. We got on our horses and waited for Luke and Lyle.
As soon as Luke and Lyle had their horses ready, I pulled on the reins and Lightning shot off towards the fields and the small lake at the edge of my property. I heard the other three behind me, but their horses were not a match for my Lightning. I started laughing as I leaned closer to his mane as he ran as fast as he could to the lake. He loved the lake; it was his favorite place. I glanced back to see the others running behind us; first it was Prince who was not far behind Lightning, then Hazel who was trying to keep up with Prince, and finally, Spot who was just a short distance behind Hazel. The guys were leaning low on their horses, hoping to help them go faster to keep up with Lightning and me. I smiled as I turned back to look ahead of us.
After a few minutes, Lightning skidded to a stop near the edge of the small lake. The lake had willows growing around it, with lush green grass everywhere that the horses loved so much. I jumped off Lightning and let go of his reins; he walked a few feet away and started to eat some grass. I sat a couple feet above the water’s edge and then laid down, closing my eyes as I waited for Luke, Lance, and Lyle to join me. A minute later, I heard the horses stop and the guys get off, letting the horses join Lightning. All of a sudden, I was crushed under three heavy laughing bodies. I opened my eyes to see Lance lying across my stomach, Lyle across my legs, and Luke trying his best to stay on Lance so he did not fall on my chest. I started laughing with them as I half-heartedly attempted to push them off me.
“You guys are such dorks!” I laughed, pushing Lance and Luke over on Lyle.
“Yeah, but we’re your dorks!” Lance exclaimed as the other two nodded with goofy smiles on their faces. I laughed and shook my head as they got off my legs. Lance laid on my right, Luke on my left, and Lyle next to Luke; we all were shoulder to shoulder.
“True.” I stated as we stared up at the slow moving clouds.
“So, it’s Friday. What you want to do?” Lyle spoke up, folding his hands behind his head.
“You going to crash here again this weekend?” I asked, folding one hand behind my head as the other lay across my stomach.
“I am, my ‘rents are fightin’ again.” Lance replied, laying both of his hands on his stomach.
“I think I am, my ‘rents are getting on me again.” Luke said, clasping his hands behind his head.
“I have to; my parents are going out of town this weekend and part of next week.” Lyle sighed closing his eyes with a frown.
“Alright, it’s settled then. Ly, you can stay until your ‘rents come back.” I stood up and stretched.
“Where you going now?” Lance whined as all three looked up at me.
“I’m going to play my guitar; you guys can stay or do whatever. Well, you know what to do.” I replied as I walked over to Lightning and grabbed his reins. I jumped up on him and flipped the reins, making Lightning start out at a walk.
Lightning galloped into the stable and I jumped off him, before I started to take off the saddle and things. Once that was done, I brushed him and gave him some hay, oats, and a carrot before I put him back in his stall. After that was done, I walked into the mansion and up to my music room. The room was as big as the game room with a set of drums, three guitars, three microphones in the corner, a nice stereo system, a recording system in case I wanted to record something, and computer hooked up the recording system to help clean up the recorded version of something. I walked into the room and grabbed one of the guitars before sitting on a stool. I plugged the guitar in and strummed the strings, making sure it did not need any tuning. I nodded, satisfied with the sound, and started to play a song I recently wrote. After a minute or two, I closed my eyes and started to sing as I played.
“I hate to become part of your past
Especially the part that’s not gunna last
Why won’t you talk to me
Like you talk to your friends and gf to be.” I stopped playing and singing when I heard the door close. I opened my eyes to see Lance, Luke, and Lyle standing in the room watching me. For as long as we have known each other, they have never heard me sing because I thought that I sucked badly.
“Don’t mind us.” Lyle said, smiling softly.
“Yeah, you have a great voice. Keep going.” Luke agreed, as he grabbed a stool and pulled up five feet to my left. Lance grabbed another stool and pulled it up five feet to my right as Lyle sat five feet in front of me. I thought for a moment, then shrugged and continued playing and singing.
“It feels like I have to fight
So that we can be tight
I don’t wanna battle like this
I’m tired and always miss
I try so damn hard for you
To see me like one of your close friends too
Yet you don’t see me like that
Even when I wear the stupidest hat
I’m exhausted, so don’t worry
I won’t bother you and I’ll leave in a hurry
You’ll never know I’m gone
I just wish we had time to bond.” I finished the song and stopped playing a minute later. I blushed slightly as the guys clapped and whistled.
“You should sing more often! You’re incredible!” Lance exclaimed proudly as they got up and came over to me, patting my back.
“I am not, I suck. Plus, I only do it for fun.” I said, getting up and putting my guitar back in its place.
“So, singing for people isn’t fun?” Luke inquired, tilting his head slightly to the left.
“No, its nerve racking and I just don’t like to do it.” I replied, before I walked out of the room and towards my room down the hall. The three followed me as I entered my room to see the four dogs sprawled out on my bed. I laughed as they perked up at my entrance.
“You’ve done it before?” Luke asked as the three guys came into my room with me.
“Yeah.” I stated simply as I walked over to the bed and sat down. Four big dogs soon crushed me. I laughed as they started to lick me.
“When?” Lyle questioned, curiously, as he watched the dogs and me.
“Last time was when I was in eighth grade.” I pushed the dogs off me and laid there on the bed with them around me.
“What happened?” Lance spoke up from the window, where he was standing.
“My parents told me that I sounded like a wounded pig and I shouldn’t pursue a career in being a rock star, like I wanted.” I folded my arms under my head as I felt War and Peace’s heads on my stomach as Yin and Yang laid their heads on my legs. We fell silent as Luke, Lyle, and Lance processed the new information.
Five minutes later, the dogs got off the bed and I felt the three guys get on the bed and lay around me. Lance was laying on my right, Luke was lying across my legs, and Lyle was on my left. I felt Lance and Lyle turn so they were facing me and each laid an arm across my stomach. I smiled and closed my eyes as I felt Luke’s hand rubbing my leg, reassuringly.
“Guys, I’m fine. I don’t give a s**t anymore, I don’t care. They didn’t want me, so why should I want them?” I said, shutting my eyes tighter as I felt Lance and Lyle squeeze me slightly. I took a deep breath and let it out slowly, as the two on my sides snuggled closer to me in hopes of comforting me.
“Hey! I have a great idea!” Luke suddenly exclaimed, breaking the peaceful silence.
“What?” Lance, Lyle, and I asked at the same time as we lifted our heads to look at Luke.
“Let’s start a band! Lee can be the lead singer!” Luke said, jumping up off the bed and started pacing back and forth. Lance, Lyle, and I sat up, then got off the bed.
“No way! My voice reeks!” I replied, shaking my head.
“It does not! Plus, what were you singing?” Lance asked, as the three turned to look at me.
“Oh, it was a song I wrote. I write songs, sometimes.” I explained, eyeing them warily.
“You write songs too! Awesome! Now, let’s get down to business!” Lyle exclaimed as they pulled me back onto the bed as they sat down. We sat down and started to discuss the plans for the band.
An hour later, we finished our planning and just needed one thing. A manager. I knew just where to get one, too. We were in the kitchen, sitting at the island. I got up, walked over to the phone, and dialed a number.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Dawn?”
“Yeah, who is this?”
“It’s Lalee, I know it’s been a while, but I was wondering if you could come over?”
“Yeah, sure, what’s up?”
“I got a job for you; I think you’ll love it.”
“Alright, be there in about thirty minutes.”
“Alright, we’ll be waiting.” We hung up and I put the phone back on the counter before I turned back to the boys with a smile on my face.
Thirty minutes later, we heard the doorbell and the dogs bark as they ran from the kitchen to the front door. I got up from the stool and ran to get the door while the guys were left sitting in the kitchen talking about the band plans. I threw open the door to see Dawn smiling up at me. She was 5’1 and fifteen with a medium build. She had short brownish blonde hair, dull blue eyes that shine in the sun, and a graceful smile. She was wearing a T-shirt with holey jeans and white sneakers. I smiled at her as we embraced.
“Hey Dawn! It’s been way too long.” I greeted as we pulled apart, but I kept my arm around her shoulders.
“Hey Lalee, yeah it has been a long time! I’m glad you called.” She replied as I kicked the door shut and we walked into the kitchen as the dogs ran up to my room to lie on my bed.
Dawn and I entered the kitchen as the guys were talking, they did not seem to notice us. They were too busy talking about the band. I let go of Dawn about half way into the kitchen and walked up behind the guys; their backs were to us. I smacked each of them on the head and they yelped in surprise. They rubbed their heads as they turned around to face me.
“What the hell was that for?!” Lance whined, poking my side.
“Watch your mouth! We have company.” I scolded him as I motioned for Dawn to come closer. The guys looked her up and down before they smiled warmly.
“Sorry about that.” Lyle apologized, motioning towards Lance.
“Guys, this is Dawn. Dawn, this is Lance, Lyle, and Luke.” I introduced as I pulled Dawn up closer and pointed to each of the guys as I said their names.
“Nice to meet you.” Dawn said, blushing and nodding her head to them. The guys only nodded and grinned at her, which made her blush more. I was watching the exchange and holding back a laugh.
“Alright, cut it out. You’re embarrassing her, idiots.” I stated as I smacked Luke’s arm, which made him cry out in false pain. I rolled my eyes and dragged the red Dawn out of the kitchen and into the den, which was down two halls and to the right, well away from the kitchen.
I sat Dawn down on the couch and sat next to her, facing her with a big smile on my face.
“Hot guys, huh?” I said, grinning as I watched her turn redder than a tomato.
“Yeah, you get to hang out with them everyday?” Dawn inquired, looking at me with a small smile.
“Hell yeah! They are my best friends in the entire world. I have known them since we were in fifth grade. We spent every possible moment together; they are so awesome. Anyways, you want a job. I don’t know if we can pay you or not. Just depends on if we get any money out of it.” I laid my arm on the back of the couch; I was sitting so that the back of the couch was at my side and I was leaning back on the arm of the couch.
“Alright, whatever works for you guys. What is the job?” Dawn turned some more so that she was facing me with her legs crossed on couch.
“We’re thinking of starting a band, well, more like they’re thinking of starting a band and making me be a part of it. I was wondering if you wanted to be our manager. Do you think you could handle it?” I raised an eyebrow and grinned as her face lit up with excitement.
“That would be so awesome! I would love too! What’s the name?” Dawn bounced up and down with excitement as she clapped her hands together like a little five year old.
“Our name is The Darkened Souls.”
“That’s an interesting name, but it’s cool!”
“Thanks. I came up with it.”
“Who’s writing the songs and who’s doing what?”
“Well, so far we got me as lead singer, Luke is on the bass guitar, Lance is the second guitarist and backup singer, and Lyle is the drummer. I write the songs.”
“Awesome! Hot guys and a super hot chick, perfect combo for a band. You guys will get a lot of places.”
“Thanks, but I’m not that hot. They are so much hotter than I am, though. Plus, you’re invited to all the events as well. I’ll make sure no body messes with you and if someone does, just come and get me.”
“Alright, will do.”
“You go to our school, right? I’ve seen you around, why don’t we ever talk?”
“Well, my friends say not to mess with you because of your reputation. I try to tell them that I know you and that nothing will happen to me, but they won’t listen. So, I haven’t been able to talk to you.”
“I get it and that’s cool. I prefer to keep my rep as a bad a** and I’m sure the guys do too.”
“Yeah, probably, which one are you dating?”
“What? Where’d you get that idea from?”
“Everyone at school says that you’re dating either Lance or Luke.”
“That’s a load of bull. I’m not dating any of them, we’re just friends.”
“Well, which one do you like?”
“I don’t like them like that, I don’t think. We’re just friends and that’s it.”
“Yeah, ok, sure. So, which one can I have?”
“Dawn!”
“What?”
“They’re too old for you! Oh my god! We’ll be eighteen in the summer. You can’t have any of them.”
“Fine, you suck though.”
“I know, but I’m only looking out for my friends and you.”
“Whatever.” I laughed and stood up, followed by Dawn. We walked back to the kitchen.
Dawn and I entered the kitchen to see the guys looking at us with huge goofy grins on their faces. I raised my eyebrow at them as they winked at me.
“YOU IDIOTS WERE EASE DROPPING ON US!” I screamed as I ran towards them. They jumped up and took off out the kitchen and up the stairs, laughing the whole time with me angry as hell as I chased them. They ran up the stairs and into my study, locking the door behind them; I stopped at the door. Stupid, it’s my house. I thought as I quietly walked into my bedroom and to the second door for the study. I quietly opened it and poked my head in, the guys standing a couple feet in front of the first door with their backs to me. I grinned evilly and silently entered the study. I walked up behind them.
“So, who are we waiting for?” I asked, causing them to jump and yelp in surprise.
“Gods Lee! Give us a heart attack will ya?” Lyle said as he laid an arm on Luke’s shoulder and leaned against him.
“You know better than to ease drop on me! I should beat the living hell out of you guys, but that would be too harsh.” I thought aloud, as I scratched my chin.
“We couldn’t help it! We heard Dawn yelling about accepting the job, so we got curious.” Lance said defensively. I rolled my eyes and shook my head.
“So, you really think we’re hot?” Luke asked with a smug smirk as Lance and Lyle smirked too, leaning a little closer to me.
“Maybe I do, maybe I don’t, you’ll never know.” I said giving them my own little smirk as I walked of the study and ran down the stairs to the kitchen where Dawn was waiting.
I entered the kitchen laughing and saw Dawn sitting at the island, taking a sip of water. She set the bottle back on the counter and looked at me curiously.
“Nothing, just laughing at the guys.” I answered her unasked question as I joined her at the island as the three guys came walking into the kitchen. Lance sat on my right with Luke and Lyle sitting next to him since Dawn was on my left.
“So, Dawn, what grade are you in and have we seen you at school?” Lyle asked, studying Dawn’s face.
“I’m in tenth and I’m fifteen. I go to your school, but my friends keep me away from Lalee.” Dawn explained, taking another sip of water.
“They’re smart, she’s mean.” Luke joked as he reached over Lance and poked my arm that was resting on the island as I leaned against it. I looked at him and hissed like a cat at him. The three bust out laughing as I faced forward again, thinking about another song.
“How long have you known her, Dawn?” Lance asked, looking around me to look at Dawn.
“Since I was in kindergarten, she helped me out a couple times.” Dawn replied, taking another sip of water and smiling thoughtfully at me. Lance, Luke, and Lyle raised both their eyebrows at this and leaned closer.
“What she do?” They all asked, glancing at me. I just sat there, lost in my own little world as they talked.
“Well, I was being picked on by a first grader and she was passing by and stepped in. Let’s just say, the first grader didn’t bother no body else that year.” Dawn laughed, causing the other three to laugh too.
“Yep, that sounds like our Lee.” Lyle said as Lance clapped me on the back. I paid no attention to them as I thought about a song.
“Yeah, she was always there for me. She was like my bodyguard up until she got into high school, but she still made sure I wasn’t bothered.” Dawn said thoughtfully as she stared off into space for a moment. Suddenly, I jumped up and ran up to the music room, startling the four.
I threw open the door, grabbed my guitar, plugged it in, and sat on the stool. I started to strum it as I tapped my foot and waited to start singing as I strummed the strings of my guitar.
“She sat upon her knees
In an empty field
With a red rose
Gracing her lovely hands
She thought of the boy
She fell so hard for
As she picked the
Petals, one by one
She repeated the words,
Like so many before her,
‘He loves me’
‘He loves me not’
As she came to the last
Of the silky red petals
Her eyes filled with tears
‘He loves me not’
Was what she landed on
The stem fell from her hand
As the tears started to fall
Somehow, she knew
It’d turn out like this
She stood up and walked away
From her broken heart
In the form of the shattered rose
The boy caught up with her
‘What’s wrong, girl?’
He asked her, lovingly
‘You don’t love me, my heart is broken, boy’
She answered, teary-eyed
‘I’m sorry’ The boy said
She fell into his embrace, crying
He held her tight and kissed her head
‘I love you’ he gently whispered
Kissing her tears away
Her tears were like the petals
She had from the red rose
It turns out, roses can be wrong
If even for a moment.” I sang as I heard the others run up the stairs. I set the guitar down and ran into my room; I grabbed my songbook and a pencil before I ran back in the music room. I sat back down on the stool and wrote down the song I just sang. The four entered the room and watched me, as I picked up the guitar and went over the song in my head as I played the right notes and wrote down notes and parts for the others.
After I wrote down what needed to be written, I looked up from the notebook. Luke and Lance were standing in the door watching me, while Lyle and Dawn were off to the side talking.
“When can we hear it?” Luke asked, stepping closer to me.
“I don’t know, later when I work everything out.” I replied as I got up and set the guitar back on its stand and the notebook on the stool.
“Fine, can’t wait.” Lance said as we walked out of the room and into my bedroom.
“You let them in your bedroom?!” Dawn exclaimed, loudly as I laid down on my bed with Lance and Luke on either side of me and Lyle at my feet. Lance was on my right, Luke on my left, and Lyle was laying across the bed. Lance, Luke, and I had our heads on the pillows.
“Yeah, what’s your problem?” I replied.
“Guys aren’t supposed to be in girls’ rooms unless, well, you know.” Dawn whispered quietly, blushing, but we heard her. All three of us burst out laughing.
After a couple minutes, I calmed down enough to breath.
“Oh no, chick, you got it wrong. Who told you that? Your ‘rents? When you get older you’re allowed to have your friends in your room.” I said, shaking my head and laughing slightly.
“Oh.” Was all she said as she sat down on my window seat, overlooking the backyard. Silence enveloped us as we were lost to our thoughts.
After two hours of playing in the game room, I looked at the clock and saw that it was already 8pm.
“Hey Dawn, what time were you expected back home?” I asked, looking over at Dawn who was watching Lyle play my Xbox. I was sitting in a beanbag chair in front of the dartboard; Luke and Lance were playing pool.
“Oh, um, I told them no later than nine, why?” Dawn replied, looking over at me.
“Because it’s already eight.” I explained, pointing to the clock on the wall.
“Holy hell! I have to get home!” She exclaimed, jumping up from her position leaning against the wall.
“No worries, I’ll drive you home. We’ll go in style.” I stood up and walked to the door, with a smirk on my face. Dawn quickly followed as the guys just continued playing their games. I lead Dawn down to the garage.
I flipped on the lights to reveal my vehicles, and Dawn stared wide-eyed at them.
“No way!” She yelled excitedly as she walked over to the Ferrari.
“Hell yeah, just because you’re always seeing me on my bike don’t mean I don’t have other ways of transportation.” I shrugged and grabbed the keys from the wall.
“You’re driving me home in the Ferrari!!” She practically screamed as she watched me unlock the door and open it. I nodded and got in the Ferrari before I unlocked her door letting her in. Once we were settled, I started the car, opened the garage door, and pulled out of the driveway driving to her house.
I walked into the game room to see Luke and Lyle watching a show on TV. I looked around for Lance; he wasn’t in the game room. I shut the door and walked into my bedroom, where I saw him at my desk reading something. I slowly walked up to him and peeked over his shoulder. He was reading my songbook.
“Hey man! Don’t touch that!” I yelled frantically as I grabbed it out of his hands. He jumped in surprise and made a grab for the book, but I hid it behind my back.
“Hey! I was reading that!” He whined, pouting like a little kid.
“I never said you could read it.” I stated simply, as I walked over to my bed and sat down.
“Well, you weren’t here and I was looking to see how many songs you’ve written.”
“Not a whole lot, just a couple.”
“Well, you’re incredible. I love them; I hope we can perform them sometime.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“Alright, did you have any trouble with taking Dawn home?”
“Nope, got there at two minutes to nine. She liked the Ferrari.”
“You took her in the Ferrari!”
“Yeah.”
“I haven’t even been in the Ferrari!”
“Well, I felt that I owe her something.”
“Why?”
“I haven’t seen her in a while.”
“Oh.”
“She seems taken with Lyle.”
“Yeah, she was flirting with him nonstop.”
“How’d he react?”
“He just seemed uninterested and bored.”
“Good.”
“Yep.”
“Is he really uninterested?”
“Yeah, he says she’s not his type.”
“Great.”
“Yeah, so what now?”
“I don’t know.” We shrugged and walked back into the game room to watch Lyle and Luke play games.
I walked downstairs to the kitchen and looked in the fridge. Today was Monday, the weekend is over and Lyle went back to his house last night. His parents came back early, so he went home. I was wearing a black tube top with a blood red sparkly dragon on the front, black low-rise jeans with chains on both sides, and black combat boots. My make-up consisted of foundation, black eyeliner, darkish light brown eye shadow, and clear lip-gloss. My hair was pulled into a low ponytail at the nape of my neck and I had my spiked choker on my neck. I pulled out an apple and leaned against the sink counter to eat it. After I finished that, I grabbed my black leather jacket and walked to the garage.
“Which one to take today?” I asked myself, looking at my vehicles. I shrugged and grabbed the keys to my bike. I better not show up in anything better than the bike because no one in school knew I was rich. No one in school knew much about me, just that I hung out with Lance, Luke, and Lyle. I was a bad a** that takes no crap from no one and it was bad to mess with me. I zipped up my jacket, adjusted my backpack that was on my back, and walked over to my bike. I put on the helmet, flipping the plastic down when I started it, and pulled out of the garage and driveway.
I pulled into a space in the school parking lot and got off my bike. I took off my helmet and hooked it to my bike so that no one could take it. I pocketed my keys and adjusted my backpack so that one strap was on my right arm with my right hand gripping the strap near my shoulder before I started walking towards the school, making sure my hair was back in place. When halfway to the front doors, I felt an arm around my shoulders. I looked to my left to see Jim with his arm around me; he was looking straight ahead with a smug smile on his face as I felt his arm slowly descend my backside. I glared at him and stopped, causing him to stop and pushed his arm off me. I stepped up in front of him, facing him, and reeled back. I punched him square in the nose before I turned on my heel and continued to walk into school. As I entered the front doors, I hear others laughing at Jim and Jim telling them to shut up. I smirked as I went to my locker.
Right after I shut my locker door, I was pushed into the lockers, hard. I bit back a groan of pain. My head was pushed first, rather hard too, and then the rest of my body followed. I slowly turned around to see Jim and his two friends standing there. Jim had tissue up his nose to stop the bleeding and his friends looked angry.
“What the hell was that for, b*****d?” I asked loudly as I rubbed my forehead.
“For punching me, b***h!” Jim sneered as he stepped closer to me, I did not move back as he stopped an inch away from me.
“You deserved that punch.” I stated calmly as I let my hand drop to my side as I glared at him.
“I did not, I did nothing to you!” He lied as his friends let a smirk grace their faces.
“Oh? I seem to recall your hand making its way down my backside to my a**!” I yelled in his face.
“I thought you would take that as a compliment!” Jim yelled back, pushing me back into the lockers.
“Bit me.” I stated before I punched him in the gut, causing him to double over and stumble back into his friends. I ran as fast as I could to where I knew Lance, Lyle, and Luke would be. The oak tree in the back of the school. We still had at least thirty minutes until school started.
I got halfway to the tree and looked back to see Jim and his two friends chasing after me. I was not one to run away, but I need to get the message across to him to leave me alone. Lance, Luke, and Lyle were standing in a semi circle in front of the tree, talking as I ran up and jumped behind them.
“What the...” Lance started to say, but was cut off when Jim and his friends skidded to a stop in front of us.
“Come out, little b***h.” Jim called, trying to get a glimpse of me behind Lance and Luke.
“Who you calling a b***h?!” Lyle yelled as he stepped up to Jim. I looked around nervously, thinking of a way to get out of this.
“The little slut hiding behind them!” Jim roared pointing to Lance and Luke who were getting angrier by the second. My face brightened as I got an idea, but I bit my lip hoping that Lance would forgive me. I jumped out from behind the two and pushed Lyle aside as I stepped up to stand in front of Jim.
“Look, I’ve tried to be nice and tell you that I’m not interested, but you can’t take a hint. So, I’m going to show you that I don’t want you. I’m dating someone else.” I said, hoping he would take the bait.
“Who? I haven’t seen you with anyone.” Jim replied, eyeing me suspiciously.
“Oh, but you have. I’m with him every possible moment!” I exclaimed, smiling brightly at them. I knew the Lance, Luke, and Lyle were wondering what I was talking about.
“Who is it?” Jim prodded angrily as he clenched his fists.
“Why, it’s Lance!” I exclaimed proudly as I stepped back to stand next to Lance. I grabbed his hand, intertwining our fingers as I leaned against his side. I glanced at Luke and Lyle; their mouths were hanging slightly open as they stared at me in shock. I glanced up at Lance to see him smiling; he was always quick to catch on.
“Yeah, right! That’s not true!” Jim laughed, as if it was a joke.
“Why’s that?” I asked curiously, as I raised an eyebrow at him.
“No one has seen you kiss. If you do not kiss in public then you’re not going out! Plus, you’re always seen with the other two, too!” Jim responded, smirking smugly.
“If we kiss for real, then will you leave me alone forever?” I questioned, perking up a little. I felt Lance stiffen as I suggested this, but he relaxed when I squeezed his hand reassuringly.
“Yeah! You have to make it look real too!” Jim and his two friends yelled as they watched us closely.
“Alright, then.” I shrugged, let go of Lance’s hand and turned him towards me. I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him closer and closed the gap between our lips. He wrapped his arms around my waist, pulling me closer as we shut our eyes and kissed. It felt real, and I am sure it looked real. I heard Luke and Lyle gasp as Lance and I kissed.
We pulled apart when we needed to breath and turned to look at the gaping Jim and two friends. Lance had his arm around my waist as I crossed my arms and leaned into him, we bother smirked.
“There, was that believable enough?” Lance inquired, pulling me closer.
“Yeah.” Jim stated dejectedly as he and his friends turned and walked back to school. We waited until they entered the building before we dropped the act and turned to Luke and Lyle.
“What?” I snapped, smirking. They were gaping at us with their mouths wide-open and wide eyes. I stepped up and closed their mouths for them.
“You…he…how…what…KISSED!” Luke exclaimed pointing from Lance to me. Lyle just stood there, nodding dumbly. I turned to Lance and rubbed the back of my neck.
“Yeah, sorry about that. I couldn’t stand him any longer. I already punched him twice today and I was afraid that I might beat the hell out of him next time. I couldn’t think of anything else.” I explained, hiding a blush as I rubbed the back of my neck.
“No problem, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” Lance replied playfully.
“Hey! What’s that supposed to mean!” I yelled, pushing him back into the tree and pinning his arms at his sides, glaring playfully at him.
“Take it how you want.” He answered, winking.
“Well, at least I wasn’t as bad as you. God, you suck. You really need to practice, no wonder you don’t have a girlfriend.” I countered smirking playfully, causing him to glare at me as his face hardened.
“Oh, yeah? How’s this for better?” He replied breaking free from my hold. Before I could reply, he spun us around so that my back was against the tree and his lips crashed down on mine. His arms, somehow, wrapped around my waist as my arms went up to wrap around his neck, pulling him flush against me.
He pulled away first when we needed air and laid his forehead on mine.
“Damn!” I exclaimed breathlessly. He just smirked and let go of me, but I held him where he was.
“Who said you could go anywhere?” I asked, smirking as he leaned in and we kissed again. We broke apart and laughed as we let go of each other and turned to see Luke and Lyle gaping at us, as they were earlier.
“What?” Lance questioned, raising an eyebrow at them.
“You…her…why…how…” Luke tried to say, but was too shocked.
“WHAT THE HELL IS UP WITH YOU TWO?!” Lyle yelled in shock, expressing what Luke was trying to say.
“We were just having some fun, god. We’re just joking around, right Lance?” I replied, glancing at Lance.
“Yeah, we were just messing around. Don’t worry guys, we’re not together.” Lance reassured them as him and I started walking towards the school. We got a couple yards away from the other two before they snapped out of their shock and ran up to us.
After school, the four of us headed to my mansion to practice some songs. We walked into the music room and went to our separate stations, Lyle to the drums, me to the front with the microphone, Luke to my right with a guitar, and Lance to my left with his guitar. I sighed and walked into my bedroom to get my songbook. I walked back in the room and grabbed a guitar before I went back to the microphone. I set the songbook on the stool next to me and put the strap of the guitar on my shoulder before I started to flip through the pages of the book, looking for a song to show them.
“What are you doing?” Luke asked, looking at me curiously.
“I’m looking for a song, then I’m going to sing it to you while playing the guitar to show you how it goes.” I answered, still flipping through the pages. I stopped when I saw a good song. I opened the book more and strummed the strings of the guitar. I adjusted it to get the right sound and started to play. After a moment, I started to sing,
“Don’t feel bad
Don’t feel pity
Try not to care
About me
Care about someone
Worth your feelings
I’m not, never was, worthy
Of anyone’s love
Don’t feel bad
Don’t feel pity
Try not to care
About me…” I paused in my singing when I heard Lyle tapping the drums as he started to pick up the rhythm. I continued,
“I’ve been preparing for
This pain, since I fell
Don’t blame yourself
I knew it would happen
Don’t feel bad
Don’t feel pity
Try not to care
About me…” I stopped playing when I heard Lance and Luke start playing their guitars. I smiled as I continued singing as they joined me.
“I was right, too
I’m a nothing,
No one should love
Don’t feel bad
Don’t feel pity
Try not to care
About me
I don’t hate you
I hate me
I hate everything
About me
Don’t feel bad
Don’t feel pity
Try not to care
About me
Care about something
That actually matters
That’s actually worth it
That’s a something
Instead of a nothing
Like me
Don’t feel bad
Don’t feel pity
Try not to care
About me .” I finished singing and the guys stopped playing a minute after.
“Awesome!” Lance exclaimed, as the others nodded and clapped.
“Whatever. Do you guys think you have that one because I’m going to show you another one.” I looked around at them as they nodded. I flashed them a quick smile before I turned the pages of my book, looking for the one song. I stopped when I found a better song. I tuned my guitar to sound a little harder than the first. I started playing it harder as I began to sing; this song is like a hard rock song so I was half yelling half singing it.
“There’s been something on my mind
Something I thought you should know
Something I need to get off my chest
Something important that needs to be said
I think I’ve fallen in love with you
I’ll understand if you don’t feel the same
I don’t want to act on it
I just wanted you to know
I needed to tell you, so my shoulders aren’t so heavy
I think I know how you feel and I don’t care
I feel for you even if you don’t feel for me…” Lyle jumped in and started playing the drums.
“That was harder than I thought
I don’t know why
It was so hard
To say ‘I love you’
I love your charm
Your voice
Your laugh
Your touch
Your smile
Your hugs
Your personality
Your eyes
All of you…” Luke and Lance jumped in and I stopped playing.
“I love how you talk
The sound of your voice
The way you treat your friends
The way you look at me
The way you stand next to me
The way you touch my hand or hold it…” I motioned to Luke and Lance to sing the next part with me.
“I love you for you
I wouldn’t change a thing
I won’t even act on it
I’ll just be your friend
Til the end
I’ll always be there for you
No matter what.” I stopped singing as Luke’s and Lance’s last guitar note was left hanging in the air as Lyle hit the brass parts of the drums.
After a moment, I looked back at the guys to see them smiling. I shrugged and set my guitar back in its place before I grabbed my songbook on my way into my room, where the dogs were sleeping on my bed.
“That was awesome!” Luke announced excitedly as he jumped up and down. The rest of us laughed at him and I sat down on the bed.
“Yeah, yeah, but I’m not always going to sing. I’ll write a song for Lance to sing, sometime.” I replied, stretching and yawning.
“That’d be cool!” Lance proclaimed as he sat down next to me; very close, I might add. Lyle and Luke smiled at us as they went over to sit down on the window seat.
We sat in silence until my cell phone rang, startling all of us from our thoughts. I reached into my pocket and pulled it out, looking at the call ID I mentally groaned.
“Hello.”
“Hello, Lalee?”
“Who else?”
“Don’t take that tone with me young lady! I pay your bills! So, shut up and listen!”
“Yes, father.” Lance, Luke, and Lyle’s heads snapped to look at me wide eyed.
“Don’t get smart either, insignificant girl.”
“What do you need?”
“Oh, right, your mother and I are going to be visiting for a week.”
“Why?”
“None of your ******** business!”
“Sorry.”
“You better be! Now, while we are there we don’t want to see your little idiot friends or you.”
“HOLD IT RIGHT THERE! YOU DO NOT AND WILL NOT INSULT MY FRIENDS! YOU CAN INSULT ME, BUT NEVER MY FRIENDS!” I screamed into the phone, causing the three to pale slightly. After I said that, I noticed my mistake and mentally beat myself up for it.
“I will have to show you some manners won’t I? We’ll be there tomorrow and you better be waiting, or you’ll have hell to pay.” He hung up.
Lance had to pry the phone from my hands before I crushed it in my hand. I was staring straight ahead and my face was as pale as the dead were.
“Lee? Lee? Lee!” Lance yelled in my ear, causing me to jump up about three feet in the air and land on the floor.
“Ow.” I whispered as I looked up at Lance, broken from my trance.
“What happened? Why’d you yell?” Luke asked, walking over to us. I blinked as I felt two sets of strong hands put me back up on the bed. Then, it just hit me.
“OH MY GOD! MY PARENTS ARE COMING BACK FOR A WEEK AND I SCREAMED AT MY DAD! OH s**t! I’M DEAD!” I screamed as loud as I could, causing the three guys to cover their ears while the dogs ran out of the room whimpering and whining.
“Oh god, Lee, why did you?” Lyle groaned as he plopped down next to me.
“Well, you know how I am when people insult you guys.” I whispered hanging my head.
“True.” They stated at the same time with a hint of amusement in their voices. If I could cry, I would have, but I have never cried. Not in my entire life.
The next day, I dreaded being dismissed from school. As the four of us walked to our cars, we all dreaded me going home. Right before we got in our separate vehicles, I pulled Lance over to my bike to walk to him.
“What is it Lee?” He asked as the others got in their vehicles and left.
“Do you think you can sneak away tonight? Come to my house, please?” I asked, almost shakily.
“Yeah, I’ll get out. Be there after ten? Where?” Lance replied, hugging me.
“Either study or bedroom.” I replied, hugging him back.
“Alright, see you after ten.” Lance let go and walked over to his truck. He got in and gave me a smile before he pulled out and left the parking lot. I zipped up my jacket, put my helmet on, adjusted my backpack, and got on the bike. I started it and took off towards my mansion, wanting to get this over with already.
It was about ten minutes to eleven when I heard Lance open the door that lead to my study of my room. My room was dark and the only light was from the moon, which shone through the curtains. Lance walked over and sat next to me as he turned on the light next to my bed on the side table. I heard a sharp in take of breath as he looked at my face. I had my eyes shut tight from the pain and I could barely move.
“Lee.” Lance whispered softly as his hand touched my hand softly.
“Don’t.” I choked out from the pain. I had a long cut on my cheek that was bleeding, my lip was busted and bleeding, my cheek was swollen on both sides, I had a black eye, and I had a small cut on my throat. My side was hurting badly, so I must have broken a couple ribs, and my wrist was killing me. I think I broke it. Lance sighed and got up to get the first aid kit in my desk. He sat back down on the bed with it and started to clean me up.
After he cleaned and dressed my wounds, he inspected my wrist and ribs. He wrapped my wrist and my ribs.
“There. Tomorrow, I’ll pick you up and we’ll go to the hospital. Your wrist is broken and it needs to be properly taken care of.” Lance said as he stood up and turned to leave. I reached out my good arm and grabbed his hand. He turned to look at me, confused.
“Please, don’t leave me.” I whispered softly, closing my eyes and letting a single tear roll down the side of my face since I was lying on my side as I let go of his hand. After a couple minutes, I felt him lay down behind me and wrap an arm around my waist, making sure to be careful. He leaned over and kissed my temple.
“I wouldn’t dream of it.” He whispered in my ear before turning out the light. He pulled me flush against him and we fell asleep with his arm around my waist and his chin resting on the top of my head.
I woke up when I heard yelling coming from downstairs, I looked over to see that Lance was gone. I got up and ran downstairs, towards the yelling, ignoring the nagging pain in my side. I arrived in the living room to see my dad yelling at Lance and my mom glaring at him. Lance was standing there with an impassive face. My dad stopped yelling for a moment before he punched Lance in the jaw. Lance’s head snapped to the side as his hand reached up and rubbed his jaw, my dad reeled back to punch him again.
“Touch him again and you’ll regret it.” I sneered as I walked over to them, standing in between my father and Lance. Lance stared at me in shock as my dad glared at both of us.
“You little whore! We’re nice enough to let you live here and you disrespect us by bringing in your little friends and screwing them!” My dad yelled at me as he reeled back to slap me. When he was in mid swing, I grabbed his arm and stopped him. They all stared wide-eyed at me as I pushed his arm back.
“I don’t give a s**t as to what you think about me! What I do and whom I do it with is none of your concern! This is my house! It’s in my name! You just pay the bills because Grandma told you too! Just leave me alone! You want nothing to do with me and I want nothing to do with you! So, just leave and never come back! Don’t even talk to me! All you have to do is pay the bills and you can afford them, so what the ******** is the problem?” I yelled at my dad. His face hardened and before I could do anything, he punched me, causing me to fall to the floor. I was about to get up when he kicked me in the gut.
“Don’t you ever talk to me like that, ever!” He roared as he kept kicking me. I just shut my eyes and took it.
After what seemed like ever, he stopped and I heard him leave the room with my mother right behind him.
“Lee?” Lance asked softly, carefully as if saying my name would make me disappear.
“Hm?” I replied, clenching my fists in pain as I opened my eyes to see Lance kneeling in front of me.
“Let’s get you to the hospital.” He said, as he gently helped me up and half carried half supported me as we walked to the driveway to his truck. He gently lifted me up into his truck and strapped me in before he got in himself. He started the truck and pulled out of the driveway.
“I’m sorry.” I whispered as he pulled onto the street.
“For what?” He replied, stopping at the light.
“Everything.” I looked out the window, sadly.
“Don’t be.” He turned on a street.
“I should not have asked you to stay.” He turned onto another street.
“I don’t blame you. If I didn’t want to stay, I wouldn’t have.” He drove straight.
“He hit you.” I rested my forehead on the cool glass.
“I know. Don’t worry about it.” He pulled into the hospital parking lot and parked near the emergency entrance. As he got out and walked around the front of the truck, I put my hand over my mouth and coughed. I felt something warm on my hand after I stopped; I pulled my hand away and saw blood mixed with spit on it. Lance opened the door and unbuckled me, I felt dizzy and then everything went black. I fell sideways out of the truck and into Lance’s arms. He caught me easily.
I woke up in a bright white room with machines beeping and whirring. I groaned and looked around to see if anyone was in the room. I stopped when I spotted Lance in the corner, sleeping in a chair. I stared softly at Lance as I started to think. Why do I feel so great when Lance is around? Why did I even choose him instead of one of the others when Jim chased me? I guess it was because I knew that Lance would catch on and would not object. I wonder if I love him. Ha! I doubt that, he is just my best friend, right? Why did I even ask him to stay last night? I needed him, I feel safest with him around. I was brought out of my thoughts when Lance waved his hand in front of my face.
“Hello? Earth to Lee!” He said, still waving his hand in front of my face.
“Yeah, I’m here, sorry, zoned out for a second.” I replied looking up at him.
“Ha! A second? More like five minutes.” He said, sitting down on the bed next to me.
“Whatever, what’s the diagnostics?” I decided to look down at myself. My arm was in a cast, I felt gauze on my ribs, and I felt gauze on my cheek and neck over my cuts.
“You’re able to get out as soon as the doctor knows you’re awake and you’re ok.” He smiled warmly at me as he got up and walked to the door, he gave me thumbs up as he walked out the door. I sighed and looked out the window.
About two hours later, I was released from the hospital on orders to not get in any fights for it could be worse and to not ride my bike. At that, I yelled and fell to my knees dramatically as I wondered what I did to deserve that. Lance had to drag me out as the nurses and doctors looked at me as if I was mental. Lance pulled into the driveway of my mansion and we got out. I noticed that my parents’ car was not there and I jumped with joy, hoping they left. I ran into the mansion and called for a maid or butler. My butler, Walt, came up to me and bowed.
“Yes, madam?” He answered.
“Have my parents left a message for me or anything?” I asked excitedly as Lance smiled from behind me.
“Yes, they said that they are not going to stay for the rest of the week and are going home.” He replied.
“YES! Thank you, Walty! You’re dismissed.” I exclaimed, jumping up and down laughing. He bowed and went back to whatever he was doing. Lance watched me with amusement sparkling in his eyes. I smiled, hugged him, and then kissed his cheek before I started jumping up and down again. He just laughed and shook his head.
The next day, Lance picked me up and gave me a ride to school. We walked into the school and everyone stared at me. I glared coldly at them as I walked to my locker and got my books.
“Hey, Lee, what happened?” Lyle asked, walking up behind me and tapping my cast. I turned around to look at him while I shut my locker, his eyes widened as he saw my face.
“My dad.” I whispered to him before I walked to my class.
During lunch, I went out to the back of the school. I ran up to the oak tree and stood at the base, staring up into its branches. I heard footsteps coming closer a few minutes later and whipped around to see Lance, Lyle, and Luke walking up to me. I backed up against the tree and slid down into a sitting position, with my knees bent and my arms resting on them.
“Lance told us what happened.” Luke stated as he sat in front of me, smiling sadly.
“I don’t want pity or sympathy or anything else.” I snapped at him as I turned my head, looking off to the side.
“Whoa! What’s up with you, god, no need to snap at us. We didn’t do anything!” Lyle snapped back, angrily as he plopped down next to Luke. I snapped my head back to face them and glared coldly.
“I know that, damnnit!” I yelled at them, jumping up and stomping around to the other side of the tree. The three looked at each other confused. Lance shrugged and walked around to where I was.
My shoulder was against the tree as I leaned against it, with my arms crossed and my eyes closed. Lance walked up behind me and leaned against me so that his chin was resting on my shoulder.
“What’s wrong Lee?” He whispered, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Everything.” I whispered softly, not moving.
“Don’t, it’s all ok.” He whispered just as softly.
“No it’s not. First me, then you. Who’s next? My arm is broken, my face is scarred, nobody is going to want to touch me, people are sending me weird looks, and staring at me.” I took a deep breath and let it out slowly.
“I told you, it wasn’t a big deal! I provoked him! I probably deserved it! Stop blaming yourself! I made the choice to stay or not! Why is it such a big deal for you to drop the subject?!” I stepped away from him and turned around to face him.
“Because I don’t want anything to happen to you or Luke or Lyle! Especially you! Don’t you see that I…” I trailed off as I realized what I was about to say. I took a step back and turned to the side, trying to figure out how I almost spilled the beans. I scratched my head and looked at the ground, confused.
“That you what?” Lance whispered as he stepped up to me.
“Nothing, it’s not important.” I replied, walking back around the tree to see Luke and Lyle listening to us.
“It is important!” Lance followed me back around.
“No, it’s not. I was just talking about nonsense.” I started walking to the school, but was stopped when Lance grabbed my arm.
“You were saying something important, I could see it.” Lance turned me to face him and stared deep into my eyes.
“Stop pestering me! Leave me alone, damn b*****d!” I jerked my arm free and ran back to the school. Lance, Luke, and Lyle stared at me in shock; I called them many things, but I never called them anything bad. I was always joking.
To Be Continued...
