Buzzkill

IV: Buzzkill

“You’ve got a lot of nerve.” Hate flashed in Mathias’ eyes as he stalked up the hill to the parking lot. As he approached, Reyna moved to get between him and Lucas, crossing her arms and doing her best to seem like a wall rather than someone a good foot shorter than the threat. Mathias stopped in front of her and stared down. “Come on. Out of the way.”

“This is stupid,” said Reyna. “Just leave him alone.”

“Shouldn’t have come here if that’s what he wanted.” He wasn’t even trying to conceal the contempt in his voice. Like he was talking about a criminal on the news, not to classmates he’d known for years.

“It’s okay.” Reyna turned at the touch of a hand to her shoulder. Lucas looked completely calm. His gaze was unfocused, not looking at her or Mathias. Not looking at anything at all. He stepped forward, past her. “Let him say what he wants.”

“Not going to be saying anything,” growled Mathias. Lucas didn’t have time to react before he was grabbed and tossed down the hill, tumbling down the sand, coming to a stop just before a pair of dancing girls. He spat something out of his mouth as they stared at him. Blood and sand.

Stillness rippled out from him to the people around him as one by one they realized or heard what had happened and turned to watch. Mathias descended the hill slowly, determined, moving like a killer android from a movie. He grabbed Lucas and yanked him up to his feet. Still there was nothing in Lucas’ eyes. No hate or fear. Just a blank stare.

“I’d fucking kill you,” hissed Mathias, quietly enough that only the two of them could hear. “You know I would.”

Lucas said nothing. A red bruise was starting to swell up on the left side of his face and his cheek felt like it might be broken. The onlookers watched the scene quietly. Nobody seemed to know what to do, and half of them didn’t want to do anything. Let him have it, sure. Mathias threw him back to the ground.

“You know you deserve this,” Mathias said. “That’s why you’re not doing anything, right? You know you deserve worse than this.” He raised his foot to make a kick, then paused, lowered it, knelt down, grabbed Lucas by the ear and whispered into it. “Next time I see you, I’m not going to stop.” He was about to punch Lucas again when Zeke arrived.

“Hey, hey, hey,” he called, stepping out from the crowd and pulling Mathias back. “What the fuck is going on?” Mathias yanked to try to escape, but the grip was too firm, he could barely move. “Jesus Christ. What the hell is wrong with you two, huh? You can’t even be civil to each other for one night? Can’t just keep away from each other?”

“Let me go, man,” said Mathias.

“Hell no. Just so you can hit him again? Maybe if you promise to be cool.”

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