-14-

"Stitches"

"Nai! Get your butt up sleepyhead or else you'll be late for your first day of school!" I heard mom shout from downstairs

Other than hockey, school was the one place I find amusing- most of the time. Other than having teachers that poured you homework and expects you to finish it in a day, it's somewhere where I can talk to Luis and the others.

"I made some food so you should eat before you go"

"How can I dig in when I'm so nervous" I stared at the breakfast she made "I don't even know if I will fit in"

"You were able to fit in with your team" she comments

"But school is different. You can just be passing by and someone can already hate you, even if you never seen them before"

She stays quiet as she began making her coffee, making me curious on what she's thinking. But it seemed like there was something else she wanted to talk about. Her lips will be partly opened to speak, but she will quickly shut them. I quickly ate and stood beside her, putting my plate and cup by the sink.

"Hey mamá, you alright?"

"Oh! Yes yes! I'm alright" Her lips cracking a smile "You should start heading to school, isn't Luis walking with you?"

"Yeah but I'm worried about you-"

A knock came from the door, and she hands me my lunch, quickly pushing me out the door.

"But I have to feed Nico-"

"It's alright! I'll do it!" She said as she greets Luis "Have fun at school!"

She quickly shuts the door behind me, leaving me and Luis confused and dumbfounded.

"What was that about?"

I shrugged "I have no clue. It's like she's hiding something"

"It's not your birthday" He wondered as we began walking "Right?"

"No it's not my birthday. In fact, there's nothing to celebrate this month"

"You think something happened at work? Because I can fight her boss and-"

"Don't even think about it" I cut him off "Because one, you got jumped from my cousins who were around five or six and two, you can't fight"

"I can fight!"

I chuckle "Yeah, I'll see it when pigs fly"

"You can be so hurtful sometimes"

"You're just mad that it's the truth" I smiled "But what about you and Connie? Have you talked to her"

His eyebrows become slightly put together as he tilts his head down. His facial expression already indicates that he didn't talk to her.

"Maybe I should stay away for a little for you guys to work this out"

"Let's hope she isn't still mad at me" he huffs "Have you talked to Portman yet?"

"I tried calling him a couple of times, but I think he's busy. I'm thinking of talking to him today. That is if he comes to school"

It was like Dean and I were becoming distant. I couldn't even sleep without calling him to know if he'll answer. It made me rethink about what Ken said about his recent relationships. Supposably he dated three girls, two of them at once and the other- well it was a "fling". Even so, the thought of that gave me anxiety.

"Say, we have the same classes right?"

"Yeah we do, but you better not get me into trouble with that mouth of yours"

"At least girls digged me. You should've seen me years ago, girls were all over me"

"Bullshit, if anything they probably wanted to run away from you since you were all over them" I laughed

*****

"How the hell were you able to answer those questions?" Luis yawned "I fell asleep just be reading the first one"

"Didn't we both agree that I was the smarter one?" I said, grabbing my textbook "And seriously? How the hell did you you not know about Manifest Destiny?"

"Hey! It's been a while" He rolled his eyes playfully "But you're not smart when it comes to listening to your mom" He mumbled as I playfully smacked him

It turns out that I have some classes with Charlie and the others. I was thankful for them to show me around, otherwise I would've gotten completely lost.

In the classes I went so far, not once did I see Dean. The others have no idea where he was either. I did recall him saying that school was a waste of time, but he only went because he had nowhere else to hang out. He would complain how boring it was at his place, especially if Fulton wasn't around.

I felt my body come to a stop as I bumped into someone, making them fall forward.

"Shit, I'm so sorry! Let me help you-"

He reaches his arm out as I helped him up, his body shifting towards me. As I realized who it was, I let him go, dropping him.

"I should've known you were attending this school" I sighed, watching Cooper get up

"You still crying every night?" He smiles "And where's your little pet? He's always wagging his tail and following you"

"I will cry of joy seeing you get a broken leg" I muttered

His friends stood beside him as he explained his "amazing" goal. They looked at me and laughed, making me feel embarrassed for just standing here and letting him say shit to me.

Luis began to step forward and I quickly pushed him back, assuring him that a fight will not happen.

"You know damn well that was just a lucky shot" I pushed past him, Luis following behind me

"Well lucky or not, my team won" He adds, following us "How did it feel? Must've stung huh? Especially since the goal was technically your fault"

"You better shut up Cooper" Luis speaks up  "We're just trying to move on with school and our day"

"Or what? You're little girlfriend is gonna protect you? Face it Luis, you guys are just a bunch of stupid ducks that thought it was your chance to shine" He explains "Say Nai, how did it feel when you broke down crying to your dad? Or wait- was he even there?"

I wanted to just slap him at this point. Whether he knew about my dad or not, I didn't like bringing him up.

Charlie and the others came towards us, as if they knew something was going on. He stares at Cooper sternly, stepping up.

"What did you say?" His voice almost at the urge of snapping

"You heard me Charlie. You guys are just some stupid, pathetic ducks" Cooper responded along with a smirk that plastered on his face

My whole body turns to him as my hand connected his face perfectly. It was loud enough to get the whole hallway quiet. My hand was red and stung like crazy, but the slap was hard enough to leave my handprint. If you looked good enough, you were able to see a slight cut.

It didn't stop me there. I began kicking him and punching his stomach over and over. By this time the quiet hallways began cheering like crazy. I felt some arms wrap around my body as I was lifted off of him. I turned to see Dean, his arms still wrapped around me as one of Cooper's friends helps him up.

"This crazy chick cut me!"

"Look who's crying now?" I laughed "You're lucky it was just a scratch"

Everyone from the hallway began laughing at him, some even laughing at his friends for not stepping up. Dean let's me go, having me take a breather from the adrenaline rush I felt. I held his hand as I thanked him for lifting me off of him.

"Now I know who to not piss off" He chuckles

"That is enough!" A loud, deep voice calls out

It all got quiet once again as we heard heels rushing towards us. We soon realize it was the principal. Her look was almost frightening as she stared at all of us.

"What was the meaning of this?!" She shouted

"The little girl was the one who started it!" One of Cooper's friends answered as he pointed right at me

"Well your friend is a pussy since he's crying over a scratch!" Ken spat back

"Enough! I don't care who started what! Everyone here is following me to a classroom while each of you would call your parents! Now let's move!"

It was only the first day of school and I already had my first fight, great. I can already hear an earful from mom. Word might get out for Coach Bombay as well.

The principal divided us, one side was Cooper and his friends and the other was me and the team. She kept a good eye on Cooper and I, thinking we might fight again.

"Well so much for the first day of school" Charlie sighed

"No kidding, but who knew the first day of school was gonna be this fun" Russ smiles as he leans back on his chair.

Luis taps me on the shoulder as I turned to him "I think I'm gonna talk to Connie"

I nod as I continue to watch Cooper's friends get called on to call their parents. I, however, was answering questions that the team, only a few of them need a description on what happened.

"I didn't know you had it in you" Dean said as he scoot his desk next to mine

"The dude had a punchable face" I added as I laid my head on the desk "I didn't think you were coming to school"

He followed my lead and did the same thing "That'll be hella boring since I wouldn't see you as much"

A smile comes across my face "I'm sorry about what happened that day"

"It's cool. You got payback" he says as he points to Cooper

"Ms.Cortes! You're up first" The principal announced

I cussed under my breath as she handed me the school telephone. My thoughts begged that my mom didn't have to answer the phone. I slowly started to dial her phone number, hearing the end ring as I wait.

"Hello, this is Melanie Cortes"

"Oh, umm... hey mamá-"

"Nai? Why are you calling me all of a sudden, you know I can't talk much-" she pauses, making me feel uneasy "Something happened"

"What? Psh, noooo, nothing happened" I shrugged off, knowing damn well she can read me like a book

"Nai, es mejor que me digas que paso o- (you better tell me what happened or-)"

"I got into a little fight..." I mumbled, hoping she didn't hear what I just said

There was silence on the other side of the call, my uneasiness turning into anxiety. My mind can already picturing what she's gonna say to me.

"Hand me the phone to whoever is in charge. Now." Her voice was low and honestly terrifying

I slowly took my ear off the telephone and handed it to the principal "She wants to talk to you"

"You can go sit down now" The principal said as I walked back to my seat

Everyone from the team knew something was wrong based on my expression. I never liked making my mom mad, not one bit. Seeing her mad is terrifying, Luis would know.

I slowly sat down on my chair, sinking down a little as I prayed she wouldn't be in a bad mood, but from the sound of her voice was enough to prove she was.

"She's that mad huh?" Dean said, staring up at me.

"I usually don't get her mad" I trailed off "So when she is... that shit is scary as hell"

"Maybe, just maybe, she can't come since she has work?" I thought "Yeah... and she would probably forget about it"

Everyone began leaving as their parents stood outside the door. Each time the principal entered the room I hoped it wasn't for me. She calls Luis up. He stood up and quickly went over to me before dealing with his mom.

"I'll take the blame, don't worry" he whispered

"No. It's ok, I should take responsibility. I'll tell your mom everything that happened" I whispered back

He didn't say anything but give me a slight nod. I watched as he disappeared from the room, leaving me with myself and the principal. I didn't want to stare at her, she would want to know who did what and possibly give them expelled.

I watch as she leaves the room, sighing as she calls my name.

"I already told your mother the suspension and fight. You two may leave now, have a good day" the principal explained as she walked down the hall

I didn't want to be here. I didn't want to see the look in her eyes saying "I'm disappointed".

"Let's go" was all she said as she started walking, making me quickly follow from behind

I wanted to tell her my side of the story, I really did, but the expression on her face told me to wait. I followed her inside the car as we drove off away from the school.

There was silence that made my ears ring, except for the low volume of a song playing on the radio. I looked up at her, then back down, trying to begin the conversation.

She parked her car and she didn't hesitate to walk inside, leaving me in the car. I sighed as I slowly opened the car door and went inside, seeing Nico stand in the doorway.

"You must have a really good reason on why you got into a fight on your first day of school" she started

"I-I... well... funny story-"

"Nairobi, this isn't a joke. You need to start being responsible for your actions. I can't miss work because my child got into a fight" she rebuked as she stared at me "Don't you think we have a lot on our plate right now?"

I sunk down on the couch as I stared up at her, this time not leaving my gaze. She never said my full name unless she was dead serious. So all I did was listen and nod. She turned around, trying to compose herself.

"I really want you to try and at least behave. It has been hard as is" she said softly

"They called us stupid, pathetic, ducks..." I mumbled as I stared down at Nico "And brought up papá..."

"Who did?" She asked as she turned around

"Cooper and his friends. I know I should've walked away and went on with life, but he brought in dad and I just... snapped" I continued as I looked up at her "I'm sorry mamá"

Her face softened as she let out a sigh. She opened her arms, waiting for me to hug her. I got up and did so, making me remember just how sweet her scent was. I couldn't explain it, but every mom has that sweet scent that makes you feel safe and never want to let go.

"Oh Nai, I know it has been hard since he passed. But we know he's in a better place now" she reassured me as she hugged me tightly

"I know, but it hurts not hearing him..." I mumbled "I miss how he called us names"

"You mean how he would call you chaparrita (short one)?" She smiled, trying to cheer us both up

I looked up at her as she let out a soft laugh "Or how he would call you hermosa (beautiful)?"

She couldn't help but laugh even more as she messed with my hair. Those names always became a remembrance in my mind. Every now and then I wish that he was still here to say these names.

"I know you're a good kid Nai, but next time, show him and his friends that you and your team that you guys aren't stupid, pathetic, ducks by NOT fighting"

"Alright, I promise I won't do that again, scouts honor" I smiled as I crossed my heart

"I don't want to sound like a chismosa (nosy) but... did you connect?" She smirked

"I think the mark on his face is still there"

"Tell me everything"

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