Kevin gaped at John. As if John wasn't supposed to hit the bully. As if Kevin could keep getting away with his stupid bullshit.
Maybe he would've if he hadn't pushed John to this point. There were so many ways out of this. On top of that, John had a girl at his side now. A new friend, perhaps.
He couldn't stop his instincts from launching the first hit instead of letting things get out of hand and getting his new friend hurt.
However, this was an opportunity to deescalate the situation. The faculty would know about this. He needed an alibi. He didn't want his parents dragged into this.
They worked too hard for him to get suspended or something. "Look, man," John said, "I put that punch on you because you were being a jerk. Let's call it here and walk away."
Kevin flew at him like an enraged ape. The square-glasses girl screamed while behind John. She was caught up in this, too. Aw, shit. Unable to avoid the confrontation, John did the text book boxer thing.
He put a stiff jab in Kevin's face to stop him in his tracks and stun him. Then he let his right hand fly with a power straight. It wasn't his strongest punch.
He was still aware enough to avoid decking the guy's face into a pancake. But the counter-punch connected on Kevin's bloody nose and made it squirt out blood.
Thud! The bully hit the floor. The impromptu crowd roared. Students packed in close to see the action, blocking off school officials. John relished the feeling for a moment.
He did like having a crowd. And even after a month, he was still big and strong. He built himself up to be this way, ready to brawl inside and outside of the ring.
If only he could avoid the trouble that came with being outside of the ring. It makes no sense why someone would go after me like that? What do you have to prove, man? How insecure are you? John shook his head down at the dazed bully.
Maybe Kevin was hoping to take advantage of John while he was down to raise his own clout. Make himself look big and bad. It was stupid. This is how idiots get exposed as the phoney they really are if they try to bully the wrong person.
Fuck around and find out. "You still alright?" John asked the square-glasses girl. "I, uh, um," she stammered. John chuckled, which still came out sounding a little strain.
But it was better than before. Maybe this whole Kevin-fiasco might be the thing he needed. The girl was cute. It didn't seem like it. She wasn't out there, and she wore sweaters like she wanted to drown in the fabric.
She was easy to miss compared to other girls. She was low key. But after the train wreck with John's ex… yeah. Bookish, off-to-the-side, and low-key cute was in.
"Gotta admit you're helping me big already," John said.
"You've been my new friend for about five minutes and there're already bullies lay out on the floor. You're a killer." She let out a small squeal, covering her face with her hands.
A blush crept up around her cheeks. Hah. Got her. Turning away, John looked for an exit through the roaring crowd and around the bloodied-up bully.
The principal was close now. In ten seconds, give or take, the fight would get broken up and John would have to explain himself fast.
He thought about all the cameras that were recording. Eye-witnesses. Maybe things wouldn't be so bad. And his new friend was probably smart, right? She could help him with his schoolwork.
He needed to get back on top of it. Wow, it feels like I might shake off this funk today, John thought eagerly. It was about damn time.
The principal was almost through. John's alibi felt solid to stand the test. He saw Kevin was getting back to his feet, but he doubted the stupid guy would do anything else.
He had a beaten look on his face. Served him right for starting something he couldn't finish. Kevin rubbed his hand across his face and stared at the blood on his palm.
His eyes shook with growing rage. Animalistic rage. He was so angry his feet started moving up and down like he was going to jump away.