At this point Friday was easily my favorite day of the week. For one, it meant a weekly class trip to the library and thus a new book. And if I was lucky, it was mom's weekend to have Kei and me. But this particular Friday was not one of them, and seemingly just to drive the point home it rained all morning. However, we were "allowed" to play outside during recess anyway. I had my new book, so I found a dry piece of blacktop next to the PE building and got comfortable. Unfortunately, the boys decided they'd play basketball since the field was muddy. I went unnoticed until Hunter decided to change up the sport a little.
"What you got there, Shorty?"
The others guffawed stupidly, but I kept my eyes on my book and didn't move. Hunter became bolder as the crowd of boys around us began to thicken.
"Didn't you hear me? Why ain't you skipping rope or something with the girls over there?"
I didn't move or say anything, didn't even look at him. Just kept my eyes on my book. The crowd was starting to get restless and bored. My plan was working. At least it was until Hunter threw his basketball at my book, knocking it to the ground. The crowd was roaring with laughter once again. Without my book I couldn't hide my face, and thus couldn't conceal my anger. I was so angry that tears began to stream from my eyes, which only made matters worse.
"Cry for your book, nerd!"
"He's crying! Oh my god!"
"What a girl!"
I stood up to get my book and leave, but instead Hunter shoved me into a nearby puddle, and before I could even begin to stand my book was kicked into my face. My stomach twisted, my heart began beating a war drum inside me, my teeth clenched up, my muscles tensed, and my mind was gone. The only way to describe it comes from one of my favorite superheroes at the time; someone else who was extremely short, got picked on for it, and got even for it. Images of Wolverine in one of his "berserker rages" went through my head as I launched myself at Hunter. Hunter the athlete, who was at least a foot taller than me and probably had at least 50 pounds on me, not to mention a crowd of supporters. But that didn't matter, I butted his stomach with my head and he fell onto the wet concrete. I was on top of him, punching any part of his body I could find and cursing a blue streak even my grandmother could be proud of. The boys were laughing again, but I didn't know why until Hunter's fist connected with my head. I fell off of Hunter and now he had me in a sleeper hold. He stood up and pulled my feet off the ground with him. I could feel my face redden with anger and partial suffocation. I couldn't get out, I just struggled and dangled as the boys redoubled their cheers in the seeming victory. I had to get free and get out of here. My arms were useless, my legs were useless, I couldn't even move my head and my mouth was covered by Hunter's arm. So I ripped into his forearm as hard as I could. He yelped and dropped me, and this time there were no cheers or laughter. Just the sound of me gasping for breath while Hunter stared at the blood dripping from his right arm. Trent and the others rushed to his side and started migrating back to the school building. I didn't know if they were going for a teacher or the nurse, but I knew I was in serious trouble.
I don't know that there's anything more frustrating than being a kid talked down to by self-righteous adults.
"Why were you fighting, Dorian?"
"I wasn't fighting, I was reading a book until they came along."
"Well, I've got 20 boys outside who all say you started it.
"And they're all Hunter's friends. What does that tell you?"
"I don't appreciate your attitude, young man."
"Well, I'm sorry ma'am, but I was just minding my own business when they came over and shoved me in the mud."
"You should have told a teacher and let them handle it."
"I couldn't. I was surrounded by 20 boys."
"Well it doesn't matter. It takes two people to start a fight, so you're both in trouble."
"What was I supposed to do? Let him choke me?"
"I don't want to hear any more about it. I'm calling your parents and sending you home."
She began to dial her phone in the most menacing way possible. I wasn't worried, because I knew I had done nothing wrong. I would accept any punishment because it was worth it just to see that look on Hunter's face. The injuries hadn't been serious, we were only kids after all, but for some reason the fact that I bit someone was a very serious matter.
"Can I go talk to the counselor, please?"
"No, you need to sit out in the hall and wait for your parents to get here. Why do you want to see Mr. White?"
"Because he listens to me."
