"Fwah… Glurg!" I unintentionally gagged and spitted out the mushed sandwich in my mouth to a nearby trash can. "Dude… Are you cool?" I heard Diana say.
Dominic and Natasha run toward us. "Hey, what happened?" Dominic patted my back in worry.
"Little city boy here freaked out after knowing he ate the playboy mascot."
I trickled tons of saliva to get rid of the taste until Natasha gave me a bottle of water. "Here—"
I turned and took it immediately, chugging the liquid as if I haven't drunk for a whole week.
Rabbit… I ate a freaking rabbit! I coughed, lightly gagging at the thought after finishing the bottle of water.
I caught my breath as I looked up at the blue sky, feeling mildly exhausted. Now that I've calmed down, I eyed the culprit.
Dominic has a worried leer, but I can tell by his eyes that he's a bit pensive. Fuck, I might've acted too dramatic. If anything, my stunt's a bit offensive, right?
Should I apologize? I mean… it was his fault for not telling me that it was made of rabbit. I had a pet rabbit as a kid and I was devastated when he died. And now that I've eaten one of its kind, it's horrifying!
"I'm sorry," Dominic suddenly said, scratching his head. "I forgot that you're from the city. I guess it's not super normal there, huh?"
Despite the scorching heat, I froze in place.
"You must've been shocked, but yeah. We roast rabbit meat sometimes. It's a staple but it's okay if you don't like it."
"It's weird because they're cute," Natasha seconded.
"Let's go. We'll show you the back garden," Diana cut the tension and signaled the three of us to go.
They went ahead and I was left biting my lips. I'm an asshole, that's a given. But they've been acting so nice that I felt this sense of guilt creeping right up at me.
…
A row of tables, stoney places to sit in, and a blossoming garden greeted me when we went to the furthest side of the school grounds. It's next to the woods and near the river, which is situated about a hundred meters away, inside the foothold of the mountain, which is apparently called Mt. Lakewood. Besides going around the vicinity, I was also introduced to Antonio and his friends, a gang of chickens that the students are taking care of. Pretty rad, except I never thought these annoying and noisy-ass land birds can be considered pets. I ask them if they're plotting to kill and eat it, but no. They said that those are mere pets.
On the better side, there's little to no students here and I can say that it's the perfect place to cut class or chill. Seems like I found my safe haven.
We then headed to the backfield, the one I saw earlier when I was heading upstairs. As I've said, it's the perfect place to play soccer but my eyes focused on the lonesome ring hanging around the corner. Dominic noticed me and asked, "Do you play basketball?"
My eyes lit up upon hearing that question. I gazed at him and nodded. "Yeah, do you?" To my dismay, the excitement I felt was short-lived as he shook his head. I gazed back at the ring with disappointment.
"Sports it's not much of a big deal here. We don't have clubs dedicated to those things," Diana sat on a stone and watched the stream.
"Then, do you guys know anyone who knows how to play? I mean, there must be someone, right? There's a ring here, so a person who knows how to play put it there." I stated, kicking the pebbles away the concrete spot and jumping to see if I could reach the ring. Spoiler alert, I can.
They looked at each other and shrugged in unison. "I have friends who know how to play dodge ball," Natasha innocently suggested. "It's almost the same, right?"
Before I could shake my head, Dominic pitched in. "Maybe you can practice on your own, or hit up your friends to visit you."
"I would if I could. I have no phone, no ball, no money, no car. I'm basically stuck here like a prisoner of nature."
Diana propped up. "Wait, wait. Aren't you like, super rich?"
For a good second, I hesitated to answer her question. "I'm living comfortably. Well, I used to, until my asshole father decided to throw me here after confiscating basically, everything I own."
There's no clear answer to why I'm talking to them about this, but it somehow felt great to have someone listen. At least, they don't have to probe in the near future. This doesn't mean I'm open to them being my friends, though.
"So, the reason you're here is your father. He must've punished you… What the heck did you do?"
I paused from doing basketball poses and straightened my stance when Diana's question blared in my ears. Do I tell them?
…
From the lazy spin of the patrons, to the recumbent light of eventide that will soon be starlit black, the bar soaks in the ambiance of this good night. I swayed to the beat as we walk into the bar. The blinding lights of this place never ceased to calm me. This is my kind of party. With girls everywhere dancing with their short skirts on, I can't wish for anything better.
"Joaquin!" my teammate, Marco, called for me. I gazed at him and he was at a table with everyone else. Jake, Samuel, and I enthusiastically made our way and started drinking the night away.
Dizzy from all the techno lights on the dance floor mixing with the overwhelming alcohol in my system, I decided to sit down in our area when one of the ladies from another elite school sat beside me. I have no clear recollection of how things happened, but a few minutes later, she was already kissing me torridly.
I wouldn't resist, of course; I don't mind getting ransacked by a sexy and beautiful woman. Her name was Martha, by the way. I was in the middle of floundering my tongue inside her mouth when my phone rang. I pulled away and gave her a smile. "Wait for a second, baby."
She bit her lips. "Alright, make it fast."
Fuck, even her voice is sexy. It's getting me real bad down there.
As fast as I could, I went to the balcony and answered the call. Seeing that it was my coach, this must be hella important. "What?"
"Joaquin!" His cheery voice echoed. I can already tell that he have some pretty awesome news.
"Yes, coach?" I asked.
"The NBA Draft Team contacted me! They'll be processing your papers to attend UCLA. You've been successfully recommended and all we have to do is win the Winter Championship. Let me tell you this, son. I've never doubted you, ever! You're on your way to become a big star!"
My eyes widened along with my mouth. I stood frozen and stared at the city lights blinking like a million stars. Each floor of these skyscrapers has their own story tonight, but I bet mine is a million times better.
The wind blew past my glimmering eyes, but my impending tears are the least of my concerns. "Fuck!" I screamed joyously. I can't contain my happiness, and even my coach who hates hearing me swear didn't mind and screamed, "Fuck, yeah! Right?"
I finally have a shot at pursuing my dreams. All those years of pushing back against the monster in my life paid off. Sooner or later, I'll be able to get away from him.
…
"Hold on. Why do you seem so excited?" Martha asked with a seductive smile. Held back, I leaned over but she teasingly hitched my chest.
"I'm just… you know, pining for my reward."
She giggled. "You better call me again once you're going head-to-head with Kobe."
"You have nothing to worry about," I whispered in her ear and claimed her lips fully. I'm hard as a stone and any minute now I'd probably start doing her in the hallway. So, I wrapped my arms around her waist as we began to trudge passionately into my unit.
Without pulling away, I was able to scan my fingerprint on the automated lock and got inside. Don't ask questions about how I did it effortlessly. With my charisma, it shouldn't be a question by now.
Kissing our way to my room, we would pass by the living room first. The lights are open, but I probably left it like that before leaving earlier.
Still, I live alone, so there's no need for wariness and all that crap. My father got this place for me when I started high school to give me a false sense of privacy and independence. He said it's training for my future, which he has set for me.
"Oh, heavens!" An elegant, yet chic voice made me halt. It was loud enough to pierce my ears and wake me from my tipsy state. Whose mother was that?
I pulled away and was immediately welcomed by the sight of four people lounging in my living room. Well, now they aren't lounging at all. They're standing in surprise.
"Oh my gosh! You told me you live alone!" Martha said and stepped behind my back.
I looked at them. "I do! What the heck are you doing here?"
"Language!" My father screamed.
"I don't give a fuck! Why are you breaking in my place with… them?!"
I pointed at the other three, which is the nuclear family of my fiancee.
Stephanie sat on the couch with her head held low and hands holding her knees. I could tell by the way she looked that… "Oh, fuck. Don't tell me you snitched on me, nerd."
Her father suddenly charged towards me, but my dad held him back with an apologetic look. Great going. Take their side, obsequious asshole. "So, this has been going for a while now, huh?"
"Stefano saw what you did earlier at the lot! You pushed and humiliated our daughter. You were bullying her this whole time! You're supposed to protect your fiancee!" Her dramatic mother then said with teary eyes.
I could only scoff. "Wait, you have a fiancee?! You told me you were single." Martha piled in.
"You told her you were single?" Dad repeated.
Shaking my head, I waved both my hands in denial.
"No, Martha. I was forced into this—"
"Martha? My name is Keisha, you womanizing idiot! I'm outta here."
My babe for the night stormed off angrily. I looked at my father and his creasing brows grew even more profound.
"You have some explaining to do, Joaquin."
"Shit…"