Usual disclaimer applies.
March, 2012
~71~
When I angle my truck into the school parking lot Friday morning, I can hear the cheers and yells coming from behind the gym. From the sounds of it, half the student body is there.
Not being one to run from my curiosity, I exit my truck and head in that direction.
And I'm right.
It's a mass of people. And at first I don't understand the reason why. It's one of the disadvantages of being so short: not being able to see over the heads of my classmates. But pushing my way through, it becomes all too clear.
The mass of teenagers are huddled together in a circle, all fighting for position, fighting to see. They are shouting, screaming out cheers, going freaking nuts. And in the center…
Jasper Hale and Jacob Black.
It's an interesting pair because in the case of a fight, they are complete opposites. Jacob is huge, way bigger than Jasper, and tough. Wearing a leather jacket, boots, faded jeans. Yeah, he looks dangerous. But I knew Jacob pretty well from when Dad would drag me out to the reserve and I know he's not really into fighting, or at least into beating the shit out of a guy who doesn't deserve it. Beating someone for fun. Jacob is more of the type to only use his physical proficiency if necessary, to fight only in defence.
And then there's Jasper.
For being an east-ender, and looking like an ad for Abercrombie & Fitch, Jasper really knows how to throw a punch. And although he is a lot smaller than Jacob, this year Jasper has proven how much he loves to fight. How much he loves to inflict pain on others.
And perhaps this is the reason why the fight that everyone is here to see, the fight that has made the student body more alive than any pep rally or sporting event our school has to offer, hasn't even happened yet.
Jasper and Jacob are circling each other, leaning in close, spitting out what I'm sure are despicable insults. Their fists are clenched at their sides, their bodies tense. I can see the eye contact, and I surmise that to them, it's like the crowd isn't even here.
I wonder if anyone besides myself know what this is about, knows the reason why there is a fight to begin with. And I guess the only other person would be…Edward.
I peer around to all of the faces in the crowd, wondering if Edward is witnessing this too. But I don't see him. In fact, I don't see that many people I recognize at all. Just… nameless faces. And I abruptly wonder where my head has been all year. To not know so many students at this tiny excuse for a high school, it's just… strange. Unusual for me, who is usually so perceptive…
Suddenly a loud cheer goes up and Jacob and Jasper are on each other. I have no idea who threw the first punch, who initiated the attack, but it's vicious.
It's a fight of passion, of pride.
And it shows.
They are on the ground, fighting for position, using all of their power, their fury, to hurt one other. I'm not one to be squeamish, but this, yeah. It's gruesome. Blood is beginning to splatter and whenever I manage to get a look at one of their faces, I cringe.
I gasp, suddenly desperate for air. When a second ago I was watching the fight, I'm suddenly peering at the cloudy sky through haze-filled eyes, my breath forced out of me. I slowly attempt to get up, only to be knocked to the side.
The crowd is getting violent, vicious. Wanting to get closer.
I stumble my way to my feet just as I feel a warm hand grasp my waist and pull me back. Out of the crowd. Away from the fight. Blinking, I look around for who helped me, but I'm alone, standing five feet away from the fight.
A loud, pathetic groan issues from the crowd, and I know the fight has come to an end.
A/N: Ooo, who could it be? ;) Have a great day everyone.