Shepherd's Crook - 6. Chapter 6

“B-b-but…it was an accident Daddy,” Amanda’s voice got squeakier the louder she spoke.

Anger flashed in Gibby’s eyes. “An accident? You have got to be kidding!” He raised his voice to match hers.

Principal Grady put his hands up for both of them to be quiet. He glanced from his daughter and then back to the new student, now covered in pudding. “How did this happen?” The man kept calm while both teenagers glared at each other.

“Your bitch of a daughter threw pudding--”

Amanda immediately interrupted Gibby, “Daddy, it slipped.”

“From half way across the cafeteria?” Gibby couldn’t believe what he was hearing. If Principal Grady actually believed her, then she had everyone here fooled.

“I’m sorry, it was an accident.” Amanda chewed on her bottom lip. It made her look nervous, but Gibby was willing to bet that she was trying to suppress her evil smile.

Principal Grady looked at the sticky mess covering Gibby’s clothes and winced, “I know you’re upset, Gibson, but she said she was sorry--”

“Sorry?” Gibby’s cheeks were flushing red with rage. “She’s sorry so everything will be okay?” He huffed with frustration.

“Amanda apologized,” Principle Grady focused on his daughter, “And I’m sure she promises that this will never happen again…right Amanda?”

The smile that slithered across Amanda’s face was as icy cold as her steel blue eyes. “I really am sorry Gibby and to show that there’re no hard feelings, I can take your jacket down to the Home Economic class and run it through the washer and dryer while you grab a shower in the boys’ locker room.”

It wasn’t enough that she embarrassed Gibby in front of the entire senior class, now she was trying to reveal him as the monster she believed him to be. Rage pumped through his veins. There was no way that he was going to let her get to him.

“I’m not afraid to show my scars in public,” Gibby said as he pulled his arms out of his hoodie and slipped it over his matted hair. Principle Grady gasped when he saw the thick red scars covering Gibby’s body. Amanda’s smile suddenly disappeared. “I cover them up so people like you can feel better, pretending like the fire never happened.”

Throwing his hoodie at Amanda, Gibby silently wished that a big glop of pudding would smear the front of her designer blouse. As he turned and stomped out of the principal’s office, he called over his shoulder, “I expect that to be cleaned, pressed and folded when I get back to school tomorrow and Amanda,” Gibby hesitated at the door, “Hold the starch!”

***

Pulling the big black SUV into the driveway, Jonathan noticed Gibby lounging on the front porch. His bare feet were propped up on the banister as he dozed in the late afternoon sun, settled down into one of the wooden rocking chairs. Jonathan smiled watching his son doing something so typical teenager.

Jonathan sat down in the empty chair beside his son. A warm breeze blew across the porch and ruffled Gibby’s auburn hair. When he still didn’t wake up, Jonathan slightly nudged Gibby’s leg.

Startled, Gibby’s eyes flashed open at the same time his feet slipped off the railing and hit the wooden floor of the front porch. “Oh my god!” He clutched at his vintage rock band t-shirt while trying to calm his racing heart.

“You’re not jumpy are you, kiddo?” Jonathan chuckled as Gibby pulled his earbuds out and wrapped the cord around his neck.

A car driving down the street slowed down. The elderly woman behind the wheel waved as she passed by. Jonathan glanced down at Gibby’s uncovered arms and legs. “It’s nice to see you enjoying the last rays of sunshine before the chill of autumn sets in.”

Gibby wiggled his toes, enjoying the feel before pushing up and out of the rocking chair. His wet hair had quickly dried in the afternoon sun. Lounging in fresh clean clothes, he didn’t see any reason to tell Jonathan about the incident at school.

“I saw chicken in the refrigerator. Want me make chicken-salad for dinner before I have to start my homework?”

Jonathan smiled at how easily they had fallen into a routine in their new city and home. “Sounds good,” He said as he followed his son into the house.

***

The cheerleaders practiced on the sidelines while the football players took center field. The team was divided. Half the players donned gray jerseys and the other half wore navy blue, the only similarity was the large gold numbers on each player’s chest.

The girls’ tight sweatpants displayed amusing words, like ‘Star,’ ‘Hottie,’ ‘Cutie,’ and ‘Pink,’ across their asses. Several of the players were distracted by the sight and kept stealing glances at the bouncy cheerleaders, instead of focusing on the game.

Ethan stood in the center of the field waiting for the snap from Mike. As soon as he had the ball in his hands, his eyes searched for an open man. Mark and Tanner both raced the length of the field. Tanner’s legs might not be quite as long as the other guy’s, but his powerful muscles kept him neck and neck with his taller teammate.

When Mark darted left, Tanner was right there beside him. Pushing harder, Tanner moved faster to try to step in front of his friend.

Ethan spotted that Mark was in trouble and quickly shot his eyes to the left. One step back, Ethan released the ball into the air. His long thin fingers gave it a perfect spiral as it shot across the sky.

“Good job, Conroy.” The coach called out after the ball was released. Ethan held his breath as all he could do now was watch and wait.

The cheerleaders started chanting Mark’s name. They grew louder until their voices echoed off the metal bleachers. Mark twisted his body, anticipating the ball’s trajectory. Slicing through the air, inches from Mark’s hands, Tanner swooped in for the interception.

The coach’s face beamed. “I’m glad we’re all playing for the same team,” He shouted at the stunned players, helplessly watching Tanner speed down the field to the end zone.

Tanner wasn’t the best player or the worst, he was always stuck somewhere in the middle. He wasn’t going to get a football scholarship like Ethan or the Butler Boys, so it had his heart doing somersaults that he had outplayed every other guy on the field tonight.

“Tanner, that was an awesome catch.” Coach smiled at his player like a proud father. “Good hustle everyone. You boys play like that, there’s no way that Mt. Jackson can touch us this season.”

The waterboy handed out towels as the team headed towards the showers. Ethan watched Amanda crossing the field to meet him. When she was within arm’s length, he pulled her to him for a sweaty hug.

“Oh gross, Ethan!” She screeched, shoving him away. “You stink!”

The guys chuckled at Amanda’s reaction. All of their practice jerseys were soaking wet as sweat mopped their hair and glistened their hard bodies.

Mike and Mark joined them as Sunshine and Bethany followed a few steps behind. The guys and girls flirted as they made their way towards the gymnasium. Tanner walked at a distance from the group. They were the last ones on the field. Everyone else had practically run for their chance at a hot shower.

“Hey Tanner,” Ethan called out to him when he got a few steps ahead of them.

Tanner glanced over his shoulder. His sweat soaked blond locks plastered his forehead, leaving a ring from his helmet.

Ethan tossed the football that he was carrying, which easily landed in Tanners arms. “You were great today…just keep it up when it’s time to stomp the competition.”

Tanner smiled as he turned back towards the locker room.

“Tanner, wait!” Amanda shouted at him. Clenching his jaw, Tanner’s shoulders bristled at the sound of her voice. He stopped for a moment then quickly continued walking. Frustrated, Amanda suddenly sprinted to catch him and blocked his path.

“Didn’t you hear me?” She blew an exasperated sigh as she rummaged in her backpack and pulled out a small pile of paper strips. “I have something for you.”

Noticing the tiny answer sheet, Tanner shook his head, “No, Mandy, not this year.”

As he stepped around her, anger flashed across her face.

“Don’t walk away from me,” Amanda’s tone was enraged and she grabbed for his arm, jerking him back around to face her. “You can’t just walk away, it’s not that easy.”

Tanner glared at her hand on his skin. “Watch me,” He shrugged out of her grip and stomped towards the locker room.

“Come back here!” She shouted at his retreating back.

When he didn’t stop, her voice rose with her growing anger. “Tanner, I mean it…You! Come! Back!”

Tanner froze where he was. The rest of their friends nervously watched Amanda tapping her foot on the ground waiting for him to obey her demand.

“Or what? Are you going to throw something at me while I’m not looking, too, like you did with the new kid?” Tanner forced the words through his clenched teeth.

Amanda growled when the twins burst into laughter. Bethany and Sunshine were useless to control her anger. She pivoted on her heels, grabbed Ethan, and pushed him towards his black Camaro parked behind the gymnasium.

“Take me home,” She ordered him.

Ethan glanced from Amanda to Mike then Mark and back to her. “B-b-but I haven’t showered yet--”

“Oh shut up, you can shower when you get home. I want to go, now!” Amanda barked, making Ethan jump as he scrambled to do exactly as he was told.

I'm sorry for the delay, thank so much for being so understanding guys!
KC