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

[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.