Reese

I was getting impatient with Lucas. It had been a week and the only thing we said to each other was “sup” or “how are you doing?”

The other day Lewis and I snuck out. At lunch, he said we would hang later at the beach but he never showed. He got his shift taken by Lewis.

It was great to have Lewis but I missed my other bro.

A week later I was sitting through econ class, trying not to fall back from chair and hit my head. This was the only class I took that neither Lewis or Lucas had, making it boring.

I didn’t still understand Lucas, through last week he had been hoarding up with his sister and her friends doing what I had no idea about and I was going to find out. I was the king of this school and nothing around here stayed hidden for long.

The bell for lunch rang, snapping me out of a train of thoughts. I picked my bag and shoved my books inside as the students scurried out of the class. Quickly the students thinned and I was alone. Swinging the bag over my shoulder, I stepped out of the classroom.

And there stood Juan. She was wearing her cheerleading uniform—which almost made me burst out laughing due to the incident a week ago—and leaning on the lockers facing the classroom door. I barely glanced at her before deciding to ignore her but apparently, she had other plans in mind. Immediately I placed a foot out the door, she walked towards me, blocking my exit.

“Hey, have you been avoiding me?” she purred, backing us both back into the class and locking the door behind her. I didn’t say this very often, but Juan was hot. She could make you forget your sanity; she was slim and curvy with those seductive hazel eyes. Her black hair soft as silk. Her face was gorgeous, piercing eyes and full lips, she was everything.

I backed away from her, sitting on top of the desk I just vacated. It was a signal that I didn't want any contact with her but she didn’t get it.

She scotched closer to me. I got tired of the hookup already and wanted to break the news to her in the nicest way possible.

"Yes, I have," I replied. I was going to break this 'thing' with her now but suddenly, my mind turn blank. I was tongue-tied. After been with a series of girls, I understood the importance of explaining yourself; if you do not want end up in the hospital.

"And why is that?"

I bend to whisper to her ear with no idea what to say to her. "because, I don't deal with girls who can't handle their own stunts."

Her words died in her mouth and her jaw dropped. She couldn't believe I heard the news. She knew about my thoughts on happy ever afters and Truelove.

I was also surprised. I didn't know what to say but the matchmaker helped me. Thanking the matchmaker—and my stars—in my mind. He/she had saved me from Juan.

I pushed myself off the table and walked towards the door when I heard her voice, barely audible.

"Someone hit the cheerleaders pyramid and I was at the top, I fell down. Every witness now thinks am a liar. THAT matchmaker has something against me." I paused for a minute, processing her words then walked out, leaving her alone in the classroom.

Walking towards the cafeteria, I thought about what she said. She clearly had a point! The video made no sense.

I thought of what could have really happened and the video everyone took as the real one could be fake, immediately I reached the cafeteria, the bell rang.

Resisting the urge to yell, I dragged myself to the parking lot—my car. I was skipping the rest of my classes to go home. I had training anyways! There was an upcoming fight at the 'rift' an underground, illegal fighting joint. I had a rematch with some fighter named Randy. I had beaten him hands down twice in a row but he kept coming back to humiliate himself more.

I stopped right in my tracks as my gaze caught Lucas leaning by the side of my car.

I resumed walking. He was staring into space that he didn't notice I had unlocked my car and tossed my bag inside. "Long time no see, Lucas." I drily as I leaned next to him, staring at the clear skies. No wonder he was staring at them, they looked so enchanting.

"Reese, I know you're mad but, I have got some...issues am dealing with right now." He said, running a hand through his hair, avoiding my stare.

I fished out a cigarette and lighter from my pocket. Lighting it up,  I put the lighter back where it came from. I was angry and the only cure needed to calm me down was this. I rarely smoked, I always found something to vent my anger on but today...there was nothing.

Minute later, I exhaled the first smoke, the tardy bell rang just when I spoke up. "Lewis and I are your friends and, if you have issues,  you're supposed to come to us. That's what best friends are for! It's a bro code, " I said softly, squeezing his shoulder.

He looked up at me feeling conflicted like he wants say something but it quickly disappeared as fast as it came. I took another whiff of smoke.

"Am sorry. I wish I could tell you but somebody is going to get hurt if I did. It kinda personal." He replied looking frustrated.

'If it's so personal, why did the person tell you?' I wanted to ask but I shut my mouth, continued with smoking.

Soon as soon as, I was calm. I threw the half-lit cigar on the floor and crunched it under my sneakers. Satisfied, I got in the car, pulled off my jacket, and started the engine.

Lucas pushed himself away from the car and moved over to the driver side, he looked at me with a hopeful expression on his face. "So, I guess, I'll see you later then?"

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes at his words. "Am not sure there would be any later...Tate." Jump-starting the engine, I sped out of the parking lot with Lucas still standing there, looking aloof.