Too Equal For My Taste

Chapter 20: The One Who Stood Up

The Murtaugh's faced a huge defeat and embarrassment as the Bakers beat them by over ten points. Jimmy could not forget it in a hurry, and wanted very much to beat him in the next game.

The next game was agreed by Serina and Kate, and Tom and Jimmy had to go with it. They were to play next weekend a race around the University campus. Of course, no one liked it.

"You're making us do racing? That's not even a real sport!"

"It's what we're playing as the last game," Serina said firmly. "Rivalry between the families is too high now, and we don't want it higher."

"Nothing we can do about it, considering what happens between Mike and Ken all the time!" Tom said angrily.

Tom was referring to the recent problem Ken had with Mike. For he first time, they confronted each other directly, but not in the way everyone waited for. Many, even those in school, wondered when the two would end up fighting all-out, one-on-one, with no help on either side. The Elementary building was blocked by a wall, but the younger kids often went up to the junior high school for P.E., so Ken and Mike still ran into each other.

One Wednesday, the two ran into each other, and stared. "What do you want?" Ken demanded angrily. Some of his friends stopped to watch. There they went all over again.

"Get out of my way," Mike said angrily, and tried walking past.

Mike was not gonna get away easily. Mark and Ken's other friend George blocked Mike's way, and pushed him back in Ken's face. Ken eyed him angrily, and said, "Get out of my face."

Mike made to do it again, but he was pushed in again by George and Mark. Ken got angry again, and yelled, "Out of my WAY!" He pushed Mike hard to the floor, and kicked him.

As Ken walked over Mike and past him, and his friend following, Mike scrambled back up. He so wanted to fight, but fighting three was not a good idea. He needed Jake's help, and he had class. No. He had to stand up. Mike could not take this lying down. He ran up and jumped Ken from behind. Ken leapt forward out of the way, and spun around. He threw a punch at Mike, but it missed. George and Mark moved forward and held him back again, laughing. Mike struggled.

As Ken's laughter went on, Mike struggled more. Miraculously, he got away. He elbowed Mark in the stomach, and charged. George whooped in surprise and Ken's laughter died away as Mike charged. Ken stepped back. Mike thought he was about to run, so he stopped. He smirked triumphantly, getting Ken angry again, and provoking more physical contact. Ken kicked him.

Mike dove on him, and they were tussling evenly on the ground when two teachers ran up and put a stop to it. This didn't end there, or in detention. When they came home, they were not quiet and trying to avoid each other's eye as usual. They were yelling.

"You pushed on purpose!" Mike yelled.

"I told you I have no reason to push you!"

"Then why did you do it?!"

"I dunno, maybe you deserve it!"

Maybe you'd deserve this!" Mike hit his back head. Ken spun round and stared at Ken. Mark was behind them, watching them go at it. Mike went on angrily, "What the hell is your problem?"

"You!"

"No, you obviously have an issue with me since you first came back," Mike said angrily. "Either you tell me what the hell possesses you, or get out of my face."

"Obviously, it's just your presence possessing me," Ken breathed.

Mike made to jump forward, but Ken held his head from coming any closer. Mike yelled angrily, and he started flailing. Ken laughed, but stopped when Mike stepped back, and dived again. The fight was about to escalate into full-scale contact with punching and kicking, but Elliot ran in and held Mike back before the dive.

"Whoa!" Elliot yelled. He grabbed Ken and pushed him away like it was nothing. "What the hell is going on?!"

"He started it!" Mike yelled.

"Well, he's a"-

"Then stay away from each other," Elliot said angrily "Do you want the competition to end because of this? Just leave it."

"Yeah, save it till after the game," Sarah added in, and she and Elliot walked away.

Mike walked away backwards, eyes on Ken the entire time he was walking. Ken just stared at him, and then his eyes brightened up. Mike was about to stop walking back when he walked back straight into something. He yelled as Jimmy took hold of him.

"What's going on?"

Tom came in view too. "Not again. Mike, come inside and help decide the kind of Christmas card we're putting together." Tom took Mike away inside. Mike walked away, trying very hard to ignore Ken's distant laughter at Mike walking into Jimmy and Tom, and being taken away inside. How Ken wished he could've thrown a rock at Mike or something.