"Time to play" I whispered as the football team started to scatter. It was already 6 pm, and I had patiently waited for an hour for the crowd to thin out. Finally, I was much nearer to the parking lot, just across the road.
A few more moments, and I'd have my revenge. I needed to cross the road, but a black SUV had inconveniently halted right in the middle."
The window came down slowly but I still couldn't make out who was in it.
"Miller? Edward Miller" a voice questioned
"I'm just passing through," I replied cautiously, taking several steps backwards. The aroma of the chicken sandwich permeated the air.
I heard the sound of seatbelts unclicking. Someone emerged, a shorter individual with broad shoulders and a muscular build, clad in a black leather jacket. Their hair was short and buzzed, and their stubble added to their rugged appearance.
"Ahn, It's you now. Edward right?" the Nigerian accent thick and heavy.
"'Wale?"
"Ah. Yes now, Panat's Championship. Twenty one!" he quickly reminded.
"I remember. Strange running into you here."
"I could say the same. You changed schools then?" he inquired.
"I did."
"It's a good school. Very good, good boxing pedigree from this school. Two 'ex' champions" He emphasized.
I smiled "What brings you in then."
"Oh, me I'm just passing through on my way to Westlake, I've got a fight there next week. I'll spend the night here." he began to examine me from head to toe. "I've got a fight but can you imagine no opponent! No one wants to risk getting knocked out."
I glanced over his shoulder, noticing Alexis beginning to pull out of the school parking lot. "Well, 'Wale, it's been..."
"...the same for you, it seems," he interrupted. "Coach McKenny mentioned you still haven't responded to the invitation. I'll be honest, if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't either, considering the opponent."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"I'm just saying,... you only want to get knocked out so many times you know."
I tightened my fist as his smile widened.
Relaxing my grip, I forced a smile of my own and shifted my gaze to the car behind him. "Oh, Coach McKenny didn't inform you? He does have a tendency to do that sometimes, doesn't he?"
"What didn't he tell me?"
"I declined the offer. Right away. Couldn't muster the enthusiasm for twelve hundred dollars, you know? or was it twelve thousand? Anyway, I'll pass. I've got bigger fish to fry. Besides, I've got a rematch with Michael in the works anyway."
"You price the doll at what the doll costs, sir, and that's exactly what you're worth. Don't go inflating your own value. I mean do you even watch your fights, you were beaten like a ragdoll your last fight you only threw a lucky shot."
"I do enjoy my lucky shots, bro, I really do. Wasn't too long ago when my lucky shot made you kiss the floor too." I began to laugh hysterically, placing my right hand on his shoulder as I bent over to support myself, my left hand on my knee. "For a moment, I thought you had turned into a ballerina, attempting the splits and all of that."
I straightened up and took a deliberate step forward, which I overshot slightly. Catching myself, I remarked, "Oh my, seems like... ugh... seems like I had spaghetti legs for a moment there."
'Wale was now smiling. I walked up to his side. "Nice car," I commented as I patted him on the shoulder. "Tell your boss McKenny to send me a better offer. I'm sure you all can afford it. See you soon." I quickly made my way across the road and disappeared into the Chesher night.
The Monday morning news was being broadcasted over the speakers, and I recognized Andrea's voice.
"I have a special announcement, ladies and gentlemen," she said in a subdued tone, a departure from the usual routine. "I've heard some news. I'm not sure how much truth there is to it. But as we all know, the best source is always the horse's mouth, so we'll be having the captain of the football team help us clarify all that this morning. Welcome, James," she announced. "So, let's get right into it. Rumor has it the Chesher Cats are out this Friday against the Glendale Mountain Goats..."
"Slow news day, I see," I muttered as I opened my locker. A piece of paper fell out.
Dear Eddie,
I want to apologize sincerely for my actions during our recent altercation. I deeply regret resorting to violence, and I understand the harm it caused you. I take full responsibility and am committed to making things right. Please accept my apology.
Sincerely, George
I squeezed the paper up into a ball and threw it into the thrash in one single motion.
"Bucket!" someone yelled out from the distance.
I returned a playful salute.
"Miller!" Coach McMahon called out. He gestured for me to follow him as he turned away.
I closed my locker and followed behind. "This better be good."
"Yes sir?" I announced as we entered his office.
"Um, I want to apologize on behalf of the entire football team for the unfortunate events that unfolded last week," he began as he walked to the other side of the office to take his seat, James was standing right behind his chair.
"We have a zero-tolerance policy for bullying on this team, and in addition to their suspensions, George and Alexis have been removed from their respective positions. They've also been directed by the principal to apologize to you as part of their efforts to make amends."
"Of course sir," I replied.
"Anything you'd like to add James?"
"Sure, sir. Considering all that's happened and knowing about your interest in boxing, I would advise against seeking retaliation. That certainly wouldn't end well for..."
I straightened my tie and lifted my gaze to meet James' eyes. "Is that a threat, Captain?"
"It's not a threat Miller, let's not get ahead of ourselves now," James replied.
"Thank you, Coach McMahon. If that will be all," I interrupted.
"Yes. Of course. That will be all."
"Have a good day, coach," I said as I exited his office. At the door, I bumped into Brooke.
"Uhm, Miller!" Coach called out. I peeked my head back in the office.
"We received this invite this morning. I was going to give it to the captain of the boxing team, but since you're here already, I might as well." He handed me a document. "Good luck."
"Would that be all, sir?" Brooke questioned.
"Yes, that'll be all."
"Hey Champ, how are you?" Brooke asked as she approached. She took the document from my hand and began to study it carefully.
"Seen better days, Gaffer. And you?"
"...Yeah," she replied, her attention still focused on the document. "Ougff, talk about a big payday, Champ." She raised her head and handed me the document. "And now it's short notice, so more time in the gym, more risk."
The bell rang.
"See you later," Brooke announced as she hurried off.
I glanced at the document.
The Westlake Golden Gloves Qualifiers.
Venue: The Westlake Arena
Purse: $56,000
"That's the spirit, 'Wale!" I muttered to myself as I made my way to class.
"Alright, let's settle down, everyone," Mrs. Clarkson announced. "Who among us completed the reading on medically significant arthropods?"
"Mark?... Sanjay?"
"Um, yes, ma'am," Mark answered.
"Can you define arthropod for us, please?"
"Arthropods are animals characterized by a segmented body."
"Ok. Thank you, Mark. What about insect-borne diseases?"
"Insects are vectors of disease."
"Very good. Can anyone elaborate on what that means? Insects are the primary carriers of pathogens. Can anyone expand on that?" Mrs. Clarkson continued as she began to scribble on the board.
"Yes, ma'am, some insects are vectors of disease," Sylvia added.
"Very good, Sylvia. Could you tell us why they are vectors of disease?"
"Arthropods can transmit a wide variety of pathogens such as bacteria, protozoa, viruses, and nematodes."
"Thank you, Sylvia. Now, can someone tell us a few of these pathogens?... No?...Mr. Miller! Any ideas sir?"
"Sorry, what was the question, ma'am?"
The class erupted at what I perceived as a seemingly ordinary question.
"What are some of the pathogens transmitted by insects?" Mrs. Clarkson repeated, now wearing a smile.
"Oh, yes, malaria, cholera, dysentery, typhoid fever, yellow fever, West Nile virus, encephal..."
The laughter increased, and I found myself scanning the classroom. "What's going on?"
"Sanjay, could you help us distinguish between pathogens and actual diseases?"
"Pathogens are the organisms responsible for the transmission of disease. Malaria is a disease caused by the parasite Plasmodium, cholera is a disease caused by the bacterium Vibrio..."
"Got it, Miller?" Mrs. Clarkson interrupted.
I nodded.
"Why don't you write an essay on the topic? Just to ensure we're all certain you understand... You'll present it to the class on Thursday."
The laughter resumed.
"Thursday, Miller!" Mrs. Clarkson confirmed.