"Hey mate, want to play?" Baron was holding a ball in his hand, he held out a hand to me, the grin on his face was infectious. I could not help but smile back.
After the cafeteria incident, Baron and I had left the place and come out to seat on the bleachers. We had been playing and engaging in mindless gossip when he left. He had not said where he was going to, but as soon as he'd left, his brothers had come to the bleachers. I had seen Katelyn on Aaron's arm, they were talking and laughing, Katelyn voice ringing loudly as she either laughed or made some suggestive remark concerning Aaron.
Maybe they were doing it to get back at Baron and I but I was hurt. Not really because of what Aaron and Katelyn were currently doing but the fact that they thought I was a criminal. I really missed them, a lot. I was going to clear my name, Baron had promised to help me. Refusing to look their way, I had focused on the wide field before me, waiting for Baron's return.
And when he had, it was with a ball. He once again, ignored the existence of the others, looking only at me.
"What do I know about football?" I asked him.
Conversations across us had ceased and I could guess they were paying attention to us.
"Mate?" I heard someone scoff. "You've got to be kidding me." It was Aaron.
What was his problem? He was never like this, but now it seemed just cutting me out of his life was not enough, he wanted to frustrate me anywhere I was. I was not going to reply him.
"Are you having a cardiac arrest because I called her mate, Aaron?" Baron had on a smirk. Aaron sneered. "Well, twin brother, you're going to need the cardiologist soon because I'll keep calling her mate." He turned to me. "Mate, let's go."
Following Baron, our hands clasped, I heard a growl. Already knowing who it was, I didn't bother to spare him a glance. Aaron's attitude was beginning to annoy me. He didn't want to associate with me, still he was angry because Baron was. He had chosen his path, he should not be a problem when I choose mine.
"So what do we do?" Baron and I had walked into the field, the ball was still in his hands. I had zilch idea on what to do.
"We play the ball." He bounced the ball on the ground. I watched in fascination as he bounced faster; the ball traveling to and fro the ground and his open palm in swift, perfect motions.
"I could never do that." I told him, cheering him.
He laughed and threw the ball at me. I threw it back and soon, we started our own game of back and forth. Before I knew it, he was using his legs to pass to me. I found it fun and refreshing. The kicks were easy at first then it got heated, the ball was being abused aggressively by our feet.
Not meaning to, my leg missed and kicked it towards the wrong direction, it went hitting Katelyn. Oh my goodness! That was unintentional but knowing her, she would make it seem like I had done it on purpose.
"Are you crazy?" She yelled, crying in pain. The force of ball had brutally hit her face. She had almost toppled off the seat but Aaron caught her just in time.
Baron erupted into laughter, I gave him the stink eye but he was paying me no mind. I didn't want to go there but I had to apologize to her and also get the ball.
Unwillingly, I walked over. "I'm sorry Katelyn, that was a mistake."
"You stupid bitch. You lowlife thief." She ranted.
I wanted to cry at the insult but I held it in, Baron was at my side instantly. "What did you just call her?"
She trembled and held onto Aaron for protection and support.
"Baron let her be." Aaron warned.
"And if I don't?" Baron's menacing gaze was now on his twin brother.
"You'll have yourself to blame." Aaron stood, ready to fight his brother.
"Let's go." I tried to pull Baron away.
"Yeah, go with your bitch." Katelyn spat. I guess she was finding her voice being by Aaron's side.
"Shut up Katelyn." I heard Lucas say.
I met gaze with him. He merely glanced at me before removing his eyes.
"Didn't you see what she…"
"Don't make me repeat what my brother said, Katelyn." This was from Zach. He stared hard and cold at Katelyn who shut up immediately she also saw Trenton's look. The three were against her and she knew it.
I wanted to smile. No, I wanted to laugh out of pure joy. The boys had shut Katelyn up. Maybe they didn't really hate me or they were just tired of her ranting. I tried to search their faces but Trenton's hard, unsmiling look, Zach's dispassionate expression and Lucas's angry feature discouraged me. My eyes stung and I looked away. They still didn't want to talk to me.
Meanwhile, the twin brothers were still sneering and growling at each other. "Baron, let's go."
"Let her apologize." He pointed at Katelyn. His gaze still on his brother's.
"She hit her with a ball." Aaron defended.
"Unintentionally. And she apologized. But calling her a thief? That is unacceptable, she should apologize." Baron insisted.
Aaron looked defeated for a moment, but his glare came back on. "No."
"Are you serious?" Baron expression hardened more.
"The phone was found in her bag, wasn't it?" Aaron sneered.
My chest constricted as tears fell, I saw Baron punched Aaron. "You're the worst person. You and your brothers. You torment her because you think you can huh?" His furious gaze roamed the four of his brothers. "Especially you Lucas. I used to think you had a softer, kinder heart than any of us. I used to think you were better than me and Aaron, but you've proven otherwise. Even you Trenton and Zachary, I'm disappointed."
He hugged my trembling form as I wept in his shirt. "Katelyn, this isn't over. Not by a long shot."
Without saying anything more, he carried me out of there. "it's okay, Kathy. You'll be fine."