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“Dude, aren’t you gonna help me out?”
“Nah,” Chase says. “The wet dog look suits you. Hike!”
I chuckle as the guys continue their game, leaving the wet dog to fend for himself.
Chapter14
Ben
I headto the side of the Matthews’ garage to grab my bike. I’m tempted to throw it in traffic. Claim someone stole it. Force my parents to finally get me a car. But Dad says I have to wait until I turn eighteen.
Movement on the sidewalk catches my attention. A shadow. What the hell is she doing? I know it’s late for me, but I can defend myself if someone comes at me. She’s little. And shit, what’s a thirteen-year-old doing walking alone at night?
“Yo, duckling? Where you going so late? Hannah finally kick you out?” I hate when she doesn’t bite. She’s been ignoring our game a lot lately. I ditch my bike and jog after her. “Hello?”
“What can you possibly want, turd breath?” She doesn’t stop walking.
“Nothing. Do you always walk home alone this late? Kind of dangerous, don’t you think?”
“Yeah, well, one look at me and anyone would run the other way, right? Okay! Bye now.” She walks faster.
“Ducklings still get kidnapped. You should really ask your parents to come pick you up.”
She doesn’t reply, so I continue to poke. “Unless you want someone to snag you. That desperate for attention? Man, I bet there’s someone down at the homeless shel—”
She stops so fast, I almost slam into her. She spins around and shoves her hands into my chest. “Ben Wallace, I’ve had enough of you. Your crude attitude. You are a horrible human being. And that’s not even the worst thing I have to say about you. I don’t care that you don’t like me. Or think I’m this ugly creature unworthy of the same air. You’re no better. You may have the looks, the body, the talent, but who you are as a person is uglier than I ever will be. Go crawl back up onto the pedestal life has made for you. I’m done taking your crap. You don’t define me.”
“Duckling, chill—”
“No, I won’t chill! I’m done taking your crap. I’m done taking everyone’s crap. You all think I’m this punching bag—”
“Whoa, I’ve never laid a hand on you.”
“What’s the difference? The beatings all feel the same. Words or fists, they all hurt.” She turns away and starts to run.
“Duckling, wait.” I walk faster, trying to catch up.“Shit. Makayla, stop.”She finally stops and turns back, her green eyes lit by the street light. “Hey, listen. I was just messing with you. I would never lay a hand on you.”
“So, that means what you do to me is okay?”
“I—I mean, no, but we’re both just messing—”
“Exactly. You’re all the same. You’re not a good person. And for some reason, I really, really hoped you were. But you’re just like the rest. You abuse your power. You should spend more time doing good. One day, you’ll look back on this. I hope you remember me and the horrible way you treated me. And I hope it eats you alive ’til the day you die. I hope you regret it.”
Without another glance, she turns and runs down the sidewalk, disappearing between two houses.
* * *
“Hey, bro. Bridget and I are gonna get goin’.” I pull my eyes from across the fire to Chase.
“Cool. See ya around.”
He pats my shoulder. “Just go talk to her. Obviously, staring at her isn’t working. Plus, I think her friend thinks you’re looking at her.”
“I’m not staring.” I haven’t taken my eyes off her in hours.
“Whatever you say. From experience, I’m just saying you won’t get anywhere if you don’t talk to her.”
Yeah, and when I do, it only leads to fights. We can’t even manage a civil conversation before the claws come out. “Thanks for the advice, Romeo, but I’m good sitting here.”
