When Bad Boys Fall: Lucas' Version

~∆~  I bounced the brown ball on the ground of the basketball court at home. My eyes were trained on the hoop across the court as sweat rolled down the sides of my head. I jogged and dribbled the ball between my legs as I neared the hoop. As soon as I got close, I jumped high and tossed the ball into the net. I jogged to the side and ruffled my moist hair, feeling burnt out. I walked over to the edge of the court and grabbed my bottle of water off the small bench. I uncapped it and drank out of the water bottle, quenching my thirst and soothing my burning throat. "Lucas?!" I almost choked on the water at the sound of one voice I hated. I took the bottle away from my lips and looked to the side, glaring at a grinning Maddy Kingston in her cheerleading uniform. She dropped her bag on the ground and ran up to me, her pigtails bouncing with her movement. I would admit, her pigtailed hairstyle always made her hot. "Hi," she said as soon as she stood in front of me. "What are you doing here?" I asked and she giggled. What the f**k was funny in what I just asked. I hate girls like her. "Your mom let me in, silly. Also, we are partners for a school project, remember?" She grabbed my bottle and ran her long-manicured fingers over the body. Maddy Kingston has always been a girl who has not let me rest since I joined the basketball team. She had a crush or whatever on me that has f*****g pissed me off for a long time now. She was everywhere I was. She was in almost every class I took; she was always trying to be friends with everyone I knew and coincidentally being in the places I was. She was too annoying for my liking. I have never felt attracted to her because she gave me nothing but stalker-like fan behavior. I would have f****d her like every other girl at Redside that offered themselves to me, but her personality was a huge turn-off. She would be the clingy type if I did, a very toxic one. "What are you doing in my house?" I asked and turned away, prepared to go back to practicing. I was not surprised when she followed me, too close for that matter. Her arm brushed against my sweaty one which made me move away. "Why weren't you in school today? You missed a lot. There were two fights between some kid on the swim team and someone on our basketball team. Also, a teacher was caught with a student," she said in her excited voice. Every time I miss school, something good or interesting happens but on the days, I go, nothing exciting does. "Well, that's a shame I missed it all," I replied and grabbed my ball off the ground. "I brought your homework," Maddy said, pointing over her shoulder at her bag. "I didn't ask for it," I said with a scowl on my face. "Maddy, look... I'm not in the mood to give you any f*****g attention. I have a lot going on right now, so leave." Maddy stepped closer and placed her hand on my arm. I frowned at her hand, glaring at it and hoping it would disappear. I grabbed her hand and took it off my arm, dropping it aggressively. "Don't ever touch me again," I warned through my gritted teeth. Maddy pouted. "I've been worried about you, Lucas. You're always late for school or not even showing up for classes these days. Is everything okay?" "Maddy, you're not anyone special to me. So, I don't see how I should be involving you with things about my life. You know what? I was sick... Now, leave." I tossed the ball aside and quickly walked toward the double doors up front. I pushed one side open and walked in. "Lucas?!" Maddy called out to me, but I ignored her and continued to walk toward the door ahead of me. Once I got to it, I opened the door and matched into the kitchen. The cooks were busy which made me furrow my eyebrows. There were so many food items and things placed out like there was a feast being hosted. As I walked out of the kitchen, I almost bumped into my mother who was holding a dress in a plastic bag. "I was about coming to get you. Are you done with your practice?" She asked, hers darting around as if she was looking for something or someone. "Mom, what is happening? Why are the cooks busy?" I asked and she smiled up at me. "Your father is coming home today," she replied, and I felt my face drop. I gritted my teeth as I felt my heart constrict from the dislike I had for that man. He had left for a trip that lasted for a year and he was coming home. Everything was going to change for everyone now and I didn't want him around. "So, why are you planning as if something important is about to happen?" I asked in a terse tone and my mother frowned. "Stop that, Lucas. No matter how he behaves, he's still your father and he loves you," she said. This was f****d up. Hearing her say that pissed me the f**k up. "Loves me? No, don't say that s**t, mom. That man has hated for reasons best known to him. So, don't bring that bullshit of him being my father and him loving me. Excuse me," I said and pushed past her. "Lucas?!" I stopped walking at the annoying sound of Maddy's voice. I turned around and grabbed her arms when she almost ran into me. I pulled her closer and saw her eyes go wide from shock. "Leave me the f**k alone, Maddy. Stop bothering me! You're not wanted here!" I pushed her away and walked off, anger boiling in my system. I rushed up the grand steps and walked through the hallway. I reached my bedroom and banged the door close. I rested on the door and shut my eyes, waiting for my heart to stop beating fast. I saw flashes of the curses my father laid on me, the mental abuse he inflicted on me. The nights I cried, thinking of how I would impress him. I opened my eyes and rubbed my aching head. "I can't be here when he returns. I don't want to see that bastard's face," I said under my breath.