“It’s time for your ass whipping,” Kenny announces.
If I get into one more fight this school year, I’ll be expelled, but if Kade and these motherfuckers want to continue the beef, I’m game. They thought I would be an easy target to bully since I have no friends and keep to myself, but they were mistaken. Though it’ll be three against one, I’m not scared. I’m looking forward to the confrontation. I’m instantly on alert, ready to throw down. “Enough!” Mr. Jared bellows.
Kade, Owen, and Kenny are on the lacrosse team, so they’re pretty buff. I may not play football anymore, but I’m just as big due to my nights spent working out to avoid sleeping.
“Mr. Jared, isn’t it unsafe for someone with a history of mental illness to attend school with normal kids?” Kade asks in false concern.
“Everyone knows you wear those leather wristbands to cover up the scars from your suicide attempt. How about you finish the job so you can join your dead brother?” Kenny adds.
I snap. I don’t give a fuck what anyone says about me, but my brother is off-limits. I stand, pick up the desk, and launch it across the room to strike Kenny in the face. He’s out cold. Shocked gasps and loud cheers fill the classroom. I hear Mr. Jared call for security on the radio. Kade and Owen rush me. I sidestep them, hitting Owen in the throat. He drops to his knees, grabbing his neck. Two down, one more to go. This is light work. I duck down when Kade swings his fist at my face. I come up with a hard jab to his side, making sure I put all my strength behind the hit. The cracking sound, coupled with his cry of pain, is satisfying. I broke the fucker’s ribs.
Two security officers enter the room.
“I should’ve known it was you.” Tony sighs.
“Well, you know me, Tony. My day isn’t complete unless I fuck shit up.” We’re on a first name basis since we’ve become so well acquainted.
“Let’s go. You know the drill.”
I follow Tony out of the classroom without a fight while the other security officer and Mr. Jared attend to those bastards. Well, this will be my last day at Blackwood Academy.
I sit in a chair outside of Principal Patrick’s office. I’m sure he already called my mother. I’m positive she and the old man will be waiting for me when I arrive home. I scrub a hand down my face. I don’t want to deal with this bullshit. I have zero fucking patience right now. I should get out of here. What’s the point in waiting around when I already know what he’s going to tell me? I stand, determined to leave, but Principal Patrick’s door opens.
“Art, please come inside and have a seat.”
I stroll into his office. “I’ll stand.”
“You do know this is the last straw, don’t you?”
I shrug my shoulders. “So what else is new?”
“You can’t go through life with this ‘I don’t care’ attitude of yours.”
Attempting suicide was the coward’s way out. I deserve to live every fucking day with the death of Cole beating at my conscience relentlessly. Misery is my constant companion from sun up to sun down. I don’t deserve peace.
“Well, that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
“I know the last couple of years have been tough with the passing of your brother—”
“I’m not listening to this.” Any talk about Cole is dangerous territory. I’ll go the fuck off.
“I’m sorry. I know that’s a tough topic for you.”
“Fuck you.”
“This is a serious situation. Some of Kade’s ribs are broken, Kenny has a concussion, and Owen can barely talk. They’re being transported to the hospital by ambulance. You could be charged with assault.”
“My grandfather has more money than God. Their parents’ silence will be bought. Money makes the world go round. Anyway, I didn’t start the fight. I just finished it. I have the right to defend myself.”
“Witnesses say you struck first.”
“Well, that’s what happens to motherfuckers who mention my brother.” I smirk.
“This isn’t a joke.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Life is one big fucking joke with a shitty punch line.”
“You’re expelled, effective immediately.”
