As the weeks went past, Kevin found him and Janis growing closer. They were now spending almost every waking minute with each other. Meeting more than during lunch on week days, even if it was a planned accidental "run in" in the halls. Or hanging out all weekend with each other. The more closer they got the more worried Kevin got about chase.
Kevin was still taunted by chase. Fluctuating from a single bash into the lockers to a full fledge attack in isolated halls or stairwells. From time to time Kevin would revert back to the fearful kid known a "Hairs". But, in the presents of Janis he would quickly recover.
Kevin turned away from Janis and towards the door right before the bell rang. The two of them had been in each others embrace in the closet near their bench. As Janis started to stir, Kevin wished that the door would turn into wall, sealing them inside. He was dreading gym. Since the coach was pushing him more do to his growth of energy. "What's wrong?" Janis said as she zipped up her bag.
"The coach has been pushing me lately… Also, I think Chase…." Kevin said as he gulped remembering that morning's attack.
"He won't find out!" Janis said as she kissed him.
"We just need to be careful!" Kevin said as he picked up his sweatshirt. He dreaded putting it on again. What once was the only thing that comforted him, was now turning into a prison. "I just don't want anyone to find out."
"OK. OK. … Remember, we're driving home today." Janis Whispered. "And don't forget I'm walking by your class later."
" I'll try to remember. The coach said something about today being different." Kevin said pulling his sweatshirt on. "I…I…Think… Chase…"
"You think he's helping out?." Janis asked. Kevin nodded and started to breath hard. He then started to cower, "I'll drop in and check on you."
"NO! They can't find out about us!" Kevin Shouted slightly. "If Chase finds out that.. I have a friend.,… He just can't find out!"
"OK, I just thought I would come by any way because I needed to check on something with that coach." Janis said as she touched his shoulder. He looked back at her, and felt that warm rush that he had been getting use to. He didn't want it to fade. He then turn back and open the door.
"I'll be fine, Janis." He said as he putting up his hood, "I'll see you in the halls." He then took her hand, and squeezed it. Janis then entered the hall hand headed on her way. Kevin, stood in the door way and watched the crowd swallowed her up. As he took a step out in to the hall, some one pushed the door closed and knock him down. He heard laughter as he hit the floor. They knew it was "hairs". Shrugging it off, he got up and headed on towards gym.
Kevin prayers were answered. Chase's visit didn't happen for another week. Unfortunately, it wasn't one of the best days for it. Chase had been growing suspicious about Kevin improvements. Kevin began to fear more for him and Janis. He was reverting back more than he use to.
The morning went as badly as it could. Kevin decided to Avoid Janis for just the morning. He had two "run ins" with chase. "I'll be waiting for you Hairs" Chases voice echoed in his head during lunch as he sat quietly and just stared at Janis.
"what's a Matter?" Janis asked as Kevin cower, "Is it Chase?" He slightly nodded and moved closer.
"sorry." He said under his breath."He got me twice. I'll be OK."
Janis then put her arm around him. Kevin tried to get closer but the bench was some what awkward. They then got ready and said their goodbye as the bell rang.
Kevin's stomach stung all the way to the locker room. As he enter the locker room he felt the "lump" The locker room echoed with the name "Chase". Kevin began to break out into a cold sweat after hearing the excitement.
"I've been waiting for this all year." One boy shouted.
"I hope he doesn't push us too hard." Another boy said
"Rolf hopes to impress the quarterback Chase Fellow." Rolf's rang out on top of all others. Kevin then felt the sting in his stomach as he looked back on how hard he tried to impress chase.
"You know," Another boy started," Once he sees hairs in our class. Who knows what he'll do?"
Hearing that last statement Kevin started to head for the door leading in to the hall. As he looked back at the group, He saw Rolf. "I have to do this." He thought." I can't let chase…." He then turned around and headed towards the gym. He readjusted his hood as he got closer to the group. He got into his usual spot in the back.
"Well, well, well.. look who we have here." Chases voice bellowed, "HAIRS!" Kevin gulped as he heard Chase's footsteps come closer. "You actually show up for this class." Chase circle Kevin, who started to trembled. Chase then walked away. "As I was saying ... The coach asked me to see how you guys were "coming along "…." Kevin stared at his feet trying to block Chase's voice out. "HAIRS!" Chases voices echoed. " PAY ATTENTION!" Kevin started to trembled harder. "You know what? I think You should be in the front, Hairs.. In fact .." Kevin breathing became more rapid as he feared what ever Chase had in store he then slowly walked up to the front. "DROP AND GIVE THIRTY PUSH UPS!" Chase ordered Kevin with a laugh, "NOW!" Kevin did what he was told with out hesitation! He then felt Chases foot on his back. Hearing Laughter He kept on.
After struggling with the last few, Kevin got up and stepped backed as he caught his breath. "Now, Why don't we Run? " Chase Laughed as the class groaned and glared at Kevin. As they started out to the track, Chase held Kevin back. "I don't know how you pulled that off." Chase whispered, " But, I will find out." Kevin gulped as Chase Pulled him closer. "You're still a nothing! A nobody." Chase then slammed Kevin on to the floor. He then heard Chase Leave. "GET MOVING!" Chase Bellowed again.
Both Chase and the coach barked orders at Kevin while he ran. He knew they wanted him to collapse, but he wasn't. Some how he was finding the strength to keep going. Of and on Janis would flashed through his mind. He saw the other boys get relieved by a tap or a nod from Chase. But, His never came.
"GET MOVING HAIRS." Was all he heard from chase or the coach when he started to "Pieter" out. He started to sway and crossed lanes. Then tripping on his own feet he feel.
"HAIRS!" The coach barked. "You're never going to get off this track!" He then heard foot steps. Knowing it was Chas,e he held his breath. He then saw the ground lowering as Chase picked him up and tossed him down the track. Exhausted, He kept running. Janis's smiled flashed through his mind. He then began to run at a good pace. Hoping to get the "nod", he then passed the coached and Chase. He was then the only one on the track. He began to feel some how felt an inkling of pride, Since him and Janis started running on the weekends.. But, it disappeared when he saw the look that he dreaded from Chase. As he got closer he started to slow. Chase stepped in front of as he came up. The coach took the others boys in. Kevin started to step off the track, Chase grabbed his shoulder. He knew that he wasn't going to get to leave.
"Hold it!" Chase order, "Your not going any where."
"I Have… Class…" Kevin whimpered.
"Your not leaving!" Chase said as he shoved Kevin down, "What is going on with you? ... It's like you think that you're something. … YOU'RE NOTHING! REMEMBER!!" Chase kicked Kevin in the stomach. Kevin tried to get up but, was slammed to the ground. "YOU'RE WORTHLESS! An empty shell."
"I'M WORTHLESS!" Kevin muttered as he held back tears and trembled hard.
"GET UP!" Chase ordered." I SAID…" Kevin then got up cowering. Chase then lead him back into the locker room. "Don't you ever forget your place, Hairs!" Chase growled at Kevin slamming him into a locker. Kevin then curled up in a balled and trembled until Chase left. A vision of Janis calmed him down.
"He's knows…" Kevin thought as he crawled towards his bag, "He knows I'm getting stronger. He's suspicious. " Kevin then walked out of the locker room.
Walking only while looking at the ground, he bumped into a body. He then froze. "There you are…" Janis said quietly. Kevin then took a step back and gasped for air. "Chase was there?" Janis said as she reached for his hand. Before she grabbed it, he quickly turned and walked away.