Grey Hearts

Chapter Five: The Battle Line Has Been Drawn

Hogan

“What the–?” I scoffed. “Apologize? Are you nuts?”

“No. Are you?” she retorted.

“Let's cut to the chase. What are you doing with Seth?”

“Excuse you! I don't even know who you are and even if I did, I don't have to answer to you. Now, get out of my way.” I didn't miss the way her blue eyes lit up in anger.

I was towering over her so I moved closer, “you better start talking or I'm going to tell the whole school that you're trying to become famous around here by rubbing shoulders with Seth. Trust me, you're going to hate it here once I do that.”

“I was assigned to tutor him, okay?” she blurted out, her face red from anger. “I don't know what you mean by trying to be famous because that's not my motive. Stay away from me and my business.”

“No, you stay away from him, I'm warning you.” I reply in a cold tone. “Hanging around him won't make you something you’re not.”

Her hands started shaking. She pressed them into her bag straps. “You’re wrong about me. That's not who I am.”

I stepped closer. “Am I?”

She opened her mouth, probably to defend herself further but I intercepted, “Save it. I know your type.”

“Leave her alone, Hogan.” I turned and saw Sandra behind me, her eyes blazing with fury.

I snickered, “What is this? Super kitties? Are you here to save the day?”

“Back off now,” she repeated, louder this time.

“This here, is none of your business so I'd advise that you run along now.”

“It is now,” she replied. “You don’t get to talk to her or anyone like that. What has gotten into you, Hogan?”

I clenched my fists and took a step back. “I've said what I had to say.” I pointed at Lana who was still frozen in place. “You better do as I've said or I'll make your time here a living hell.” With that, I turned around and left.

***

I was in the locker room, all dressed and ready to go sit and watch the others during practice. Coach was offering me another position on the team after I showed him my medical clearance but that was bullshit and I wasn't taking it.

“Hey, are you okay?” Richard asked, taking a seat beside me.

“Yeah, why?”

“You've been quiet since your little chat with that new girl. What happened? What did she say that has you absorbed in your head?”

“It's not what she said that's the problem. It's what she accepted to do.”

Richard chuckles, “but what did you expect her to do? I told you, he was assigned to her.”

I shook my head, “You know what? I don't care. Whatever she wants to do, she can go ahead.”

The sound of laughter filled the room and I looked up and saw Seth surrounded by a group of my other teammates, the same squad that were also loyal to me had now turned their backs on me, all except for Richard.

“He obviously needs help if he's being tutored, Hogan. At least with your busy schedule, you're still locked in on those good grades, it's not the same for him.”

I scoffed, “So what? Are you saying that I should just settle? What happened to being the greatest of all time, on the pitch and off the pitch?”

He shrugged, “Life has its ups and downs, Hogan. I keep telling you to look on the brighter side.”

Coach walked in then, signaling it was practice time. Good, because I wasn’t happy about how the conversation was going.

***

Two Hours Later

I wiped the sweat from my face from the laps I ran around the field earlier. I frowned as I spotted Seth leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. Practice had ended an hour ago. What was he still doing here?

“You look distressed. Must be hard being yesterday's news.” He said with a smirk.

“Say that one more time and I'll make sure you lose all your teeth.”

He laughs, the sound bouncing off the walls and echoing in the empty room. “You should be happy that you have someone like me around to show you how it's done. It'd be sad if there were only failures around here.”

I gritted my teeth and stomped towards him. He stood there, grinning lazily. “ I can see why Coach mentioned that you're not in a good mental state. That's why you're always so aggressive.”

“Say that one more time and I'll spell aggressive on your face,” I replied, feeling the blood pumping through my veins at a maddening speed.

He motioned at the ceiling. “If you lay a finger on me, you'll be suspended from the team or worse, even expelled so you better keep calm and let's talk like civil men. I'm not an animal like you.”

That was it. I swung a punch at him but he dodged. The sound of the door opening made me turn.

Richard walked towards us with a frown, his hair sticking out in different directions. “Hogan, I've been looking everywhere for you.”

Seth moved away from the wall and threw a mock salute. “Until next time, Scooby Doo. Put a leash on your friend.” He said to Richard, laughing as he exited the room.

“What was that all about?” Richard asked in a hushed tone.

I brushed his shoulder and walked past. “You just saved that dimwit from a death sentence, that's what. He doesn't deserve all this attention, he doesn't deserve that spot on the team and he definitely doesn't deserve tutorial sessions. He doesn't deserve any kind of help!” I stated in a loud tone, my frustration evident.

“Shut up. Someone might hear you and misquote you.”

I took off my jersey as I walked out, “I don't care.” I headed for my motorcycle in the parking lot, eager to take a long ride to clear my head.

I straddled it and turned the key in the ignition. I shut my eyes, waiting to hear the roar of the engines but nothing came. I slammed my hand on the handbrakes, “not again!”

I hopped off and crouched down to find out what was wrong with it. My eyes fell on the deflated tires. I saw red instantly. “Whoever's responsible for this is going to pay.”