You think it only happens in the movies, or in the tv shows that you immerse yourself in to escape reality because you think there’s a haven there. Let me tell you, you would be dead wrong.
“There he is. Close the door.”
The voice belonged to Chad Finney, a redhead loser who gets his vagina wet from pretending to be some teen movie school bully. It was the end of gym class and most of the locker room had cleared out.
“I caught you lookin’ at my dick faggot.”
Here we go again. “What are you talking about Chad?”
I didn’t even bother to look his way as I put my shirt on and started to organize my bag for the next period. Two of his friends were present also, and of course, the other kids around just minded their business.
“Yeah we know about you. Paul said you’ve been checking him out all class, and then he caught you staring at his junk fifteen minutes ago.”
If homophobia, and 'douchebaggery' had a baby which then manifested in human form, it would be this guy.
“Oh fuck off. You guys are lunatics.” I tried to make my way past them towards the locker room exit but at once, hands grabbed my book bag and swung me in the reverse direction. I was hoping a teacher would walk in at any moment. Any moment now. Come on. My reality senses should've known better. Pain was en route.
CRACK
I can’t tell what's worse, the embarrassment or the pain from the fist trying to make its way through my skull. I’m used to this though, so my reflexes give me an advantage when it comes to preparing to hit the ground. I see my own reflection in a puddle of water left from a faulty water fountain.
“Don’t ever let us catch you looking at us again Donovan,” said Chad. He then topped off his show of dominance with a swift kick to my gut as I curled into fetal position. The high fives and the laughter slowly dissipated, as I remained curled up. I’ve tried to prepare myself for anything, anything except this.
I heard footsteps walking towards me and an arm gripped under my armpit to pull me to my feet. It was Mr. Fuhrman, our gym teacher.
“Get up Donovan, what happened?” he asked.
As if you give a shit. I pulled away and made my way out towards my next class. I was already late and the halls were emptying but I stopped at a fountain anyway. Fighting really does work up a thirst. Someone approached me from behind yet I didn’t even bother to stop drinking. What could possibly make this day any worse?
“Liam… come on man. You’re going to be late for English, let’s go dude.”
I’m afraid to look up. I’ve always been a coward, but I’m more of a ‘test my luck’ kind of guy than a coward. But oh what the hell. I look up. Blue eyes, jet black hair. I knew her from somewhere.
“Don’t make me have to smack you to get you going, come on man. I’m not going to be late because of you, and we have an assignment that I need to copy off you before fourth anyway so get up.”
Half of her head was shaved with the other half in a limp fold over her eyebrows. I loved it. Hey, it was better than being bullied right? I’ll bite. I got up, she took me by the collar and dragged me to the back row of class. Everyone else was still shuffling in as I brought my homework out to let this random tomboy copy. Hey, guys like me don’t get attention much and she knew who I was. Even I didn’t know who I was. So I indulged.
“Is this it?” she asked.
“Um, yes but how do you know me?”
“Liam, you’re the smartest kid in this class, and all of our classes. You might not notice other people in your class when you’re too busy answering all the questions right like a fucking nerd, but we notice you. Plus, my mom used to babysit you.”
Holy shit, Maria Shelton. We used to live in the same cold usac two years ago for awhile and whenever my mom and her boyfriend would go out on their binge drinking nights, her mom would watch me. I never knew Maria though. She was always away on travel sports teams and what not. But why is she taking an interest in me all of sudden?
“Just one more. Got it! Thanks Liam! You’re the best!”
“Sure. Don’t get used to it though. I still don’t know why you’re even talking to me right now. No one talks to me.” She laughed.
“Oh stop. You’re like the Spongebob of the ninth grade and don’t act like you don’t know. I can’t just let you get stomped on without getting my due. My mom watched you, so you owe me.” She winked. “You and I can have a kind of special relationship. I keep the jocks off you and you “help me” with my homework when need be. Which will most likely be a lot for the both of us.”
“No. I don’t feel comfortable with that arrangement. If that’s even what you want to call it Maria. Your mom what, watched me for two years? I didn’t ask for that so don’t think you can just pull some teen movie script on me and try a one over.” I felt emboldened. I wish my friends could see me right now.
“Is that what you think this is?” she scoffed.
“Yeah.” I was so nervous. I had never tried to stand up to anybody nor be my own self. Why did I think now was a good time? Because she was a girl? She started to nod.
“Ok, fuck you then.” And as quickly as that fist put me to the ground, Maria cast me away like a leper begging for a cure. Did I feel proud though? What did I feel? I felt the same numbness that has been creeping up on me ever since Mel- nevermind. I don’t like to go there. The teacher called up the assignments and I handed mine in cool, calm and collected. That was until I made eye contact with Maria. You ever see a wolf eye its prey? That was nothing compared to the glare I received. I was used to that too.
The bell rang. Finally. Class was over. It was also last period and thank God I lived walking distance from the school. So I gathered my books and my iPod and began my retreat back to the household that no child should ever be subjected to. Limp Bizkit was a soothing array of lyrics that I always felt connected to. I drown out the hometown sounds of the neighbors’ dogs barking, cars passing, and little kids playing in the street. I always went right home. Everyone knew my route. I’m still surprised I didn’t get jumped or beat up on my way home after all this time. A blessing? Ha, if it was I wouldn’t be in a run down house with an alcoholic mom who caters to her alcoholic boyfriend.
I don’t even acknowledge them as they sit on the single cushion moth eaten couches that haven’t been cleaned in years. Making my way to my room, I shut my door. I’m not even in the mood for music right now. I could go for a BLT, but I’m not going back downstairs. Who’s online? Nobody. I slam my laptop shut.
KNOCK KNOCK
“Liam! You home?” my step-dad yells through the door. Didn’t even hear me come in the house from school. Shocker.
“Yes!” I yelled back.
“Me and your mother are going out for dinner. Feed Cairo and don’t leave the house. You understand?”
I’m more of a man than he is. Yet he still-
“DO YOU UNDERSTAND?!”
“YES!”
Jesus Christ. Heard him muttering ‘little shit’ as he stomped down the steps.
SLAM
My dog Cairo is asleep under my bed. His usual spot. The silence in my house is deafening. I boot up my laptop again. I slam my laptop closed right away, but not before my doorbell rings. I put on a sweatshirt and ran downstairs. Lo and behold through the peephole its Maria. Ugh, what the fuck? I turned around and slid down the door. What is wrong with this girl? On the ground with my back to the front door I called out, “Maria? How do you know where I live?”
“Are we still playing the naïve game you fucker?”
The attitude in her voice was chilling. But the weirdest part was the make up she had put on since I last saw her.
“Well, I hope you know I’m not allowed to have company while my parents are out Maria… especially having girls over, I just um-“
“Shut up. You didn’t want to take up my offer earlier today in school. So I came to offer you something else.”
At this point I’m stuttering at my own door in my underwear. I slid the latch, and peeked out to her with my body hiding behind the door. She pushed it open and came inside, slamming the door shut behind her.
“So you’re alone you said? No one here to hear anything?” She advanced closer. It’s sad, this won’t be the first time I get my ass kicked by a girl. I slowly tried to back away.
“Listen, I swear I meant no disrespect I was just saying-”
The rush was immense. The movement was the swiftest I had ever seen. I was always one to have the worst reflexes in the world, but at this moment, I couldn’t help but think, would I have wanted to deflect as Maria took me by the face and pressed her wet hot lips against mine. In a slow steadied rhythm, her lips rolled with mine in a synchronized wet motion that I never knew I could do. She placed her hand on my junk and squeezed, and instantly my drawers got tighter. Two neighbors were shouting at each other across the street while a dog barked incessantly. The sun beat heavily on my neck through the window as sweat began to flood into my eyes; yet, at this very moment, no animal, no man not even God, could ruin this moment for me as Maria pulled me to the dusty floor below in a tight embrace.
ns 172.70.179.108da2
and then Add to home screen.