I was barely able to keep my headset atop my head on the way to school. The ends of the food tube, which remained constantly rolled up on both sides of my head, were stabbing into my ears. Had they always been like that? I couldn’t remember. I never had any complaints with this thing before. Maybe there were more issues with this technological system than I’d realized.
Right before I reached the entrance, I finally just pushed it down, praying there wouldn’t be a drone around. Having your headset off, even a few feet outside of a building, could land you in prison. Luckily for me, they were all far enough away not to spot my headset-less face. I entered the building as quickly as I could. Best not to chance them catching me and reporting me to my parents. I don’t know what they’d do, but it certainly wouldn’t be good. Traditional groundings and whoopings weren’t my parents’ type of discipline.
“Hey, Brash!”
I hadn’t expected the four hooligans to be waiting for me by the door. They were as close as could be, practically on top of me, before I could even get a word out. Alden, as per usual, was leading the charge, his usual smile plastered on his face. How the guy managed to keep that thing up, I didn’t know.
“You’re still here? I thought our experience yesterday would’ve sent you running back to the safety of your mama.” Fickle pointed at me as she spoke, as condescending as always. Would it kill her to be nice to me? Grumbling irritably, I refused to give her a response.
“Don’t poke fun at Alden’s mother’s condition.” Craven grabbed her by the collar, yanking roughly on the leather. Even from here, I could see the crease she’d never get rid of. Her eyes widened in horror as he refused to let go, even as she squealed and scratched at him. “It’s not proper to poke fun at the misfortune of others.”
“I wasn’t making fun of his mom!” She whined annoyingly, voice rising to a pitch only dogs should be able to hear. “I was just trying to poke fun at Rash!”
“That’s not my n-”
“While I’m as much of a fan of making fun of him as anyone, you and I both know it’s improper to show your true enjoyment at another person’s misfortune. Laugh in your head if you must. Have you no control?”
Fickle continued to whine and kick, making a scene in the hall. Our peers shot us annoyed glances, their lips twisting in scowls. I could feel their gazes penetrating my skin, and, for once, the attention made me hot with shame. It only got worse as Link tried to intervene, invoking even more of Craven’s wrath. Why did these fools hang out with that crab apple? Just to annoy him and then complain when he beat them to a pulp?
“Ignore them.” Alden poked my shoulder, turning my attention toward him. He had moved a little ways off, visually making himself distant from the others. I quickly joined him. “They’re always causing a ruckus of some kind. Link and Fickle love to get on Craven’s nerves; it’s their own form of entertainment. Poor guy can never catch a break.”
“I don’t know if I’d say ‘poor guy’.” I glanced over my shoulder to where the dark-haired brute was slamming his fist into Link’s head. “He seems able to hold his own.”
“He’s held his own for a long time,” He hummed softly, hands tucked behind his back as he followed my gaze. “He’ll never admit it, but he needs some rest.”
“If he needs rest, then why does he hang out with you? Seems like he could just leave and spare himself the trouble.”
“Another thing he’ll never admit, but he loves us, especially his sister. He’d never leave her, no matter how many times she gets on his nerves. It’s not my story to tell, but he’s been looking after her since they were kids. He’s not going to stop now, especially now that Link’s involved.”
“I say let the girl do what she wants. She’ll get what’s coming to her.”
Alden shrugged, gesturing toward our homeroom class as the bell rang. “Let’s go to class, shall we? Even if those three are late, it’s best we not be.”
He waited patiently by the door as I glanced hesitantly over my shoulder. If I left now, would Craven unleash his wrath on me, too? Would he see me as competition as Alden’s new best friend and try to put me in my place? For a moment, I was going to argue with Alden’s suggestion, but Craven was still fighting off Fickle and Link, one clinging to his arm as the other pulled on his legs. Mr. Threatening was too preoccupied at the moment to be worried about me. Averting my gaze, I followed Alden into the classroom as Craven toppled to the floor, the slam of his body echoing in the background.
