Make Me Hate

Testing limits

One of the girls mutters from the ground, "That bitch right there? That's Rome."

Another laughed, muttering something I couldn't make out. I was itching to say something, but the last thing I wanted to do was initiate a fight. As I was walking by, the same voice spoke loudly enough for me to hear.

"She should go back to whatever hole she came from. Girls like her are whores where they come from, my cousin tells me about it all the time." She carried on, gaining her a few chuckles from a few nosy bystanders.

My steps falter as I reveled in her words. Fury began to lick my insides as I whipped my body to face the group.

"Excuse me." I yelled out.

Giving me a round-eyed look, her mouth fell agape. Looking around her small group of friends, nobody came to her rescue as I edged closer to them. Standing a few feet away from them, my eyes were pinned to the girl. Her confident aura was shattered. She reminded me of a lost puppy. Well, she shouldn't have poked the bear.

"I'm sorry. I'm not sure I heard you, can you repeat yourself."

My eyes were still locked on her as I cross my arms across my chest. Seeing that her friend was lost for words, another girl stepped up, boldly speaking up for her.

If you can't talk the talk, don't talk at all ...

"You heard what she said." The blonde blurted, swinging her arm over to her friend.

Clearly, this was a lost cause, but I'll be damned if someone talks about me while I'm around to hear it.

"I wasn't talking to you." I flick my hand dismissively.

The blonde's expression turns placid. She got up in my face; if her body even brushed mine, I was going to lose it. I shove her away when she stepped too close.

My voice was calm. "Back up."

She glances at her friend and starts laughing. The noise irritated me, clearly the joke was about me.

"Who do you think you are?" She inches closer.

"You think just because you caught Damon's attention, you somehow matter now?" She mugged me.

So that is what this was about; she was made because Damon paid her no mind. Gossip did float through the halls of school like flies. Someone must have seen us together a few times, the bitches were mad someone else caught Damon's attention. Even though I didn't want it...

This conversation was corny, I wasn't fighting over no nigga. It was another story if she put her hands on me though. It was my turn to laugh, and I did. She scowled at me.

"Look, I don't want no beef. Just trying to get home..." I said plainly.

I was over this school and all these uppity people. I started to leave, before the girl grabbed me by the arm, and pulled me back roughly. She never got the chance to see the rage filling my face, my fists rammed into her face the first chance I got. My reflexes were to blame, although you'd have to have half a brain to think I'll be grabbed in such a way.

Tears filled her eyes, a red bruise formed from underneath the hand that touched her cheek. Her next move caught me off guard, if it wasn't for the surprise that stifled me, she would've already been tackled to the ground. The moment I caught her arm swinging into the air, I bent my body to dodge the punch. It gave me the upper hand, and I didn't waste time to tackle her to the ground.

My fists rush into her shielded face while I sat on her stomach; she had nowhere to run. There were sounds of screaming and cheers all around me, but my veins were pumped with so much adrenaline, everything was fuzzy.

The girl threw her knee into my back, sending me to the ground. I hissed from the pain. She took control and kicked me into the stomach. I gasped for air. My vision was blurry; the pain was unbearable. I tasted blood. I spit out red saliva as the girl bent down to my level. She tilted her head with an amused look on her face. Little did she know, this was far from over.

"You're a waste of space."

Pasting an open-mouthed smile on my mouth, I crush my head into hers. The force of the bang sent her on her ass. With slow movements, I stood up and scan the crowd gathering around us. I could faintly see Damon and boys enjoying the show from a distance.

My focus found the girl staggering to stand. I was on her instantly, throwing punches into her stomach and face. She grabs a handful of my hair and pulled the strands hard. My head was on fire, I could feel every strand being ripped out. I swung my arms through the air; people start yelling around us. I caught someone barge into the crowd.

"The show is over. Everyone go home!"

By the sound of the voice, I knew it was one of the school staff. School was over but that didn't mean everyone was gone. Teachers lingered after hours, more often than not. That was one little detail I hadn't remembered. Two security guards barged between us. The girl disappeared with the security guard, while I was carried in the opposite direction. When the face of the voice came into view, the vice principal stared down at me with narrowed eyes.

He studies me with a scowl. "Fighting is prohibited on school grounds. Follow me."

He walked away; the security guard nudges me to move forward. What did he think I was going to do? run-away ...

It seemed to be sketchy that I was the only one ushered into the Dean's office. The last time I remembered, a fight usually involved two people.

I sit in one of the fabric chairs across from the dean's desk. The other chair was empty. It wasn't seconds after he begins talking that I hear the door open. I looked over my shoulder and see my father coming in office. The school must have called him.

His leather jacket brushed against my arm. He sat in the chair next to mine; our eyes locked briefly before he looked over at the Dean. I watch the principal's mouth open, before a smooth voice parroted from his lips. If only I could disappear from this room, this town. Life would be good, for a while.

"Mr. West, shall I remind you that fighting is prohibited. Your daughter is in quite some trouble." He stared at my father.

My father turns to me with narrowed eyes, they were filled with anger.

"Lee, cut her a break." He shrugged. "She's been through a lot."

"Which is why I'm suspending Rome for three days."

My mouth pops open. He nods and stands from the chair. My father speaks up, before I can stutter out a protest.

"Thank you."

I frown up at him. My face straightens when I caught the warning look, he was giving me. I stand up with my head bowed. I follow him outside like a lost puppy. He thought three days of suspension was a better alternative. I did do some damage on the girl though. I knew he was mad at me because his shoulders were tense. I'm pretty sure I was the only one who got in trouble. The girl disappeared after the security guards came. I couldn't figure out if it was favoritism towards the girl or mere luck that she was able to evade getting into trouble. At least I could recoup during my three-day suspension. I felt better knowing I wouldn't have to show my face.