Girls of contrasting sizes, races, and other varied demographics formed a long line. They waited for there turn to change, as the four available stalls filled with one girl, then emptied out once she changed. Minnie never felt ashamed. She tore off her t-shirt and capri's in the open. The only one who didn't prefer to hide behind the walls to change into her gym outfit. Of course the other girls didn't recognize this as a feat of casual unconcern. Eyes rolled, and whispers followed. Minnie was dubbed an oddity, who's slight indifference never measured to anything else but mockery.  This did nothing to stop them from talking about her though. That was just part of the game, and Minnie knew it.

Evie like the other girls, needed that shield. She wished she had the female cohones of her friend. Dressing in front of all the watchful eyes made her heart rate rise, and her knees wobble. 

Once everyone changed up, they made their way into the gymnasium. Evie noticed a container made of canvas. Her Head started to spin, as she witnessed it filled with squishy red balls. She never liked gym, but dodgeball topped it off on her list of demise's. To be pilfered by balls left, right, and center is just asking for a bad time. 

"Well, consider me raw meat." She whispered to Minnie. 

Ms. Blayne, a brickhouse of a woman made her way through her office doors. Her proud red whistle swung back and forth around her neck as she ran forward, and grabbed a ball. 

"Ok, ladies. You know what these are for.  I have no need to explain the details. Split up into two groups now, or I will do it for you." 

Ms.Blayne tossed the ball in the air then caught it. The ball made contact with her hands, and the sound echoed. That sound itself, made Evie cringe. She had experienced so much pain today. And she wasn't going to let anyone take any more. Not even herself. No matter how much she wanted to give up and run away. It was the last thing she wanted to see.
The group closest to Ms.Blayne, consisted of the most popular girls in her class.

Evie froze and didn't know what to do. She knew she was going to be a main target. She stood there looking for the group that had Minnie, but her wobbly legs were unable to move. 

"Prancer" Ms.Blayne shouted. "Why are you not paired up" 

whispers could be heard between Pricsilla and others 

"Cause no none wants her." 

Giggles and snickers filled the gymnasium.  

"Ok, Prancer." said Ms.Blayne "you go to the group over there, since they are less one."

Her team looked less then excited as they groaned with faces of listless and detached  emotion. Luckily Minnie and the new girl she now knew as Emily was on the team. They both gave her a warm smile. 

The balls started to fly. The sounds of rubber hitting flesh, ground and walls phwooshed and toinked about. Evie didn't keep her guard up, let alone even try. She let the inevitable happen, as she already knew she had that metaphorical bullseye at her back. She also knew each time the ball impacted against her skin, she was out. The damage would be done, and no longer would she have to reap what has been sown to her. Round after round, and she was first one out. It appeared however  her plan to opt each round out, was starting to work against her. 

She sat in the corner, and the red balls started to whip towards her. Hard throws to the face and body came in endless spurts. She tried to cower away, and shield herself with her arms. More balls kept coming.  Each hit felt like more force was behind the throw. 

"Ladies, ladies LADIES." Ms.Blayne barked out before placing her whistle between her lips, and giving it a hard blow.  

"Constrain yourselves. This is NOT how we play. If Prancer chooses to exclude herself, then let it be. 

Silence fell, and the commotion ceased. 

"You all may throw one more ball each, since Prancer refuses to cooperate,  then we begin playing like normal. Prancer you will be on clean-up.  I don't need you wasting our time any longer. If you are not going to try, then you can forfeit, but you will have to do something.  Now stand tall, Prancer. Let the balls fly." 

Evie did not respond. She did not want the punishment she knew was coming, but she felt like she had no choice.
The rest of the opposing team continued tossing balls until it reached the end of the line. The last one bounced off Evie's shoulder, and she winced.
The remaining girls began to clap, as they cheered on.
"Come on Prancer. We're rooting for you! Come on!" shouted Priscilla,  sarcastically.
Evie took deep breaths, and tried to calm her racing heart. She closed her eyes and focused on the sound of the balls as she sat on the bleachers.

      *------------------------------------------------*

"She shouldn't  of done that." Said Minnie. 

They continued  to walk down the hallway.

"I think you should say something Evie." Said Mickey. His jaw became clenched, and his nostrils flared open. "Ms.Blayne was doing nothing but being a bully, and an enabler to the other girls. FUCK. Its not right. It's bullshit  Evie, and you know it." 

"Well... yes." Evie stammered. "Not like I can do anything about it." 

Her eyes left Mickeys, and found themselves  facing  Her feet. 

"Come on." Mickey fumed, eyes blazing. "You have to grow a backbone. You have to stop letting people walk all over you, and treating you like shit. It's never going to stop, if you allow it. Evie, just..." 

Mickey looked back, and Evie's eyes glistened over. 

"I'm sorry." His words were genuine. "I just hate how everyone treats you. Your one of my best friends. You don't deserve this. I'm sorry. Look, come over after school. We can play some Smash Bros, buy some pizza, and prank call Ms.Blayne." 

A smile meekly escaped the corner of Evie's mouth. Sad eyes began to sparkle with slight jubilation. 

"Sounds like fun." Remarked Minnie with a gusto of enthusiasm.  Her hands clapped together, as she started to hop up and down with glee. 

They strolled through the hallway, and met up with Javier at their lockers. Mickey let Javier know of the after school plans, and he smiled with a nod. The bell rang, and it was time for last period. Biology. The one class they had together.  The remainder of the school day consisted of jokes, and reminiscing of better times. 

The school day ended, and Evie called her parents. She let them know she would be at Mickey and Minnie's house. They got on the bus, Mickey in front. He kept his body tense, as he shielded Evie behind him. With narrowed eyes, they burned back towards the other kids on the bus. No more, not today.  Evie could of swore she heard him make a low growl. 

The bus voyaged on, down the street, and through the roundabout.It passed the mall, and continued down the bustling 12th ST.  The schoolbus took a left turn, passed the refinery and towards the trailer park. The four of them got up, and moved through the bus doors in a single file in front of the Roberts' residence. 

"Hey, while I am here... you mind." Evie asked. 

"Sure, take your time" said Mickey. 

"We will meet you inside. Want us to order pizza or wait" Minnie asked

"No it's fine. Go ahead, don't wait for me." 

The air had a sudden chill, as it sent little licks up Evie's arms. She rubbed her hands up them, then continued  to walk away with her arms crossed. With a hasty stride she made her way down the dirt and gravel road Southwards from the trailer. Her eyes searched up ahead, but her ears were  what found what she was looking for. 

That familiar snigger created a symphony against her eardrums. 

"Hey kiddo." She said as the young boy had his back turned, chatting with a friend. 

His eyes grew three times bigger, his mouth agape. His arms opened wide, then snuggly found themselves around her body. 

One small hand squeezed her tightly, while the other one stroked her hair.
She felt tears roll freely down her cheeks. As she wrapped her arms around the child. Her head rested against his shoulder, and her arms held him close.
"I missed you" he whispered as he pulled her closer.
She kissed his cheek.

"Go for a short walk, buddy?" 

"Oh yes, yes." He turned back towards his friend. "Hey Ralphie, you mind. 5 minutes, then I will come back." 

Ralphie's glance moved from Evie, to his friend, to Evie and back again. His left shoulder shrugged, as he blew a pink bubble out of his mouth. There was a pop, then he said O.K. They walked down the street, and Ralphie pulled out his handheld gaming system. 

"So... how have things been" asked Evie. 

"Fine, I guess. Schools doing pretty good. We got a field trip to the science center on Thursday,  that should be really cool. " 

"Wow, that should be fun." Evie said, smiling back at the boy.

"What about you" he asked 

"Well, Kyle. It could be better. But well... only one and a half more years to go. So..." Her eyes swept over his face, it hurt her to know,  but she needed too. Her face grew concerned as her eyes met the young Kyle's 

"Still rough at home?"

His gaze left hers. He lifted his shirt to show a new set of bruises down his back. They looked fresh, sore. There was also some around his neck, not so fresh.

"Joseph, and Rochelle are assholes. You really should let me tell someone. Those look horrible." 

"I don't want to risk being in foster care. I don't want to be a group home kid. You will be eighteen soon, you can adopt me, remember.  Your the only one I can trust, please." 

It was a big promise, but Evie and Kyle planned this for awhile. 

"I just hate seeing this stuff happen to you. I care too much about you." 

"I know, and if I get adopted by someone else, I might move. I might never see you again. I need you." His puppy dog eyes started to water. 

Evie had it rough, but could never imagine how rough it was for Kyle. Her parents would never lay a hand on her.

They weren't addicts. At home she always got bundles of love blanketed around her. She wanted Kyle to have the same level of love and nourishment.  Once she was done high school, she would move out and get her own place. She would go to college, get an apartment and adopt Kyle. Her parents already offered to help with rent while she furthers her studies. She could also get a part time job. That had been the plan for sometime now. What happened at his home, was their secret. A hard to keep one, but she promised him. A promise she kept locked away tight. 
When the time came, Evie planned to ask. For the meantime, he needed her.
Kyle leaned forward into her shoulder. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders and pulled him tighter into her embrace. The warmth between them was overwhelming, and Evie couldn't help the tears that rolled silently down her cheeks.

"You want some pizza, maybe stop by Mickey and Minnie's later. Were having pizza and gaming."

"It wi have to be quick. My parents will want me home to get their dinner ready. "
He said in a rush.

They continued to talk about their favourite episodes of The Simpsons, and the latest cat videos on Youtube. They hugged, said there goodbyes, and Evie made her way back to Mickey and Minnies trailer. 

Once there, she knocked three times on the door and waited patiently until Minnie and Mickeys voices sounded through, telling her it was unlocked. They stepped inside, greeted both by Minnies, and her dad.
"How was school today," he politely asked Evie.

"Oh, it was alright."

With that the doorbell rang, and the pi,za arrived.

"I will let you kids enjoy. Nice to see you again Evie. Javier," he said with a nod before leaving the room.

"Pizza, pizza . PIIZZZAA" sang Minnie, her eyes wide, wild, excited. She started to dance. "How was Kyle?" 

"Good, he's fine. It was nice to see him." 

"Man, I never knew anyone to be so close to a kid they used to babysit. When I watched the Peterson kids, I couldn't  wait to go home most times. Kids are a handful." Said Minnie 

"Kyle's different. A sweet boy." 

Evie started to munch on the pizza happily, whilst watching her friends dance and converse.
"Oh man! Oh man!" yelled Mickey as he threw his hands into the air, in ecstasy.

He ran around the living room frantically, making his way towards his room. "Minnie' Watch out.. I'm coming to get you!" he said jokingly as he back out his room and ran towards his sister.
Minnie laughed as she jumped off a barstool, causing it to fall backwards. Mickey caught her in his arms, and twirled her around. She screamed with joy, laughing hysterically. A loud shriek erupted through the dining area as they jumped around the room.
"Alright guys settle down." Said Evie laughing as she put her pizza down. The twins had too much energy sometimes. Especially Minnie who was again dancing around.

"Let's play some smash bros man," said Javier.

"Ok.Ok," said Mickey.

and so, everyone gathered around the coffee table. Mickey sat on the floor, next to the couch, and began setting up the game console. Javier took a seat next to Mickey, and pulled out some controllers.
Evie took her seat in front of the TV and Minnie plopped beside her.

Mickey pushed in all the buttons carefully, and after that the game booted up. The sounds of the music coming from the television, filled the room once more, and the atmosphere was warm and cozy. Soon enough all the players, were focused on playing, and the pizza boxes were cleared up from the table. With two slices in a  ziplock baggie for Kyle.