Love and Fight

First Day

My father and I are finishing the pancakes I made for us. It's his first day at the accounting office, and I'm proud of him. Since my mother's death from cancer five years ago he spiraled into alcoholism and drugs and spent a long time in rehab. It's a fresh start for him, in a new job, with new people, in a new town. It's also my first day of school and I can't deny the nervousness.

"Are you sure it won't bother you if you drop me off at the office before your class? I can still take the bus." He asks once again.

"Of course not, Dad, it's on the way." I smile at him, trying to calm him down. He lost his driver's license a few years ago for driving drunk so it seemed easier for me to take care of the car instead.

I drop him off in front of the company building and watch him climb the entrance stairs waving like a fool. He always makes me smile, he has always been my best company. I just feel like our family is a bit backwards. It's the daughter who has to take care of the father.

I park in one of the school parking spot and get out of the car carrying my heavy backpack along with the books I hold in my hands. I look at the instructions for classes and the number of my locker for the umpteenth time to find it. After dropping off my notebooks, I grab what I need for the next class and set off to find the right room. I take a seat in the first row in the corner, thankful that I didn't attract attention even though I'm the new girl.

Unfortunately that doesn't last long as the teacher announces my presence to the whole class. I just smile and try not to sink into my chair out of embarrassment.

"Psst!" I hear behind me and turn to see a boy with bleached hair and a neon green shirt smiling at me. "I love your blouse, new girl. Is it cotton?"

"Oh, thank you... and I don't know..." I say, completely embarrassed.

He grabs the collar of my shirt and lightly rubs it between his fingers.

"It's cotton. I knew it. And the color is perfect for your skin tone." I still don't know how to react, so he quickly introduces himself with a smile. "I'm Alex. The biggest fashion expert in this school, darling, and you just got my approval."

"I'm Jade. And I'm glad I passed your test," he proudly smiles, and we return our attention to the class.

At the end of the period, I start packing my things to go to lunch when I hear him calling me again.

"Hey, new girl. I know finding a place to sit on your first day at lunch is a pain, so why don't you come with me for now?"

"Oh, that would be great actually. Thank you!"

I walk by his side as he keeps talking and explaining how classes, breaks, and groups work, and so on. I can't pay attention to everything he says, but he always manages to make a comment that makes me laugh.

A girl with long curly hair comes towards us in one of the hallways.

"Hey, Alex, I see you've already adopted the new girl." she says, looking at me.

"You know me." he replies, "I can't leave this poor soul alone in the jungle that is the cafeteria."

"Of course," the girl laughs and then addresses me, "I'm Lydia, darling. And you're definitely welcome at our table."

"I'm Jade. And thank you for that, guys." I say, feeling happy to have already been welcomed by such nice people.

I grab my lunch with them and follow them to a table where two other girls are already seated and it's Alex himself who introduces me. He literally adopted me!

"Everyone, this is Jade. The new girl that I saved from loneliness and from now on she’ll have lunch with us." he announces.

I'm warmly greeted by one of the girls. However, the girl with extremely straight hair in front of me speaks up.

"Isn't it strange to have moved in the middle of the school year?"

"Oh, my father got a job in the city and I accompanied him," I explain.

She nods and continues to stare at me with doubt.

"You seem to be sweet and shy..." She speaks as if those were the worst qualities one could have. "Maybe you won't last long in our school."

I can only look at her, completely speechless.

"Don't mind her." Lydia says, smiling at me. "Vanessa tends to be very pessimistic at times."

"It's not pessimism, it's the truth," Vanessa defends herself.

"I'm not as fragile as I seem." I tell her. But it seems she takes it as a challenge, smiling ironically at me.

"Prove it. Tonight we're going to watch the fights at the club. Why don't you come with us?" she asks, raising an eyebrow.

This time, the girl with the slanted eyes named Maya responds.

"Come on, Nessa, go easy on the new girl. She just arrived and you already want to drag her to watch fights?"

"She said she's not as fragile as she looks. I'm sure she can handle seeing people exchanging punches and bleeding a little," the straight-haired girl retorts.

"Wait a minute. What is this 'fight club' you're talking about?" I inquire.

Lydia sighs as if she didn't want to touch the subject so soon but starts to explain anyway.

"In the city there are fight events that happen almost every night. Some guys sign up to fight and there are bets, drinks, and... some drugs." she hesitates, as if she wanted to spare me from that. "It's quite intense, actually, but it's the best way to fit in here."

My eyes widen in surprise, and for a moment, I'm lost for words again.

"Wait... Are these events illegal? And how come the police haven't shut them down yet?"

Maya smiles and answers me.

"Each night, it's held in a different location. They pass the information through messages to those who attend."

"Wow... That sounds... scary," is all I manage to say.

"So, you're not as tough as you claim to be, darling," Vanessa remarks disdainfully.

"Well, you know, not everyone enjoys those kinds of events. Maybe Jade just doesn't feel comfortable with it." Alex defends me this time.

"I agree." Vanessa responds again. "But it's at these events that the cool people go. If she wants to be a nerdy outcast that's her choice."

Everyone at the table rolls their eyes at what she says, but I promised myself that a new city would give me new opportunities and that I would try different things.

"Okay, I want to go with you Tonight." I say. Everyone says, "What?" in unison, so I explain further. "I want to try new things outside of my comfort zone. I'll go with you tonight, and if I really don't like it, I just won't go anymore."

Everyone continues to look at me in surprise while Lydia smiles proudly.

"Girl," she says to me, "I knew you were one of us.”

We continue eating while we talk and laugh until I decide to ask.

"So, do you guys know anyone who participates in these fights?"

Vanessa smiles mischievously as she responds.

"Well, several guys from school usually participate, but the only one that matters is Jay. The current champion and the hottest guy in this school." she looks towards a group of people crowded behind me that I hadn't noticed before. "Always surrounded by fans and girls dying to sleep with him." I follow her gaze but can't identify any faces in the midst of that group.

"Yeah, and you're one of them, aren't you, Nessa?" Maya scoffs, laughing.

"I'm not one of those sluts." Vanessa replies. "I've had my night with him but I want more than that. Imagine being the only girl who matters to Jay."

"Hmm, it's no use." Lydia says. "Jay is not my type."

"Of course!" Alex laughs. "Because your type is girls, dear." We all laugh at the comment as he continues. "As for me, I find Jay's friend, Liam, much more interesting. I'm sure he hooks up with guys sometimes too."

"Who?" Vanessa mocks. "The one with his hand shamelessly on that girl's butt?"

We all laugh again.

"You can laugh as much as you want, darlings, but I never miss on these things," Alex confidently concludes.

We finish lunch, and they accompany me to my next classes, always talking and laughing.