Dodge ball mess

YRENE'S POV

When my eyes fluttered open, I was staring at the ceiling of the clinic. I closed my eyes back, not wanting to wake to whatever chaos awaited me. If truly Reece had gotten shouted at, then it was sure he would turn it on me.

He would use his own anger to make sure I was dead, he would spell trouble for me! If only there was a way I could abate his anger. I really didn't want him to start with me again.

I opened my eyes once more and this time, they widened before I snapped them shut once more. Why was Kaden sitting there with me!?

What was he waiting for?

My heart started to thrum as a cold shiver ran down my spine, my legs felt like lead and couldn't move, and I knew that in moments, sweat would break out on my forehead.

"You're awake, I guess. You heartbeat just accelerated." I heard him say in his chilly voice and something even chillier than his voice touched my arm and I shook. "Open your eyes, come on, I've been waiting for an hour already."

Waiting? An hour? Why was he waiting for an hour? Did he really want to punish me that bad?

I opened my eyes slowly and looked at him with my best 'sorry' look. I knew it was useless, but I still couldn't help thinking if I looked pitiful enough, he'd try putting in a good word or two for me to Reece.

But, heck! What was I saying? Kaden had a taste for trouble. There was no way in hell he was going to take my back in front of Reece.

Wait, Ethan. Ethan could help. Sure.

"I'm sorry. I didn't do it intentionally. It was a mistake. I wasn't aiming for anyone, he just got in the way so fast." I started to explain and he nodded and took my fingers gently.

"I know. I was behind you remember? I saw it all." He said, gently and I don't know why I felt relieved even though I was supposed to be freaking out in fear that he was caressing my fingers gently.

"Oh. Thank you." I told him, and he patted the back of my palm.

"Mr. Flores wants to see you." He said, staring at me straight in the eye.

"Mr. Flores?" I asked, shifting uncomfortably.

That was the gym teacher.

"Yes. He's going to ask about the exchange of balls earlier this afternoon. He needs to hear the truth." He told me with a grave expression on his face that was followed with a sigh.

"What truth?"

"The truth that you aimed your ball at his head and hit him right there because you got into a fight with him earlier." He told me with a pout, then a smile. "Surely you'll tell him the truth, won't you?" He asked, squeezing my palm.

"The…the truth?" I stuttered.

"Oh come on. Reece can't take all the blame now, can he?" He asked slyly, and I bit my lip before I nodded.

School punishment was way vetter than Reece's.

Detention was nothing. Cleaning the field was nothing. It was way better than the embarrassment and pain Reece would inflict on me.

Kaden helped me up and we left the clinic together. I watched him smile to girls who giggled and blushed as he passed the halls with his hands in his pockets and also watched as their smiles faded and turned into frowns as they saw me lagging behind him.

"Come on. Faster." He told me and I struggled to keep up with his pace while holding my fingers in front of me.

In the teachers' office, I met Reece sitting there, looking like he had been killed with boredom.

"Why did it take you ages to wake!?" He bellowed as soon as he saw me.

"Keep it down." Mr. Flores cautioned, hitting his hand on the table.

"Come on bro. She needed enough time to catch her breath. She even had a nosebleed. Oh, that reminds me. This is for you, Yrene. You must have been tired after the game." Kaden suddenly said, turning to me with a bottle of water which I was reluctant to accept.

"I appreciate your kindness but…"

"You drank the plum juice. Did anything funny happen to you? No. This is with purely good intentions." He told me, looking like he got hurt as he shook the bottle of water in front of me.

He turned the cap open and I was forced to take it and gulp it down, then I looked at Mr. Flores who was arranging some papers into a file, then at Reece who was swearing silently as his face stayed twisted in anger.

Finally, Mr. Flores dropped the files and looked at us.

"Thank you, Kaden. You may go now." He said, and Kaden winked at Reece before walking out the door.

"You two. Follow me." Mr. Flores said, and also walked out the door.

Wait, what? He wasnt going to hear me out? So what if I was going to deny it?

We followed him to the basketball court where there were a lot of ball on the floor.

"Now. Let's hear from both sides." He announced, folding his arms as his voice bounced off the walls of the court in echoes.

"We had a fight earlier because I called her fat, and that was why she aimed her ball at my head. Look at the strength she has in those flesh filled arms of hers. She got only a nosebleed, but I bet I almost had a brainbleed." He rattled as though it had been rehearsed. Well, he and Kaden had discussed everything beforehand.

"Is that true?" Mr. Flores asked, and I nodded. "Can't you speak?"

"I aimed the ball at his head because he called me fat." I replied in a rush.

"And you hit back?" He asked Reece.

"I couldn't help it." Reece replied sullenly.

"I didn't see it but since she admitted to it. The both of you get to have a nice time reconciling while picking up all the balls in here and cleaning up the store room. You don't get to leave school until you're done, and it applies to you too, Reece. I've sent your brothers home. You get to go only when you're done." He cautioned and left the basketball court in a rage.

Why did he leave? Why?

I could feel the heat of Reece's stare behind me even before I turned and when I did, all his attention was for me.

Me, and me alone.