“When we got inside the compound, we mopped up what was left of the enemy. I’ll admit, the Germans weren’t stupid; they had some good defenses. I personally fought with three SS soldiers in a hallway for almost five minutes before I remembered I still had a grenade remaining. Like to say they went out with a bang.”
Adal laughed. He’d heard the story at least a dozen times, but this part always made him laugh. Grandpa Lawrence was the coolest guy he knew, and Adal had always wanted to be like him.
“The Russians were already in, working the Germans from the other side. Damn, they’d got in there fast. Like a bunch of goddamn magicians. After I don’t even know how long, we finally made it to the bunker only to find that the coward had killed himself and his wife.” Lawrence pounded his fist on the table, his anger resurfacing as he told the story.
“The Russians took credit for the entire raid. Those sons of bitches.”
“Gramps, I got to go. I’m really going to be late.” Without even waiting for a response, Adal slipped out of the kitchen. He ran to the front door, opened it and slid outside, accidentally slamming it behind him. He flinched at the loud bang and knew he would hear about that when he got home. Leaping through the air, Adal cleared the steps of his front stoop and landed silently on the sidewalk.
He hurried toward the school. Adal didn't want to run because that would make him sweat, and he couldn't show up to school looking sloppy. That wasn't his style. Besides, he still had seventeen minutes to get there, according to his watch, and it was only a few blocks away. No worries. He could still make it.
Other teens followed the same path but, even though he didn't run, Adal passed them. At six feet three inches, he had a long stride and, walking as fast as he could, he easily matched the speed of some of his classmates while jogging. A few said hello as he passed, but Adal was lost in thoughts of his parents.
“Why does he have to always be in my business all the time?” Adal mumbled, rounding a corner. The school was almost in view—only five blocks straight ahead—he should be there in a few minutes.
2| Smart and Beautiful
Still lost in thought, Adal didn't notice he had gained a follower. A sharp pinch on his shoulder nearly made him drop his notebook.
Catching the book midair, Adal turned to confront the person. He was ready to pour his morning frustrations on the newcomer when he saw who it was. He sighed and shook his head.
“Well, looks like you aren't always as together as you’d like to think,” teased Arija as she nudged him in the arm. She tossed her straight raven hair over one shoulder and giggled as she adjusted her backpack. Arija had done these sorts of things to get under his skin ever since they became friends ten years ago. As the two had grown, they only became closer and, in the last year, they’d become inseparable.
Arija was the smartest girl in their class, but she also had the heart of a fighter. Adal considered her too good for any of the boys at school. She deserved a man. Someone who would take care of her and treat her right. Though they were only friends, Adal had to admit that she looked good.
Adal’s other friends made fun of him for not going after Arija, but he was too cool to be considered taken. He liked the attention he got from other girls. A girlfriend would cramp his style. Adal knew Arija liked him; he could see it in the way she’d bat those big hazel eyes at him. But she was his best friend, and he didn’t want to do anything to screw that up.
“Girl, you almost messed up my presentation. You do that, don't think I won’t make you write me another one!” Adal tugged at his shirt, smoothing the imaginary wrinkles she’d caused.
Arija snorted an unimpressed laugh at his attempted bravado.
“You act like I don't already do half your homework so you don't flunk out and get kicked off the team. So the way I figure it, you kinda owe me more favors than you have thoughts in the day.” She turned her nose up at him and picked up her pace, gaining several steps ahead.
Arija was cute when she pretended to be mad at him, and Adal let a wide grin crease his face as he picked up speed.
“You know I appreciate that. Besides, you also keep my old man off my back.” Adal put his arm around Arija’s shoulder and pulled her to his side.
She smiled, pushing away from him. “Don’t think just because you’re Mr. Smooth you can butter me up. I only need you to pass so we stand a chance in the competition. I have the girls’ team covered, but we need you on the boys’ team to keep them in the winning circle. It’s strictly business; get yourself together.” They always played this game, pretended they didn’t care about each other, but Arija kept him in check and, for that, Adal was grateful.
“Oh, you know you can’t resist my charms. No girl can!” Adal ran ahead of Arija and turned to face her, so she couldn’t get past him.
She stopped. He grinned as he leaned down, touching his forehead against hers so they were nose to nose. Arija may have been several inches shorter than him, but she never let his height intimidate her. Eventually, Arija laughed and pushed him away but, Adal had to admit, he liked messing with her.
A scraping sound came from behind Adal and, before he knew what was happening, his foot landed on something slippery and slid out from under him. His feet flew into the air as his back slammed into the ground.
A chorus of laughter erupted from a gang of boys leaned against the wall of a small coffee shop just next to them.
“Smooth landing, Adal!” one boy cackled, stepping over him. He snatched up his skateboard.
Arija’s face scrunched in anger as she helped Adal to his feet. The other boys remained with their backs against the wall, but the one that spoke stood next to Adal, holding the skateboard that had put him on his back to begin with.
“And to think, they made you team captain? Can’t even stay on your feet while walking. Lucky, she was here to help the little boy up. What are you supposed to be again, anyway, his groupie?” the boy teased.
“What the hell was that, Elias?” Adal shouted, thrusting both of his hands into the boy’s chest and shoving him back into his group of friends. The group righted their leader and stalked toward Adal, Elias in the lead.
“Just testing your skills, man. I mean, you’re supposed to be the best, ain’t you?” Elias was so close, Adal could smell the bully’s rank breath. Arija stood next to him as the other boys attempted to form a half-circle.
Adal’s jaw sawed back and forth as Elias spoke. “You want me to show you the best? Normally, I reserve that for your mother, but if you want a piece too...” Adal swelled his chest and pressed it to Elias’ nose. When Adal stood straight up, he was four or five inches taller than Elias, and his muscles were more defined.
The smug grin left Elias’ face, and his expression went cold. “Don’t think for a moment I’m intimidated by some big golem. Maybe it’s time someone taught both you and your girlfriend a lesson.” Elias spat at Arija’s feet.
She reared back to swing at him, but Adal caught her arm and lowered it, shaking his head.
“You see, now, that’s the problem we have here, Elias. You keep insulting my friend, and she’s a much better fighter than all of you put together. I think you owe her an apology.” Adal gestured to the group, sliding into the limited space between Arija and the rest of the boys. He wasn't worried about her getting hurt; he was more worried about her hurting the rest of them and getting them all expelled.
“An apology? Really? Well, Mr. Captain, I think you’re going to be disappointed,” Elias snapped, looking over his shoulder to his friends.
Adal rubbed his hand over his mouth, producing a wide grin and a single chuckle. “Well then, looks like I’m just going to have to show you.” Adal glanced at Arija; the two shared a knowing smile, as if they were having a telepathic conversation.
“Show me what, exactly?” Elias asked, pressing his chest into Adal.
Adal leaned in to speak into Elias’ ear, adrenaline rushing through his veins. “These hands,” Adal whispered.
Elias’ expression dropped, but it was too late for him to react. Adal threw his open palm upward, hitting Elias in the throat and causing him to stumble back into two of his friends.
One of the other boys avoided the impact and moved around Elias, swinging at Adal. Anticipating what the other boy would do, Adal stepped backward, and the hook flew wide. The boy recovered and went for another hook with his other fist.
Arija lunged forward and grabbed the boy’s arm. Before he could react, she pulled him to the ground and wrapped her arms around his upper body in a near textbook armbar.
Though she had been on the track and field team for years, Arija preferred wrestling, presently holding several school records.
The boy screamed in pain. Arija applied just enough pressure to his arm to make him suffer, but not enough to break the delicate bones in his wrist and forearm.
Elias fell to his knees, coughing, as his two remaining friends turned their attention from Adal to Arija. The two boys kicked at Arija’s back and ribs as they tried to pry their friend loose.
Adal grabbed one of them by his collar and yanked him backward. At the same time, he brought one of his feet up and kicked the second boy in the stomach. Adal could hear the air leaving his lungs with the powerful hit.
Elias recovered, hooked his hand upward from his kneeling position, and caught Adal in the side of his ribs. Adal fell backward, and Elias stood, bringing his fists up.
Arija held onto her original attacker, still applying pressure, while the second coughed for air on the ground next to her.
Elias squared off with Adal throwing several punches faster than Adal would ever give him credit for. Adal dodged the first one, but the second and third caught him in the jaw. He brought one hand up to the spot the punch landed and moved his jaw from side to side, assessing the damage. Then he followed with his own barrage of strikes, most of which found their way to Elias’ chest and face.
The boy he’d pulled off Arija charged at Adal while Elias swung at him. He collided with Adal’s waist and tried to lift him into the air for a body slam, but Adal was too heavy. Adal slammed both fists into his new attacker’s back and kneed him in the chest. Then he grabbed the boy by both shoulders and rolled him away, turning once more to face Elias.
“Enough!” shouted a voice from the coffee shop.
Elias turned on his heels while Adal kept his pose, looking over Elias’ shoulder. An older woman with graying blonde hair came out of the shop and stood just outside the doorway. She wore a black apron, and her face was splotchy and red.
“I cannot believe you would fight in front of the family shop, Elias! What’s come over you?” The woman shook her finger at the pile of boys on the ground. When Elias scoffed, she appeared next to him and slapped him.
“Ey! Sorry, Mama! They started it!” Elias flinched under the second slap, which popped his hair up in the air.
“I do not care! How dare you embarrass us like this! Wait until I tell your father!” The woman looked from Elias to Adal, then to Arija on the ground. Adal had to stifle his laughter. Arija still had the boy in her grasp, and the look of pain on his face was truly priceless. Elias’ mother walked over to her, waving her hands in the air. “Girl! Let him go! That isn't necessary!”
Arija looked at Adal and, when he nodded, she sighed, released her grip on the teen and kicked him away from her. She hopped to her feet and brushed her legs off. The boy rolled away and slowly stood, groaning and rubbing his arm.
“You two, go to school!” Elias’ mother barked at Adal and Arija. “The lot of you, in the shop now! I want a few words with you.”
The boys groaned as they lined up and marched their way into the shop. As Elias reached the door, he turned to face Adal. “Next time, you're mine!” he snarled and spat at the ground before walking into the shop.
“Next time, don't bring your mom to a fist fight!” Adal shot back.
“How about next time, he actually gives us a fight and not a little slap fest?” Arija added, laughing.
Adal and Arija stood and looked at one another for a moment. Then they both smiled and brushed themselves off as they laughed. “Thanks for having my back. Oh, and thanks for not snapping off that guy's arm.” Adal picked up his notebook and brushed the street soot from its cover. Then he looked at his reflection in the shop’s window and adjusted his shirt. He extended his knuckles toward Arija, and the two bumped fists.
“Anytime,” Arija replied, punching Adal in the shoulder. “Just so you know, you fight like a girl.”
“Hey, if fighting like a girl means fighting like you, I’ll take that compliment all day long.” With that, Adal looked at his watch. “Shit, girl, we’re way late for first class!” Panic replaced Adal’s confident pose, making Arija giggle.
“Well then, let’s see why they made you captain of the boys’ team,” Arija teased as she bolted. Arija was nearly half a block away before Adal registered she’d started running.
***CLICK HERE TO READ MORE***
More from Zach
The Gabrielle Series:
The Curious Tale of Gabrielle
Curiosity and The Hounds of Arawn
Curiosity and The Sentient’s Oblation
Curiosity and Arawn’s Penance
The Hall of Doors Series:
Webley and The World Machine
Webley and The World Machine Coloring Book
Kip and The Grinders
Arija and The Burning City
Ypsilon and The Plague Doctor
From Now On: The Last Words Anthology
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About Zach
Zachary is a bow tie wearing, formal vest rocking, pocket watch using, sarcastic monster of a writer. Currently residing in Mount Dora, Florida, he spends his days working, writing and procrastinating.
Coupled with being a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning fantasy and science fiction, Zach spends his days trying not to kill himself with lethal levels of caffeine.
Zach is the author of the Gabrielle series, a young adult fantasy with a paranormal-historical-time traveling twist (try saying that five times fast) and The Hall of Doors Series, a cross worlds adventure with snarky yet lovable characters.
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