The Life of Buddy

Chapter XXI

             It was ten minutes before homeroom when Brian was dropped off in front of school.  Brian was about to get out when Brandon had grabbed his arm and told him to wait a minute.  A wave of nervousness hit him as he settled back in the seat and his mind raced trying to figure out what he could have done.  Brandon told him that when he picked him up after school that they still needed to have a talk about him being in Mason's room without permission. 

           Evidently getting dragged down the hall by his ear was not punishment enough.

          Brian said yes sir as his stomach began to do somersaults in anticipation of his punishment.  Though he was sure it was not going to be a whipping.  True he broke a rule but it was an minor offense and he was sure that he would only receive a minor punishment. 

           Or at least I hope he thought as he once again rubbed his aching backside.

          He walked in hoping to find Kelly before heading to headroom.  He needed to make sure that she was okay and once again apologize to her for standing up.  Anticipation filled him as he made his way through the mass of humanity that was clogging the hall.  He could not help but fear if he did not find her before homeroom and apologize to her, her daddy would show up at his first period with a shotgun and splatter his brains all over the wall.

          He caught a couple smirks on way to her locker.  Evidently his beating in the parking lot had gotten around just like he feared.  He ignored them telling himself that they were just jerks and he should not waste his time worrying about them.  At least they did not know about the whipping he received last night he mused. 

           He picked up his pace as the clock slowly made its way to eight o'clock.  He felt his breathing get heavier as he hoped that she was still at her locker.  He had to see her, not just because of her father and his threats but because he needed to make sure that she was okay.  He felt a small flame of anger towards his momma for the pain that she caused her.  She would not be hurting if his mother had not been so cruel.

         I have to make up for the pain she caused he thought. 

         He turned down the hall that led to where Kelly's locker was and could see her in the distance talking to a couple of friends.  His heart jumped at the sight of her and he was about to call out her name when he felt something snake around his foot.  A cry of shock escaped from his lips as he found himself failing helplessly onto the floor.  The hallway erupted into laughter and he felt his cheeks burn red with embarrassment.

           Brian looked up to see who his assialiant was and found an burly eighteen year old boy with brown hair and brown eyes standing over him.  A predatory smile was across Randall Moore's face as he loomed closer to him.  "Hey stupid watch where you are going."

           "I don't have time for this."  Brian gritted his teeth as he got up to his feet.

          "Hey I didn't say you could get up."  Randall said as he pushed him back.

          Brian caught himself before he hit the floor again.  "Leave me alone Randall."

          "Leave me alone Randall."  Randall said in a mocking tone.  "Or what loser."  He said as he pushed him again.  A crowd began to gather around them.  "What are you going to do wimp."  He then gave him a small smack across the face.

          "Come on Buddy don't take that."  One of the people in the crowd said and a few others agreed.

           "Yeah Buddy don't take that."  Randall said knocking him back again.  "Are you going to fight back."  He said as pushed him into the locker.  "No, I didn't think so."  He spun Buddy around to face the locker and quickly pulled his arm behind his back twisting it.