For most of the day, I kept to myself avoiding both my friends and the
preps. At first my friends felt as though I was mad at them but I explained
to Frenchy in between periods that it was just a ritual of mine before a
match. Being by myself kind of psyched me up. When lunch came around,
rather than going to my regular table, I ate my lunch behind some bushes.
When I went to my afternoon classes, the preps that I hadn't had any
classes with in the morning tried bugging me. Matt told them to can it or
Frenchy did. If neither of them were in the class, I just ignored the
taunting. History class was the worst. I listened to 'Bother' and since we
had a sub, then I was able to listen to my music in peace as I worked on
the text work. The entire period had Specs poking me with his pen, tapping
my shoulder and kicking my chair. The poking almost made me crack but I was
saved by the faint sound of the school bell. I grabbed my books and moved
out of the room as fast as I could so not to talk to anyone.
Arriving at my locker, I found Frenchy, Elf and Elf's older sister Pebbles waiting for me. Matt had to work so he wouldn't be there to cheer me on. Pebbles was there not only to give Elf a ride, but to cheer me on. She was an intern at the local hospital and played a mean bass.
"You ready?"
"Almost."
From my bag, I pulled out a deep pink shirt. I heard my friends gasp a little. I laughed, knowing that was the reaction I was looking for.
"You guys like?"
"What the hell? I thought you hated pink?"
I slipped off the black tank top I had on and slipped the pink shirt over the spaghetti strap top. I then pulled my trench over and did it up, hiding the top.
"Ok, now I'm ready."
I grabbed the bag from the shelf and the four of us walked out to the yard where the challenge would be. Arriving, I noticed Mr. Kloppman my American Lit teacher standing around with the boys. Seeing us arrive, the boys headed off to the girls and their friends.
"Hey Mr. K"
"Hello Dodger, are you ready?"
"In a second. Why are you here by the way?"
"I'm the coach for the baseball team along with being the American Literature teacher. I decided to come out and help ref your competition. Your friends speak highly of your skills. Maybe you could come out for the team?"
Mr. Kloppman was interested in having me on the team?
"Maybe. Let me just give my stuff to my friends. Then I'll be ready."
With a nod from Mr. Kloppman, I went off to where my friends were standing. I handed off the trench coat to Elf and my bag to Frenchy.
"Be careful. My CD player is in the left inside pocket."
"You be careful too."
Taking a deep breath, I started for the group that was now formed around Mr. Kloppman. The boys didn't leave this time. They stuck around.
"So," rubbing my hands together and smirking at the boy's shocked expressions to the pink shirt "are we ready to start or what?"
Jack was the first to recover the shocked expression to a smirk.
"The question is, are you ready to lose?"
The others recovered and joined in the smirking with Jack. I rolled my eyes and walked straight up to Jack.. my head barely coming to his chin.
"Now Jack, why are you asking me that when you should be asking it to you and your friends? Lets just get this show on the road."
Mr. Kloppman told me to go over to the left side of the chalk mark while the boys were to go to the other side. I was given one red foam soccer ball while ¾ of the boys were given the same. This arrangement wasn't new since I've faced some guys with knives instead of foam balls. Placing the ball beside me, I crouched down waiting for us to start. I learned early on that positioning like this made it easier to move if I needed to avoid the balls and set a ball down without getting hit. Looking off at my friends, they all gave me thumbs up before I looked back at Mr. Kloppman.
"Both sides ready?"
I nodded as the boys chorused yes.
"All right. Ready..set..GO!"
As soon as Mr. K said go, I whipped the ball I had at Spot's legs. He didn't see it coming until it was too late. It bounced off his legs and rolled off to the side as Mr. K yelled that Spot was out. Unlike his friends who watched his skulk off the playing area, I kept my eyes on them. Mush and Kid Blink turned around and I laughed at the red colour their faces had turned. With a big heave, Kid threw the ball he held up into the air. Lucky for me, he threw it too high since all I had to do was reach up and catch. Mush threw the ball at me just as I caught Kid's ball in my hands. The ball was aiming for my midsection and rather than moving out of the way, I brought my arms down and caught it between my elbows and abs.
"You two, off the field. Good throws though boys."
I took the ball from my elbows and abs and set it down beside me on the ground. I heard a few words of protest coming from the preps, but Mr. K silenced them, saying I hadn't dropped the ball, but placed it on the ground. Finally, it was just Jack and I. Both of us had two balls at our disposal. I moved the ball from hand to hand, trying to decide where to throw it and what he was about to do.
"C'mon. What are you going to do?"
I watched with interest as he paced back and forth, watching me stand still. I caught sight of the ball I had set down and an idea hit me. Make it look like I'm going for the ball and when he thinks I'm about to do it, throw the ball at him. I slowly started to turn my back and from the corner of my eye saw Jack move his arm up to throw.
"Perfect."
I spun quickly and threw the ball at him, catching him right in the stomach. Frenchy, Elf and Pebbles all ran over to me, enveloping me in a giant hug.
"You did IT! You actually beat them!"
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."
We stood there laughing over my victory as the preps walked over to us. We turned to them and Spot stuck out his hand. I took it in mine and we did a firm shake.
"You won and lived up to your name. Good work."
"Thanks."
"But can she beat me?"
All of us turned to the voice and we saw Specs walking up to the group. I thought he had been with the group when I showed up since he was heading in from the parking lot. Kid Blink moved towards him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you sure you want to do this Specs? I don't think you can handle it. I mean, she took the four of us on and we play baseball."
Specs shrugged off the hand and moved so he was in front of me. I looked up and saw the chocolate brown eyes were even browner.
"Its up to her if she wants to take on another challenge. Surely one is easier than four."
Taking him on wouldn't be that hard. From the words Kid said, seems as though he's not on the team with the others. He set his backpack down at our feet and looked at me.
"Well, what do you think? Are you up for the challenge?"
"Why not? I'm always up for a challenge."
I caught sight of a smirk as he turned around and took his bag over to where the preps now stood. I waited to hear protests from my friends but they had gone back to their spot and looked at me with smirks. They seem to know something I don't. I'll have to ask them afterwards. Mr. Kloppman gave Specs and I each a ball, taking the other two off the playing field. He looked from the two of us before speaking.
"You two ready?"
Neither of us said a word; we just nodded. I bent down into the crouching position and oddly enough, Specs went into a position that made him look like a goalie. Concentrating, I could barely hear Pebbles, Elf and Frenchy calling out encouraging words.
"Forget about the voices. Keep focus on Specs."
"If you two are ready, then go!"
Unlike before, neither of us moved. Specs stood in a position that he'd be able to block off the ball. I wasn't gonna give up the ball that easily. Specs and I moved back and forth, keeping our eyes on one another as our two groups of friends yelled at us to get the attention. I couldn't understand the words everyone was saying; just sounded like buzzing of insects. I concentrated harder and soon I heard no noise. Having parents that are continuously nagging at me, I learned to tune them out at a young age. I caught some movement of Specs's arm moving and I took that as my chance. Whipping the ball, I aimed for his leg which was now unguarded. My ball hit his leg and a few seconds after my victory, I was hit in the upper cheek.
Being hit was a shock. Not only was his aim was completely off but I had been hit! He was supposed to aim for below my waist, not my face. Having the shocked feeling come over me, I stumbled backwards, tripping over the very ball that had just hit me. Everything started to move in slow motion. As I fell back, I saw my friends, the preps; Specs and Mr. Kloppman run slowly towards me. When I connected with the ground, everything resumed and my friends were the first beside me.
"DODGER!"
Elf and Frenchy were the first ones to get to me. With their help, I moved into a sitting position.
"Ohh man."
Pebbles came over with a makeshift first aid kit, pulling a bandage out in case of a cut.
"Well, there isn't any cut but you will need ice through for that bump on the back of your head and one for your eye. Seems as though it's gonna bruise. How are you feeling?"
"Did I get him? And I'm fine."
I asked rubbing the back of my head. Both Frenchy and Elf laughed.
"That's our Dodger. Yeah, you got him in the legs just before you got hit in the head."
I smiled but soon winced since it hurt too much. With the help from my friends, I got up to my feet and dusted the gravel stones and dirt from me. From several rocks, a hole was ripped in the back of my shirt.
"Oh great."
I muttered as we walked to where the backpacks were. Arriving back, Elf helped me put my trench back on and Pebbles handed the backpack over to me. As I got my jacket on, the preps came over while Mr. Kloppman gathered the balls up and headed indoors.
"So when should Specs pick you up for the date and we settle the rest of our deal."
I looked to Spot. What in the world was he thinking? I won. I beat both of them; the group of four first then Specs.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, when should."
I shrugged off Elf's hand that was on my shoulder. I walked up to him as best as I could with a little stagger. I looked up Spot and glared at him, our eyes connecting dead on.
"I heard what you said the first time. I'm not going out with Specs. I won, not you guys."
"But you did get out and that wasn't part of our deal. It was either one of us wins, never if we both got out at any point. How about this, both sides of the deal be used. Not just our side but yours as well?"
Jack spoke up.
"You'll wear the dress that the girls pick out, hang out with us without your friends and go on that date with Specs while we'll announce that you're a better player with balls then the four of us, buy all of you lunch even Pebbles and play the music. How's that sound?"
Anger surged throughout my body, pushing the throbbing from my bump to the back of my mind. I had won fair and square and there was no way I was going to lower myself to wearing a dress that Ice picked. It would probably be something yellow or red or heck maybe even bright pink. Hanging out with them without my friends would drive me nuts, the conversation most likely revolving around fashion and make-up. Lastly to go on a date with a prep? C'mon! Seeing the way my Dad treated my Mom, like a doormat and the preps from Aspen being nothing better, well that would just put me in a bad mood for a long time.
"No. I won fair and square. I will not do the side of the bet that you guys made up."
Just as I finished, a dizzy spell hit me. 'I've got to get away and think.' Before anyone could say a word and tell me to sit down, I pushed away from them to where I had parked Slater.
"Dodger! Wait! You shouldn't be driving!"
Was the last thing I heard before I pulled out of the parking lot. If I could just get home, I'd be able to put ice on my head and not worry about the bet or the anything else. At one of the stoplights, I looked in my mirrors to see Frenchy's T-Bird, Specs's truck and another car.
"Why can't they just leave me alone?"
I revved the bike and as soon as the light changed, I was off down the street. I arrived at the house several minutes before the others and heard Frenchy's T-Bird round the corner into the circle. I hopped off the bike and ran up the front steps just as the cars pulled up in front of the house. I slipped into the house, slammed the door and locked it just as they came up the stairs. I leaned against the door and slid down with my bag making a plop on the floor just as I did.
"Dodger, open up. You shouldn't be by yourself after hitting your head like that. You need someone with you."
The pounding on the door, made my headache that was now pulsing even worse. I pulled myself up and walked to the kitchen. I dropped my bag by the table and opened the refrigerator to find that Aunt Medda had bought some more Dr. Pepper since we had run out two nights ago. She was also one who craved the stuff. I grabbed a glass and poured the fizzy liquid in and grabbed an icepack, wrapping that in a tea towel. I stopped before heading up the stairs and listened for any pounding. Nothing.
"Thank god they're gone. Now I get some peace."
Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind that they're worried about me, but I've been hit worse before. I walked up the stairs to my room, feeling the pain shoot around the back of my head. Once inside, I placed the drink on the coaster on the nightstand and reached over taking my favourite book from its place and laid down with the ice pack under my head. The book I was reading was one of those that are normally put out when a movie comes out. If follows the plot line and in the centre has pictures from the movie, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
My head hurt too much to read from where I had left off the night before, so I turned to the picture pages, forgetting that I still had my shoes and my trench coat still on. I looked each over. There was one of Kevin Costner over in the Holy Crusade, him returning to England and the Sheriff of Nottingham. There were some pictures of Christian that I really liked. The main one I liked was the one of him at the water's edge, confronting Robin. Just looking at the picture, I slowly lowered my eyes falling asleep to the sight of Will Scarlet, Robin Hood and the other merry men and women, finally dropping the book against my chest.
A/N: Well that's it for present time, now its Robin Time! Lol. Okay, since I haven't gotten any reviews, I'm just gonna thank those who reviewed before. Your reviews have encouraged me to write another chapter. Any songs in here do not belong to me, neither do the male Newsies from the movie, Medda, Ice, Frenchy, Elf and Pebbles. Thanks for your reviews, please send some soon! Go to the purple box that says go, and that will help you along. Newsie or Robin Hood cut-outs for everyone!
Arriving at my locker, I found Frenchy, Elf and Elf's older sister Pebbles waiting for me. Matt had to work so he wouldn't be there to cheer me on. Pebbles was there not only to give Elf a ride, but to cheer me on. She was an intern at the local hospital and played a mean bass.
"You ready?"
"Almost."
From my bag, I pulled out a deep pink shirt. I heard my friends gasp a little. I laughed, knowing that was the reaction I was looking for.
"You guys like?"
"What the hell? I thought you hated pink?"
I slipped off the black tank top I had on and slipped the pink shirt over the spaghetti strap top. I then pulled my trench over and did it up, hiding the top.
"Ok, now I'm ready."
I grabbed the bag from the shelf and the four of us walked out to the yard where the challenge would be. Arriving, I noticed Mr. Kloppman my American Lit teacher standing around with the boys. Seeing us arrive, the boys headed off to the girls and their friends.
"Hey Mr. K"
"Hello Dodger, are you ready?"
"In a second. Why are you here by the way?"
"I'm the coach for the baseball team along with being the American Literature teacher. I decided to come out and help ref your competition. Your friends speak highly of your skills. Maybe you could come out for the team?"
Mr. Kloppman was interested in having me on the team?
"Maybe. Let me just give my stuff to my friends. Then I'll be ready."
With a nod from Mr. Kloppman, I went off to where my friends were standing. I handed off the trench coat to Elf and my bag to Frenchy.
"Be careful. My CD player is in the left inside pocket."
"You be careful too."
Taking a deep breath, I started for the group that was now formed around Mr. Kloppman. The boys didn't leave this time. They stuck around.
"So," rubbing my hands together and smirking at the boy's shocked expressions to the pink shirt "are we ready to start or what?"
Jack was the first to recover the shocked expression to a smirk.
"The question is, are you ready to lose?"
The others recovered and joined in the smirking with Jack. I rolled my eyes and walked straight up to Jack.. my head barely coming to his chin.
"Now Jack, why are you asking me that when you should be asking it to you and your friends? Lets just get this show on the road."
Mr. Kloppman told me to go over to the left side of the chalk mark while the boys were to go to the other side. I was given one red foam soccer ball while ¾ of the boys were given the same. This arrangement wasn't new since I've faced some guys with knives instead of foam balls. Placing the ball beside me, I crouched down waiting for us to start. I learned early on that positioning like this made it easier to move if I needed to avoid the balls and set a ball down without getting hit. Looking off at my friends, they all gave me thumbs up before I looked back at Mr. Kloppman.
"Both sides ready?"
I nodded as the boys chorused yes.
"All right. Ready..set..GO!"
As soon as Mr. K said go, I whipped the ball I had at Spot's legs. He didn't see it coming until it was too late. It bounced off his legs and rolled off to the side as Mr. K yelled that Spot was out. Unlike his friends who watched his skulk off the playing area, I kept my eyes on them. Mush and Kid Blink turned around and I laughed at the red colour their faces had turned. With a big heave, Kid threw the ball he held up into the air. Lucky for me, he threw it too high since all I had to do was reach up and catch. Mush threw the ball at me just as I caught Kid's ball in my hands. The ball was aiming for my midsection and rather than moving out of the way, I brought my arms down and caught it between my elbows and abs.
"You two, off the field. Good throws though boys."
I took the ball from my elbows and abs and set it down beside me on the ground. I heard a few words of protest coming from the preps, but Mr. K silenced them, saying I hadn't dropped the ball, but placed it on the ground. Finally, it was just Jack and I. Both of us had two balls at our disposal. I moved the ball from hand to hand, trying to decide where to throw it and what he was about to do.
"C'mon. What are you going to do?"
I watched with interest as he paced back and forth, watching me stand still. I caught sight of the ball I had set down and an idea hit me. Make it look like I'm going for the ball and when he thinks I'm about to do it, throw the ball at him. I slowly started to turn my back and from the corner of my eye saw Jack move his arm up to throw.
"Perfect."
I spun quickly and threw the ball at him, catching him right in the stomach. Frenchy, Elf and Pebbles all ran over to me, enveloping me in a giant hug.
"You did IT! You actually beat them!"
"Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way."
We stood there laughing over my victory as the preps walked over to us. We turned to them and Spot stuck out his hand. I took it in mine and we did a firm shake.
"You won and lived up to your name. Good work."
"Thanks."
"But can she beat me?"
All of us turned to the voice and we saw Specs walking up to the group. I thought he had been with the group when I showed up since he was heading in from the parking lot. Kid Blink moved towards him and put a hand on his shoulder.
"Are you sure you want to do this Specs? I don't think you can handle it. I mean, she took the four of us on and we play baseball."
Specs shrugged off the hand and moved so he was in front of me. I looked up and saw the chocolate brown eyes were even browner.
"Its up to her if she wants to take on another challenge. Surely one is easier than four."
Taking him on wouldn't be that hard. From the words Kid said, seems as though he's not on the team with the others. He set his backpack down at our feet and looked at me.
"Well, what do you think? Are you up for the challenge?"
"Why not? I'm always up for a challenge."
I caught sight of a smirk as he turned around and took his bag over to where the preps now stood. I waited to hear protests from my friends but they had gone back to their spot and looked at me with smirks. They seem to know something I don't. I'll have to ask them afterwards. Mr. Kloppman gave Specs and I each a ball, taking the other two off the playing field. He looked from the two of us before speaking.
"You two ready?"
Neither of us said a word; we just nodded. I bent down into the crouching position and oddly enough, Specs went into a position that made him look like a goalie. Concentrating, I could barely hear Pebbles, Elf and Frenchy calling out encouraging words.
"Forget about the voices. Keep focus on Specs."
"If you two are ready, then go!"
Unlike before, neither of us moved. Specs stood in a position that he'd be able to block off the ball. I wasn't gonna give up the ball that easily. Specs and I moved back and forth, keeping our eyes on one another as our two groups of friends yelled at us to get the attention. I couldn't understand the words everyone was saying; just sounded like buzzing of insects. I concentrated harder and soon I heard no noise. Having parents that are continuously nagging at me, I learned to tune them out at a young age. I caught some movement of Specs's arm moving and I took that as my chance. Whipping the ball, I aimed for his leg which was now unguarded. My ball hit his leg and a few seconds after my victory, I was hit in the upper cheek.
Being hit was a shock. Not only was his aim was completely off but I had been hit! He was supposed to aim for below my waist, not my face. Having the shocked feeling come over me, I stumbled backwards, tripping over the very ball that had just hit me. Everything started to move in slow motion. As I fell back, I saw my friends, the preps; Specs and Mr. Kloppman run slowly towards me. When I connected with the ground, everything resumed and my friends were the first beside me.
"DODGER!"
Elf and Frenchy were the first ones to get to me. With their help, I moved into a sitting position.
"Ohh man."
Pebbles came over with a makeshift first aid kit, pulling a bandage out in case of a cut.
"Well, there isn't any cut but you will need ice through for that bump on the back of your head and one for your eye. Seems as though it's gonna bruise. How are you feeling?"
"Did I get him? And I'm fine."
I asked rubbing the back of my head. Both Frenchy and Elf laughed.
"That's our Dodger. Yeah, you got him in the legs just before you got hit in the head."
I smiled but soon winced since it hurt too much. With the help from my friends, I got up to my feet and dusted the gravel stones and dirt from me. From several rocks, a hole was ripped in the back of my shirt.
"Oh great."
I muttered as we walked to where the backpacks were. Arriving back, Elf helped me put my trench back on and Pebbles handed the backpack over to me. As I got my jacket on, the preps came over while Mr. Kloppman gathered the balls up and headed indoors.
"So when should Specs pick you up for the date and we settle the rest of our deal."
I looked to Spot. What in the world was he thinking? I won. I beat both of them; the group of four first then Specs.
"Excuse me?"
"I said, when should."
I shrugged off Elf's hand that was on my shoulder. I walked up to him as best as I could with a little stagger. I looked up Spot and glared at him, our eyes connecting dead on.
"I heard what you said the first time. I'm not going out with Specs. I won, not you guys."
"But you did get out and that wasn't part of our deal. It was either one of us wins, never if we both got out at any point. How about this, both sides of the deal be used. Not just our side but yours as well?"
Jack spoke up.
"You'll wear the dress that the girls pick out, hang out with us without your friends and go on that date with Specs while we'll announce that you're a better player with balls then the four of us, buy all of you lunch even Pebbles and play the music. How's that sound?"
Anger surged throughout my body, pushing the throbbing from my bump to the back of my mind. I had won fair and square and there was no way I was going to lower myself to wearing a dress that Ice picked. It would probably be something yellow or red or heck maybe even bright pink. Hanging out with them without my friends would drive me nuts, the conversation most likely revolving around fashion and make-up. Lastly to go on a date with a prep? C'mon! Seeing the way my Dad treated my Mom, like a doormat and the preps from Aspen being nothing better, well that would just put me in a bad mood for a long time.
"No. I won fair and square. I will not do the side of the bet that you guys made up."
Just as I finished, a dizzy spell hit me. 'I've got to get away and think.' Before anyone could say a word and tell me to sit down, I pushed away from them to where I had parked Slater.
"Dodger! Wait! You shouldn't be driving!"
Was the last thing I heard before I pulled out of the parking lot. If I could just get home, I'd be able to put ice on my head and not worry about the bet or the anything else. At one of the stoplights, I looked in my mirrors to see Frenchy's T-Bird, Specs's truck and another car.
"Why can't they just leave me alone?"
I revved the bike and as soon as the light changed, I was off down the street. I arrived at the house several minutes before the others and heard Frenchy's T-Bird round the corner into the circle. I hopped off the bike and ran up the front steps just as the cars pulled up in front of the house. I slipped into the house, slammed the door and locked it just as they came up the stairs. I leaned against the door and slid down with my bag making a plop on the floor just as I did.
"Dodger, open up. You shouldn't be by yourself after hitting your head like that. You need someone with you."
The pounding on the door, made my headache that was now pulsing even worse. I pulled myself up and walked to the kitchen. I dropped my bag by the table and opened the refrigerator to find that Aunt Medda had bought some more Dr. Pepper since we had run out two nights ago. She was also one who craved the stuff. I grabbed a glass and poured the fizzy liquid in and grabbed an icepack, wrapping that in a tea towel. I stopped before heading up the stairs and listened for any pounding. Nothing.
"Thank god they're gone. Now I get some peace."
Now don't get me wrong, I don't mind that they're worried about me, but I've been hit worse before. I walked up the stairs to my room, feeling the pain shoot around the back of my head. Once inside, I placed the drink on the coaster on the nightstand and reached over taking my favourite book from its place and laid down with the ice pack under my head. The book I was reading was one of those that are normally put out when a movie comes out. If follows the plot line and in the centre has pictures from the movie, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
My head hurt too much to read from where I had left off the night before, so I turned to the picture pages, forgetting that I still had my shoes and my trench coat still on. I looked each over. There was one of Kevin Costner over in the Holy Crusade, him returning to England and the Sheriff of Nottingham. There were some pictures of Christian that I really liked. The main one I liked was the one of him at the water's edge, confronting Robin. Just looking at the picture, I slowly lowered my eyes falling asleep to the sight of Will Scarlet, Robin Hood and the other merry men and women, finally dropping the book against my chest.
A/N: Well that's it for present time, now its Robin Time! Lol. Okay, since I haven't gotten any reviews, I'm just gonna thank those who reviewed before. Your reviews have encouraged me to write another chapter. Any songs in here do not belong to me, neither do the male Newsies from the movie, Medda, Ice, Frenchy, Elf and Pebbles. Thanks for your reviews, please send some soon! Go to the purple box that says go, and that will help you along. Newsie or Robin Hood cut-outs for everyone!