Gabes Guardian Angel

CHAPTER ONE Gabe stood at the glass doors and looked outside to see if the coast was clear. He glanced to the right; he checked on the left. Students scrambled aboard school buses or darted to cars where parents waited. Older students rushed to their own vehicles and soon sped down the street. Except for a few stragglers chatting with friends, the almost empty school grounds appeared safe for him to pass through. With a deep sigh, he swiped a hand across his sweaty brow. “I’ve done it. I’ve survived another day at Harmony High, without even a rumble from the terrors of the school. Now to find Lindy and go home.” He opened the doors and stepped outside into the warm sunshine. Too late, he saw the foot shoot out. He tried to jump over it but lost his balance and fell forward. His arms and nose skidded on the cement entrance of the school. A low groan rumbled in his throat. His cheek burned. A thin stream of blood flowed from his nose and scrapes on his hands when he slid to a stop. As if he wasn’t in enough pain, a familiar male voice cackled, “Ha-ha! What are you doing down there, Blubber?” He nudged Gabe in the side with the same foot. Not gently, either. Mick, of course. And Bud. Dang! They sure snuck up in a hurry. I never saw them coming. He clenched his jaws tight. If only I had the guts to fight back. A vision of what he’d like to do to Mick and Bud flashed before his eyes. He almost laughed, but Mick’s voice screeched in his ears, interrupting his pleasant thoughts. “Haven’t you learned to walk, yet, Blubber? Oh, wait! I bet you’re a late bloomer. Right?” He cackled at his own joke. “And who in the world came up with a dumb name like Gabe? They must have been drunk or stupid or both.” Gabe, teeth clinched together, leaped to his feet and glared at Mick. Ignoring the pain in his face and arms, he doubled his hands into fists. “You have no right to make fun of my name,” he said and raised one fist, ready to smack the ugly grin off Mick’s face even though he’d get smacked back. Putting Mick in his place would be worth another black eye or bleeding nose. Before he could swing his hand, Bud stepped between them and clapped Mick on the shoulder. “Hey, cool it,” he said. “We’ve got company.” Gabe glanced in the direction Bud pointed, took one look at Miss Blaire, the girl’s gym teacher, heading their way, and moaned. “Caught. Oh, man, Grandpa’s going to kill me for getting in a fight. Well, almost a fight.” A couple of boys who’d stopped to observe the fracas skedaddled. Mick patted Gabe on the back. “See you later, Blubber.” His mouth one huge grin, he leapt off the school steps and ran, Bud on his heels, but not fast enough.