I lunged for that fucker.

                John took a step out of reach, causing me to stumble. I didn’t care. I pulled my fist back, ready to smash it in his face.

                “Clayton, stop!” Sofia screamed, grabbing my arms and holding me back. I felt anger pulsing my blood, running through my veins. I jerked out of her grip, grabbing John by the collar of his shirt.

                I pulled him up off the ground, gripping his collar tightly. “I’m going to kill you. You son of a Leech. I’m going to make you hurt.”

                “Clayton, let go!” Sofia yelled, trying to pull me away. I pulled my fist back, ready to slam it into John’s stomach.

                Sofia grabbed my wrist, holding it back. I turned to face her.

                “Stop it!” Sofia hissed, “Not now! Back. Down. Clayton.”

                The fierceness in her voice shocked me. I hesitated. My grip on his collar loosened. John exhaled slightly, pulling away from me. He leaned against the wall, a sly smirk across his lips.

                “Thank you.” Sofia hissed, giving my arm a tug. She pulled me a few feet away from John, positioning herself between us. The other girl remained at the door, shock clear on her face. She didn’t know what to do.

                I clenched my fists, trying to hold back the anger that flooded my body.

                I couldn’t believe she was holding me back from the one thing I had wanted to do since I arrived on the Girls’ Side.

                “I think we need to sit down and have a little talk before we go around slamming fists at each other.” Sofia said, looking directly at me.

                “That’s a good idea.” The other girl, Cassie, said hesitantly. John grunted a response sounding like an agreement to Sofia’s statement.

                Sofia held my eyes, waiting for my answer.

                “Fine.” I spat out.

                Her body relaxed from the tense position she had been in. Her eyes left mine, looking at Cassie. Cassie swallowed, walking around us to lead the way to the living room. I took notice how she avoided touching Sofia or me.

                John followed the girl. Sofia placed herself between us as we walked. She glanced back a few times, giving me a worried look.

                I was infuriated as to why we were doing this. I wanted to hurt him and then talk about everything. After all, he hurt me first. It was only fair.

                The room was bare, save for two long couches facing each other on opposite sides. John took a seat on the far one, relaxing into the leather cover. The girl sat down next to him, close enough so that their thighs touched. John took no notice to this.

                Sofia sat down in the middle on the remaining couch, giving me a look. I cautiously took a seat next to her, keeping distance between us.

                It was silent. No one spoke. My eyes were trained on John as I calculated the best ways to strangle him with my hands. He wasn’t paying attention, his attention focused elsewhere. The two girls stared at the ground silently.

                Sofia cleared her throat.

                All eyes turned on her. Sofia’s face tinted red as she stuttered out a sentence, “Alright guys. We should probably get the talking started.”

                I glared at her lame attempt to lighten the mood.

                Sofia waited for anyone to say anything. Cassie opened her mouth to speak, but one look from John silenced her.

                “Sofia, can I speak with you privately?” I hissed under my breath.

                “But that—”

                “Sofia.”I said more sternly.

                She sighed, standing up, “We’ll be right back.”

                Sofia led the way out of the room. She wandered out of earshot of the other two people in the house. I followed angrily, breathing in deeply.

                She stepped into another room, closing the door behind us. I stood in the middle, taking notice how all the walls were bare.

                “What, Clayton?” She hissed. “What could you possibly have to say?”

                “Why aren’t you letting me do what we came here for?” I growled.

                “You’re not going to start punching him without getting answers!” She snapped “You two have to talk about things before you do anything rash.”

                “I’d love to talk about why he killed my girlfriend.” I said sarcastically, “After I punch his face in.”

                “Stop this! You’re being ridiculous! Haven’t you ever heard the phrase ‘revenge is a dish best served cold’?”

                “Oh, I’ve been waiting to serve this for a while now.”

                Sofia sighed, clearly annoyed with me, “Do you remember when we first met? How I asked you a favor?”

                I gaped at her, “You’re kidding.”

                “Clayton…”

                “This is the one thing I need to do. The only thing. And this is what you chose as your favor?” I shook my head, “No. Anything else.”

“Listen” Sofia reasoned, “Just wait a little bit. You’ve waited this long, a few more hours won’t kill you.”

                “I…”

                “Clayton, come on. I just…. Just for a little while.” She pleaded. “You owe me.”

                I bit my lip, running a hand through my hair. “Fine.”

                Sofia smiled slightly, bracing her hands on my shoulders. She kept them there, waiting for me to meet her eyes. I met them reluctantly.

                “Just wait a little bit. You’ll have plenty of time to get your revenge.” She reassured.

                “You better be right.” I grumbled.

                “Trust me.” Sofia moved her hands to her sides. “Shall we return to the living room?”

                I sighed, “I guess.”

                Sofia gave me an encouraging smile before walking past me. She led the way back to the living room, her footsteps silent on the floor. The sound of my feet hitting the ground reverberated against the walls, obliterating any hope of a surprise entrance.

                Soft whispers stopped suddenly as we entered the room again.

                I gritted my teeth with anger at the sight before me.

                The girl’s legs were draped over John’s, his arm wrapped casually around her back. She leaned her head against his chest, eyes barely open. John’s signature smug grin was spread across his lips. He met my eyes, holding back laughter.

                It was ironic. He had killed my Ellie because he thought this was wrong and insane, yet here he was cuddling with a girl.        

                My heart pulsed with pain at the memories of when Ellie and I cuddled. Only a few weeks ago would we have been sitting there together, holding each other. Ellie had always liked to interact like that, touching constantly. I didn’t mind either. Her body was perfect for me in every way.

                Sofia tugged on my arm, grabbing my attention.

                I hadn’t realized I’d been staring at the couple across from me.

                I moved my gaze to the floor, sitting next to Sofia. She crossed her legs, folding her hands on her lap. I leaned forward, resting my forearms on my thighs. My hair fell in front of my eyes, blocking out the world in front of me.

                I liked it that way.

                “So” Sofia said, trying to clear the tension in the room. “Cassie right?”

                “Uh….yes.” The girl said softly.

                “Sorry for this rude visit.” Sofia apologized. I rolled my eyes, careful to make sure she couldn’t see.

                “It’s…ah… it’s ok.”

                “I’m Sofia” She introduced, “And this is Clayton. I’m sure your…er…man next to you knows him already, though”

                I glanced up, watching the girl meet John’s eyes. He gave a slight nod before she spoke, “John has foretold of a strange boy coming to visit in the future.”

                Sofia raised an eyebrow, “Er… well he’s here.”

                “Hello.” Cassie said to me. I looked up, meeting her eyes. Her eyes widened, moving to another focus away from me.

                “I’m not in the mood for small talk.” I hissed. I cracked my knuckles nervously, waiting for Sofia to realize that trying to talk was stupid.

                “So… uh… John, right?” She asked.

                “Yes.” John said.

                “It seems to me that you and Clayton have a few issues that should be talked through.” She was not helping the situation at all.

                “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” The look on his face said otherwise.

                “Shut the hell up.” I growled, “You know exactly what she’s talking about.”

                John raised an eyebrow, “Getting defensive now, are we?”

                I clenched my fists, “Watch it.”

                John raised his hands innocently. The girl next to him shifted so that she was closer to him if that was possible, “Calm down Clayton. Or should I say, Clarisse?”

                I stood up, my face flushing. Sofia grabbed my arm, forcefully tugging me back down. She moved close to my ear, whispering so that only I could hear, “Stop this. Be mature.”

                I took a deep breath, trying to steady myself. I felt ridiculous. I was still dressed in the pathetic attempt at looking like a DQ in front of my newly sworn enemy. How intimidating did that look?

                “Could you please not provoke him?” Sofia asked as sweetly as she could manage. I could hear the malice underneath that. It was nice to know she was growing impatient with him also, “He’s trying not to get killed.”

                “I can see that.” John held back a snicker.

                Sofia hesitated before asking the next question, “Can I just ask what you’ve been doing since you arrived on the Girls’ Side?”

                John shrugged, looking down at the girl next to him, “I’ve been… busy.”

                “With what?”

                “Things.”

                “Just answer the damned question.” I growled.

                “Don’t you talk to John like that, Boy” Cassie spat at me, giving me the dirtiest of looks I’d ever received. I raised an eyebrow, surprised. It figured that she would defend him of course.

                “Calm down, Cassie.” Sofia said, always the peacemaker “We’re not looking for any trouble. We just want answers.”

                “That’s not what it seems like.”

                John moved his lips to her ear, whispering softly. She closed her eyes, nodding ever so slightly. I glanced at Sofia, meeting her equally confused eyes.

                “If you don’t mind answering…?” Sofia prompted.

                “I believe that I already have.” John said.

                “Have you brainwashed her or something?” I snapped, “What girl could manage to be around you? Especially after you killed one of the most innocent, beautiful ones out there.”

                I glanced at Sofia, hoping she wouldn’t be mad at my outburst.

                She seemed calm enough.

                John chuckled, “You’re one to talk. It seems like you’ve got another girl at your bidding.”

                “Excuse me” Sofia snapped, clearly offended by John’s choice of wording “I am not ‘at his bidding’ as you so incorrectly put. We have a mutual agreement and I am simply holding up my side. You keep in mind who held him off of you when we first arrived.”

                John rolled his eyes, “As if you did much.”

                Sofia gasped, ready to speak again when John cut her off.

                “I’ve known that boy longer than anyone else. He couldn’t hurt me if he really tried.”

                “You want to bet?” I growled, standing up again. I avoided Sofia’s eyes, refusing to back down again.

                John casually pushed the girl away, as if she was nothing but a blanket on him. He stood up, crossing his arms and puffing his chest out. “I’d love to see you try.”

                I pulled my fist back, ready to hit him.

                “Clayton!” Sofia hissed, “Remember what we talked about.”

                “You already had a conversation with him.” I hissed “Now it’s my term.”

                John smirked, raising an eyebrow. He couldn’t have known what we were talking about. It must have been amusing to see a DQ ready to punch your lights out.

                I slammed my fist forward as hard as I could.

                It connected painfully with John’s face.

                I pulled my hand back, flexing my fingers. John’s eyes were wide with surprise. He raised a hand to his face, pulling it back red. Blood flowed from his lip. John licked his lips, eyes turning dark.

                Pain erupted in my stomach as he slammed his fist into my gut. Whatever air I had inside of me left. I doubled over in pain, clutching at my stomach. John brought his foot up, hitting me in the jaw. My head snapped back painfully, my teeth cutting into my tongue.

                A coppery taste filled my mouth quickly.

                I was bleeding badly from my tongue.

                Two screams filled the air. I felt something rush past me, just barely nicking my forehead. I collapsed on the ground, gaining my breathing again.

                “You fucking Horse’s Ass!” I heard Sofia scream. There was a grunt and something thudded against the ground next to me.

                I raised my self up, keeping my watery eyes open.

                “You did not just hurt him!” The high pitched voice of Cassie squealed. “I’m going to make you wish you’d never been born.”

                “Bring it Leech.” Sofia growled, curling her fingers back tauntingly.

                Cassie shot forward, her hand ready to hit Sofia. I grabbed her ankle, dragging Cassie down to the ground. She screamed loudly in surprise.

                I limped over top of her, holding her hands up.

                “Let go of me you filthy, disgusting thing!” She snapped. She spat at me, her spit hitting my cheek. I made a face, disgusted, but I didn’t let up.

                “Listen up, Leech.” I growled as intense as I could “Don’t you ever threaten Sofia.”

                “Like I’m going to listen to you.” She rolled her eyes.

                I dug my elbow into her stomach, causing her eyes to bug out. She screamed when I reached to far. I pulled back slightly, proving my point.

                “Don’t ever threaten her.”

                “Get off me!”

                “Do you hear me?” I shouted.

                “Get off!”

                “Do you hear me?!” I repeated louder.

                “I hear you!” She cried, “Just get off!”

                “Clayton!” Sofia hissed, her arms wrapped around my waist. She pulled me off the girl, falling back from my weight. I landed on the ground next to her.

                Sofia sat up, “Clayton, what were you thinking?”