Kevin held his breath as he went through each passing period that Thursday. He knew that Chase was back and would be looking for him. Getting closer to lunch, he regretted calling of his lunch "date" with Janis. "It's for her own good." He thought as the vision of her crossed his mind. As he entered his third class, He was stopped by some seniors.
"Chase has been looking for you, Hairs" One boy said as Kevin froze. He held his breath and swallowed. "I'll tell him where you are." The boy exclaim as Kevin started to walk in to class almost running Nazz over.
"Watch it!" Nazz yelped. Kevin Jumped back and let her pass. He then heard the seniors laugh as they left."He is such a weirdo." He over heard Nazz say to another classmate as she entered the hall. Kevin then look in her direction. He wanted to speak out. But, he was "Hairs". As he sat in the back of the class, he watch the clock. Wanting it to freeze and not have class end. Nazz's statement echoed in his mind. If she only knew who "Hairs" really was.
Kevin's eyes then drifted over to the clock. It had some how "sped up". He watch it as it "moved closer" to the Bell. What seemed like seconds later, the bell rang. As he watch the other Kids get up and leave, he froze. He knew Chase was waiting out side the hall. He then felt the lump and sting in his stomach. "HAIRS" A voice barked from the hall. "GET OUT HERE NOW!" The voice ordered. Kevin quickly grabbed his books and headed out the door.
The Second he stepped outside the door, Chase grabbed him and took him to a isolated stairway. "Did you miss me Hairs?" Chase laugh as he shoved Kevin hard up onto the wall. "Word around school is, you were in the cafeteria yesterday." Chase growled.
"It... it wasn't my idea!" Kevin whimpered. Chase then slammed him down on to the hard ground. He then picked Kevin up and receptively bashed his body against the wall and the other seniors. Kevin trembled as he tried to get up. He then felt Chase kick him in the side.
"DON'T YOU EVER TRY THAT AGAIN!!" Chase shouted like a drill Sargent. "YOU'RE NOTHING, BUT, A WORTHLESS BODY!" Kevin soon fought back tears as his head bounce off one of the steps. He then Heard Chase and the others laughing. He was then lifted up again and shoved into the stairs. As Kevin turn around Chase punch him giving him a bloody nose."you're still too weak, Hairs!" Chase Laugh. "Why did you ever think you were football material? HUH!... Worthless! Chase laughed as he started up the stairs. Kevin then crawled over to a corner and balled himself up.
"I have to get through this!" Kevin said as his tears over took his control, "I have to prove to him... I can take it... I can take it." He then started to tremble harder. He wished Janis would find him, Then wished she wouldn't. He didn't want her to see him like this. He then thought of the kiss she gave him. All of a sudden he felt that warm feeling. Her face then appeared in his mind. He knew then, he could make it. Just knowing she was his friend helped. He tried to moved but, couldn't. His body didn't want to move. His body just trembled. Vision of Chase and all the attacks reappeared.
As the bell ranged, he scrunched up towards the corner as students passed. No one even batted an eye. Once he looked up to see if Janis was around. He wanted to see her. He did see the eds walking down the stairs. They were talking and laughing about something. "Why did I treat them bad?" He thought as the passed by him.
"Ready for lunch?" Ed said to the other two," Can we sit together?"
"Why not?" Eddy replied," The economics club is having off day. They think my latest idea is stupid."
"Got in a "tiff" with Mark again?" Double-D remarked. Their voices trailed off. Kevin wished he could be with them. He wished even more that he was with Janis. He then stared back at his bent up knees. The crowd then cleared and he was once again alone.
Kevin slowly got up still trembling. His mind was stuck on chase. He the slowly walked through the halls and into a nearest closet. He then felt that his cheek. It was slightly swollen, he then knew he had a black eye. Checking his head, he felt the knot form. he then sat back down and trembled harder. He tried to control him self and force himself to think of Janis, but his thoughts of Chase were too over whelming. He then laid down trying to control his speratic breathing. "IT's not fair." He whispered, "I have to get THROUGH THIS!" He said louder. As he laid their he felt his stomach sting. Tears flowed down his swollen cheek. He soon drifted off to sleep.
Kevin was startled out of his sleep by the clashing of the lockers from the hall. He thought it was the sound of his body being thrown against the gym lockers. "Just another night mare." He thought as he was gasping for breath. Trembling, he looked at his watch, '2:45' he then new he had been in there for the entire afternoon. No one even looked for him. He then gather his books and bag, put his hood up and headed out. Half way to his locker, he was tapped on the shoulder. He jumped and friezed.
"I heard what happen." A warm voice said. It was Janis,"We should had met."
"No...No... it was better." Kevin whimpered as he cowered. "You better just..."
"I'm not leaving you..."Janis objected. "Come on, I'll take you home."
"Don't you have to practice? For your meet. I'm just getting in the way." Kevin mumbled.
"I can practice later. I prefer to anyway. I want to take you home!" Janis said with a warm voice.
"But, but, Chase..." Kevin trembled harder... His breathing became faster. They were out in the open.
"Chase is at practice!... No one is around us, Kev." Janis laughed. She then put her arm around him. He had been longing for this all day, Soon the thoughts of Chase disappeared and he lean in toward Janis. "Did you eat lunch?" She asked as they turned a corner. Kevin shook his head no. "Come on then, I'll get you something to eat."
As they headed towards her car, Kevin got nervous that he might be seen. He then stopped and froze. Janis then looked back and walked back to him. "Come on." Janis said as she guided him. He then looked at her face. Suddenly, the warm feeling returned. They then got in the car and left.
"How did you find out?" Kevin asked as She turn the car on.
"Chase announced that "order had been restored" at lunch. I just had a feeling you got hurt. Plus I looked for you." Janis said as she back out. "How much damage did he do?"
"Not much." Kevin said as he stopped Janis from pulling.
"Are you bleeding?' Janis asked.
"NO! LOOK I'M FINE!" Kevin yelled as he turned his head. ":Just take me home."
Janis sighed as she droved out of the parking lot. Kevin slowly turned towards her and lowered his hood. While stopped at a stop light she looked at him. She then touch his bruise cheek.. Kevin then looked at her. The two looked at each other for a minute. "He did leave a mark." Janis sighed as she turned the corner. They droved Upton a fast food joint and got some food. Kevin ate as much as he could since his stomach was stinging constantly. He mostly iced his bruised with his cold drink.
"I missed seeing you." Kevin said under his breath. "How was your day?"
"My day, was OK. I kept hearing that "Hairs" got "put back in his place.". I'm just knew you would Be hiding out most of the day! I even went by the gym..."
"YOU WHAT???" Kevin yelled in a state of panic. "WHY?"
"Because... I just had a feeling... Look I was worried! OK, I over heard Chase and the coach a few days back about Having chase come in and help him with the freshmen. They do it about once a year.. I thought it was today." Kevin then sank into the seat. "I could find out for you..."
"NO! Janis! I'll be ready, I will." Kevin said as he looked at her. They were almost to his house. He couldn't stop staring at her. The more he looked at her the more he felt better. She then pulled into his drive way. She then looked at him. "Do you, ummm have to go back?" Kalvin mumbled as he stared into her deep brown eyes.
"Not yet! I could stay for awhile." Janis said as she turn the car off. He then nodded a yes. and got out of the car. Looking back at Janis he smiled. She then got out and joined him. They both went in side the house. Kevin then crashed on the couch. "Do you want an Ice pack for that eye?" She asked.
"Yeah, their in the freezer, on the left." Kevin Mumbled.. Janis went into the kitchen And returned with an ice pack. "Thanks." Kevin mumbled again . Janis then joined him on the coach. Chases Voice echoed through Kevin's mind. He then looked at Janis. "You're my friend?" Kevin whimpered.
Janis nodded and put her arms around him. "It was that bad?" Janis's voice was worried once again. He then looked at her.
"I can get through this!!" Kevin said as Janis stroke his face."Chase has taken everything away from me. I have to survive."
" No matter what Chase does to you, He can't stop us from being friends."Janis sighed. Kevin then looked at her. She then smiled and held the ice pack against his face. He then notice that his ears were ringing He knew he hit his head hard. He then blinked. "Are you OK?"
"I hit my head really hard on the wall." Kevin said. Janis then moved the ice pack to his head," My ears are ringing."
"You probably have a concussion.Are you sure you're OK?" Janis said as she looked at him." I better stay until your parents come home." Kevin mumbled an OK. They sat there looking at each other for a minute. Janis then started too look around the room. She then saw some pictures. Kevin held his breath as she got up. He Knew that they were his old football pictures.
"You played football?" Janis asked picking up the team picture.
"I did." Kevin mumbled. He wish Janis had never saw the picture. He then slowly got up and walked over to her.
"So, you were in football camp?" Janis said as she put the picture back. He slowly nodded, he knew he had told her too much already. Janis then gave him a look that he never seen before. He knew she was "putting the pieces together". "Janis, Please!", he sighed, " Don't tell any one! "
"You're Parents?"
"My parents think I'm on reserves. They don't see me that much. I tell them I get banged up in practice... This is something I have to do. I have to prove myself..."
"By what?! Letting him use you like this! YOU"RE A WALKING PUNCH LINE!" Janis said as she started to pace.
"I DESERVE THIS! CHASE SAYS I DESERVE THIS!!" Kevin Yelled as he trembled. He knew there was no going back now. He looked at her and felt that there was nothing else in the world. She was the only friend he had. He didn't care what happen next. He just wanted some one there! "He says I get what I deserve! He's right!"
"HE'S WRONG ! This isn't some type of test Kevin! This is just plan cruelty! You have to stop this!" Janis said firmly. Her warm eyes locked with his,"I care about you!... Didn't you want to play?"
"I DID! I wanted to! Heck, I even looked up to Chase! He doesn't think I was strong enough! He's right! I'm nothing!" Kevin said as he sat back down, fighting back tears. Janis then joined him and wrapped her arms around him. '
"It's OK. You're fine!" She whispered as he lost the battle with his tears. His swollen eye was pooled up with tears. After wiping his tears, she then reapplied the ice pack to his eye. He then felt her warmth. He didn't want it to end . He then looked at her. "Do you want me to stay?" She asked under her breath. He nodded again. Pushing the ice pack off , he then got up and went in to the kitchen.
"Do you want something to eat or drink?" He asked opening the fridge. He then grabbed a soda and return. Walking back into the other room, He saw through his window , that the kids were outside looking at Janis's car. Janis then looked up.
"Are those your friends?"Janis asked
" They use to be." Kevin sighed as Chase re-entered his mind."they just, can't know."
Janis then walked up close to him and took his hand gently. He then caught her deep brown eyes. The vision of chase disappeared. There was nothing but, Janis.The warm feeling came back to him. Then, "with out thinking", he leaned in and kissed her. He then "jumped" back. "I...I... a.." he fumbled over his words realizing what happened.
"It's OK," Janis said as she smiled.
"It is?" Kevin Question. He then saw a vision of chase and stepped back even more. He didn't know what was happening. He felt the warm feeling overwhelm him. He didn't want anything to change but, he did. "Chase!" He shouted.
"DON'T THINK ABOUT HIM!" Janis shouted! "This is your house! You're not hairs! Not here! You can do what ever you want!" He knew she was right. Chase didn't have any say. "I'm sorry." She then said quietly.
Just then his parents came in the house. "Kevin?" His mother shouted as she entered the house.
"In here , mom" Kevin said as she passed the doorway. She then walked in to the living room.
"Oh." She said, "What happen to your cheek?"
"I just underestimated the dummy and I hit the support beam." He said as Janis sighed and rolled her eyes." I'll be OK."
"I know you will be. Who is this?" His mother asked as she looked at Janis.
"This is Janis, My ... freind." He breathed. Taking in the statement. He then looked at Janis. and then Smiled.
" I just dropped Kevin off after practice. I need to get going. I'll see you tomorrow, Kevin. " She said as she headed out the door. He nodded yes and smiled. She then gave him a smiled back. "Bye"
That night , Kevin tossed and turned. His mind was racing with thoughts of Janis instead of Chase. He kept re playing the kiss over in his mind. Each time he wanted to stop before it happen then wanted it to be longer. Chase popped into hos head a few times. But, was over run by Janis.