ya keep on sinnin'

[edgeofyourseat]

It's been two whole weeks of school and he's only gotten in one fight. That has to change. Not just because it's fun, either; a reputation for fighting gives him an easy lie whever somebody asks about the bruises.

(He asked when he turned eighteen if maybe he wasn't getting a little old for this. He has not asked again since.)

So he picks a time (beginning of lunch period) and a place (a long hallway near the cafeteria) and a target (popular, easily annoyed) designed, all together, to draw the maximum possible crowd. After that, all he has to do is run into the guy and then laugh in his face when he demands an apology and give him a little shove just to make the point that much clearer.

Thirty seconds later, his head slams into a locker and he hasn't felt this good all week.

Comments

[tofightinjustice]

A crowd gathers in moments to watch. Most of them are cheering on the popular guy.

Bryce is late to the party; when she turns the corner of the hallway, people are already piled three deep around the fight.

[edgeofyourseat]

The popular guy is actually pretty good, surprisingly so in fact.

But he's not nearly good enough.

This becomes obvious when the crowd suddenly explodes in Bryce's direction, scattering to reveal a tall kid on the floor nearly spitting with rage and a shorter, curly-haired boy pouncing on him with a wild laugh. It's not good form to throw your opponent directly into the audience, but since when does that matter?

[tofightinjustice]

Oh, for goodness' sake.

Bryce straightens, swings her bag off her shoulder and into a corner, and starts down the hall at a jog.

"Hey!"

[edgeofyourseat]

The two of them exchange punches, but with the laughing one straddling the angry one's twisting body, it's fairly clear who is likeliest to walk away from this one.

He looks up at Bryce and grins.

"Hey," he says merrily in a noticeable Brooklyn accent, "you want some too? I'm easy!"

The boy under him, disinclined to be ignored, snarls and fists a hand in his shirt to drag him into headbutt range. The resulting blow does nothing at all to diminish the New Yorker's laughter.

[tofightinjustice]

"Stop it, both of you!"

Someone in the crowd yells "Go get him!" and sets off a chorus of yells and cheers. Bryce ignores them.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Make me," he tosses off, looking up at her again. The distraction is enough for the other boy to slam a fist into his jaw, snapping his head back, and throw him off immediately afterward.

Of course, contrary to Bryce's preferences, they're not about to stop there. This time it's the taller boy's turn on top, where he punches his opponent in the face repeatedly.

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce rolls her eyes.

(Henri is not going to be pleased about this.)

Marching forward, she catches Mr. Popular's fist as it comes up for another blow and yanks him backwards.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Ruin all my fun," Mr. Giggly pants. His tongue touches his bloodied lips; he grins.

[tofightinjustice]

"Hey, step off!" Mr. Popular protests.

"Quit fighting."

"He started it!"

[edgeofyourseat]

"It's true, I did." He licks his lips again, glancing at Mr. Popular through lowered lashes. "The things a guy's gotta do to get a good time in this town, I swear."

Mr. Popular visibly recoils.

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce rolls her eyes again, releasing Mr. Popular's wrist.

"Shut up and go away."

A teacher is going to show up any minute.

[edgeofyourseat]

Mr. Popular gives Mr. Giggles a disgusted look and backs away.

Mr. Giggles sprawls out on the floor and grins sunnily.

[tofightinjustice]

"Go on." She flaps a hand at Mr. Popular. "Go see the nurse."

"Whatever, brat," Mr. Popular says, sparing a glare for Bryce.

[edgeofyourseat]

Watching this, he picks exactly the right moment to look at Mr. Popular again and wink—just as he starts to walk away.

Mr. Popular kicks him viciously in the ribs.

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce facepalms.

"Leave!"

[edgeofyourseat]

Scowling, reluctant, he turns away.

Mr. Giggles glances after him, then looks back at Bryce, sitting up with a wince for his newly re-bruised ribs.

"What's your stake in this, exactly?"

[tofightinjustice]

With the fight over, most of the crowd starts to disperse towards the cafeteria, although a few hopefuls are hanging around to see what kind of drama the rich girl and the crazy guy can create.

"I don't like seeing innocent people get hurt," she says, flat. "You nearly turned it into a brawl. Fight somewhere I don't have to care about it next time."

[edgeofyourseat]

"Far as I can tell, the only innocent person in this fight is you," he says cheerfully. "Should I promise not to hurtcha?"

[tofightinjustice]

She rolls her eyes and turns to head for the cafeteria.

(At least she didn't say something that'd be a dead giveaway, like You can try.)

[edgeofyourseat]

"I'll take that as a no," he calls after her, heaving himself to his feet.