Chapter Four

Nate

I’ll admit, Miss Elle Watson was interesting. And yes, she did occupy a good portion of my dreams that night.

The next morning I made a quick pass over things, laying out the gear for Jake, made sure the supplies were in place, changed the light bulb above the ring and then hurried to make sure the gym’s bathroom was clean. Jake was a stickler about the bathroom.

Once things were set, I unlocked the front doors to ‘Jake’s Boxing Gym’ and gave my uncle a quick wave. He nodded back, chomping on the short cigar stuck in the corner of his mouth, giving me that scowl that reminded me to keep in line.

I was pulling into the school’s parking lot when I saw Elle and Jimmy get down off their bus. I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. The girl was just too perfect. Tight jeans that weren’t too tight. Just tight enough to show off all the good parts. A cute red top and long brown hair that fell down her back with a slight curl.

Yes, very interesting.

We were just outside of the English Lit class when I finally caught up with them. Elle shot me a look like she wanted to punch me. Believe me, I know that look.

“I thought you’d already be here?” she said, as the last bell rang. “I’m going to be late.”

Jimmy looked back and forth between us as if trying to figure something out. And knowing the kid, it wouldn’t take him long. If he learned I was just hanging around to provide protection he’d freak out and demand he didn’t need it. Of course, he’d be wrong, but we wouldn’t be able to convince him of that.

“Missed me that much?” I said to Elle as I pulled her into a quick hug.

She froze in my arms, becoming as stiff as a board as she looked up at me with a very frightened expression.

I stared back at her, silently reminding her of our need to continue to fool Jimmy.

I don’t think she got it at all. Luckily, Jimmy just smiled and turned away.

Elle, continued to stare and stammer as I let her go and pushed the door to the class. “See you soon,” I said to her as she continued to stare daggers at me. Really, the girl needed to get with the program if this was going to work.

As we made our way to the back, Joe and his friends gave us the cold look of death. The one that was supposed to let us know our happiness was in danger. I just laughed and shook my head. They had no idea. Really none, and probably never would.

As we broke out our books, I heard someone mumble something about munchkins and bears but it wasn’t loud enough that I had to deal with it then. Besides, I knew it wouldn’t be long. A guy like Joe couldn’t let things rest. They had to constantly prove themselves top dog.

Unfortunately for him. He might be top dog, but coming after me would be like putting a poodle in with a grizzly, not exactly fair, and over rather quickly.

The class was going just fine when the teacher made the mistake of asking Joe his opinion about the authors intent. Joe somehow strung more than two words together, then smiled. Obviously proud of himself.

Jimmy chose that moment to interject before I could stop him. Like he didn’t have a clue and as if the previous day’s dust-up hadn’t ever happened, he started in on why he disagreed with Joe and what the author had really meant.

If looks could kill, Jimmy would be six feet under.

I stared back at Joe, silently letting him and his friends know that if they tried anything, they’d have to go through me.

Okay, Jimmy and I were going to have a talk about what he could and could not say. I swear the boy had no idea how many lines he was stepping over. Unfortunately, I had to figure out a way that didn’t let on I was worried about being pulled into his world.

When the class was over, Joe and two of his buddies made a point of hanging around just outside.

His scowl let me know this couldn’t be avoided. I shifted to Jimmy’s side to give me some room.

“Listen munchkin,” Joe began, obviously proud of his insult. “You keep your mouth shut. No one wants your opinion?”

Jimmy’s brow creased in confusion. “It wasn’t opinion, it was fact. If you’d read the book, you’d realize how wrong you were. You do know how to read, I assume.”

Joe’s face turned beet red.

It took a lot of self-control not to laugh. The little kid didn’t look afraid at all. Although, to tell you the truth. I don’t know if that was because he was brave or had no idea how much danger he was in.

“You just shut up and you might live,” Joe said through clenched jaw as he reached out to poke Jimmy in the shoulder.

I caught Joe’s hand in mid-air and shook my head as I squeezed.

Joe blanched for a moment as his two friends stepped forward.

I immediately mapped out my next two moves and was bunching my muscles to take on their rush when Mr. Anderson stepped out of the room.

“What is going on here?” he demanded. “Joe, do I need to talk to Coach Stevens?”

It was like the air was let out of a balloon. The one thing Joe couldn’t risk was pissing off the football coach.

He shot me a quick look that let me know this wasn’t over. Sometimes, when I least expected it. They would come after me and the kid. There was no doubt in his eyes.

I stared back at him, letting him know anytime, any place, as I gave his hand one last squeeze then let it drop.

He spun away and marched off through the crowd, his two minions scurrying to catch up.

“Jimmy, what is going on?” Elle said as she rushed up to us.

“Nothing,” Jimmy snapped as he turned to head to his next class. I could see the anger begin to build inside of him. Maybe it was finally sinking into that special brain of his. Sometimes, it made more sense to keep quiet.

Elle looked at him, then up at me, her eyebrow raised in question.

I smiled down at her. “Like the boy said, ‘nothing’. See you at lunch,” I added.

Turning, I left her there, looking at me with a strange, angry look, that I realized I didn’t exactly like. It seems Miss Watson didn’t care to be dismissed. I laughed to myself. Good, one more button to push.

.o0o.