As I said, Unfair Fights

I catch her looking at me in class again, we are in the middle of partner work about the First World War, "Do you have to gaze at me?" I ask as she snaps back to what we are doing.

"Sorry, I am not really focused."

"You don't seem to focus, ever."

"Sorry, so where were we?"

"Here."

"Okay, I already did this stuff, as a kid, so it's easy."

"Well, I didn't so not easy."

"Finally something I get to teach you," She smiled at me. Out of the corner of my eye I see Michael giving me the slit throat motion, "Aristide?"

"Yeah, yeah, nothing."

"Okay, what do you not get?"

I line up as defensive tackle in front of David with William and Bill to his sides. We are practicing the punt with a three line formation. We are rushing two with a weird formation, with Perry and Buck, our fullback, in the back field with our punt returner, with our tight end and a couple wide receivers and linebackers thrown in the secondary. Our punt returner runs like a bullet, if he gets a straight, he can whizz but if he has to dodge he isn't the fastest, he is just quick. The ball moves and I rush onto William, but not too much as the ball sores over us. Killian is a great punter. I turn and run down field to set up a few blocks for Anthony on the runback. I turn and see Perry and Buck level the two first guys down the field as Anthony runs through the middle of the gap they make. He finds open field and runs, towards me, 'Time to block,' He uses me as a shield as we run up the field, I spot Bill, William and David trying to cut us off, I gesture for him to keep going as I lower my helmet and fall as I collide with Bill, sending him back with me. David slammed into Anthony, stopping the runback. The coach blew the whistle. I help Bill up, "Nice kick out, my man," He laughs as we walk back to the coach, "I didn't know you hated me so much."

"I don't, I just tried to make Anthony get the runback td."

"Brilliant job guys," Coach White begins talking, "If we can block the runbacks like this and guard the returner like this we will get easy yards and a good field start, proud of you guys today, let's keep it up and we'll win it this time, see you guys tomorrow," We break the huddle then all head to the locker rooms.

Cassandra is still sitting on the bleachers, she had planned to break up with Michael today, and right now. I get changed quickly, not showering and put my equipments away. I hurry outside with my bag and then stand a small distance away from Cassandra as she waits for Michael. He walks out alone, not noticing her. She calls him out and he turns to her and stands still, I don't hear what she says but I see him get frustrated. He doesn't say anything for a moment then loses it, shouting at her, about me and about her as a whore or a waste of time. I look on as he gets closer and closer to her, getting angrier and angrier. I get up and walk towards them as Cassandra looks at my for help. He is in her face, yelling at her. He is clearly frustrated, talking with his hands. He turned around, defeated and glared as his eyes met mine, with another slit throat gesture. Cassandra sighs deeply as I stand next to her, "That was way too hard," I pull her towards me and hug her, "Thank you."

"Don't worry, the only person he hates is me," I joke as she hugs me, "I didn't shower, sorry."

"It's fine, can we go to your room?"

"To study?"

"Do you want to go to my room?"

"I should change though."

"Just get your stuff and you can change in my room."

"Um, no? I'll be fast."

"It's fine, just come with me."

"You, you are m-making my uncomfortable," I stammer as we walk together, "What dorm are you in?"

"The third girl dorm, just text me so I'll come get you," She smiles at me and skips off, she seemed much happier from breaking up with Michael, 'She is special, maybe that is what I like about her, maybe.' I smile as I walk back to my dorm. I decided to hurry to not make her wait too long, but still, take enough time to not be too disgusting.

I leave my dorm not really paying attention to anything until my eyes spot Michael, standing with 4 other guys, Antonio, the team's left receiver, Victor, the other receiver and Juan, the tight end, and Deacon, one of the team's safeties. I gulp and try to walk pass them without noticing them. Michael snorts and then spits in front of me. I stop and sigh, "Fat boy, how's your girl doing?"

"What do you mean?"

"Don't act dumb, you've convinced her to dump me for no reason? Just cuz you want to be a nice guy? I doubt that," One of them chop blocks my knee from behind, making me fall to the floor. I grimace in pain, holding my knee, "How does it feel, huh? The pain, but now, physical not emotional," He kicks me in the stomach, "Not, so, fucking, strong, now, huh?" Each word matches a kick, "Why did you ruin my life? I don't know, but now, I'll ruin yours, lift him from the floor, fat boy can't get up on his own," He says as he drives his foot into my side as I try to get up. Antonio, Victor, Juan and Deacon lift me up, only for Michael to bring me crashing to the ground. I am barely awake at this point, only feeling his fists pummel me over and over again. The punching suddenly stops as I see the 5 of them run away. Some time after someone is above me, talking.

"Aristide! Dude, James, get some help, see if Coach is in his office!"

I pass out.