Cigarettes and Skittles

Chapter 7

Monday couldn't have arrived faster as I woke up with a sore left shoulder, it bruised a bit. That giant pig hit-hard, he got what he deserved. However much I wished I could’ve slept in, I couldn’t as I had to get ready for school otherwise mom would be on my ass all day. Putting some over the counter ointment and bandaging it up, I put on a t-shirt, jeans and my ever loving jacket. I have 2 of them in black different designs and one in dark black-red, what do they call that color? Maroon, is it. As I got down the stairs with my schoolbag, I saw mom already leaving the front door. 

“I made you a plate of eggs and toast” dad said sipping on his coffee in a mug.

“Why did mom leave so early?” downing half a water bottle, I sat down with my breakfast confused. She always makes sure I leave the house for school before going for work. She has a small women garment boutique.

“Oh Theo’s football practice starts today so she’ll drop him and Emily off before going to pick some shipment for the shop” finishing his coffee he put his mug in the sink. So that is why dad is here, he’s keeping an eye for mom. Putting on his coat he goes for the main door,

“If your mother asks, I leave after you” I tipped my head and he headed out the door. Finishing the toast and eggs, I took my sweet time before heading out for school.

~

The school was buzzing with activities, banners were put on for winter formal whatever that is while all I wanted to do is to sleep in for a few more hours, my body aching from not getting its weekend rest. All because of the fight and that project of Emily’s. I wonder what grade it’ll get her. As I walked through the school hallways, my eyes met with Cody and he immediately looked the other way. Okay...he can hold grudges. As I sat down in calculus, my shoulder on movement gave a sharp pain making me hiss. I settled down and held my shoulder waiting for the pain to pass away. As the pain subdued, I sat up straighter and started to actually listen to the lecture.

As students started to make their way out of the class, I waited behind on my desk at the back while pretending to be busy with my phone. After the class became empty except Mr. Johnson at his desk busy correcting papers, I picked up my bag pulling out my completed worksheet and walked up to the front to put it on his desk. As I started to walk out, Mr. Johnson words were a fleeting noise to my ears,

“Mr. Hudson you can actually go to college for Maths that is if you pull your act together”

I walked out without gracing him with an answer. I hate obnoxious adults, who think they can ‘fix’ me. As I am some electronic item in their homes’ that they can pull some wires on to make it function properly. I don’t need his ‘guidance’ for college. I am good.

Passing through the hallways, I saw Jack and I got to admit I couldn’t help but pass him a condescending smirk. f*****g coward, hiding behind that giant. He glared at me heatedly, as if he can do anything else. Max joined me and flipped him off as together we made our way towards the smoke alley.

“I got to ask what happened that day, why did Kai out of all people lost control and hit him?” lighting up a cigarette, I looked in his direction seeking answers.

“Jack was being a homophobic dickhead to Dan, so he punched him and in the middle of their brawl, he really crossed a limit when he commented on his dead parents so Kai lost it and punched him hard on his nose breaking it. One of his prickass friend snitched, and as I just got there ready to punch some shitheads, baldy caught us and was onto our case.” Max narrated popping skittles in his mouth.

“You guys should have told me earlier. I also would’ve put my hands on him” this makes me angry, that shitty entitled-ass pighead thinks he can say whatever he wants to anyone just to get a rise out of us, he’ll pay for it.

“Eh…. he already got his lesson, and you did your part by winning that fight” he implied, still stuffing his face with the candy.

“Will you stop eating so much sweets? Your teeth is going to rot and you should probably start eating healthy and practicing for your fight scheduled next” it was just far too unsettling seeing him eating so much candy.

“All thanks to you. This is the same packet you left in the cafeteria that Ruth gave you.She’s such a sweet girl, I still can’t get how she went to date with you” he teased, shoving the rest of the packet in his bag, why do companies make such big packets of candies.

“I told you guys, we didn’t go on any dates. I just gave her coffee because my mother forced me to” I let out, irritated at him for even saying that.

“Yeah and we told you we believe in your story completely” smirking he lit his own smoke and we hung out there for a while.

~

It was after 2 when going for my motorcycle in the school parking stand that I saw Ruth walking furiously from the school building towards- the opposite direction of home? Her hands were constantly wiping off her face and trying to hide it. Is she crying? As she got out of the school premise, she started running. Leaving my motorcycle in the stand, I ran after her. After crossing one or two streets, I finally was close to catching up with her when she entered an abandoned building. It seemed like the building was under construction and the project was halted recently only because the building has that moist smell. I looked into what seemed like a hallway but she was nowhere to be found. As I checked every room in each floor, I finally found her on the second floor curled up on the floor crying. Why do we keep on meeting when she’s crying? Okay so how should I approach her, I don’t even have coffee this time,

“You don’t have to come rescue me every time I am crying” wiping off her tears she looked up at me from her position on the floor.

“I don’t know, how am I going to be a prince charming then” attempting on humor, I sat down beside her maintaining some good distance.

Laughing a little, she wiped more of her tears “I am not really sure about the prince charming thing after watching you getting punched by my little brother” 

“Hey! I am a great fighter, he just...punched me at the wrong place” I muttered the last part as the last thing I wanted to talk to a girl was about getting punched in my nutsack.

She laughed a bit more but sobered up pretty quickly, “I had a fallout with my long term 'best' friends and they said….um…..some really mean stuff, if you are wondering why i am here” she sighed out loudly “You must be thinking what a loser I am to cry upon such petty things” mumbling the rest she looked down suddenly interested in her cardigan's loose thread.

“Who says stuff anymore, are you in elementary school?” when she still doesn’t looks up, I tried again “Why would what I think matters even?” that perks up her interest as she looked up curious, “I mean we all have things happen in our life that shapes us as a person, what can be a life-altering event for you can maybe play next to no role in my life and vice-versa but that doesn’t makes it any less insignificant now does it?” illuminating further, I carried on,

“My opinion of your problem doesn’t make it hurt any less now does it? So f**k my opinion and f**k those friends that talk shit.” She shakes her head and smiles at my silly speech as she stands up, dusting off her jeans, she gives me a hand. Have I said something wrong? I don't know I am not very good at this stuff, nonetheless I took her and pulled myself up from the ground.

“Let’s get out of here, my hair is already starting to frizz” picking up her bag, she was already on her way out with me following behind. Girls.