Tara stared at Eddie like he was nuts.She was sure she'd heard that phrase before.
"Famously single?".Tara asked after a while
"Yep".Eddie replied,his eyes were distant like he was recollecting an event.
"And what's the meaning of that?".
Eddie couldn't believe she just asked that question.This was something every student knew before enrolling in Maybrooks.
"It's self explanatory,it means you're single and everyone knows"
"Wait,I don't get it".Tara turned to him."So because he's single,it means he's an outcast"
"Precisely".Eddie grinned at her like she just made him proud.
"But how is that his fault?".Tara frowned
Eddie let out a sigh.He thought she already knew this."In Maybrooks,you are either in or out.If you're in,it means you've been romantically or sexually entangled with another student"
"And if you're out?".Tara feared to know the answer.
"Well it means,you've not done that.Which means you're single but if after a particular period of time,you are unable to get a romantic or sexual interest—"
"You become famously single".Tara completed his sentence.
Eddie nodded in acknowledgement
Tara always wondered why he didn't get along with anyone.This was the reason
"But why am I not famously single?".Tara frowned
"The rules differ for hot girls".
Tara felt a blush creeping up her cheek.He said it so casually
"But isn't that sexism?"
"You could call it that".Eddie shrugged
The sun was gradually heading to the west.Tara guessed it was almost five pm.
"Come on,it's almost time for the announcement"
"I thought we were done with that"
"This is a different one entirely".Eddie chuckled as he headed inside.He entered a class that was unfamiliar to Tara.
"So this is class B?"
"Yep"
The classroom was filled with students.There was no place to seat,some were sitting on desks while others stood.Everyone was busy chatting,she caught a glimpse of Julian and the rest at the front of the class.
"Isn't that Julian?".Tara pointed
"Yeah"
"I didn't know he was involved in all this"
"There's a lot you don't know".Eddie replied
Tara wanted to talk but a deep voice interrupted."Silence"
The deep voiced dude waited for a while before continuing."As you all know,the winter break starts today.Here are all the activities"
A girl cleared her throat before starting."The Halloween party will be held the day after tomorrow"
Cheers and screams broke out after her announcement.The deep voiced dude had to shout order like six times before she continued."A day after that is Chug fest which will be followed by the annual pool party at Julian's house"
I turned to Eddie for clarification but he just shrugged it off and nodded his head.
"The food wars and Christmas party will be held at my house.That is all,if you have any questions, please shove it up your ass".The girl took a bow which was followed by cheers and screams as the students started to leave the classroom.
"I have multiple questions".Tara turned to Eddie
"Shoot".He replied absentmindedly
"Why is Julian hosting a party at his house? Who is that girl? What is the Halloween party? ".Tara joined the rest of the students and headed out.
She glanced at the wall clock on her way out—Six o'clock.
They walked for a while before Eddie said."Your questions will have to wait"
"Why?".
"They're coming!"
Tara's pov
We were walking home.I and Eddie trailed behind Julian and the rest.
"They're coming".Eddie said
I heard a shrill sound from the corner.Five guys ran towards us,their faces were covered and they were dressed like basketball players.
The tallest among them led the others.Eddie stood in front to protect me.
"Guys".Bruce looked around
We were surrounded.The masked guys formed a circle around us.
"We're cornered".Chris commented
"What's this".I whispered to Eddie.I had no idea what was going on.My mind ran into overdrive and I immediately started thinking of worse case scenarios.
"Hello again Edward Johnson".The tallest guy spoke."I see you're still breathing,congrats."
I remembered now.They were the guys Julian told me about.The guys that kidnapped Eddie's mom
"Dude, why can't you just leave us alone".Bruce said
The guy laughed heartily before saying."You told the cops on us,you think we're just going to let that go?"
"We only told them because you tried to kill Eddie"
"It doesn't matter anymore".The guy said gravely."We're going to make sure your life ends today"
"Lovely".Bruce commented
Eddie spread out his hands to protect me.The rest tried to fight their attackers.
Joey and Bruce charged,they took on the ones who looked weak. The weak ones tried to put up a fight but we're severely outmatched.
"Three more to go".Chris shouted
He was engaged in a battle of his own.His opponent was a lot stronger than the ones Chris and joey were fighting.
"Watch out".I shouted as someone tried to ambush him from behind.
Chris dodged fluidly and responded with a right of his own.Since Chris and joey were occupied with the two weak ones,that left three more attackers and we were just two that could fight.
Eddie was tasked with protecting me.I took pride that I was looking out for the ones that were fighting.
"Behind you Julian".I shouted
My warning was too late.He was clobbered by a powerful left
"Thanks for the heads up".He said swaying on his feet
"You're welcome".I replied but I knew he was being sarcastic.
We were outnumbered.Julian and Chris were doing all they could to fend them off but it wasn't working.
"Bruce,Joey, take care of those two and help out Julian and chris".Eddie shouted
"Alright".Joey grunted
He dodged his attacker's punch and responded with a solid right to the gut.
His attacker fell to the ground clenching his stomach.
"You think you've won,huh?".He said taking in a deep breath
"Yeah".Joey replied
His attacker chuckled as he slowly grabbed something from his shorts.I saw the glint of metal as he brought out the gun.
"Joey,he's got a gun".My warning coincided with his shot.The gun boomed and for a few seconds all I heard was a nagging ring.My head was banging and my balance was off.
My hearing slowly returned to normal.I looked at the aftermath—Everyone was dazed.I guess no one was used to being ten feet near a gunshot
"Everyone okay?".I said
"Yeah".Eddie shook his head
"Joey".I exclaimed.My head turned to where I last saw him but he wasn't there.My mind immediately thought of the possibility that he was dead
"Joey!".I shouted harder this time
"Yeah,I'm alright".He replied.He lay on the floor with his hands clasped round his attacker's throat.
"Get out".Joey faced the tall guy
"Or what?".
"Or he removes the mask".Chris said
"How's that supposed to scare me?".He laughed
I glanced at Chris who was lost for words.I couldn't just stand by and watch.This was my time to help