Self explanatory lol. Also sorry but I took last week off bc I needed a break. This isn't coming out for a while but I didn't know what else to write so this is what you got 😂.

Nurse's Office
School
11:45 AM
Monday
September 15th

Ben's POV:
I'd been in PE when some kid threw a ball at my face.

I pushed him and asked him what his problem was.

He punched me in the stomach.

I beat him up.

He was the school bully Joshua Hallal.

No one ever bullied me but him.

I was a sophomore varsity player for our football team. I was pretty handsome and smart. I had good grades and was a pretty good athlete. And I was nice.

He was jealous because he barely made JV as a senior. And because people, especially girls, liked me more.

He always teased me, though my friends always backed me up.

But he threw a ball in my face and punched me. Mr. Nice Guy decided to let Mr. Punchy take over. (If you know what the reference to Mr. Punchy is from, you're amazing.)

And now I was in the principal's office.

I felt kinda bad about how messed up he was, but he kinda deserved it.

And he had gotten a couple hits, one of which was before I even attacked.

I had a splitting headache, some bruises, a few scratches, since he obviously doesn't fight fair, and a slightly bloody nose. Not to mention my hands that were raw and bloody too.

The principal walked Joshua in and sat down across from us.

"Joshua, I'm very disappointed in you. And Ben, I'm confused. What happened?"

We both started to speak and the principal said Josh could go first.

"We were playing dodgeball and I accidentally threw a ball in his face. And he shoved me a couple yards to the ground so I got up and punched him in the stomach. And he went berserk." He said, making it seem like he was scared and worried.

Thankfully, the principal wasn't that stupid and knew Joshua was spouting complete and absolute bullshit.

"That doesn't sound like Ben." He wrinkled his nose. "Ben, what happened from your perspective?"

"We finished playing dodgeball and he threw a ball straight at my face. And he smirked at me. So I lightly pushed his shoulder and asked what his problem was calmly. And he punched me in the stomach. And I lost it. I let it get out of control and I'm sorry sir." I answered truthfully. "You can ask about anyone that was there. Not our friends in case of bias, and not someone scared of us or that doesn't like us. But you can ask any impartial person and they'll tell you I'm telling the truth sir."

He smiled at me and nodded.

"That's a load of bullshit dude!"

"Language Joshua."

"But that's so not what happened!"

"Very well. But until I ask a couple impartial people, the one who started it will miss out on next Friday's game. Ben won't be able to play, and Joshua won;t be able to watch since he's on JV. And unfortunately for you Joshua, it may even result in you getting kicked off. Because we agreed there would be no more fighting and bullying. And this seems like both. Not to mention you'd have lied straight to my face. Both of you will have detention for the rest of this week."

"But we have practice all week!" Joshua complained.

"If you let me finish, I was gonna say you can go to practice and then come afterwards. Though there's not much point in you going Joshua, you're only on JV. "

I heard Joshua growl. It was a very... touchy... subject for him.

"The big game is varsity. So unless you prove you deserve it, you will just have to miss practice."

"But-"

"No buts. Ben, you're allowed to go to practice and come to detention afterwards, Joshua, you will go straight there, unless you do something to prove you deserve to go."

"That's fair sir. Which room is it?" I asked kindly.

Before you think I'm kissing up, you're wrong. He is just a really nice man that I have a lot of respect for.

"204."

"Thank you sir.

"He's lying!"

"Joshua, I'm sorry, but you have to understand how I'm having a hard time believing you. You definitely have a history for starting fights and bullying the past three years, whereas Ben is known for approaching things calmly, though he can have a bit of a temper sometimes."

"But he took my spot on varsity! Of course I'm hurt and upset."

"He didn't take your spot Joshua, you barely even made JV. He was, in no way, the reason you ended up on JV. So you can try a different excuse."

I was shocked at the turn this conversation had taken. When I walked in, I thought he was gonna side with Joshua. And instead we're... here.

"Now, as for your injuries. Joshua, what hurts?"

"Like everything." He whined.

"Ben?"

"I just have a big headache and a few scratches and bruises, but that's about it."

"Okay, Joshua, you go get cleaned up and then go rest, Ben, you stay here a sec."

"Yes sir."

Joshua groaned and left.

"I'm sure you're being honest, so just come Monday through Wednesday after practice."

"Thank you sir."

"Just try to control your temper a little better next time. I understand your reaction but..."

"I understand. Thanks again."

I walked out and saw Mike waiting for me.

"Bro you totally kicked his ass Ben." My best friend laughed.

"Maybe, but he is a terrible person to fight man. I thought I was fighting a stray cat for a sec. Buddy's got nails. And he sure as hell uses them."

He'd been in gym class with me and walked me down. We'd been friends forever. He was literally only 3 hours older than me.

You know those cubby thingies they put babies in after they're born and cleaned up and whatever? We were right next to each other. Apparently we'd both been smiling at each other, which started a convo between our parents, who became good friends, and so did we.

No cap, that's literally what happened.

And yes, that's what they told us, since we didn't remember.

But all we knew is we were best friends, then and forever.

Back to the story though.

The bell rang and he said he had to head to class so we said goodbye.

I sat down as a girl walked in.

She was beautiful. Raven black hair and ice blue eyes. She gave off an aura like a 'leave me the hell alone or I'll beat your ass' type thing.

She grabbed a first aid kit and waked over to me.

"I'm-"

"Benjamin Ripley. I know."

"You can call me Ben and- wait you know who I am?"

"Yes. Straight A student. Athlete who plays basketball, soccer, football, lacrosse and hockey. Talk about a show off. Y-" She stated, but I saw a faint smile.

"I just like sports. How is that showing off?"

"I was joking." She said. "You have all AP classes. You take sign language, or ASL 2, and PE currently, though last year you took health, digital imaging, and ASL 1. Your best friend is Michael Brezinski. He likes Zoe Zibbell, and currently you don't like anyone."

"I- how the hell do you know all this?"

"I'm very observant."

"I see that."

"So you're the one who beat Josh up?" The way she said Josh made me uncomfortable.

"Yeah... are you two like dating or whatever?"

She scoffed.

"Hardly."

I waited for her to elaborate. She sighed and continued.

"We dated last year. He cheated on me and I dumped him."

"With who?"

"A girl named Emily."

"He's dumb."

"Huh?"

"Why would he cheat on you with some basic girl? Because he's dumb."

"Thanks."

"So you're not upset I beat him up?"

"Not at all. It's about time someone did."

"Why are you here?"

"I volunteer here on my free period so I'm supposed to like take care of you or whatever while the actual nurse takes care of him. He's much worse so it'll take longer for her to do both."

"Oh okay."

She told me to wash the blood off my hands. After I did she looked at my hands and shook her head.

"Wow you really went at it."

"I'd had enough." I shrugged.

She then put neosporin and small band-aids on the scrapes and cuts and I thought that was it. But she got a trash can and a damp washcloth and started to dab at my face with the cloth. She set the trash can in front of me.

"What's with the trash can?"

"Spit into it."

I did and was shocked when I saw blood."

"What's wrong with my face?"

"Nothing."

"Uh okay..."

"If nothing is your mouth bleeding, a bloody lip, and a bloody nose."

"But he didn't even hit my face."

"Well you were probably biting your lip out of anger as you fought. As for your nose and mouth, he might not have hit your face, but he threw a ball at it right?"

"Yeah he did... how'd you know?"

"There are light marks on your face."

"Wow. You're good."

"I know." She said softly.

It went silent as she continued to clean my face. She brushed her thumb on my lip after she was done to see if the bleeding had stopped. Even though she had gloves on I felt sparks when she touched my lip.

Which only meant one thing.

I liked her.

Fantastic.

Okay, that's the preview : )