Too Equal For My Taste
Chapter 29: Umbrella of Protection
Mike stared at Ken angrily. So it all came to this part. After all the rivalry and tense frosty relations, it had to go physical. Well, at least it wasn't fighting with punches and kicks. At least it was just Ken pinning him. Sooner or later it had to go all-out. The question now was when they would put all possibilities of consequences aside, and do it.
Mike repeated his thoughts to Ken in a disbelieving way, "It all comes to this, then?"
"Yea, guess so," Ken said calmly but firmly. "But I won't have to beat the crap out of you if you don't go telling anyone. You keep this to yourself, and you never saw me here. Keep things the way they are, and nothing will happen. No need to get hurt."
"I thought you were better, Ken," Mike breathed. "I really thought you were. I thought that"-
-"That I changed, and I wasn't such a bitch?" Ken smirked. "Well, you heard everything. You were gullible, and you have to deal with it. Maybe next time you'll think."
"Ken, I don't wanna fight you"-
"Well, why not?" Ken challenged. "You always liked fighting people. It's just me now. What're you scared? Mark, listen, it's over, ok? You deal with things the way they are now, and I promise you, you'll never have to deal with this again. It'll be over. It's not like I'm living off this."
Before Mike could respond, he saw from behind Ken, Jake coming up. Mike decided not to answer, because Jake already took Ken from behind, and pushed him into a wall. "Touch him again, Ken, and I'll make you pay myself."
"No, you won't," Ken laughed.
"Oh, yes I will," Jake said angrily. "I got friends you know, we'll get you."
"And I got none?"
Mike, feeling higher then because Jake was there, said, "None except Mark! Like he's gonna do"-
"Mike, don't provoke him," Jake cut in. He kept his eyes on Ken. "I'm warning you Ken, touch Mike one more time, and you will regret it. Got it? You will regret you ever laid a finger on him."
Ken moved closer to Jake, "We both know its low telling adults about your own problems. He's about to rat on me, so what do you say to that? What, he can't take care of his own problems?"
"I say that there's no problem telling friends and getting help!" Jake said back. "Besides, you can hardly talk. You tell your dad on many people to no end just to get what you want. Only for your interests, Ken, so shut up before this gets bigger than it already is."
"I'm not gonna go easily, Jake," Ken told him. "This is just for once. It's not like I'm a"-
"The point is, you're doing it," Jake said angrily. "Dude, listen. You can give everything back. You can fess up right now. Your parents will appreciate your honesty. Ours might get back together. You might get the raise you wanted, simple for being honest."
"I will do no such thing," Ken said angrily. "I've done enough. Since I was seven, I was dead honest with them, and last raise was when I was six! What else can I do? They think I'm gonna spend it on drugs or something."
"No duh!"
"I'm twelve, what the hell would I spend it on?" Ken challenged rhetorically.
"Don't ask me, they're parents!" Jake said back.
"Then understand my case, and stay out of it," Ken said. "It's that simple. One more time, and do whatever you want."
"I'm sorry, I'm afraid I can't do that," Jake said stepping closer towards Ken now. "Stop it now."
"No, I'll fight about it," Ken said calmly. "And you'll see."
"We're gonna meet," Jake said lowly. "And we'll see what happens. Touch Mike, he tells me, and I'm gonna fight you till you beg for mercy."
"Hah, we'll see about that," Ken laughed. "You can't hurt a fly. You never even won a fight before."
Jake took Ken by the arm, forced him around, and kicked his back so he'd fall face forward to the ground. "Looks like I just did. C'mon Mike, let's go, and ignore this guy. He's worthless."
Mike followed Jake away. The fight had gone physical and the conflict intensified. Mike thought Ken would be better, but he guessed not. And only God knew how he got away from the police officer who questioned him.
As Jake and Mike confronted Ken, Mike started thinking that maybe Ken would be humbled. But Ken was right. Mike was gullible. He seriously believed Ken was reformed, and wouldn't go as low as stealing trinkets and antiques. But Mike was wrong.
