Tales of the Underground: Crestfallen - 5. The Bully and the Boy

As doubt crept it my head it was met with optimism of equal size. If it takes practicing every day to be great, then that’s exactly what I’ll do. I’m going to work harder than I ever have before. For the first time in my life I’m going to earn something for myself by myself.

As I approached the lunch table I saw that my smile was contagious. I took what was now becoming my normal seat across from Ivy and Henry and took out the lunch Perry had packed me.

“So someone’s happy today” Ivy teased “I take it you’re a wrestler now”

“Mhm” I hummed barely able to sit still

“Thatta boy!” Henry yelled drawing attention from the surrounding tables “So they’re letting you do both.”

“Yup” I said trying to play it cool

“Are you gonna forget about us little people on your way up?” Ivy asked throwing a grape at me

I swatted it out of the air and at Henry “Yes”

“Is that the only thing you can say today?” Henry teased as he let the grape land on him

I began to play with my food “I guess I’m just really excited”

“Can you handle it?” Ivy asked more out of concern then doubt

I looked back up with a smile “Don’t know, I guess we’ll find out”

She reached out to touch my hand, but just like every other time I pulled it away “You know you don’t have to prove anything right?”

“I know, I’m not trying to” I answered knowing where the conversation was going

“Our whole freshman class knows how tough you are, and after seeing bright green stitching word will spread to the whole school. Just because your gay doesn’t mean you’re weak, and if this is about what your parent’s think then…”

“It’s not” I interrupted “I just want to become a better fighter. I’ve almost lost fights because my ground game is so terrible. If I’m going to be the best I have to round out my weaknesses. I’m doing this for myself”

“This suicide mission of yours is never going to end is it?” she groaned

“Nope” Henry answered knowing the answer “If he doesn’t get into the UFC he’s joining the marines”

“No, we’re not talking about that again” Ivy sighed. I guess she put up with my fighting more than she enjoyed it. I remember when I first started training she begged and pleaded for me to stop, but she could never find the right words to stop me. Once I started on the track, there was no stopping it.

“Why not?” I shrugged “Its’ the truth. Maybe I’ll even do both.”

“Stop, I don’t want to hear about it” she complained “I don’t understand why you think you owe people something.”

“Because look at my life Ivy. I’ve been handed everything, if I want something I can just go out and buy it. I have to find a way to pay the world back, maybe serving my country is the way I will”

“Or you could just start a charity or something” she mumbled under her breathe

The lunch bell rang to end our conversation. No matter how hard she tried, I don’t think she could ever understand my need to give back. It’s just something I need to do. The rest of the school day went by in a flash. As expected I had to explain to my last few teachers why I had stitches, and even why I chose bright green to one of them. Like I told him I’m not afraid to show my cuts, when I get tagged I show it to the world. Evidence that someone bigger had tried to take me down, and yet I had survived. As I packed my backpack at the end of the day Jack stopped by to congratulate me on joining the team. I explained the conditions that coach and I had agreed to, and I could tell he was excited. Like he said before he left to go to his own locker “We’re gonna accomplish big things this year.” To my surprise the talk left me more confident, then nervous. Jack actually made me feel a part of the team; a team that will support each other win or lose. I went out to my car feeling like I was walking on air; everything was coming up big for me. As I threw my bag into the trunk, I heard the familiar sounds of a fight going down towards the field.

“Hold up for me Perry, I need to go see something” I said starting to walk away

“Sir we don’t have time for this” he argued

I waved my hand as if to say it’ll only take a minute “Aidan, get your ass back here” Brooke yelled from the passenger’s seat “Do you really have to do this every time you hear a fight?”

I ignored her words and kept moving. As I finally made it to the gravel gap between the lot and the field I saw a group huddled around 2 people. The closer I got the more I understood the situation, a smaller scrawny freshman was lying on the ground, a few cuts and scrapes decorated his arms. I pushed my way through not bothering to listen to what the bigger kid was saying.

“Hey” I shouted “Bullying? Really? What are you 12?”

The bigger kid looked me up and down “Shut the fuck up, didn’t anyone teach you not to play hero.”

“I must’ve missed that lesson” I said standing between the kid on the ground and the bigger kid

“What is this? One of those situations where I hit you and your daddy sues me?” he provoked to the amusement of the crowd

“No, it’s one of those situations where you don’t get back up” I replied shutting him up. I looked around at the growing crowd, and recognized some of the freshman standing around eagerly waiting for a fight to break out. They knew what to expect, but apparently no one else did. I guess I’m not as of a big name as I thought.

“That’s real tough talk for someone with stitches, what’d you get into a fight with a door?” He started to take a few steps forward

“Get outta here” I whispered turning towards the kid on the ground, he didn’t even bother looking up. “Go!” I said putting more power in my voice. I tried to get a good look at his face but his thick brown hair covered it up. “Fine, we’re going to have to do this the hard way then” I mumbled more to myself then to him. The bully locked eyes with me “So are we gonna do this, or you gonna keep staring at me buttercup?”

The bully started to move in and I took my normal fighting position. He took a big swing, and I dodged it with ease. I couldn’t help but smile as he left his whole face exposed. I cocked back and connected a powerful punch, knocking him to his ass.

I jumped back and began to bounce on my toes “Son of a bitch, I forgot how much punching without a glove hurts!” I shouted shaking my hand, the crowd around me began to laugh along with my smile “I’m not kidding, fuck that hurt!”

The bully attempted to get back to his feet but immediately fell back down. He reached up and grabbed onto his ears “What the fuck?” he gasped looking up at me

“You’ll be fine, your ears will ring for the next few hours but you’ll survive.” I snickered done with any form of communication with him. I turned and helped the victim to his feet. As I grabbed onto his hand I got my first good look at his face. His sad brown eyes stunned me as they connected with mine then immediately broke away. I could tell he was embarrassed by the whole situation. I put my arm around him and pushed through the crowd to give him some space. “Come on man, you can’t let people push you around like that. You gotta put up a fight, even if you’re the little guy”

He escaped my arm and looked away “I didn’t ask for your help” he mumbled

“You didn’t need to” I replied beginning to walk away “Just remember always fight back, they’ll stop picking on you if you do”

He shook his head “Easy for you to say, it looks like you know to fight.”

“I didn’t’ always” I shrugged “I’ll catch you around right?”

“I guess” he sighed “I’m a freshman”

“Cool me too” I said finally reaching the back door of my car

“Then I’ll see you later” he mumbled

“See ya later” I finished hopping into the car

“Look at you, touching another human being that isn’t trying to fight you” Brooke teased “Looks like Aidan has a new crush”

“I do not!” I defended “The kid needed help, you know I hate bullying”

“I know, but it’s that much sweeter when you get to save a cute boy huh?” she continued

“Oh shut up, he wasn’t even that cute besides you don’t even know if he’s gay” I pouted

Brooke rolled her eyes “Did you see him? He totally could be”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh don’t get so touchy, you know what I mean” she finished

I shrugged and stayed quiet for the rest of the car ride. As soon as we pulled up to the gym I bailed out of the car. Training that day was exactly what I needed, I explained to my coach and trainers about my new mixed schedule, and they agreed that it would be fully worth it if I could pull it off. As always I got pushed hard, I may have won last night’s fight but there’s no resting on laurels, not in this gym at least. As we wrapped up the session my body felt like it was going to fall over. There was no doubt about it; I was tapped out both mentally and physically. When Perry finally arrived I rushed out of the gym eager to go home and sleep, homework can wait until tomorrow night.

“So master Aidan you got another chance to be a hero” Perry remarked, not forgetting what happened after school

“I guess” I mumbled beginning to fall asleep in the back seat

“I think it was very sweet of you” he said looking in the rearview mirror

“I don’t have a crush” I muttered

“I know sir” he said with a quiet laugh

The rest of the night was foggy. It was one of the times when you’re so tired it feels like you’re dreaming. It’s wasn’t a bad thing or anything, I was just exhausted. I couldn’t help but dream of the glory that awaited me on the wrestling team. I woke up even more excited than yesterday. I rushed through breakfast and waited impatiently in the car. I don’t know what I was so damn excited for, I just knew I was.

“You’re such a freak” Brooke taunted as we finally pulled up to the big brick building.

I turned and stuck out my tongue as I exited the car. I couldn’t help but hum to myself as I walked into the building and to my locker. As I approached the blue metal wall I saw someone slumped in front of my locker. As I got closer I recognized the red jacket, and dirty blonde hair.

“Can I help you” I muttered, lightly waking him up with my foot

He shook his head and jumped to his feet “Yeah, What the fuck did you do?”

“What do you mean what did I do?” I asked taking a step back, so I could avoid his bad morning breath

“Don’t play stupid, I’m your varsity mentor you little shit.”

On top of all the practice I’m going to have a shitty mentor? Perfect, that’s just what I need!