Devil's Three-way

Chapter 2

    Just as I put in the combination and lifted the lever I was spun around by my shoulder, hard. Before I could react, I was slammed again the row of lockers, closing mine in the process. “What the f**k?” I yelled, that’s all I could manage. I wasn’t in trouble at school normally and I didn’t bother anyone, mostly I kept to myself or with Kyle. The instant perfume hit me, I knew who it was. Kyle’s ex-girlfriend, Keira. The over pungent smell of powder and chemicals hitting me like a slap to the face. Her brown hair flowed around her shoulders and her brown eyes permeated hate. “Happy Birthday b***h!” Her fist collided with my nose, making my head bounce off the lockers. I slide down the lockers to the cold floor, my head aching and my mind processing. Giving myself a second to come to terms with what had just happened, “f*****g CUNT!” I yelled, knowing full well she and everyone in the hall heard me swear. Everyone froze.

    I stood up and dusted myself off. “I’ve taken enough of your s**t for this lifetime!”

    It wasn’t the first time Keira had put her hands on me, but this was going to be the last time. Keira was pretty much my personal bully. She's had it out for me since Kyle dated last year. And I’m proud to say, I am the reason they are not together! I’m his best friend I couldn’t stand seeing him with that b***h! She used him so badly. Mostly for popularity. He wasn’t happy and it was visible on his face. It hurt me to see that he wasn’t happy. His eyes didn't glow their perfect blue when he was with her. It was like he was fighting something the whole time, probably the urge to barf over her nasty perfume. Then I caught her flirting with some other guys when he missed a few days, I didn’t keep it from him. I mean I know we are teenagers but seriously have some couth! He was my best friend, I wouldn't be a good friend if I kept it from him that his girlfriend was being a hoe! After their split she started picking on me more. Spreading rumors, lying, insulting me in front of people, doing little things trying to provoke me. I never let it bother me, honestly. My friend was away from her at that point, so she no longer mattered. Some of her words though, they cut me to the bone. Every time she mentioned how I fawned over Kyle. It was the same as spitting on me. 

Then things started to escalate again out of nowhere. Since then, things have gotten pretty hairy. Last time they split about 9 or 10 months ago, things got really bad! Keira became physical, pushing me around. Or tripping me. Making everything seem like a joke when other people were around. I played along, I didn’t care really, but the mileage was racking up. Until today, it was downright wrong and I couldn’t do it anymore. I don’t honestly know what came over me at that very moment. I was mostly a quiet person, I avoided conflict at all costs. The past almost year, proving that. But walking up behind someone and sucker-punching them, in the face, it was just too much! I think all the things that she had put me through, that I kept hidden from everyone, especially Kyle,  just poured over. I was beyond angry and when I yelled, the hallway immediately going quiet. I was angry. I was beyond angry! Fury poured from me like lave. I felt rage for the first time in my life! As I saw red and before I could stop myself, Keira was in my grasp and I was pummeling her face. I could feel her flesh making contact with every jab I made. I’d managed to get her on the ground immediately. I’d never been in a fight before but obviously this was instinct. I felt her trying to fight back defensively scratching me or attempting to grab my hands/arms but I was to quick. I socked her in the nose one last time before her eyes rolled back into her head. Suddenly I felt several sets of hands grabbing me from behind.

Instantly I went ridged, not knowing who was grabbing me. I tried to get away but it was to late. Did her friend pull me off? Was it the teachers? Oh f**k, I was in some trouble. No need to hold back now! I tried lurching forward after again only to be pulled back. Every hand gripping my arms released, letting me go. Before I could lunch at her again, I was hoisted over someone’s shoulder. My body tingled and radiated. I kept reaching out, cursing trying to get Keira back in my grasp, “Stupid b***h! Your lucky! Put your f*****g hands on me again I’ll tear you to pieces!!” I clawed out behind this tree I was in, even though I knew she was far out my reach, but my rage wasn’t satisfied yet. "I'm gonna f**k your Wizard of Oz face up!" That’s when I realized someone was carrying me on their shoulder, away from the crowd in the hall. Past the lockers and further. I looked down and saw a black shirt with jeans beneath it. “Kyle? What the f**k? Put me down!” I beat on his back lightly. "What is the big idea? I was in the middle of something! Come on put me down!" 

“Calm down, kitten..” His voice was smooth but had a gruffness to it. He sounds a bit husky and maybe winded. I hear heavy doors close behind me as sunlight almost blinds me. He took me outside! Did he just call me kitten? He continued walking the long stretch until he reached the parking lot and his truck, opening the door before patting me on the butt and sitting me down in the seat. “I see you got claws for your birthday.” He chuckled. Oh, he has jokes now. 

“What the f**k Kyle?” I just stared at him my mouth gapping. What had gotten into him, calling me kitten, smacking me on my ass? This was not my normal Kyle. Where did he get off pulling me out of a fight and over his damn shoulder! He was being a complete asshole of a human being!

He smiled as he looked at my face then his dropped. How could he be smiling at everything that just happened? Did he have a brain in his head? And why exactly did his face drop when I looked at him? Reaching into the glovebox he grabbed a napkin and moved his hand toward my face. “Oh.”

“Oh, that’s all you have to say?” I caught his hand in the air. Why did he have a tissue? Had I been crying? Yes, I’d been crying apparently my face felt damp. I sniffled then made a funny face and coughed. It felt like I had water up my nose, did I just inhale a tear? I looked down and there was red on my shirt. Suddenly I felt my nose. “Oh..” I said as my eyes got big and I stopped straining against Kyle’s hand.

He lightly dabbed my nose, “Squeeze at the bridge Ren.” He brushed my hair back from my face and looked into my eyes, “You want to tell me about it?” He seemed to be examining me. 

“Yeah, let’s talk about it.” I glared at him stiffening my lips, “What gives you the right..” My words died as Shawn, Kyle’s other friend, came running into the parking lot with my bag and Kyle’s gift in hand. s**t, I didn't have time to stuff anything in my locker, my head closed it. So my all of my things were probably still on the floor, until Shawn had seen them. I could see my bookbag in his hand and something in his hand that I couldn't make out. 

Shawn hesitated, hearing my tone with Kyle knowing I was ready to ream my best friend. “Hey, I thought you might want these.” He handed my stuff to Kyle. “Quite the fight in you.” He grinned.

I grinned, “Yeah. Thanks Shawn. I wasn’t done yet.” I glared at Kyle.

“I didn’t figure. I’m surprised it took you this long to unleash the beast.” He picked lightly.

“What do you mean?” Kyle asked.

“Nothing.” I shrugged. I didn’t know if Kyle knew everything, but he knew Keira and I were not on good terms. Shawn however did know, but I'd asked him to keep quiet about it a while back.

“That was definitely not nothing Ren.” He stared at me, waiting for me to comply.

“She deserved it.” I crossed my arms and huffed from the truck seat like a small child.

“That she did.” Shawn agreed. “From what I saw Keira sucker-punch her.”

“She did what!” I could hear the anger in Kyle’s voice. Instantly his body went stiff and anger consumed him. His face was tightening, as if he were trying to hold something back. His eyes were squeezed shut tight, his face slipping to the side.

I reached out and placed my hand on his arm, “Calm down Kyle, I hit her back this time.”

“What do you mean this time!” He growled and stepped closer into my reach. His eyes locked on mine and I could see silver glimpsing through them. He closed his eyes once again and shook his head. 

“That is my cue.” Shawn bolted back through the parking lot to the school building.

“It’s nothing. Just calm down.” I said reaching out for his arm again.

Instead he swiveled me around the seat and stood between my knees outside the door of his truck. “If it had to do with you it isn’t nothing Ren. How long has she been doing this s**t to you?”

“Doing what exactly?" I asked innocently. I bit my bottom lip for effect, giving him puppy dog eyes. I really didn't want him worrying about me. I was fine and I'd taken up for myself, so what was the big deal? I came out on top dammit! 

He placed his hands on both sides of my face, “Ren, seriously. What happened?”

I sighed loudly, “It’s nothing Kyle. I stood up for myself, that’s all.”

“But why did you have to stand up for yourself? I mean, what am I missing?” He looked almost lost, sad even. His features dropping. I'd seen this face before, it was a mixture of upset and anger. The last time Shawn brought me to school, this was the face I got. 

I played with the hem of his black shirt, “I’m just touchy. And she touched me okay.” I wouldn’t meet his eyes. More couldn't meet his eyes. He always knew when I wasn't being honest. I practiced avoidance a lot. 

“You’re not telling me all of it.” He dropped his hands to my knees. “You have been keeping something from me for months Ren.” He shuffled the gravel under his feet, “I tried to overlook it but obviously that was a mistake.” Was he beating himself up over this? What has really gotten into him? 

“Look Kyle, I dealt with it. Okay.” I kept fiddling with his shirt, but I looked up to his eyes. They were glazed over like he was in deep thought, thinking about something else. I waved a hand in front of his face, nothing. I sat and started at him for a second, was he having some kind of seizure? My eyes dropped as I felt a twinge of fear. What was wrong with my best friend.  

His hand came back to my cheek, “Why didn’t you tell me she was bullying you, kitten?” Kitten?

My face fell from his view, “Why do you keep calling me Kitten? And because I can take care of myself!” I wanted to jump out of the truck or kick him in the shin. Something other than sit here and explain this to him.

“It’s a term of endearment, you do not like it?” He dropped his hand from my cheek, his face fell with it. The tingling sensation on my face stopped. Every time I felt it, I wanted to scratch at first. Then it felt warming. Now since his hand was gone, the warmth was gone. 

“It’s not that, I’m just not use to it. What has gotten into you today?” I sighed, “Keira has been hassling me since you guys first dated.” I told him, his shirt still between my fingers.

“This wasn’t hassling.” He stated firmly leaning closer to me. His hand was on my hip again, only one hand.

I sighed softly, “She started getting physical awhile back. I don’t know why really. I guess she’s ‘in love’ with you or whatever.” I sounded a bit more snippy than I meant to. Maybe I was jealous. He was my best friend and then boom, they would be holding hands! It was torture!

I felt his lips dancing on my cheek, softly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to bother you. She just told me to stay away. You were hers. Blah blah blah.. the teenage bullshit, ya know.” I threw my hands up gesturing like quirky teenager.

“Mmm..” He murmured in my ear.

“I just had enough of her s**t today.” I pulled my head back to look in his eyes. “It’s not your responsibility to deal with everything in my life Kyle. I needed to stand up for myself. I’m not a punching bag for your hoes.” I spit. She wasn’t the only girl that had hassled me over our friendship. Just the most adamant about it. And the only one he ever actually dated. The other's they just saw what I saw in him, everything.

“My hoes?” He pulled back looking at me hurt all over his face.

“Yeah, every girl that likes you. Or you date.” I felt somewhat jealous again. “Ahh..” I didn’t realize just how jealous I was until now, honestly. Twinges, sure but admitting to it being torture... Yeah, I did admit that to myself. 

“There hasn’t been any hoes in my life Ren.” He chuckled.

“Fine your flings. Or your girl things. Whatever. I got tired of being their punching bag, okay.” I was a bit confused and sounded way to harsh..

“I only ‘dated’ Keira a couple times Ren. And it was just to make you jealous.” He smiled lightly but I could tell he was a bit ashamed of himself too. 

“Well it worked!” I practically shouted. My eyes got big and I covered my mouth as I heard the words that spilled forth before I could stop them. Oh, too late now I thought, me and my stupid big mouth!

With a growl, Kyle pulled my lips to his and kissed me, it wasn’t a friend kiss. There was more meaning and purpose behind it. I could tell, I could feel it. Sparks started radiating through me, his lips made mine tingle. My heart skipped a beat and my belly fluttered. His hands moved into my hair. He deepened our kiss a little more, I soft moan escaped my lips. I could feel Kyle smile and I pulled back from him. “Your such an Ass-hat!” I glared at him knowing I was blushing bright red. Probably as red as my hair.

Kyle laughed at me and reached to smooth my hair down into place, “You really took her to cleaners Ren.”

“I’ve had to take her s**t since the first time you dated that ass-clown!” I hadn’t realized my arms were around his shoulders. But I could feel his hands at my waist, vibrating my pale skin. “What did you ever see in her?” I mean yeah, sure she was pretty and popular. But seriously she was a total d**k! Her personality sucked so bad it made her look like the wicked witch from Oz!  

“It wasn’t her attention I was seeking..” He placed his forehead against mine. “Besides, I only held her hand in front of you.”

I let my arms fall, “Yeah but what did you do when I wasn’t around?” I stared directly into his eyes.

“I only ever held her hand, Rennie.” He stated firmly, “And it was only to make you jealous. So, I only did it in front of you.”

“Such an Asshat!” I squeezed both my fists and clenched my teeth, giving him my hulk face. I slapped his arm, probably a little to roughly. “Why did you want to make me jealous so bad? Your the one that said we were 'just friends.'”

“There has only ever been you Ren. I know I messed up when we were young and you told me you liked me. I just wasn’t ready then.” He said softly. “Then I couldn’t get your attention, it was like you just forgot about me. I hated myself.”

“Believe me Ky, I couldn’t forget about you. I did try forcing you head first into the ‘friend zone’ though.” I chuckled. It was easier said than done. My tears stained my pillows for months! Yeah, just last week too. 

“Yeah I know.” He made a goofy face as if I'd been missing something for a while now. “Want to get lunch? Off campus. I’m done with learning today.”

“Yeah, lunch sounds nice. But I have to go home right after. Mom will probably be blowing up my phone soon.” I sighed and relaxed against the seat. “I have no idea what I’m going to tell her.” I knew the school would be calling not only to tell her I was skipping class, but also that I got into a fight.

“The truth.” He kissed my cheek. “And I’ll be right there with you.”

I laughed, as if he thought he could handle my mom. Especially after I got into a fight. Obviously, he missed some of those epic yelling matches she’s famous for. “I doubt she is going to let me have company for a while. It’s an enter at your own risk event!”

He bent down and kissed me softly, “There is no risk, Kitten. Now lets grab lunch and face the Mum Monster together."