Another chapter.
Bit of a tidbit. Every chapter I write I put a code title (usually a song title from a musical artist) as the document name before I upload. It helps me set the tone of the chapter. This one will be a tiny more upbeat for our professional football taker Lucy, and also a bit more introspective of how I see her. She is one of my favorite characters right next to Snoopy, Charlie, and Heather so it is only fitting.
Chapter 5
*COUGH COUGH!*
"Man Chuck, you look like you took a bad beating! You sure you can play today?"
"I think I can Patty, I might not be able to run at full steam though…"
Peppermint Patty looked at me sympathetically. She soon replaced it with a smile.
"I see you still got fight in ya Chuck! Alright team, listen up! We got to practice for the spring season and it's going to come sooner rather than later! I want to ALWAYS see everyone at their peak! Got me?"
The team sighed. It was no secret that PP was quite the demanding team leader. I didn't mind though, if it made us a better team, then it is what it is.
We all took our stations and began practicing. I was practicing my throws; I am a sub-par thrower but at least didn't miss too often. That's why Patty found it fitting for me to be on bases as my accuracy was decent enough to be important for ball catching.
After finishing my stretches and trying to suppress my pain, I got to second base and began catching throwing balls. Fighting though the pain was at the front of my mind so my catching and throwing was a bit more off than usual. That is when Franklin walked up and talked to me.
"Yo, you ok Charlie? I see you are missing more than usual with your overhands. Anything happened earlier?"
"It's nothing… just cramps."
"Now that's a lie if I ever heard one. Cramps don't make you physically recoil every time you throw a ball."
Damn, guess I wasn't hiding it as good as I thought.
"Told ya Chuck, you need to rest! As your team leader I am putting you off the field for now. Go back home and recover for tomorrow."
I felt a bit hurt by that response. This wasn't anything new for me, but I am not one to argue.
"Alright… ill walk. See you all around."
I got back to the locker room and changed back to my regular clothes. As I did, I looked at my stomach and arm.
They were marred by two deep blue bruises.
Thanks for that Thibault.
I walked back home, head held low. I couldn't even play the sport that I enjoyed anymore thanks to my social life. Baseball was the only thing that made me feel at least a little bit at ease, but now I can't even enjoy that on a regular basis.
What did I do in a past life to deserve this? Am I a mistake? Was I even intended to exist?
I am a believer in God. Now though, more and more I feel as though he just wants me to suffer. I almost never win, and when I do it is usually swiped away from me like that!
Should I even bother anymore? Should I even care? Should I just…
No. No Charlie. That's bad thoughts getting to you. You can't give in. Not now.
Every day it makes it harder to feel like not doing it though.
…
Why…
Why does everything always go wrong?
I can't even fly a kite without screwing up!
I made it home and sat on my front porch, thinking long and hard. My own parents don't even seem to believe in me. After they heard what happened they just looked at me disappointed and unphased. Like they knew this would be the action I would take.
What is the point anymore.
Who even cares about me?
My own friend can't even stand up for me, Lucy still berates me for the littlest things, Violet and Patty despise me, PP is willing to take me off for just having a small bruise, none of my teachers even believe in me, and my crush probably thinks I am a pathetic man.
Huff…
I got back inside, quietly made my way to my room, locked the door, set my backpack on the ground, and laid on my bed.
What a time to be alive…
I guess I am probably better off dead.
Lucy's Point of View
I sat on my bed scrolling through my phone. I looked through my photos and saw pictures of me as a kid and preteen. Then I saw the two people that affected me the most.
Schroder and Charlie.
I remember that day.
Schroder asked Heather out to the middle school dance!
Heather of all people!
GRRRRR!
I was always there! I always wanted to have his attention for once! Just a single moment! Just a modicum of a day!
I was so heartbroken. I decided to simply turn around, go to the girl's bathroom, and cry my eyes out. When I was done, I felt a seething rage that I thought I could never quell.
I needed an outlet.
Charlie was my outlet.
He was such an easy target too. Always a mess up. Always trying and screwing up. It was too easy.
If I couldn't get my love, I made sure he couldn't get his. If I was to suffer, then I want someone to be with me. If I was to be destroyed completely, then so should Charlie.
But the talk with Linus… it is making me reflect.
Why did I go to violence as my first alternative?
It wasn't always this way. Back in elementary school I only pulled that football away from him. It was to remind him of his place, but also to tease him. I liked teasing the blockhead. Soon it became tradition for the both of us.
Ok, I admit pulling the football away during the elementary school homecoming was very cruel. I did it out of instinct!
Err… still not a good look in my mind…
I… never really wanted things to be like this. When Violet and Patty left after Charlie was knocked out by the security guards, I think I started to realize slowly that it was no longer just teasing.
I tried to ignore the feeling. However, the talk with Linus made me finally comprehend what was going on.
Man… now I feel like a blockhead for joining in.
Aside from Charlie, none of the other boys or girls really considered me a friend. I was too brash and "bossy." Sure, I would be cordial with them but nothing close to being a friend.
Man…
I... really am afraid.
Afraid of being alone.
With no one.
…
I need to set things right… I realize that now.
Huff… but how can I set things right? I don't know. I feel like Charlie would never forgive me.
*Rustle*
Huh?
I looked around in my room… no one?
"Who's there? I swear Rerun if it is you, I am going to teach you a lesson you will never forget!"
…
Nothing.
Did I imagine it? Was I hallucinating?
…
Damn, maybe I am losing it.
*Rustle rustle*
OK, THAT WAS NOT IMAGNARY!
I looked around and attempted to deduce where the noise came from.
Under the bed… nope.
In the closet… nope.
…
THE CURTAINS!
I opened them to find… Linus?
"LINUS!? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING IN MY ROOM?!"
"Sorry Lucy… I thought I left my blanket in here… he he." He scratched the back of his head nervously.
"…ok, the gigs up. What in the blue hell are you doing here? You got three seconds before I give you the worst beating in your life!"
"Well, I…"
"THREE!"
"If you could just…"
"TWO!"
"I don't know if…"
"ONE!"
"OK IT WAS FOR HEATHER! SHE ASKED ME TO SEE IF I COULD GET ANY DIRT ON YOU SO YOU COULD HELP US OVERTHROW VIOLET AS THE LEAD GIRL IN THE SCHOOL! PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!"
…
What?
"Wait… Heather wants to overthrow Violet?" I said, processing this information.
"Ye… yes?!" Linus said, still anticipating a beatdown from me.
…
THIS IS MY CHANCE!
MY CHANCE TO FIX MY RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BLOCKHEAD!
IF VIOLET IS GONE THEN THERE WILL BE NO MORE INSISTENT BULLYING ON HIM!
…
Yes, even if it is that witch Heather. It's better for her to be situated in power than Violet. At least if she is queen B I can be by her side and reap some benefits. Along with finally fixing the blockheads social life.
"Ok, sure why not?"
Linus looked at me confused "Wait, you are willing to help us? Even after me telling you I was snooping around for some dirt on you?"
"Ehhhh… yeah sure. I mean, you two will still need to get a beating for that. However, I will let it slide."
"But what about Violet? I thought you were friend with her?"
"More like acquaintances with benefits. After yesterday though… I think I am done playing her game."
"Really?"
"Would I lie to you Linus?"
"YEAH! YOU WOULD! SEVERAL TIMES IN FACT!"
"Err… ok. Well, lets shake on it and I will cross my heart!"
"Really? Hope to die?"
"With a needle in my eye."
"Ok… I trust you sis." He said, finally shaking my hand. "But if you are lying, don't ever expect me to trust you again."
"It's ok Linus, I promise! Scouts honor!"
"Ok… me and Heather are going to meet after school next week on Monday to start planning. Will you be there?"
"Yeah, definitely! Besides, I think with Violet gone Charlie might finally get a break. Then I can be his main source of terror after."
"Not as if you aren't already."
"What was that?"
"NOTHING! I SAID NOTHING!"
Sigh, Linus really is quite a handful. What would he do if he didn't have his big, dependable, sis like me around!
Heh, probably still hauling that stupid blanket everywhere.
…
I am so back, and ready to rumble.
Watch out Violet, we are coming for you.