Here is the edited chapter. I'm really sorry for rushing stuff. It's just that I feel that I owe you guys so much for my really long absence.
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Note : I will be excluding the reviewer appreciation corner and will be added on the next chapter
Chapter 21
The day started out bad. Really bad.
It all started with the same dream...
Sam ran toward me and what seemed was a tackle really wasn't.
She jumped on me with such a force that I landed on my back and with that I was suddenly jolted out of my dream.
Literally panting like a dog, I immediately got up and tried to forget the nightmare I just had.
What does it mean? I wondered to myself. I sat down on the side of the bed and bent down with elbows on my knees and my hands on my face.
I tried pondering for a moment, I brought my knees up with my elbows resting on them and my head resting on my palms. I tried looking deep into my thoughts trying to analyze the subliminal message that was embedded in the dream.
Nothing...
To my frustration, I ended up pulling on my hair and hitting my head with my own hands. I almost broke down but I heard a something rapping on my window.
The wind howled against the closed window, beating lightly against the glass.
I took notice of the sound and looked up through the glass.
The fireplace.
My refuge, my respite.
I got out of bed and opened the window. The window creeked as the wood rubbed up against each other.
A strong gust of wind bellowed and was followed by a gentle breeze that caressed my cheeks.
I stepped outside and ran up the steel steps that led me to the rooftop.
I sat at the ledge and let my feet dangle in the air, I leaned back with my hands propping my whole weight.
I stared at the cityscape, the sight was magnificent. The soft morning sunlight lining the outline of the buildings that towered over Seattle.
I closed my eyes and let the calm breeze fill me. Lifting my problems with them and then calmed my mind.
I think I need a break from all this "getting back at Sam".
I nodded at my own thoughts, agreeing with myself.
What to do though? I asked myself as my feet playfully sway to and fro.
Avoiding Sam was an obvious number one and well everything goes would be number two.
But Sam in an equation would result to a mutating algorithm, unexpected and unreadable, so I had to think of something else to do.
I tipped my head up emersed in my thoughts letting my eyes wander the vast blue sea of clouds.
The voices returned. It all started with whispers, turned into murmurs and then grunts and then hysterical laughter, all of them laughing in my head. But one was missing.
I thought about it for a while, searching my head for the missing voice.
Sam's voice was missing.
I didn't know why but I just shook my head.
Why not get back at the jocks? The basketball freaks and the football idiots.
I had to think of how first but I could save that for another time. Well...
It was better than seeing Sam anyway.
With a new thought in my head, I headed down to my room.
I quickly hopped inside of my room and found my cellphone buzzing frantically across my dresser.
I picked up immediately without looking at the caller ID.
"Hello?"
"Yo Freddie!"
It was Theo.
"What's up?"
"Just checkin on ya. You haven't updated me yet on what's going on. The twins came back and just shook their heads when I asked them what happened."
The breeze blew real hard through the open window and gave me a chill that ran down my spine.
I closed the window immediately and then sat on the bed.
"Nothing much." I answered and then proceeded to tell Theo on what happened a couple of days before, just leaving the saving part out.
"You really did that?"
"I was shocked myself." I told Theo.
"Did you really manage to flip Sam over?"
"For the third time, yes!" I answered.
"Coool..." Theo said prolonging the letter "O".
"Well, anyway just keep me updated."
"Understood." I answered and then hung up.
I started to get ready for school.
Carly offered me a ride to school which I declined courteously, knowing that Sam will most likely be with her for she sleeps at her place almost 24/7.
I walked to school still thinking about what I needed to do, Everything was cloudy in my head, a blur. I didn't really know why so I decided to just go with it, improptu, whatever or wherever it may go.
I entered the doors of Ridgeway. The same mess of students running around the halls and doing what not.
I was expecting a welcoming party of my usual "fanclub", but I knew that none would be coming my way anymore.
The attention has died down, well mostly. I would still get the usual hi from some girls but most of them already knew that I would most likely decline them and have already stopped trying. I kinda liked it at first but after a few days, I find it to be very tiring and troublesome, especially the girls BF's. I missed being invisible, and well that's what I needed today.
It's not that I didn't want the attention(I really liked the attention actually), but I am on a mission and I would like to see it through until the end. No matter what.
I walked up to my locker, ignoring some girls on the way that were waving at me.
I fished out my books in a hurry to avoid Carly and Sam, turning my head every now and then due to my own paranoia.
And from the corner of my eye I saw the duo.
I closed my locker and quickly turned around to walk the other way, only to be stopped with a pair of hands from behind that held me by the collar.
"Hey Benson." A tall kid, with blonde hair and green eyes talked.
It was Nick Benjamin. The All-Star Captain of the Basketball Team.
"Nick."
"It seems that your popularity has died down Benson." Nick said with sarcasm. "I don't see your bodyguards anywhere in sight." Nick said as he looked around with a hand on his brow. "Where did you get them anyway? Did you dial 1-800-HENCHMEN?" Nick joked and then laughed.
3 other basketball members laughed with him.
I didn't move, nor did I look him in the eyes. Analyzing the situation and acting also on impulse, I avoided his gaze to give him the impression that I was scared. But he then slammed his fist on the locker beside my head to get my attention.
"You've been away for a long time Benson. And your tab isn't looking too good." Nick said as he looked down on me.
Nick being a basketball player was clearly a big fellow. He towered over me by a few inches.
"What?" I asked stupidly.
"You owe me a lot dork." Nick said with authority.
"How do I even owe you anything?" I asked mustering up some courage.
He grabbed me by the collar with both hands and then slammed me on the lockers.
"What part of 'YOU OWE ME' don't you understand?" Nick asked again with a lot more threat.
"Okay, Okay Nick. You win." I answered trying to sound defeated.
Nick looked into my eyes, trying to snuff out any courage that what he thought I had left and then let me go.
"You've grown big Benson, I got to hand it to you. But with all that and still no moxy? You certainly are the biggest loser in all of Ridgeway." Nick insulted again and turned to his mates for high fives.
I took my wallet out and pretended to take my money out.
I quickly analyzed my bearings.
I do have a chance against these guys, but I didn't want the extra attention. I had to take the fight somewhere else.
I waited for an opening, Nick has turned around to talk to his henchmen and as he had his back turned I dashed for the exit.
Nick noticed immediately and then ran after me with the other three following in hot pursuit.
Students were all over the place, I stopped for a moment to look.
A normal person would've found this crowd impossible. Students were just strewn together so much, it blocked out any chances of escape. But as for me? I saw this in a whole other way. I saw a lot of ways to go through it, above the lockers, kick over one of the lockers to get a boost and go over the kids and stuff like that.
But like I've said, I didn't want more attention than there already is so I had to get out normally.
I squeezed through the students as I made my way through the jam-packed hallway.
Some yelled, some grunted and some of them even pushed me off.
I looked behind me to check on Nick and his gang, and they were nowhere in sight. I stopped for a moment to search my surroundings also fearing that they may come from any angle, I saw a head pop out from the crowd. It was Nick, but I didn't see where his cronies were.
I tried to get away but since the hallway was jam-packed I was instantly hindered by a flock of students getting to class.
Then in a matter of seconds Nick's goons were all over me, holding me by the arms, then everything suddeny turned into a scene which I really tried hard to avoid.
"Really now Benson? You think you can outrun me?" Nick said in between gasps of air as he was bent down holding his knees. He then got up when he has caught his breath.
"Look what you made me do. I'm all sweaty now, thanks to you." Nick added.
Nick wiped off beads of sweat from his forehead and cocked his head.
"Let's just make the best of the moment shall we?" Nick said and suddenly launched a punch to my gut.
The crowd let out a very audible "ooooh" at the hit.
I bent in pain, and then was held up instantly be his henchmen.
In a few more seconds the scene turned out to what looked like a street fight on tv.
"You like that nerd?" Nick said.
I didn't answer. Instead, stared into his eyes.
"Well, silence means yes!" Nick grunted while launching another punch to my gut.
The crowd let out another "ooooh" with a few whistles in the background.
I didn't really want to make a scene, but I would choose fighting back over bruises any day. Sam's beatings were different. I kinda got used to it but this was a whole different story.
I leaned to my left and then tripped goon A with my left foot, as he went down I went down with him. Using the downward force I rolled over goon A's back and then threw goon B (the one holding my right arm) over my shoulder.
Nick froze as he saw this but jolted back into the fight instantly as he saw one of his comrades flying.
Goon C came from behind, I easily incapacitated the bloke with a spinning 45 degree kick to the jaw.
Nick kicked my in the back, I jolted forward due to the force of the kick to my lower back. I rolled on the floor to avoid smashing my face first on the the tiling.
I turned immediately and then stared at Nick. I brought my head down a bit to look a lot more menacing which actually worked.
Nick instantly felt uneasy with this and tried turning around to run.
I ran toward him and brought my arms around his stomach.
I hopped a bit to get a little more push and then jerked him off the ground. I pulled back for a German Suplex. I got up and brushed my clothes off for any dust that may have gotten on me.
The crowd was silent, all their eyes were locked on me with mouths hanging wide open.
After a few moments, a person emerged from the crowd pushing and jerking students aside.
"Principal Franklin." I muttered.
"I sure didn't expect to see this." Principal Franklin said as he gestured to Nick and the rest.
"In my office Freddie." Principal Franklin said as he dispersed the crowd.
As the crowd thinned I saw Sam staring right at me with a look that says "I can't believe it" all over her face.
I walked away ignoring her and proceeding to Principal Franklin's office.
Principal Franklin motioned me to sit on the chair.
"Really now Benson? Is this something I would see everyday? Should I be alarmed?" P. Franklin asked calmly but with a questioning look on his face.
"You know for a fact sir that I don't start fights." I answered.
"I see your point. But this is very suprising, I just don't want this happening again. Try and avoid any fights if ever any happen in the future." P. Franklin lectured.
"I was just defending myself! They always take my lunch money and I had to..."
"I know how you feel Freddie, but fighting isn't always the way." He replied.
Reasoning with P. Franklin would be useless so I just nodded in agreement.
I got off my seat and stepped outside the office.
I then saw Nick and his gang outside P. Franklin's office mumbling and grumbling to themselves. I looked at Nick a bit and he instantly looked away.
I continued to walk out and as soon as I opened the door I saw Carly running towards my direction.
"Freddie!" Carly shouted.
I turned my back to her, I wasn't really in the mood for her questioning.
"Freddiee!" Carly wailed again and then grabbed my shoulder to turn me around.
"I heard what you did with Nick! How'd you do that?" Carly asked between gasps of air.
I didn't know how to respond. I knew this would happen if I made a scene.
I rolled my eyes.
"It was just instinct I guess." I said which was half-true and made it believable.
"Really? Instinct? Wow." Carly said each word one by one with a lot of stress on it.
"I gotta go Carly, I still have class." I said and left her. Books on hand I walked toward my next class.
I then remembered that Sam is my classmate, not only this class but all of them.
I mentally cursed myself for asking Principal Franklin to place me in all of Sam's classes.
I opened the door expecting to see Mr. Howard at the board, but I found a different teacher up front. He looked like a mix of asian and american.
"You must be Fredward Benson." the man said. I nodded and handed him my excuse for being late.
"I'm Mr. Wang, and I'm your teacher for today." he said and gestured me to take a seat.
I shuffled to my seat and avoided looking at Sam who was intently staring at me.
But then I didn't notice Sam's foot stretched out to trip me.
When I did notice it was too late, I fell almost face first on the floor but rolled instead and got up to my feet quickly.
All the students looked at me including Sam and Mr. Wang.
"Anything wrong Mr. Benson?" Mr. Wang asked.
"Nothing sir, I'm just tying my shoelaces." I said and bent down to do my laces.
Mr. Wang faced the board once more and started scribbling away with his chalk.
Sam on the other hand was gaping at me but was quickly replaced with searching eyes, as if piecing together something.
I ignored her and took my seat and braced myself for the rest of the class.
Most of the classes were uneventful except for some stares that I occasionally get from some students. Some would stare with piercing eyes, a few with awe and most of them confusion.
Since the commotion this morning, some students also came up to me and asked, how'd I do it, why did I do it, what's on my mind and stuff like that.
I dismissed each and everyone as respectful as I can. Answering such questions would be really irrelevant and would just add to the hype. Unluckily, this trudged on for a couple of more periods.
Lunch on the other hand was another encounter.
I stood in line for lunch normally and took my lunch alone on the farthest table in the cafeteria by the garbage bin.
I dragged myself across the cafeteria still feeling the pain I had in my gut from Nick's punches. I settled in one of the empty benches and looked at my lunch. A ham sandwich and some grape juice.
I took a bite out of my sandwich and sipped a few out of my grape juice. As I was chewing and enjoying my food I couldn't help but notice a small group walking up toward me. I see trouble.
6 of them to be exact were walking up the aisle, one really big guy leading 5 more toward me.
It was the football jerks.
I placed my sandwich down and placed my head down. I slid out one of my feet out from under the table and I was now straddling my seat, ready to sprint if anything went unsavory.
I resumed eating my sandwich and tried to look inconspicous.
I shifted my weight back to look around for an escape route but I was interrupted by a hand on the table making a loud noise.
BLAM!
"Feeling lucky Benson?" George asked who was one of the biggest linebackers of the football team who was also coincidentally a senior at school.
I just dropped my head down to avoid eye-contact, the scrap from this morning was already enough for me, plus this was against all odds, 6 big guys against me? That wouldn't look pretty.
"I don't want any trouble." I said while clutching my sandwich.
"Oooh I'm scared, Benson might beat me up." George mocked while prancing around.
"I don't want to fight you George." I said and readied myself to move at any moment.
"I don't want to fight me neither." George said and then sent a straight for my face.
On instinct I got my tray and blocked the punch, I then thew the tray at his face and then I dashed off at the opposite direction.
I didn't bother looking back, I know that they were hot on my tail, I barely slid out the cafeteria due to some kids blocking the exit.
I got out and thankfully the halls were near empty which made it easier for me, I then made a clear way out to the back of the school. (well because cutting classes weren't really my thing.)
I barged out the double doors and looked around. No one in sight. Perfect.
As soon as the doors closed, I immediately got down the steps and waited beside the door. I crouched down low and waited for the jerks to appear.
The doors flew open, I hid myself behind a trash can and waited for every one of them to get out.
The moment the last one poppped out I sprung up and then jumped in the air for an elbow strike to the back. The blow landed and down went the unfortunate fellow.
The rest of them looked back and saw me, I turned on my heel and ran but another football player came up from behind and caught me by the arms in a masterlock.
I did not foresee this. I didn't anticipate any other variables in my situation, I did forget that the football team has more that a dozen people in it.
I was held up and my arms held out. I was restrained like a punching bag being held by a trainer.
"Cocky eh? You think that little stunt this morning will change things here?" George said as held me in the face. He released my face and turned around.
"I'd just like to remind you who the big guns are."
In an instant, a sharp blow went directly to my stomach.
"How'd you like that Benson?" George said then held his ear close to my face.
"What? You want more?" George added and mocked nodded.
He backed up and then held my shoulder and then let another one rip to my stomach.
My body was now limp from the blows that I received, my mind was now phasing in and out, all of the air in my body has been obviously depleted due to the repeated heavy blows, I did not have any more options. This was it. But no, I am not one to give up. I have sacrificed a lot and this will not be the end of Fredward Benson, I will not let anyone humiliate me anymore.
I gathered all the strength I could muster and managed to stay awake. I moved my body along with George's punches to at least damper the impact.
George was now panting, and his punches were getting softer. Hitting air with a lot of force can really whip the wind out of anyone.
"I think he knows his place." George said. "Too bad we can't humiliate him." George added.
"Oh but we can." one of the players chanted on. "We can drag him by the heel inside the campus." added another.
"Yeah, I guess we could do that." George said while still panting. He clearly wasn't very bright and I decided to take this to my advantage. I looked up, though groggy I managed to maintain eye-contact.
"Is that all you got Georgy-boy?" I mocked.
"What?" George said angered and then turned to face me.
"What did you just say?" George said.
"I said... ..Got?" I said in one word sentences.
George was fuming mad, he backed up and then cocked a punch aimed for my gut again.
"Oh, you asked for it!" George said and then whipped another punch to my gut which was clearly powerless.
I then seized this chance to slide out of the one who held me. I jumped up and then brought my knees to my chest to condense my weight and then dropped out of my beholder.
I cringed at the pain from my gut but ignored it and then did a sweeping kick that effectively downed my opponent. Moving quickly I swung my feet up into the air and dropped it down for an axe kick to his gut.
But still I am outmanned, they caught me immediately and this time I was ganged up on. I got down on the ground to try and protect myself.
I was on the the ground curled up into a ball shielding myself from the blows and kicks they delivered. Blow by blow, punches rained, and wave after wave of kicks came which was seemingly endless. Then I heard a voice.
"Stop!" a voice shrieked. I couldn't make out who the voice came from but I kind of expected it was from Carly.
The beating stopped and I retracted my hands from my face. The guys stopped and turned around to the girl who shouted. I saw a girl with curly blonde hair standing on the steps with her hands balled into fists on her sides.
Sam?
4 of them let me go and went up to Sam and surrounded her, George walked up to Sam slowly and looked at me.
"You need your girlfriend to defend you now?" George mocked and laughed at his own joke which was followed immediately by his other mates.
Sam clearly did not like what he said and then kicked him in the shin really hard.
George dropped to the ground, rolling in pain while clutching his damaged if not broken shin.
Sam then punched another guy on the gut and he doubled over immediately. She smirked and then flipped another guy to the ground.
But like me she was outnumbered. The 2 who were holding me down came up to her and held by her wrists, but then she resisted immediately kicking wildly into the air, but a moment later was also held down by another 2 who were behind her.
George got up limping from the hit while he rubbed his shin like crazy.
"I did not like that." George said and walked up to Sam.
"and you are not going to like this either." George said.
I felt my hand reaching out to Sam.
"Hold her boys." George commanded and the rest obeyed.
George held his head onto Sam's neck and sniffed her.
"You smell nice for a tomboy." George grinned. Then licked her neck.
"You taste nice too." George grinned.
Sam cringed at the foreign and unwanted feeling. She snapped and snarled at George.
"Ooooh She likes it." George said.
"Feisty." George said as he stepped away.
"Hold her down." George commanded.
"Are you sure you got her?" George inquired and the rest nodded.
Sam was now held by her forehead and George resumed licking her neck.
Then I felt the same rage I felt the last time this happened, the time she was almost violated in that alley. I then felt the same adrenalin coursing through my veins giving me enough strength to get up.
"Stop..." I said hazily as I tried to steady myself.
George still continued.
"STOP!" I shouted as I stood on my limp legs.
George stopped and turned his head.
"Benson to the rescue?" George said as he cracked his knuckles.
"Hold her for me." George said.
"I'll take care of this."
I stood up and placed all my weight on my right leg. My left leg was beat up bad when I was down and kicked me.
I held my hands up into a muay thai stance, and locked my eyes on to George's body.
George ran up to me and then sent a flying right straight to my face, I curled my right arm and then lowered my elbow to my waist, held my right hand with my left and then bent down in a circular motion thus evading the right straight and then hitting George in the face with my elbow.
George held his nose which was now bleeding and almost cracked.
My body was now numb because of the adrenaline pumping through. I wasted no time and took advantage of the situation. I went up to him and sent out a 3-hit combo. Right punch to his face, left punch to his face and then right 45 degree kick to his limp leg. He stumbled backwards with the hit and held his leg.
I ran toward him and launched a flying knee strike to his chest which blew him back and landed with a huge thud on the floor.
Then the doors flew open and students suddenly came pouring out to the school yard.
The rest of the goonsquad realized that they would be in trouble soon and instanly let Sam go and left the other almost unconcious pupils on the ground groaning in pain.
I felt my knees buckle and pain suddenly started to set in, my eyes groggy and blurry and then I lost conciousness.
Then suddenly my world was engulfed in darkeness.
