17. Fight
School was actually going fantastic. Marcus and I continued to sit together at lunch. We got
along really well. I also got to hang around with some more members of the basketball team.
They all seemed to really like me with the exception of Carley's boyfriend, Jeremy. He didn't
seem to like me too much for some reason. I also continued to speak to Carley, Candace, and
Hayley after school everyday. The conversations were getting easier and I've been able to
make them laugh a lot. Workouts have actually been pretty easy compared to what Leah had
me doing. I often wonder if I'll ever stop thinking about her. Maybe one day she will just seem like a
distant dream that was too good to be true. It should be easy to see it that way, considering that
she has incredible abilities due to being half wolf. It's too hard to forget something like that. Just
like the nightmares of vampires, the ever so fond memories of Leah will never fade.
The school day went by in a blur. It was October and everything about Forks High School was
starting to feel normal to me. Today was the day that I had to tryout for the team. I was the only one
trying out, since everyone else tried out last spring. The coach ran practice as he normally would've
while observing me. I didn't have much trouble with defense, dribbling, or making shots. These
things actually seemed easier since I wasn't playing against Captain Marvel anymore. I did struggle
with the drills and running the plays. The other guys were able to study the plays all summer, and
had known some of them from last year, so I was at a disadvantage. Overall, I thought that I did
pretty good, but I wasn't sure if I'd make it or not, since I struggled in some areas. The coach pulled
me to the side after our grueling running session to end practice. I was surprisingly the first one to
finish, and I didn't feel that winded.
"I think that you did a good job today. You've got a good shot and you're athletic. You smoked the other
guys today. You've got a lot of natural talent, but you're still a little raw in some areas. I'm sure you're
old basketball team hated to see you go." He said as he twirled his whistle around his finger.
"Actually, I've never played organized basketball before. I've only played in the backyard and at the park
with a friend." I shyly admitted.
"Well, then you really do have some natural talent. You look like you've worked with an actual
coach." Leah must've done a really good job teaching me how to play since Coach Taylor was
completely oblivious to the fact that I'd never played before.
"So...umm... did I make the team?" I questioned.
"Oh yes, absolutely! I've been needing a backup point guard for Marcus. I think that you'll fill that spot
just fine." He assured me.
"Thank you coach. I guess I'll see you tomorrow."
"Don't forget to drop your practice uniform off with the manager. He'll get everything washed."
I was ecstatic as I left the gym. I can't believe that I actually made the team. I ran into Carley as I
was entering the parking lot. She had just finished cheer practice. She was just as excited as I was,
only I didn't show it on the outside like she did.
"I'm actually glad that I ran into you. My car is messed up and Jeremy was supposed to take me home
today, but he told me to ask Hayley or Candace. He wants to go hang out with some of his friends.
Hayley and Candace like to hang out here for a while, and I really need to get home to study. Is there
any way that you could give me a ride?" She asked as she softened her voice.
"Umm.. sure, I don't mind. Is your boyfriend going to get mad because you're riding with me? He
doesn't seem to like me very much."
"Don't worry about him. He won't mind at all." She assured me.
"Alright, if you're sure... Just tell me where to go."
"I'll be right back. I've got to get my books from my locker."
"You need some help?"
"I won't turn it down if you're offering." I followed her to her locker where she pulled out three
advanced placement books. There was no way that I'd ever survive in these classes. I carried them
to the truck for her. We passed Jeremy as he was getting into a car that was full of his friends. He
paused as he was getting in the car and gave me an angry glare as we passed. Carley didn't seem to
notice. I wasn't sure if it was because his girlfriend was in my truck, or just because he didn't like
me.
Her house ended up being on the way to mine and it didn't take long to get to. She stumbled as she
got out of the truck and recovered before she fell. She turned around to get her books acting like
nothing happened. I'm sure that she was hoping I didn't see it.
"This is actually on the way to my house. I can give you a ride in the morning if you need it." I assured
her.
"That would be perfect actually. Thank you, let me give you my number in case something
happens." We exchanged numbers and she walked towards her house with her books in her arms.
Once I got home, I told my sister all about my day. I conveniently left out the part about Carley
having a boyfriend, and him glaring angrily at me. She was excited and said that she couldn't wait to
tell Chris when he arrived. Chris was the boyfriend that she'd been seeing for a while. He seemed
nice enough and she appeared to be happy.
I ran upstairs so that I wouldn't have to witness their grossness. They were always laughing and
kissing when he was over. I can't handle it, so I just go to my room. I finished up some homework
since I had nothing else to do. It was already a day late anyway. Once I finished, I took a quick peek
out my window before drifting off to sleep. That night I dreamt that I was playing basketball. We had
just won the state championship. I looked out in the stands and saw an exotically gorgeous girl in
the stands. She wasn't clapping and cheering like everyone else was. She was just staring at me
with hurt in her eyes. I ran to her, clawing my way through a sea of people. I instantly scooped her
up in my arms when I approached her. We stared into each others' eyes for what seemed like an
eternity. The warmth of her skin was radiating against me. Our lips leaned towards one another
simultaneously. Suddenly, I was abruptly awoken by the sound of my alarm. I had never been so
angry to hear it in my life. I just needed a few more minutes.
Carley seemed to be in a cheerful mood when I picked her up for school, although she did look like
she had a late night of studying. There were a couple of students in the parking lot when we arrived
at school. Some of them were staring and talking quietly as we got out of the truck. Surely they
weren't talking about us. I was just helping out a friend who needed a ride to school. Suddenly, a
stocky guy with dirty blonde hair came storming towards me, followed by a group of guys. I
recognized some of them from the basketball team. The guy was none other than Jeremy. He
obviously wasn't very happy with me. I could feel my hands start shaking nervously as he
approached me.
"What are you doing with my girlfriend?" Jeremy shouted as he got in my face.
"Calm down Jeremy. It's not worth it." Marcus said as he put his hands on Jeremy's shoulders trying
to push him away. Jeremy shrugged Marcus off while staying focused on me.
"He was just being nice and giving me a ride. He passes my house on his way home. It's nothing to act
stupid about." Carley assured him.
"I don't buy that! I think that he needs to learn a lesson about messing with other people's
girls." Jeremy shouted with rage. I really hoped that he would calm down. I didn't want to fight him,
but he was fuming. I knew that Leah wasn't here to save me this time. He hit me on the
cheekbone with a right hand. It didn't hurt as bad as I thought it would. I instinctively threw a right
hand back and he fell to the ground. He dizzily got up and tried to swing at me again. I dodged the
blow and threw a hard punch right back. Blood splattered as I connected with his nose. He
screamed in agony as he held his face. Suddenly the principles voice boomed from the back of the
large crowd that had gathered. Jeremy's friends helped him to the backseat of a nearby car and laid
him out of sight on the floorboard before the principal made his way through the crowd. I really
didn't want to know the consequences of fighting. I was sure to be suspended and kicked off the
team. Everyone started to disperse as the principal came into view.
"What is going on here?" Principal Greene questioned.
"It's my fault. I told everyone that Wilder was going to do a backflip off the top of his truck
today." Marcus assured him.
"If I find out that you're lying to me Mr. Odom, then you and everyone involved will be in serious trouble.
Now, everyone get to class!"
"Thanks for the save Marcus." I said as we walked towards the school.
"I can't have two people getting kicked off the team in the same day." He assured me.
"Do you think the principal will ever find out what really happened?"
"Not a chance. Even if he does, I don't think he would do anything about it. He would hate to tarnish the
star football player's reputation. Even though he isn't a great basketball player, Jeremy is good at
football. He's been offered several scholarships to play college football next year."
"From what I've seen, basketball is definitely not his sport. I know he's a senior, but I don't understand
how he starts."
"He's obviously not that great of a boxer either. At least compared to you he's not."
"I just got lucky." I assured him.
"I don't know about that. You looked pretty skilled. You know you're going to have a reputation after
that display. I don't think anybody in the school would dare mess with you now. I mean, that one punch
didn't even phase you, and his nose is definitely broke."
I didn't like the idea of hurting Jeremy, but I had to defend myself. I just hope that Carley is not too
upset with me.