Tyler and the Valaholics: The Beginning

Chapter 8

Song of the chapter- 'You Belong With Me' by Taylor Swift

'You've got a smile
That could light up this whole town.'

Lauren stares wide-eyed at Ros. The latter doesn't seem to notice or care as she focuses all her attention on intimidating one of the most intimidating guys in the college.

He seems annoyed that someone is interrupting his game that goes just how it does in his mind- him intimidating someone and them becoming putty in his hands- and so decides to turn his 'killer' glare to Ros. His face dons a glare so menacing that it would make many run away immediately.

He edges forward as she slowly inches backwards, the menacing glare he dons being more than enough to make anyone beg for mercy. When Ros falters near our table, I escape Cynthia's clutches and step in between them, leaving the boy fuming as my palms push him back slightly by his shoulders and Rosaly heaving a sigh of relief.

Up this close, I can easily see why his piercing glare and hardened eyes frighten people so much but they barely have any effect on me as I remain in place even after he glares pointedly in a fatal way. When I still don't let go of his shoulders, he pries my palms off his jacket and dusts it off before retreating. Well, that's maybe what he wants me to believe.

My assumption is proved correct as he brings his fist dangerously close to me with seemingly quite the force packed into it. Unfortunately for him, I, having anticipated this reaction, meet his fist with my palm and envelop his fingers with mine.

Mr. Intimidating lets out a rather shrill screech as he attempts to pull his hand out of my grip but his efforts have no effect. I narrow my eyes at him, the ends of my lips pulled down in a frown, and tighten my grip.

Mr. Intimidating looks about ready to burst out crying and pleads with me to let go, apologizing several times to everyone in the room for anything he might've done. His glossy eyes and Cynthia's light pat on my shoulder inform me it might be time to let go.

"Guess you're going to think about that anytime you bully anyone ever again. You might want to take care because you'll never know who's a boxing champion behind doors or away from your ignorant eyes, Mister Intimidating," I snarl at him before letting go of his palm.

He holds his palm out as he drops down and bends down in agony. Even though he's done much worse to so many others, it doesn't feel right for him to experience this because of me.

I kneel down and take his palm between mine as I lightly massage it and ask Nat to fetch some ice. Initially afraid, he tries to pull back his palm, fear dominant in his eyes, but he stops when he comprehends the relief he's getting from the pain.

Preparing an ice pack just so it can distract him, I tie it carefully around his palm before instructing him to keep it a certain way so that the bruises don't get aggravated and his circulation is also optimum so it works for the best.

"I'm sorry for injuring you," I tell him before I pat his back and head out of the canteen and reach my locker, swapping out some books and running to the next class even though we actually have about thirty minutes until class is actually supposed to start.

I drown in the book I'm reading and, before I know it, the entire classroom fills up and class even starts until I'm interrupted by a nudge from probably Natalia, seeing as she's the only one who does it that way. I impatiently lift my head to glare at her and realize class even started without me noticing.

I put away the book and focus on my work until the last class of the day, when we find out the teacher is on leave. The substitute teacher seems to be not even interested in any of us actually listening as she drones on and on until she tires out and just sits at her desk, preoccupied with her phone.

I silently sit back and listen to Ros arguing with Cynthia about whether Beyoncé is better or Michael Jackson is. Ros argues that Beyoncé is the best while Thia backs Michael Jackson and Nat butts in, claiming both to fade in front of another singer.

A lot of people around us seem to be listening to their conversation seeing as so many turn to look at Nat at her statement, including Ros and Thia. I turn to notice that she's grinning from ear to ear as she sends me a side-smile and begins to hum a song I feel I might know all too well about.

All eyes now on her, she hums even louder. I instantly recognize the song and lift my eyebrow at her.

"She's the best I've heard," she tells me, leading everyone to alternate between looking at me and her, trying to figure out what she's getting at, and my face to become warm.

"Lia, what are you talking about? Who's she?" the girl on the other side of Nat asks her.

Nat just sits tight and smirks at me while continuing to hum it even louder. I narrow my eyes at her whilst subconsciously beginning to hum the song before I realize I am and force myself to stop. People now begin to pester her to find out whom she's talking about.

Nat opens her mouth to answer but is interrupted by the entrance of several guys into the class. The sub doesn't even notice, being engrossed with her phone, as they come up to my desk and surround me, filling my vision with their selves with bulging biceps and clenched fists.

One of them gestures to me as if to threaten me to follow their words or to 'have my throat sliced'. Great, just like that time weeks ago when they showed off their bully sides.

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Hey, Happy New Year y'all!🎆🎉

I intended to publish this part last year itself but I fell asleep at like 11 PM on the last day 😒😒

Anyways, this chapter turned out to be quite long so I had to cut it up and patch the frayed edges. The next part will soon be available, I'm filling it out right now...

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