Page 26 of My High School Rebel Boyfriend
The words made me numb, so much that I didn’t feel the ceaseless pounding toe of his boot.
Weak, pathetic, soft.
My mind went dark,
it sunk into a black hole.
Sickened
My stomach rising
Heaving
Then the unexpected sound of Wade’s Metallica ringtone making him turn away
And with little warning
I turned my head and spewed onto the concrete floor.
Another tirade of abuse as he fled the room.
My stomach emptied
But also my soul
Weak,
pathetic,
soft.
They were all words I’d said to Harper Dent.
I TOLD MOM THAT I’Dbeenselectedto go to the volleyball tournament, that Coach Barber wanted Titan and me to be responsible for equipment and warmups. She was so proud of me she said, knowing nothing about the restorative justice thing in the first place. Petty details like detention or warnings didn’t need to concern her. Wade scoffed about being chosen to help the girls volleyball team—derogatory comments like, “That would be right—getting girls to help the girls,” and “You’ll fit in a treat with a bunch of girls.”
With assiduous self-control I bit my tongue. My stomach was hurting too much to talk or move unnecessarilyanyway.
I arrived at Titan’s house early, gaping at him as he got into the passenger seat. His head had been shaved. His middle strip, usually proudly combed and waxed to great heights was gone.
“What the-” I was speechless. It had been his trademark since sophomore year.
He ran his hand over what looked to be a number 2 buzz cut, and I couldn’t resist doing the same. I laughed, the barely there bristles felt nice and soft. I could imagine Wade’s remarks at such a gesture and pulled my hand away.
“So, it’s like this. Ebony’s parents are going to the tournament...”
“They’re driving to Falls Creek?” I interrupted.
“Apparently a whole van load of moms and dads are going,” he said.
“Yeah, so why the hair cut?”
Titan shrugged and unbelievably went all shy. “Well, Dent suggested it, y’know, first impressions and all.” His cheeks were turning pink.
“You’ve got it bad, bro,” I teased, but the mention of Harper disconcerted me.
“Yeah, well, Coach Cairns thought I could do with a tidy up, too,” he said, “and Ma was ready and willing with the clippers.”
“Your Mom did it?”
