The following day started off like any typical day for Tuntun, in a rush but at least she had a little more time to eat her breakfast. Saying her goodbyes to her parents and siblings, she was off to another boring day at school.
"Ah crap-" she mumbled to herself, remembering she had to help Dizi with her history project. That meant she wouldn't be able to see Cypress after school but she couldn't break her promise to help. She hoped it wouldn't take too long either way, History was her worst subject.
Making her way down to her locker, weaving in and out of the crowd of teens, she saw a bunch of Cypress's friends hanging around his locker. Which was fine, but they were standing in front of hers and the thought of having to ask them to move made her stomach knot.
"Hey, freak." one of them spoke up, it was Cypress's best friend, along with a few of his buddies and their girlfriends.
"What do you want?" Tuntun asked angrily, trying to hide her nervousness of not only being outnumbered but the fact that there were three guys cornering her.
The instigator, whose name was Eliot, backed her against her locker and leaned on an elbow to close off her only path of escape. Pressed up against the locker, she was frozen in place, the fear building up inside her causing the others to laugh at her.
"Listen," he began condescendingly. "I really don't know what my boy sees in you, I had to hear him go on and on about you last night and I almost threw up a little."
"As his best friend, I thought it was time to help out his social life a little, you know?" Eliot frowned. "He could get any hot girl in this school and yet he's with a heifer like you? It's really bad for his image."
Tuntun was shaking with a whirlwind of emotions as Eliot literally spoke down to her and insulted her. She wanted to run her mouth or even knock him out but the fear of how far she might go if she was pushed too far was always at the front of her mind.
"So, maybe just accept the fact that he's out of your league and I dunno, stick to your own breed." he finished and straightened up, backing up as the group laughed.
She stood in silence, as kids around her were whispering to each other and pointing at her. She could feel the rage building up but she had to choke it down. She didn't want trouble and she certainly didn't want to bring any trouble to her parents.
Cypress was at the end of the hall when he saw the group of his friends leaving with Tuntun still up against her locker obviously shaken. His eyes were locked on her as he pushed his way through the crowd, not caring in the moment who he was shoving out of his way.
"Tun!" he shouted, finally getting her attention.
The shorter teen snapped back to reality, startled at hearing his voice. "Are you okay? What's going on?" he worried, grabbing her shoulders gently.
"Just unsolicited advice, caught me off guard that's all." she choked out, "It's fine, I'm fine." she added.
"You're not fine, you're shaking." Cypress argued, glancing in the direction his friends went. "What'd they say to you?"
Seeing the fire in his eyes, she knew he wouldn't let it go, not when he witnessed part of the altercation. She exhaled sharply and explained to him what was said to her but almost pleaded for him to let it go.
"I'm gonna beat his ass." the taller teen snapped, clenching his fists.
Tuntun gently took one of his fists into her hands. "Trust me, you beating the shit out of him would be the hottest thing ever, Gods know I wanted to punch him in the mouth, but it's not worth the trouble. I don't want you to get kicked off the team because of me. He's a dick but he's also your teammate and I know how much rugby means to you."she reasoned.
"You mean more to me than a stupid sport." Cypress replied, still heated about his so called friends and their behavior towards his girl.
She smiled up at him and playfully nudged him with her shoulder. "My hero, fighting for my honor." she giggled. "Really, though. I'm fine. I can take the abuse." she shrugged.
"You shouldn't have to." said Cypress, putting an arm around her when she put her arm around his waist.
"Yeah I know." she sighed. "Besides, I wouldn't be able to stare at your ass in those tight shorts if you got kicked off the team."
"Oh really? You don't actually watch the game?" Cypress chuckled.
"I have no idea how the game is even played." Tuntun joked.
"I dunno if I should be flattered or offended, Ma'am." he laughed. "I play hard and show off just for you, you know."
With the events now behind them, the teens had to go to their separate classes and although Cypress agreed not to beat the crap out of his friends, he was certainly going to have a few choice words with Eliot.
-
Tuntun waited in the library at the end of the school day for her friend Dizi, who showed up later than she said she would. Slightly irritated, Tuntun got to work as the two sat at a table with books strewn about, both girls taking notes as they listened to their mp3 players. Barely an hour passed and Tuntun was already over it but she continued to read, not a word said between them as they just wanted to get the project finished.
Unintentionally, Tuntun was dozing off with her head resting in her palm, her arm propping her head up as she read. It didn't take long for her to fall asleep and Dizi left her to sleep rather than wake her up.
