six - A Mitchell Never Lose

    A SIGH fell from Blake's lips as she slammed her locker shut.

    It's been a full week since Kim and Charlie isolated themselves from the group, and there were no signs of their friendship rekindling anytime soon.

    Then again, nothing has gotten entirely worse than they are now.

    The blonde angled her head to the side to view down the hall as Tristan leaned against the set of lockers beside Blake's, rambling on how she couldn't wait for the sleepover plans ahead.

    Down the hall, Kim and Charlie shared a similar stance as Blake did with Tristan

    Only Kim was striking up an ear to ear grin worthy conversation while rummaging through the metal locker, Charlie laughing as she does so.

    It seemed as if the fight all four were having was practically non existent. People say to just smile and pretend as if Kim's pettiness and Charlie's remorseful actions are irrelevant.

    But they were relevant, she desire for them to become one again. A friendship since first grade doesn't just cease so easily.

    ''We have to do the Bean Boozle challenge,'' Tristan giggles. ''It's like, a must. We are totally gonna get Troye to do it too. Ah, can you imagine the look on his face if he gets barf or dog food?''

    Tristan's smile falters when she turns to look at her best friend. Blake now had her head down, her gaze more focus on her feet from being so deep in thought.

    Her brown orbs traveled past Blake and down the hall were Charlie and Kim were laughing obnoxiously loud.

    Tristan knew that this was slowly killing Blake. She only wished that blonde could see that none of this is Blake's fault.

    ''You can't keep letting them get to you,'' Tristan breathes out. ''They're the ones who need to apologize, not us. We are the good guys here, Blake.''

    Pursing her lips, Blake shakes her head and looks up and locks immediate contact with Tristan.

    ''You know how Kim is. We're never gonna be friends if we don't apologize.''

    Kim is that stubborn friend every group has where they believe they are always right for something.

    ''Apologize for what?'' She scoffs. ''Getting mad? That was your sisters ex that Charlie was messing around with. What she did, crossed many upon many boundaries. You have a right to be upset, and Kim trying to pick a bone because of it, is straight up ridiculous.''

    Shaking her head, the blonde shuts her locker shut and lacks eye contact with her friend. ''Whatever.''

    Tristan wasn't understanding her concept. Blake knows that she's right, but she misses her friends.

    Being apart like this feels lonely, even though she still has someone by her side. This fight was taken to another level, compared to all their other fights, and it made her sick to her stomach.

    Tristan's rolls her dull brown orbs and scoffs at the easily weak Mitchell. Instead of fighting for the right thing, she'll just cave in for something that was always viewed wrong from the start.

    ''Honestly, Blake, grow some damn balls,'' Tristan sneers before walking off to her first period class.

    Pursing her lips, she turns back towards the two former best friends, only to find that they were no longer there.

× × ×

    The eraser of her pencil tapped repeatedly against the wooden desk in her Spanish class.

    Class was just about finished with less than six seconds before the bell rang. But until then, Mr. Guambana decided it'd be best to keep the students back for another lesson that was meant to be taught next class.

    ''La is the female term for 'the' as well as lo, only the male version,'' He explained shortly. ''Just like how-''

    Blake dropped her pencil back in her bag, carrying the straps once done and heading out the classroom for lunch.

    As Blake was walking down the busy hallway, her gaze focused on someone walking right in her direction.

    ''I gave you it all, Blake, you know that?'' He snapped when standing right in front of her. His presence hazed her and for a second, she was lost, bombarded even.

    ''I-I'm sorry?'' She stammers. ''Do I know you?''

    ''You stole my first kiss in the six grade,'' He then scoffs. ''And for what, for a couple of bucks?''

    Blake tilts her head to the side and drops her leg onto her left. ''You're loser Ricky?''

    ''I used to store little gifts in your locker and help you with your work in class whenever you needed it,'' He listed off. ''You were one of the best girls that I've ever been with.''

    The blonde shakes her head rapidly. ''That was you?''

    He only stands there, his silence answering her curiosity.

    She sighed and pressed two fingers against the side of her temple. ''Okay, first of all Morty-''

    ''It's Richard.''

    She furrows her brows. ''Allen?''

    She shakes her head again. ''Listen, stop sending me flowers, I hate when people give me flowers and stop sending me candles. Especially if you're going to buy the worst scented ones.''

    ''And we were kids, everyone should know that first kisses don't mean anything,'' She shrugs her shoulders. ''And, we were never anything nor am I pretty sure have you had anything with anybody.''

    ''You were everything to me!'' He exclaims.

    ''That's nice!'' She spat back. ''How did you even find this out anyway?''

    ''You're friends told me, Kim and Charlie- wait, where are you going?''

    The blonde kept her stampede in motion, ''Far away from you!''

    When really, she was going to see the girls who started this mess.

    Blake pushed her way through, not apologizing to a single person that gave her a dirty look and roughly pushed the double doors open, causing a dramatic entrance.

    Majority of the student population that decided to the best place to attend their lunch hour in the cafeteria, didn't really notice the fuming blonde flying past and around lingering air heads. But there those that already picked up the frenzy vibed and watched with eager eyes.

    ''You bitch,'' Blake spat, once she approached the small circular table Charlie and Kim sat at. Charlie closed her lips, her words put on her hold and resting bitch face at pique. Kim however, cocked a brow at the girl and smirked.

    ''Penny for your thoughts?''

    ''Sad to know Charlie's only worth that for a night,''She counters, her eyes narrowed to slits in a tempting gaze.

    ''I'm only gonna ask this once,'' Kim seethed, her smirk long gone. It satisfied the youngest of Mitchells to know that she hit a nerve. ''What do you want?''

    ''I wanna know why you're going around telling people secrets accommodated with us and only us?''

    ''Who was the one to blab?'' Charlie asked, her intimidating gaze still at stance, but Blake knew otherwise. She was scared and fragile, as if the next words spoken by Charlie herself or to Charlie could break her.

    ''Some kid name, Corey, I think?'' She shakes her head vigorously, barely at attempt to remember the mysterious kid that spazzed at her in the middle of transition.

    Kim rolled her eyes. ''After how many times have we made fun of you and this kid and yet you still can't remember that his name is Richard?''

    ''That's beside the point!'' She exclaims. If the bubbling argument wasn't even to catch attention, this surely did the trick. ''Who the hell do you think you are spilling all my secrets?''

    ''Doesn't feel nice, does it?'' Kim rhetorically asks, slowly rising from her seat to meet Blake's eye to eye level. ''To have everybody know your business? Having no control? Having to face the judgmental calls people throw at you?''

    Blake's surprise she didn't have steam spewing out from both ears. ''I didn't blast Charlie! She chose to do that at her own cost and I could have been there to support her, even if I was a little upset!''

    ''Save the sweetheart act, B,'' Kim chuckles, but it was deep and twisted. Because in no shape, way or form was this situation close to humorous. ''You, are just like everyone else. In fact, you're no better than everyone at this school, you're worse. You rejected her, and she's your best friend. All because of one mistake.''

    ''A mistake that will hurt my sister.''

    ''You know,'' Kim held both her hands out and looked around the cafeteria, through the audience that slowly formed as the confrontation continued. ''Where is Alicia? I figured she would've shown by now to kick some ass. Or is she too pussy to see what she's dealing with?''

    ''Don't go there, Kim,'' Troye calls out, taking a stand from his seat also. Jason remained in his seat, but he was at edge, like he knew when to pop in if needed and that time could be at any second. ''You both know Alicia better than anybody. And you know you wouldn't say half the shit you're spitting if she was here.''

    ''And the only reason Alicia hasn't come to do anything, is to protect your asses,'' Blake shrugs her shoulders. ''But, I mean, I guess that can always change.''

    Before Kim nor Charlie can utter a word, a disruptive shout from the other end of the cafeteria came towards the scene.

    ''Where is she?''

    The blonde turned with furrowed brows, to see a fuming and raging Arden Johnson. Last year, the it senior was considered to be Alicia and Sam. Though Troye is only a junior, his name was already marked as next year's it senior.

    But this year, wasn't the year. Arden Johnson and Cameron Lewis were.

    Also, coincidentally the it couple.

    ''Where's Blake Mitchell?'' She yells.

    She shakes her head, her confused features remained at fault. ''Whats up?''

    ''Whats up, is that you think that it's cute to text my boyfriend, because you have a little crush on him.''

    It was not claimed till this day, that this was the most anger Blake Mitchell has ever felt. And somebody was sure to catch those hands if someone dared to step on her toes.

    ''I didn't text nobody,--''

    ''Are you trying to call me a liar?'' She scoffs. She looks away and shakes her head. ''Freshmans. I swear they think they're the shit until someone squash's what little confidence they really hold.''

    Blake held her arms out. ''I didn't text your boyfriend. You can choose to believe me or not, I don't care how you take this.''

    ''No but you'll care enough to know if he likes you or not,'' She tempted, her weight dropped onto one leg while the other was propped out, and her arms were crossed against her chest. ''Which I hate to be the one to break it to you-''

    ''Well clearly you don't but continue.''

    She narrows her eyes. ''He never knew you existed. Neither of us did. But from the looks of it, you look like you wouldn't really satisfy him,'' She begins to laugh loudly. ''You have nothing that he wants. He wants a girl that knows how to do makeup instead of that weak shit you got going on. And a girl who always wear Converse? Even in the winter, not one pair of Timberlands. You have no boobs, no ass, you have no curves whatsoever. Spongebob Squarepants can get dick faster than you, honestly. You look at every Mitchell and see how gorgeous your parents blessed them with and then we look at you and wonder, haha, what happen?''

    Each insult was like a punch in the face, and the side comments and laughter being heard on the sidelines was just pinching against her skin. Blake would never put her friends through public humiliation, and it hurt to know even more that they wouldn't hesitate to do so on her.

    Arden grinned after a flash appeared, flashing over the blonde's dull features. ''God, I can't wait to show Cam how pathetic you look.''

    Through her glossy eyes, she whispers breathlessly under her breath. ''Delete it.''

    ''Oh,'' She jerked back, her eyes wide but a taunting smirk sketching her lips. ''Cat got your tongue? Please, darling, speak up. You can't feel any more embarrassed than you do now.''

    ''Delete it,'' She says louder and more firm.

    She grins. ''No.''

    ''Delete it, Arden,'' Jason chimed in. Though he hated to admit it, he is the only one who can taunt Blake Mitchell, and even he doesn't take it to the extreme. When anyone else does it, it's a good old you-better-do-what-I'll-say-or-me-and-the-Mitchells-will-kick-your-ass.

    ''I don't want to.''

    Blake walks towards her, even though Arden stood completely still, knowing her new approach. Just when Blake reached for her cellular device, she lifted that same arm in the air.

    ''Better luck next time,'' She pouts in feign sympathy.

    She was sick and tired of being treated like this. Not once had she had to fight back. Instead she had her siblings do it for her. But not today. Today, she wasn't going to let Tristan and Charlie win this satisfaction.

    Blake roughly gripped her arm and pulled it down so she take the phone away, which blew everyone by surprise, including Arden.

    ''I said no,'' She squeals, trying to pull away from her touch, which resulted her slapping Blake across the face. The audience silence after a long oh.

    Allowing the stinging to subside on her cheek, she peers at Arden and it was like a whole other person was released from its cage and has taken over the innocent, peace maker that is known of the Mitchell.

    ''You, bitch.''

× × ×

    ''Who beat the candy out of you?'' Carl questions with a cock of his brow, doing a once over on the intensified black eye that grew more and more appealing like waiting on a polaroid picture.

    ''We're not here to discuss that,'' Aaron Mitchell quickly intervenes, shutting down any contact between the two.

    Blake kept her gaze low, avoiding eye contact with a pout dragging the corners of her lips. After the fight with Arden Johnson, both were sent to the principal's office to be picked up and taken home for the rest of the day.

    ''Oh come on,'' He sucked his teeth. ''You're boring as fuck, talking to me about the same shit over and over.''

    This made Blake look up with furrowed brows. What is it that they talk about?

    ''Besides,'' He points at the blonde. ''I think this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see this black eye. I gotta hear the juice.''

    She shakes her head.

    ''This sort of thing isn't allowed to be encouraged,'' Aaron scolds. His meetings with Carl are meant to be kept secretive, and it wasn't like he could bail on his plans. So when he gotten a call from Principal Gonzalez that Blake Mitchell had not only gotten into a fight, but had to picked up from school, you could only imagine how angry he must be.

    He was afraid that Blake might end up this way. Alicia was, she was a fighter since she came out of the womb. Every little thing, Alicia would throw hands all around. Troye was the same, but he puts his strength to use in sports. Blake, however never once shown a sign of becoming a fighter. It set both Leigh-Anne and Aaron at ease, because it means less problems.

    Whenever she would have a problem, she set it aside and ignores it. You're either a stranger or an acquaintance to Blake once problems surface. Only her closest friends were lucky if you stay friends. And she doesn't think her friends know how lucky they truly are.

    Though, Blake was bound to cross this path. Every Mitchell has.

    ''You didn't even hear my side of the story,'' She began to whine. She tried continuously to explain what really went down instead of the blown out of proportion theory her principal came up with.

    ''You got into a fight, that's all I need to hear.''

    ''Did you win?'' Carl questions, still finding a way to intervene and get as much details as possible.

    ''Of course she did,'' Aaron scoffs. He also asked the same thing in the long car ride with Blake. It was the only interest he bothered to show. ''She's a Mitchell, we never lose a fight.''

    He cocks a brow. ''Never?''

    ''It's because people underestimate us that they never really know what to expect,'' Blake softly spoke, folding her hands on the metal surface of the circular table.

    He faintly smirks. ''I'll take your word for it.''

    He looks around to no one in particular, and leans forward, his voice low as he spoke to Aaron Mitchell. ''Did you find out how early you could get me out of here?''

    Blake furrows her brows, but remains silent.

    ''It's hard to say,'' He responds, his voice just as low as his. ''The judge needs serious convincing after your little outburst in the courtroom. I still need some time.''

    ''Meanwhile, I'm still locked up, doing time,'' He counters, his voice growing a little louder than intended for this conversation.

    ''Shh,'' Aaron hissed. ''Keep your voice down. I'm on it. I will hold up our bargain.''

    ''What bargain?'' Blake absentmindedly asked out loud.

    Carl looks away in, wondering why the hell the only dumbass had to say that out loud for everyone to hear, while Aaron was shushing her like crazy.

    ''Shut the fuck up, Blake,'' Aaron hissed. He shakes his head and looks at Carl who was already shooting daggers his way. ''We should be heading out anyway.''

    He remained silent as the Mitchells removed themselves from the premises.