Gary had played a game after his forehead had stopped stinging and he was starting to feel better. He hadn't really helped very much though as all the boys refused to pass the ball to Gary and Bradley was on the other team, so he couldn't pass Gary the ball either. Barry's technique to football had made the coach choose him to be the head of the competition team. He was ruthless, even to his own classmates. But that was what made the coach like him. The coach had said that he wouldn't be picking favourites but it was obvious that Barry was his favourite student. They seemed quite close.
After the game ended, the coach told the team to go have showers and get changed. Gary followed the other team members into the changing room, it stank in there of sweat and cologne, making Gary wrinkle his nose in disgust. He'd forgotten how bad it smelt in the changing rooms. The boys filtered into the showers, some refusing and claiming they would shower in their dorm showers. Gary decided he'd just deal with the showers in the changing rooms, he didn't want to go all the way up to the dorms just to shower and then have to come all the way down for dinner just to go back up again. It seemed like wasted effort.
Once Gary was changed, he started to walk out of the changing room, leaving his gym kit in his locker in the changing room. He hadn't walked out that far when Barry confronted him. Again. Barry marched up to him, getting close to try to intimidate him.
"Sheffield! Why the hell would YOU join the football team?" He demanded, obviously still annoyed that Gary had 'trespassed on his turf' or something like that… His hands were balled up into fists, but Gary remained calm, looking at him with a plain expression.
"Because I wanted to." Gary answered honestly, only enraging Barry further at his half-asked response. Gary stood there almost looking bored at Barry's confrontation, it was fake confidence of course, but if he could get Barry off his back then it would make it a lot easier to make friends and enjoy school.
"You are playing a dangerous game, Sheffield. You're foolish to not be afraid of me." Barry threatened coming closer and holding up his fist. He was trying to use his height against Gary, but he honestly didn't care that he was shorter than Barry.
"I'm not afraid of you Barry. You can't push me around like everyone else. I'm going to end your tyranny." Gary stated, crossing his arms in a show of defiance. Barry's eye twitched slightly as he stared at him. "There is not one single thing that you could take away from me." He added, tauntingly. He quickly realised that it probably wasn't a good idea to antagonise him like this but it was already too late.
"There is still one thing I can take away from you Sheffield. You shouldn't be so naive!" He smirked, pure delight covering his face in a split second change. Gary's face contorted to one of confusion. What could he still take away? He could kick him out of school but… he didn't seem smart enough to set all of that up. "Her." He retorted, answering Gary's unasked question. Barry was pointing to someone coming down the stairs, grinning like a maniac.
Gary turned to the girl on the stairs. The Aimes. The girl who Barry had been with at night several times was with her too. His eyes widened slightly, without the Aimes, he wouldn't be able to answer any of his questions about her family and magic. She was also the only person at the moment that was actually somewhat of a friend to him. As he peered closer he noticed that she was smiling. Her whole face was lit up by it and she looked really pretty. It was also one of the first times he'd seen her smiling, especially as brightly as that.
Barry grinned more at Gary's response. "Nothing huh? I guess I'll go tell her that she means absolutely nothing to you." He taunted, playing with Gary's emotions. He understood why everyone else had given into him it was easy to do so.
"No!" He blurted out, before even really processing what Barry had said. It would kill their relationship if the Aimes thought that she meant nothing to him. Barry's face darkened and he stared deeply into Gary's eyes, his dark brown eyes piercing Gary's as if he was staring right into his soul.
"Then get out of my way Sheffield. Fall back in line." He threatened, his voice low making his deep voice slice through Gary causing a chill to run down his spine. Then he punched Gary in the stomach, making him bend over double.