The Slapping Game

Part 1

A stifled groan escaped from Elisha's lips and the entire class burst into applause.

"Fine sound, very fine ..." Damian remarked, his tone not altogether different from what a wine taster might have when speaking of his favorite brand of red. "Don't you think so, Vee?"

Vee didn't reply. He was far too interested in Aaron's expression as he observed Elisha's agony. There was something inherently unreadable about his face, as if his nerves simply weren't wired the same way as everyone else's. But as Elisha shook her head vigorously at Wendy's outstretched hand he saw it again; a slight glimmer of emotion. The mangy cat in Vee's mind stretched and began to unsheathe its claws.

"Looks like everyone else is fixing to play the game. What's up, Vee?"

"I happen to want to play the game myself ..."

"Fuck no. Find someone else, I'm not gonna play with you again, man. Last time –"

"Don't worry, you big blond coward. I've already chosen my mark ..." Vee interrupted, hooking his thumb towards Aaron.

"Air? You're kidding me?! That's a guaranteed no." Damian warned.

"I don't think so ..." Vee said, and he set off purposefully toward his quiescent classmate.

"Yo, Air. Feel like playing the game with me of what?" He asked as soon as he was within speaking distance.

Aaron observed him coolly for a long moment.

"Why would I give you the satisfaction?" He finally said.

"Funny. I thought maybe you wanted some satisfaction."

"Why would I?" Aaron droned.

Vee grinned at the question.

"Well, considering Timothy's accident before yesterday, you might think that I had something to do with it and want to get even."

"Timothy? Who's Timothy?"

"Timothy. The fifth-grader who fell down the shaft in the east wing and is in hospital right now. I saw you speaking to him last week in the library," he said as Damian sniggered beside him.

"I don't always know the names of those I speak to, you know," Aaron replied in his usual monotone. "And why would I think you had anything to do with that?"

Vee gave him a stony look.

"Do you even know why the teacher isn't here?"

Aaron stared at him for a moment and then finally shook his head.

"Hah!" Damian said. "Told you. A guaranteed no."

"Actually, I never did say no," Aaron reminded them. "Alright, I'll play your game. What are the rules?"

"Simple," Damian said with a wicked smile. "You offer the back of your hand to be slapped by Vee. If you flinch or pull your hand away, or if you concede victory, you lose the game. If you don't, you get the privilege of slapping Vee's hand without getting the living shits beaten out of you. How's that?"

"Then what?" Aaron asked.

"What the hell do you mean, you idiot?" Vee blurted out. "Then we keep going until someone flinches or gives up. For as long as it takes. Got it?"

"Got it," Aaron sighed before standing to face them.

Vee had almost forgotten that Aaron stood half a head taller than any other student in class. For a brief moment he felt a shiver of fear, but then he remembered that he was as yet unbeaten in the game. No one could take as much punishment as he could. And no one could dish out as much punishment as he could. Smiling at the thought, he stepped forwards.