When the teacher got there, he looked quite upset. I was also upset so we are even.
"What on earth are you two doing?" he asked and no one answered him,"To the head teacher's office, all four of you that is."
Penelope and Riley stiffened because he was trying to make them a part of the issue. Penelope looked at me pleadingly but I didn't know if he would listen to me even if I told him that they weren't at fault. Riley was part of the issue so it was only fair that she came along with us and from the look in her eyes I could see that she had just realized that.
"I'll make sure you don't get into trouble." I whispered to the girls when we started walking behind the sports teacher who was guiding us like we were children or like we did not know our way around the school.
"I certainly wasn't expecting such behavior from a new student. I was told you are a good boy!" he complained,"Let's see if Christine still likes you after this."
Christine? Is that the head teacher's name? Perhaps. No one spoke the whole way and when we got to the door we were all looking like innocent people who had been a cursed when in reality only one of us was innocent.
"Why are you all so quiet? I know....you want to make it look like I framed you." the man said and I almost rolled my eyes at his childish demeanor,"It won't work you little devils."
Nixon laughed at him and soon I found myself joining in the laughter. He opened the door to the office but it was empty.
"Christine was at the sports field." Nixon said and the man became even more annoyed and he slammed the door.
We watched him leave because he hadn't told us to follow him and he returned later with the head teacher who looked quite cheerful.
"What is all this?" she asked.
"These two got into a fight." he said pointing at Nixon and I.
"They don't look like they were fighting. No bruises, no broken noses not even a little scratch." she pointed out smiling at him and he looked surprised.
"We were just having a warm up for the dual after school." Nixon said placing his arm around my shoulders,"We know better than to fight in school."
"Then you should join the others at the field. Off you go." Christine said.
I couldn't control myself and smiled at the teacher who stomped away in anger. The four of us left and went back to the field.
"Aren't you going to apologize?" I asked Nixon in a low voice so that Penelope and Riley wouldn't hear.
"Look, Dee, you helped me once, it doesn't mean I am indebted to you or that I will be your fan or something. I won't, never, apologize."
I nodded my head and walked slower to allow Penelope and Riley to catch up. Nixon stopped walking so I wondered if he also wanted to be my friend. He started walking when we were all at the same pace and I smiled inwardly. We reached the field and the students looked at us weirdly.
"They look too relaxed to be up for detention." I heard a boy say,"Is it because of the new guy?"
I looked in their direction and they looked away and changed the subject.
"I might play basketball this year. I'm tired of just watching." he said.
"What sport do you do?" Nixon asked me.
"What's available?" I asked back.
"Swimming, that's what I do; basketball, volleyball, football and rugby." he answered.
They all sound fun and it would be a good way to train myself; I don't want to end up turning softer than I already am.
"What do you guys suggest?" I asked them all and Ray came to join us.
"What happened?" he asked looking slightly worried.
"Nothing. Probably because of Dee otherwise if it had been Bridger and us, we would already be sitting for detention or writing apology letters." Rilili answered.
"Some people are just good luck while others are the complete opposite." Ray commented and I can tell he was talking about me and Nixon.
"What sport do you think I should be doing?" I asked to detour the conversation.
We stopped walking and I looked at their deep thinking faces. My eyes started to stray when I looked at Penelope I had to use all my eye muscles to look away from her alluring body.
"Honestly I think you'd look good doing everything." Penelope said giving up and Riley agreed.
"Do basketball. You are tall." Nixon said.
"I thought you would ask him to swim." Ray said looking Nixon up and down.
"Nah. With his height he would win everytime because his arms would always be ahead in a race."
Ray and Riley laughed at him and I just smiled.
"Basketball it is." I said sighing.
"Don't worry, I'll be there with you." Ray said patting my back,"We've been needing a new player."
The rest of the day went on with just students being force to run and picking the sports they'd like to participate in and I also registered. when it was time to go home, I waited for Ray as he was busy talking to some girls that had swarmed him as soon as he was done changing. When they left him, he looked upset unlike how I had expected him to be after speaking to them.
"What happened? You look like you were just dumped." I said jokingly but then he shot me a look that told me it was a bad joke.
"Stupid girls." he hissed walking past me,"Let's go."
"Sure but what happened?"
"They dared to call me to ask for your number and ask what sport you'll be doing." he answered frowning at me,"Let's go."
"You don't hate me for that, do you?"
"No.... I'm just upset that they showed me no regard."
I smiled at him and we headed home together. Penelope and Riley were going to be having some tuitions or something so they stayed back. The walk back home was a peaceful one and we spoke about a lot of things like what my home was like and human behavior. When we got home, everyone else was already there so all we had to do was get changed and join dinner.
"How was school kiddo?" Sam asked.
"It was fine." I answered but then Ray mentioned the one thing I thought he was smart enough to keep a secret.
"Yeah. A fight on the first day really did make it a fine start; did I say fight, I meant fights."
He was even smiling brightly. The table had fallen silent a long time ago and I don't think he noticed it. When he finally realized what he had blurted out, he froze with a spoon of rice touching his lips. I put down my spoon and sunk in my chair waiting for my inevitable demise. The others also dropped their cutlery and Sam got up from his seat sternly.
"What?!" he shouted.
"He was saving people from bullies so don't worry." Ray said in my defence.
"Who asked for your opinion?!" Sam asked enraged.
"Sam, I'm sure he has a good explanation for everything." Bella said trying to make him sit back down.
"My love, stay out of this." he said in a sweet tone,"I will hear him out."
He sat back down and fed Bella some macaroni. I can tell he is only being patient for her sake. I started explaining what had happened and when I was done, I waited for him to say something but he only told me to eat because I would need it. I found myself breaking into a cold sweat even though I know that Sam cannot hurt he. I ate less than I wanted to and waited for everyone else to finish. When we were all done eating, all eyes fell on Sam who sat with crossed arms looking at me.
"You done kiddo?" he asked and I nodded.
"Yes."
"Walk with me."
I remember my father used to say that a lot prior to his death. He taught me more in the last moments of his life than he had my entire life. It was as if he knew something would happen to him. Come to think of it even mother acted strangely prior to her death. I got up and followed him out. We used the front door but then he ended up heading to the garden. I was admiring some flowers when he slipped on some mud. I didn't move to catch him because I was so shocked so he got up looking a little embarrassed.
"I see you are also a bully." he said and I was dumbstruck and at a loss for words.
"What?" I asked after he had wiped off some of the mud from his pants.
"You didn't say sorry to me. You big meanie."
He stuck out his tongue at the end like a child and I just stared at him; unable to say anything to him.
"What?" I asked again.
He chuckled lightly and walked closer to me.
"I'm happy that you are using your strength to help the weak."