Life was never what Donnie expected. His social life, his school life in general, and sometimes, even his private life threw him some curve balls he just... Wasn't quick enough to catch. Which was a surprise, even to him, since he was pretty athletic. Then again, he guessed even the most athletic types couldn't even catch some of those curve balls that fate threw their way. Not every single one could be expected, either.
"Watch it!!" A rough, hissing voice knocked Donnie from his thoughts, and nearly knocked him onto his rear. Also hard to do, since he was built almost like a brick wall, thanks to tireless hours of weight training. At first nothing registered... Who was this, running into him, making a scene in the middle of the hallway, grabbing everyone's attention within a ten-foot radius already?
Donnie's mind cleared, and slowly his brain put the pieces of the puzzle back together after they'd been jolted from their secured places. He was at school... Walking down the hallway, to his locker. He had just arrived, and there were only a few minutes left until class started. Donnie wasn't around any of his friends yet, so he had let his guard down, simply enjoying the calm, relaxing feelings that came with being alone and minding one's own business. He normally got lost in his thoughts when he was alone, and often times would be caught with his head in the clouds - something his father didn't like, in particular. The older man told him time and time again that letting his mind wander while out in public would get him into trouble... And for once... His father was right.
The last piece of that mental puzzle snapped into place, and Donnie attached a name to the angry, smug face staring him down. The one that had snapped at him. Ah. Derek. Normally, the guy was his mortal enemy... But now? While Donnie was all on his own, enjoying his own chilled out morning? Running into his agitated 'friend' was just a minor bump in the road. He didn't even really give it much thought. With the thickening crowd growing around them, though, Donnie knew he'd have to put on some kind of a stupid show. Or at least say something. Something angry and pissed off. What else could he do? If he just walked away from the situation, it could screw everything up. Popularity was such a fragile thing, and, in his mind, so was masculinity. It was such a delicate balance. Taking the higher road, and leaving this where it lie, which he would have preferred would have spread around the school like wild fire. People would start assuming he was some weakling. A girl. A princess. Plus, it would let Derek 'win,' and personally, he didn't want that. He didn't much care for Derek, really. He didn't find the other's 'uncaring, bad-boy attitude' endearing, or cute. He found it obnoxious, and attention seeking. He wasn't charmed by the guy's 'calm and cool and snarky comments,' or his 'seductive swagger,' or his 'edgy clothes, hot 'do, and sexy as hell lip ring.' Just a few comments he heard people throw around in the halls and in class when Derek's name was brought up. Honestly, Donnie was repulsed by some of it, and simply turned off by others. The guy was such a fake. Such a loser... Such a... Okay. Now he was mad. there was no way he was going to let Derek 'win' this. There was no way he was going to let his masculinity, or his popularity get knocked down a peg by this loser.
"Why don't you watch where you're going, instead of trying to scope out all of the chicks in the halls? You can do that in class instead. Besides, it's not like you're taking notes or listening to what the teacher's got to say, anyway... Flunkie." Everyone knew Derek had been held back last year. Meaning... This was his second time around, being a Senior. Normally being a Senior was great, but being a Super-Senior? Now that was just pathetic! Even for mister tall-dark-and-brooding over here. Donnie's comments seemed to strike a chord. He could tell by Derek's slight expression changes and muscle movements. His jaw tightened slightly, and his fingers twitched, making Donnie think that they'd soon ball into fists. His eyes glinted with a new sort of anger in them, too, masking the mocking mischievous twinkle that had been there only moments ago.
"What'd you say to me, pretty boy?" A rough hand shoved Donnie's shoulder, making him take a step back. Donnie planted his feet where they landed, thinking nothing of what could possibly be seen as weakness. He didn't move back to his original stance. Better yet, he didn't move closer to intimidate. No. He wasn't about to go into complete Hulk-mode on Derek. Not yet. For now, the male was standing his ground. Sure, he was mad... A little ticked off, and annoyed at this asshole's self-righteousness and feelings that he owned the place, but it was nothing to get crazy about. Not... Yet. No way. Donnie had a few more buttons Derek could push before that happened. And there was no doubt about it that by the end of the day, all of said buttons would be pushed.
"I said," Donnie began again, gently clearing his throat, "you'll have time in class to check out the girls, since you never pay attention, anyway. You seem to study the opposite sex more than you do anything else. Maybe if you put that kind of time and effort into your school work, you'd be out of here before the age of thirty." Donnie gave Derek a soft, almost friendly smile, though there was a heavy, pitied look behind it, almost painfully, unbearably obvious. It drove Derek mad. And in fact, it made Donnie... Happy. It even got him to laugh. Now, this was certainly a new thing, wasn't it! Why hadn't Donnie thought about this before? Instead of getting violent, Donnie could just humiliate Derek in front of the school with his words. Donnie would be the first to admit, he wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, in the sense that he sucked at being clever and thinking quickly in times like these, but God, Derek made it so damn easy. The guy couldn't think up a single comeback, even if it meant it'd save his life, and his 'reputation,' whatever that meant... Donnie couldn't help but shake his head. Poor, poor bastard...
Donnie looked from the ground up to Derek's agitated face. They were almost eye-level, Derek being only an inch or two taller than himself. Donnie's own gaze was calm and mocking, while Derek's seemed to flame up and get more and more wild with anger as the seconds ticked by painfully slow. The crowd around the two males was eerily silent, and most of the students had looks of shock on their faces. Holy crap! Two testosterone pumped dudes.... Fighting with words!? Hell had certainly frozen over. Their mixture of shock, interest and utter amusement was almost tangible. Donnie soaked it up like a sponge, letting it wash over him and expand his already inflated ego.
"Well?" Donnie finally asked, an eyebrow cocked. "I thought you were a smooth talker, Derek. What happened to those suave, enchanting words? The smooth, cool comments? Your fool proof excuses and... All the other bullshit that seeps from your mouth on a daily basis. Where are your words to help you through this one?" Donnie had to fight the urge to laugh in Derek's red face for a second time. It was so rich, and he wanted to so badly, but Derek's blood was already boiling so hot, Donnie was afraid the guy would erupt like a volcano if he did anything more. Sure, he disliked Derek with a passion, but he didn't want his fellow classmate to keel over from anger. Or... From anything else. He supposed. Donnie certainly hated Derek, but not that much. He didn't hate anyone that much.
Still, Derek just stood there, seething with anger and sputtering silently, trying to think of something, something... Anything to say! But there was nothing. Just a dangerously red face, angry eyes, and a desperate need to top Donnie, which obviously wasn't going to happen. In this battle of masculinity and the coveted 'top dog on campus' spot, Donnie was winning. Of course he would, though. Why wouldn't he? He was the charming, sweet, good looking jock that girls loved and guys wanted to be. Practically an Adonis, but with a livlier attitude and a smart mouth. Even his slight problem with anger didn't stop people from fawning over him day and night. It was only typical that he'd win this little 'battle,' as well. Perfect Donnie and his perfect God damn insults with that perfect smile that Derek wanted to so perfectly wipe from his perfect. Friggin'. Face. Damn it, what was he waiting for!? If he wanted to punch the guy so badly, he was going to do it! Derek had had enough of standing there like a fool! Being made a fool! No more!! Donnie was the one that had run into him! Donnie was the one that started the fight! Donnie was the one to stand there like a jack wad, throwing insults at him non stop! Donnie was the one that deserved to get his perfect face messed the fuck up!! Damn right Derek believed it all, too! Donnie was at fault here, not him! He deserved to be punished! Deserved to be punished! Deservedto be punched in the damn face!
Donnie could see it coming. It wasn't hard to tell that Derek had reached his breaking point. Donnie was familiar with anger. Rage... Seething, blood red, boiling hot rage. Plus... He was a wrestler. He could tell when another person was going in for the kill. He could tell by the subtle movements and twitches of the eyes. He could tell by the change in breathing patterns. He could tell by... A lot of things. There was a reason he was the captain of the wrestling team, after all. A reason why he was the most revered, sought after, and looked-up-to member of the team. Poor Derek didn't seem to get that.
Before Derek could even touch him, Donnie had that shaking fist of Derek's in his hand, holding fast and keeping it away from his face. He let a small smile slip for a split, dangerous second. "Don't do this, man. You really don't want to do this. I'm in a really good mood for once, and you really don't want to screw that up." For some reason, Donnie had hoped that that might change Derek's mind, but it only got Derek to try harder, using his other fist now, as well. But, again, it was blocked, and within seconds, Derek was flipped onto the tiled floor, and under Donnie's weight, a knee in his back. Donnie might have been on the stockier side, but that was all muscle baring down on Derek, and he could already feel the compression and dull, tingling pain in his bones. "Fuck you, man!" He spat, managing to struggle a hand free, and then another, as soon as Donnie (stupidly) let his guard down, again in hopes that Derek might get it through his head that this was a bad idea. But alas, he still didn't get it. That was all it took for a fight to break loose. And this... Well, this was a new record. Getting into a fight even before school began, and continuing to fight, even as the first period bell rang. No one in the crowd around them moved. Instead, they filmed on their phones, yelled and screeched and cheered for one team or the other, and even some of Derek's and Donnie's friends, who had eventually made their ways into the halls to get to class, were now trying to break the idiotic rumble up before anyone else, i.e. teachers and other staff members saw what was happening.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. The crowd suddenly scattered like a den of rats found out, and friends and classmates alike darted down the halls and into their classrooms and any other available space that kept them hidden... Leaving Donnie and Derek in a ragged heap to deal with the vice principal and principal themselves.
Certainly a good way to start the morning.