Saya

Since I had to talk to the field hockey coach, I arrived at school early. We were only a few weeks into the beginning of the school year so the fall season had already begun.

I find my way to the turf football field, the sun burned my skin as I walked. Looking out onto the field, the girls appeared to be warming up. The coach was standing off to the side of the field shouting out directions.

"Good morning, Coach," I greeted, a smile forms on her cheeks, "I was wondering if you had any open spots on the team. I played forward on my old team, but I can also do midfield if you need me." Her smile faded.

"Oh, I'm sorry, but we have a full team. I might be able to create some space for you as a sub." I gave her a look of disappointment for a split second then realized my mom ain't raise no bitch.

"Please Coach, can I at least try out?" I reasoned, trying to change her mind. "I've been playing for too long. I can prove to you I have the skills to be a starter and a very good one at that." I begged.

She stared at me in thought before replying, "Fine, after school, we have a practice here at 4:30. You can try out then, don't be late!"

I squealed in excitement. "I won't be late."

***

With my first three classes finally over, it was lunchtime. Racing down to the cafeteria I got some fries and water before returning to where I sat with Marcus the day prior. I ate my food in silence, glancing up every few minutes to still see Marcus's seat empty.

Where the fuck is he?

Lunch had started twenty minutes ago and he still hadn't shown. I sighed, as I threw my trash away. I didn't want to sit here for the rest of lunch so roaming the halls was my best bet of finding something to do.

I walked through the halls of the large school admiring the artwork on the walls as I passed. The school was white with royal blue details everywhere. The skylight on the ceiling shined the blinding sun in adding more depth into the halls. The floor was nice white tile going up into royal blue unused lockers.

The lockers were there but you had to pay for them if you wanted one for the year. Carrying your backpack around everywhere it's better than having lockers. It saves a lot of time between classes and you always know where everything is on top of everything.

I walked down the long math corridor, turning into the science wing to do some more exploring. My phone beeped signaling the last ten minutes of lunch. My class was not too far from this hallway. I decided to head to my class early.

I wrapped around a corner heading for my next class. Walking down these usually noisy halls by myself gives me a feeling of peace. I moved past the bathrooms before a loud grunt sounded from my left, pulling me out of my trance.

My neck snapped in that direction of the door to the boys' bathroom. My eyebrows rose in confusion, but my legs moved towards the door. I know I'm not allowed to go in there, but tea is tea. I crept closer to the door and placed my ear up against it, trying to hear as much as I could.

"This is what happens when you mess what's mine," a voice barked.

"Kaleb, she isn't even mine. I even know her, I swear!" another voice groaned. I heard a few more grunt sounds before realizing it sounded like they were in pain. Kaleb? Isn't that the name of the one guy that has been messing with Marcus? What the fuck is up with this damn school? I've been here two days and mugs getting fucked up in bathrooms.

Damn, I thought back to my old school. Back there if people had a problem they dealt with it then and there, no hiding in bathrooms or some shit like that. C'mon mane these boys at this school are weak, bro.

My thoughts, interrupted by another loud whimper and a slam coming from behind the door.

You got this, Saya. These boys in this musty school got nothing you.

I threw the door open and stormed inside, freezing at the mess in front of me. Marcus was being held to the ground by one big black guy while Kaleb stood over him raining in punches. Marcus wouldn't have been able to defend himself even if he tried.

My blood began to boil as I pushed Kaleb off of Marcus.

"What the fuck is going on in here?!" I asked to no one in particular.

All three of the boys looked in my direction, pausing at the sight of me. Even after yesterday, Kaleb's eyes still traced my body as if I were meat. The black guy held a tight grip against Marcus but still watched my movements.

Marcus still tried to break the grip of the guy holding him. I swung my fist in the guy's face knocking him into a daze, which allowed Marcus to break free. Kaleb tried to grab me. I caught him in the corner of my eye and kicked his knee in causing him to hit the ground with a thud.

Marcus stood against the sink, using it as leverage to hold him up. "Are you okay? What happened?" I asked. I'm not with the jumping shit, this is way beyond low.

"Let's talk somewhere else," he replied breathlessly, looking past me.

I followed his gaze seeing a now crowded hallway.

I dragged him to the nurse and explained what happened. She nods her head, a little disappointed, but handed me a bullying report to fill out. I followed the nurse to the waiting area to complete the form. After finishing everything I went back to the room she put Marcus to turn in the paper.

Now that I think about it, this school was too big. It's got a whole waiting area for the nurses' office and more than one room up in there. This office looked like a mini-hospital, got stretchers and shit. What was the reason for all this medical equipment? Do people get hurt like this on the daily?

I turned the corner and walked into the doorway I saw Marcus turn into before. "I filled everything-" I entered the room, Marcus sat on the table shirtless. Even covered in bruises, he still looked good.

He didn't notice me come in and continued twidling with his thumbs. Damn, I didn't even notice his build. I mean, I knew this boy was cute but built like a meal and he doesn't even know it.

"Come on now, Marcus, I can't believe that you have been hiding that hot body from me." His head snaps up, a blush creeping up his cheeks as he looks at the ground again.

I chuckled. He raised his head as I moved closer to him. "Damn Marcus, you're a snack low-key."

His cheeks became an even darker shade of red if that was even possible. I decided to stop so that he wouldn't explode in front of me.

"Tell me what happened back there," I asked, sitting on the table.

"I don't want to talk about it," he answered with a hint of attitude. I gave him a look as if he had grown two heads.I got up from the table and started looking around. I was picking up papers, looking through doors, pulling curtains back and shit.

"What are you doing?" he asked, confusion spreading on his face.

"I'm trying to look for who you're talking to because I know it's not me." A small grin lined his face as I went back to my seat.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to snap at you," he replied.

"I know you didn't. Tell me what happened back there," I urged.I know I've known him a day, but, of all the schools I've been to, he's a real friend. At my old school, it was always fighting and people talking about others and it was so messy all the fucking time. Coming here was supposed to be a fresh start and on my second day, I'm here punching niggas in the face.

Marcus seems so innocent. From what I've seen so far there's no reason for him to be going through the torment that he goes through. He minds his business all the time and does nothing to nobody. Bullies are wack, bruh.

"I went to the bathroom, near the end of class and brought my stuff. I did my business and began washing my hands," he pauses for a few seconds, shifting in his seat.

"Kaleb and some other guy, his cousin or something storm in. I tried to ignore him. His cousin grabs me and holds me down while Kaleb started to punch me." He lets out a dry laugh. "He kept going on about how you were his and how I need to stay away from you. I tried to explain how we knew each other and that we had met yesterday, but he wouldn't listen. You came in right after that." He keeps his head to the ground.

We sat in silence for a few minutes, my mind was racing. Can this nigga take a fucking hint?! I punched him in his stomach yesterday for being disrespectful. Yet, he thinks that I'm somehow attracted to him. Is he okay in the head?

"That's fucked up." Marcus's eyes meet mine, but I continue, "He can't take a fucking hint. Well, you don't fuck with him so I don't either."

"I'm sorry, you went through all that, damn. Didn't he get the message when I punched him the stomach?" I thought out loud.

"Guess not," he responded.

"The real question is why you've been hiding those delicious abs from me." I joked, trying to lighten the mood. "I swear you get hotter and hotter every day. I mean, yesterday when I bumped into you, I was like oh, he's cute, but today you look good." He started blushing like crazy.

I giggled as his face heated up even more. "So where do you get these abs from? Do you work out?" I asked.

"Um yeah." He cleared his throat before continuing, "I play football so I guess I have to stay in shape." He shrugged but didn't break eye contact.

"You play football?!" He laughed and stood from the table.

"Yeah it doesn't seem like it, but I've played all my life,"

"Interesting, I would have never guessed."

"Yeah . . . " I giggled at his dry response.

"Come on, let's go somewhere fun."

"Like right now?" he asked as I dragged him down the halls.

"Yeah, of course right now."

"I don't know, I've never skipped school before," he confessed. I smiled at his innocence.

"Please, there's like less than an hour left of school," I pouted, trying to persuade him. I watched his face contorted with concern and worry. After a few seconds, he gave in.

"Fine, but this once." I jumped in excitement as we moved to the doors in the back of the school.

***

"See, wasn't that fun?" I asked as we left the roller rink, we skated for an hour and a half. We would have stayed much longer if I didn't have tryouts today.

"Yeah, fun for you. You actually can skate, I was there looking dumb and falling in front of all those little kids." I giggled at his frustration.

He's so cute when he's himself.

"I know, they were all looking at you in disgust," I joked, gaining a glare from him.

"You know, you're not helping," he replied as we entered the car.We only took mine since we are heading back to school.

"Yeah, whatever." I giggled.

***

It's about 4:30 and I was on the field, practicing my dodges for tryouts.

I have to make this team.

Marcus already left to go home, I wish he was here to see me snatch somebody's spot.

The other girls started to come and warm-up, but I continued to practice by myself.The coach came out soon after, beginning their drills.

I cleared the field and observed it. They were playing a small scrimmage game.

One of the girls was playing like she was the only one on the team, never passing the ball or talking to the others. Don't get me wrong her form is superb, but communication with the team is very important in a sport like this.

"Alright, Saya, let's start!" Coach shouted, breaking me out of my trance.

I slid my shin guards up and tightened up my ponytail before stepping on the field.

"Girls, get water and have a little break," the coach dismissed the team, my attention back to her.

"We are gonna start with your passes." I nod my head and ran to the middle of the field.

She passes the ball back and forth to me, I sent it back with every pass I could think of. Each pass was quicker and more effective than the last.

Next, we moved to dodges then on goal passes, my confidence never failed to shine.

***

By now we had finished everything that I needed to show.Coach called in a couple of the girls for a small scrimmage to see my in-game skills. I was able to help get the ball in the goal each time.

"Girls, I have an announcement to make," Coach yelled, the girls came over and everyone got quiet.

"Okay girls, this is Saya if you didn't know already." I waved at the girls as they looked my way.

"She will be a new member of the team." The girls' eyes went wide as well as mine.

"She has the skills to be a good enough starter. One of you girls will be moved from a starter to a sub."

I didn't think I was going to take someone's spot.I mean, I did but still.

"I know this is a big change but, I need to do what's best for the team. The spot she will be switching with is . . . Sophia.

I didn't know who that was so I stayed quiet.

"What?! Coach, I've worked so hard to be a starter in this team and you're gonna let her come and take that away from me! Are you serious?" 'Sophia', roared.

"Yes, I'm serious. You need to work on your communication skills," she reasoned.

"Plus you don't get along with the girls too much. A change would be good for everyone. This even gives you time to work more on your skills. Like you said you want a scholarship so show me scholarship material."

Sophia's eyes were wild as she looked back and forth between me and Coach.She walked to me until she was standing right in my face.

"If you think I'll let you take my spot and not do anything about it, you've got something coming. I'll make your life a living hell," she growled.

I know for a fact she ain't talking to me.

"Look," I stepped right up into her face and stared her down. "I don't know who you think you're talking to, but I know it's not me. See, I have no problem bopping you upside the head right now, so if you wanna get down, we can get down hoe." Her face paled, not the answer she expected.

"That's what I thought, now get your scary ass out of here." She stormed to the locker rooms in silence.

I turned back to the team.

They were all standing there with their jaws dropped, even Coach was a little surprised."What?" I asked.

"Oh, no one's ever stood up to her before," a girl with red hair exclaimed.

"Oh well, that changes today. I do not tolerate bullying and I'm not afraid of anyone," I stated.

"Now are we gonna start practice or are we gonna stand around here all day?"

I knew this school was gonna be wild.