Alex's pov age 14
"You set her hair on FIRE?!" Ryley yelled, walking into the principal's office. I hung my head, stupid.
"Mr. Barley, thank you for coming in on such short notice. As you can see, we have a problem." Mr. Brown said, looking at me harshly.
"Yes sir we definitely do. And I am livid." Ryley growled. I sat there awkwardly, both adults glaring at me in silence. I can practically feel the anger coming off of them in waves, crashing onto me. I shrugged my jacket off, it was hot. Wether it be from the air conditioner cutting off or my nerves, I couldn't tell. "Do you even feel bad for what you did?" Mr. Brown asked. "Of course sir." I mumbled into my lap. And I do, truly, feel awful. "Is she alright?" Ryley asked behind me. "Thankfully. Yes she's fine." Mr. Brown answered. "Is she still in that classroom?" Ryley questions. "Yes, why?" Brown counters. "I'd like to drag his butt there to apologize to her and his teacher if that is alright with you, Sir." Ryley said sternly, gripping my shoulder. I knew better than to say anything but I felt my face heat up with humiliation at the idea.
"I think that is a wonderful idea, Mr. Barley. They're in room 108." Brown smiles.
Ryley, quite literally drags me to the classroom. "Please don't make me do this." I whined quietly, "Its embarrassing."
"Little boy, I have yet to show you embarrassing, keep arguing with me and I'll have your ass on view for this whole class to see." Ryley scolded harshly, raising his hand to knock on the door. He held me with a gentle grip on the back of my neck, stopping me from moving. As if I'd even try anything after that.
Mrs. Hastings opens the door, looking at Ryley with a shocked expression before looking down at me. "Ma'am, if we may have a moment of your class time? I promise we won't be long. Alexander has an apology to make." He said gently, gritting his teeth at the last sentence when I tried to pull away. "Of course, come right in." She smiles and steps aside, allowing Ryley to force me through the door. "Samantha, honey." Mrs. Hastings called gently. Said girl looks up at me nervously, her hair an obvious inch shorter than before.
My face is hot, and my stomach won't stop turning. I've never been good at public speaking but seeing her looking at me like she's about to cry was enough. "Sam... I really am sorry." I said gently, feeling like I was about to cry myself. God I'm so stupid.
"Thanks Alex." She said quietly, tilting her head back down and away from the attention.
"You're not done Alexander. Apologize to your teacher too." Ryley scolds. A few snickers could be heard around the room, making me nervous again. "I'm very sorry Mrs. Hastings, it will never happen again." I apologized. "I appreciated that, Alex. But I'm sorry to say you will not be participating in anymore experiments this year. I'll have a packet for you to do instead." She informs, dully. "Yes ma'am." I nodded.
"I've never had any trouble with him before this, he's a great young man." She praises, turning to Ryley. I gave her a shy smile and keep my eyes away from my big brother. "Thank you. I'm not too sure what got into him today, but I intend to make sure it never happens again." Ryley said seriously. I felt my face pull up into a scowl at that, I can tell I'm gonna be hurting soon.
•••
After he made me apologize again we went back to the office to discuss my school punishment, I had a month of detention and I was being sent home early. Ryley took me home and immediately laid into me.
"You better have a damn good explanation for this."
"I don't. Sam didn't deserve it." I shrugged, hanging my jacket up by the door. "You're right, she didn't. So why did you do it?" He demands. I gave another shrug. "Why Alex? Give me a reason." Ryley huffs. "I don't have one." I mumbled. Ryley looks at me hard.
"I didn't actually mean to do it. I was just messing with her, she's cute when she's mad, okay? I wouldn't actually hurt her." I rambled.
"I must be insane. Because where I'm standing it sounded like you did this because you like her. And if thats the reason, we definitely need to have a discussion on how to treat women." Ryley said darkly. "I didn't mean to." I protested weakly. "Doesn't matter. You did it. Her hair was literally burnt off because you were trying to be cute. It's not funny, Alexander. It's not cute. You could have seriously hurt her." He scolded, in a tone I've never heard before.
I just nodded, not liking this conversation at all.
I would never hurt her, I'm so stupid. I love her hair, she always wears it in a ponytail with little clips on the side, they don't do much to keep the curls down but still. And the one day she finally wears her hair down I ruin it. Sam's so shy, so nervous and I ruined her hair, sure it'll grow back but that doesn't make it better.
It was supposed to be a joke. Something funny to get on her nerves so she scolds me like she always does. Her cheeks puff out and her voice gets louder, confidence sounds nice on her. And now she'll never talk to me again, and I deserve it.
"You don't treat girls like that, anyone like that. Her pain is not a joke." He scolds. "I- I know, I'm sorry." I stuttered.
"Okay. Well I don't care what it takes you are going to make it up to this girl. She didn't deserve that, and an apology isn't enough. Figure it out." Ryley ordered. "Yes sir. I will." I rushed, I was already planning on it.
Ryley was standing next to couch, looking at me hard. "Grab the paddle and come here." He orders, sitting down on the edge of the nearest cushion. I hate when he makes me get it. I sighed and plucked it off the wall, walking over to Ryley.
I hand it over and stand to the side of him, already reaching for my pants button. I flicked my eyes up to him, tugging my jeans down when he nodded. Wonderful
Once they're to my knees he grabs me and tugs me over his lap. I groan and brace myself with a hand on the floor, the other gripping the couch. He lifts my shirt out of the way and rests his hand on my back, patting to keep my attention.
"Alexander." He calls sternly. "W-what?" I mumbled. Ryley sighs and gives me a swat to the thigh. "Sorry. Yes sir?" I fixed. "What were you thinking? What if the fire wasn't put out in time and it really hurt her. She could have been burned." He scolds harshly. "Besisdes that, I'm sure her hair is very important to her, a lot of girls take pride in their looks and now she has to change hers without consent to fix your mistake. I do not care what your intentions were, there is no excuse for this." Ryley continues.
"I'm sorry." I whined. I already feel awful. "I really, really, didn't mean to. I would never hurt her on purpose. I know it was stupid." I mumbled. "You're right, it was. And immature, crazy, mean, disturbing and sad. If you like a girl, ask her out, be nice to her, this is just plain wrong Alexander. I don't even know what was going through your head." He sighed.
I didn't bother to respond, just laid my head down and waited. Waited for him to stop hating me and just punish me already. I need to figure out a way to make it up to Sam.
"Keep your hands in front you. This isn't going to be an easy one." Ryley warns.
It starts before I can respond.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
Rapid swats land on my ass and thighs, making me hiss and my skin start to prickle.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
The sting starts to burn, and I start to inch upward, trying to get away from the pain.
"Stay" WHACK "Still" WHACK!
I nod, but I can't. I can't stop moving. I clench and unclench my toes, cross my ankles, and kick my legs. I am desperate not to make a sound but it hurts. And it hurts bad.
WHACK! WHACK! WHACK!
Gasps and groans are leaving my lips every time the paddle connects, but I will not let myself beg. I deserve it.
WHACK! WHACK! "Ahhh!"
I'm miserable. I try to claw at the floor, trying to find a grip to pull myself forward. But there's no getting away.
WHACK! WHACK!
"I'm sorry!" I sobbed, screamed. Now that I let myself talk I couldn't stop.
WHACK!
"I r-really am. P-please." I whined.
WHACK!
"S-stop! I c-can't." I begged, twisting and turning away from him.
"Stop Alex. You can take it." Ryley said sternly.
I highly disagree with that. It feels like my skin is peeling off. I start choking on my sobs, begging him to understand how much I'm hurting.
"Just two more Alexander, you can do it." Ryley said gently. I whined and tried to push myself up but he had too good of a grip on me and pushed me back down.
WHACK!
"One." Ryley counted.
WHACK! "Two."
I almost knocked myself into the floor trying to get up. Ryley gripped my arm and hauled me up and into his lap.
"You're alright. Stop fussing, I got you." He said gently, guiding my head into his neck. I didn't complain, that's what I was gonna do anyway. Ugly sobs left my chest while he hugged me, running a hand across my spine.
"You gotta start calming down, baby." He whispered gently, pressing his lips to my temple. I hugged onto to him tighter, trying to match my breathing to his. "Good boy. Calm down now honey, it's all okay." He comforted.
Ryley held me for what felt like hours, saying calming things and giving me little kisses every so often.
"Shh baby." He cooed, kissing my cheek and wiping a tear away with his thumb. I was basically calm now, just barely crying. He still held me close until I couldn't make anymore tears if I tried.
"You okay?" He asked gently. "Mmhmm." I nodded, smiling at the feeling of his hand in my hair. He scratched my scalp gently and dropped another kiss on my forehead before making me get up.
I whined at being made to move. He ignored me and pulled my jeans down my legs and off my feet, having me step out. I had to bite back a whine at moving, it made it hurt all over again.
"I know baby. Go on and wash up, you need a nap." Ryley ordered gently, giving me a little push towards the stairs.
I listened bitterly and went to the bathroom. I did my business and washed my hands and face, taking the time to enjoy the feeling of the cold water. My face was hot from crying.
I couldn't help but look, I do it everytime. I hiss at the slide of my boxers and looked at my backside.
It was a dark red, some places darker than others from where the paddle hit. My thighs weren't much better, they were a hot pink and horribly tender. I almost cried just looking at it, it hurts so bad.
This is definitely the worst he's ever got me. I'm going to feel this for a week.
Knock knock
"Alex? Honey you okay?" Ryley asks. I jumped and pulled my boxers up before opening the door. "Y-yeah." I nodded. "Come on, let's go lay down for a while." He smiled, guiding me out of the bathroom.
He pulled me over to my bed and laid down, dragging me down with him. I smiled and hummed happily, moving to lay on his chest. "Can I see baby? I'll be quick." He whispers. I gave a shy nod, clenching my fist in his shirt when I felt his hand on my butt. He was gentle when he pulled my boxers down, lifting them a little so they wouldn't rub against me. I flinched when his hand touched me, whining. "I know. I'm sorry. I gotta make sure you're not gonna bruise baby." He soothed.
After a few more seconds and gentle touches he lifts my boxers back in place. "You'll be okay." He hummed, kissing my head. I nod and he wraps his arms around me, pulling me close.
"Try and rest baby, I'll stay right here." He said gently, brushing my bangs out of my face. "Promise?" I asked. "I promise honey, I'll stay with you." Ryley said sweetly, rubbing my back and shoulders. I think he feels bad.
Good.
••••••••••
The next day at school I'm still incredibly sore. I make my way through morning detention, Ryley decided I'd take it in the morning instead of after school, before going to Sam's locker.
Lucky for me I caught up with her before the bell rang.
She looks pretty, she got her hair cut for obvious reasons but instead of just trimming it off she took at least 3 inches off, making it rest about at her shoulders.
"Hey Sam. I wanna apologize again, I really am sorry. You didn't deserve that. You look really pretty by the way." I mumbled the last bit.
"Oh, thank you." She blushed. Cute.
"Hey Alex, why did you do it?" She asked, subconsciously playing with a curl. "I- um. I was just messing with you. I didn't actually mean to do it, I would never." I said nervously.
"I believe you." She nodded gently, grabbing a book from her locker. "Its a shame you can't participate in experiments anymore, you were great partner." She smiles.
"I- um. Yeah. You too." I rambled, like a complete fool. "See you later Alex." Sam laughs, walking towards her home room.
Maybe I watched her go.
And maybe I got her number in chemistry.