The Heart Of Everything

2. Well, this is kind of cute

It has been over a week and my knee is getting a little better, but I can't drive my goddamn bike. Dad bought me a new one before school because the other one broke down some months ago. I don't see him that often after mom went away for about three years ago. Since then he has drowned himself in work and I am very lucky if I see him like four days a week.

Every Saturday dad and his brother, Frank go out to take some 'few' drinks and he usually doesn't come home before late the day after. I don't blame him for being so much away, he was so messed up after mom died. Not like I was heartbroken when she went away, but you don't see me drowning in work or in a bottle. Well, maybe fighting has raised some levels since then. Dad is tired of seeing me every week with something blue or something broken, that he has just given up.

Kimmie is already standing by our lockers. This is the highlight of the day. I have a huge smile on my face as I end up next to her.

"Hi, Kimmie." I say and she turns to me annoyed, she has never liked my nickname. I have many for her, but Kimmie has always been the one that comes to my mind.

"Are you grumpy today?" I mock with a grin. She rolls her eyes and takes a deep breath.

"How can I not when I have to see you every day?" She teases back and it makes me smile even brighter.

"You know you like this face." I say and wink. She narrows her eyes and clenches her teeth.

"Sam, do you ever think about others feelings before you say something?" She asks and sigh.

"You have feelings?"

"You f*****g asshole!" Kimmie shouts and tackles me. She ends up above me on the floor and I wince of my bad leg. Kim has never done this before, and I look at her with shock in my eyes. Kimmie usually hits or kick, not attack me like that.

"Why do you have to be such an asshole?" She yells angry right in my face and I have so suppressed my smile now. There is nothing like to watch her upset.

"Why do you have such a short temper?" I ask and then laugh. She grabs my shirt and feel her slap my face. I close my eyes of the sting, but then not long after I put myself together.

"How many times have you slapped me now?" I ask teasing with a smile. She raises her hand again with fire in her eyes. I grab her wrist before she can strike me again and grab the other one as she tries with that one as well. I lean up to her and grinned.

"Well, this is kind of cute." I mock. She moves her hands in my grips. I turn to Miss Hale as she clears her throat.

"Umm." I say unsure what to do now. This is awkward. The young teacher crosses her arms over her chest and raises her eyebrow. I let Kimmie's hands go only to feel a new slap on my cheek.

"Miss Sanders!" Hale says angrily as I wince in pain. Kimmie stands up from me.

"She started the whole thing!" Kimmie complains. I try to stand up, but my knee is much worse after the fall.

"Well, I didn't hit you." I remind her as I reach my hand to her. She rolls her eyes, but help me up and I stand, leaning against the lockers.

"It's okay Hale, no one died." I assure her.

"Not yet." I smile at Kimmie's words.

"Like the tiny, you can do that." I mock.

"Just get back to class both of you." Hale says and sigh. Kimmie growl, but turns to walk. I roll my eyes amused and then follow Miss Hale to our class. She is the best teacher we have, the funniest and alive one. If it was possible we could have been friends, I talk to her every day. We have a mocking 'friendship' not like the one Kimmie and I have. She uses the school to mock me, when I get my grade or when I walk into the classroom with a blue eye.

After watching the others having a blast of a soccer practice, I head down the hallway, limping. I really want to play again. Lizzy kept on grinning at me as she guards the goal, so I left a little earlier. I didn't really need to watch them, but I don't want to miss anything. I roll my eyes as I see Kimmie with the lockers again.

"Still angry?" I ask as I stand next to her. She turns to me as she smashes her locker closed. Her green eyes full of fury.

"I take that as a yes." I grin. Then feel her kick my knee. I wince and fall down on my back.

"Do you always have to hurt me?" I growl in agony and rub my eyes as I feel the tears want to come out. Dammit, that really hurt. I am not sure how much more my leg can handle.

"You should probably go to the nurse again." She says calmer and I roll my eyes.

"Or maybe I should stop seeing you." I say and lean up to a sitting position.

"That would be a great idea." She says, smiling and I roll my eyes.

"You can't get me away that easy, honey." I say as I struggle to get myself up again. I am so tired of limping and falling on my ass.

"Let me help you." She says and offers me her hand. I grab it and drag her down. She lands all over me, which was not what I was thinking. Her whole little weight over me.

"Sam!" She shouts as she tries to get up. Then she sits above me like she did in the morning. I just look at her angry face as always.

"Does this remind you of something?" I ask with a crooked smile. She takes a deep breath and then put her hand on my head to get up on her feet. After a while, she decides to help me up again. I lean on the lockers and catch my breath.

"You owe me a leg." I complain.

"You should go to the nurse." She recommends, but I shake my head.

"I don't think Sharon wants to see me right now." I say chuckling and she rolls her eyes.

"Um, can you drive me home?" I ask a little embarrassed.

"Why? Can't your dad pick you up?" She asks with a raised eyebrow. Dad is not even in town. I haven't seen him since Sunday and now it is Thursday. He is always busy working.

"Umm, no he can't."

"Your mom?" I bit my inner cheeks. I haven't told anyone about mom since I do not really have any friends at school. The nurse, Miss Hale, and Kimmie are the closest thing I have to friends. I like to be on my own. I just shake my head to her.

"Fine." She mutter and I follow her out to the car. She starts driving and we just sit in silence.

"Why can't your parents come and get you when your leg is... well you know." She says and it makes snort.

"It's not important." I finally answer her. It is not like I am not a little upset over dad that he is not around more. I like the quietness in the house and that I can control things by myself, but I wish I could at least see him in the mornings and before I go to bed. Like it was before and when he is around it is more fun.

"Um, okay." She says unsure. After ten minutes, we are finally here.

"Thank you, pumpkin." I say mocking and she rolls her eyes in annoyance.

"Just get out!" She says irritated and I open the door.

"I see you tomorrow, darling." I say and wink.

"Sam, I swear to go..." I close the door and wave to her angry face. I turn and start limping to my house.