CHAPTER 8: BULLY

EVELESSA

I couldn’t decide what irritated me more; Cassain being upset or my own annoyance at Cassain’s anger. Regardless, by the time lunch rolled around the day, I was just one glare away, from hurling a tray at someone.

I entered the cafeteria clutching my books against my chest like armour mainly because I doubted I could resist swinging them at someone. As always, people glanced my way intrigued, partly scared, and the rest puzzled at how Cassain could be so devoted to me.

I noticed my friends seated at our table, yet before I reached halfway there, a few people obstructed my way.

Cheerleaders. An entire squad of them. Looking like storm clouds with an overpowering smell of coconut oil.

At the heart of it all stood Alyssa Chadwell. Leader of the rival team’s cheerleaders, girlfriend of the quarterback, who once attempted to ask me on a date and seemingly the head of Poor Decisions Incorporated.

She crossed her arms. Flashed me a charming poisonous grin.

“Well, well… Evelessa. We need to talk.”

I blinked once, then twice, and a third time. "Could it not happen now? I’m starving. You all look like carbs.”

She frowned. "You embarrassed my boyfriend yesterday.”

“Your boyfriend embarrassed himself. I simply… remained silent.”

“He invited you on a date. In front of the crowd. That was humiliating." She moved nearer her false eyelashes trembling sharply. "Everyone believes you’re superior to me now.”

I rubbed my eyebrow. "I’m certain people have already believed that.”

A shared breath of surprise erupted from, behind her.

Alyssa tightened her jaw. She managed a smile, the type of grin people wear when they fantasize about stabbing you but aim to retain their scholarship.

“Alright I expect you to say sorry.”

I genuinely chuckled. Truly chuckled.

"Oh, you mean it. Oh my."

A cheerleader moved forward. A tall blonde girl attempting to appear fierce but trembling as if experiencing Wi-Fi problems.

“You need to do this fast," she stated. "There are people with us.”

I lifted an eyebrow. "People?”

At that moment, the double doors, behind them, swung open…. Their people entered.

Football players, five of them. Big and bulky. Built like refrigerators with GPA problems.

Each one stared at me as if I had taken their protein shakes.

Alyssa grinned as if she had just called forth an army.

“Do you understand now? We’re being quite fair. All we desire is an apology.. Perhaps a brief video stating you dislike Jordan.”

I looked at her. Then, at the players. Then, I returned my eyes to her.

“Hold on… you invited football players since your boyfriend attempted to be unfaithful and I refused?”

“It’s about the principle," she retorted sharply.

“Does the principle demand… intimidation?”

“Yes!”

I pressed my fingers against my temples. Cassain would be livid if he witnessed this. Primarily because he’d prefer to be the one delivering the blows. Secondly, because he’d claim I ought to have waited for him.

But I was already tired, already annoyed, and already hungry.

Whenever I’m hungry, my mind makes decisions independently, from the rest of my body.

“Alright." I exhaled heavily full of drama. "Fine.”

Alyssa lit up. "Okay, what?”

Alright I’m about to spoil your day.

I retreated quietly placed my books on a table and slid my hand beneath it where Coach had regrettably yet luckily forgotten a metal softball bat following P.E.

I grasped it with my hand.

The whole cafeteria went silent.

Alyssa blinked. "What… What are you up to?”

“Apologizing.”

I raised the bat.

“Oh my goodness—Evelessa drop that!”

“No.”

The initial player moved ahead. "You would do well to listen to her.”

I smiled. "Your turn.”

Then swung.

Not on him, definitely not. I struck the table next to him. The metal rang out loudly, and it caused everyone to yell. Even the lunch lady dove behind the counter.

Each player leapt backwards.

"What's your problem?!" someone shouted.

“Quite a bit," I replied happily. "However, you ought to check with Cassain. He possesses a list.”

Alyssa let out a squeak.

“That was unnecessary!”

“That was me showing courtesy. This is me finished.”

I spun the bat around my shoulder like a film figure who clearly shouldn't be handed any equipment.

The second man attempted to broaden his chest. "You don’t intimidate me.”

I swung more striking a chair on this occasion. The chair soared sliding halfway across the cafeteria.

He shouted with force that a person accidentally spilt their juice box onto their foot.

At that moment, the players retreated as if I were a tornado of legality.

“All we were asking for was a sorry!" one faltered.

“I was hoping for lunch," I remarked. "We don’t always receive what we desire.”

Alyssa faced her team.

“Why is no one here stopping her?!”

One whispered, "She’s carrying a bat, Alyssa.”

Someone else murmured, "And she seems like she genuinely understands how to use it.”

I opened my eyes wide, with innocence. "I really do. Would you like a demonstration?”

They simultaneously yelled, "NO!" Together.

I moved ahead by one step. They retreated by ten steps.

It was beautiful.

At last, the tallest player raised both hands as if he were yielding to the authorities.

“Alright—alright! That’s it! Everyone we're done!”

“. What about the apology video?" I inquired gently.

“Forget the video!”

“Good choice.”

I hit the bat against my hand as if I were in a gangster film.

Alyssa whimpered. "You’re insane.”

“. Yet, " I remarked, "I remain the rational person in this discussion.”

She seized her boyfriend’s arm who had sensibly kept a distance and dashed toward the exit shouting at everyone, in her group, to hurry up.

The door of the cafeteria closed loudly as they left.

Perfect silence.

Then a voice murmured, "Holy crap.”

Someone else said, "Make sure I never try to flirt with her or even annoy her.”

Another person remarked, "Make sure I don’t breathe wrongly near her.”

I gathered my books, a smile crossing my lips.

My heart kept racing. My irritation had shifted into an odd blend of pride and the thought, "Cass is definitely going to scold me for this.”

I strode toward my desk as students split apart as if I were Moses and they were the Red Sea.

My friend, Jana, stared at me with her sandwich paused midway to her mouth.

“Girl, what the heck was that?”

I gave a shrug. "They started it.”

“The bat didn’t start anything!”

Lecturers eventually hurried into the cafeteria from across the room as they were consistently tardy.

Then I took a seat, letting out a breath.

Cassain was definitely going to find out about this.

"Who in the world upset you this early Eve?" Jenna inquires.

I sneer. "That idiotic insufferable boyfriend of hers who thought it appropriate to ask me out next, to Cass and you being Richards friend and everything you understand what that implies."

"Oh no, he really did. Cassain is a tribid and monarch. At this stage he’s starting to seem like a Saint for you with how much he's being tested.

I wasn’t sure if he would get mad…

or impressed.