Dim-sighted

  The very first time intimidating somebody felt too good to stop.

  He thought it was better to be on the winning side but now that he decided it, he might be a target of bullying too.

  Tobias and Bastian forced themselves to forget Anthony during the holidays.

  Anthony Milner could be nice to you if he wanted to, which was most of the time if you agreed to be on his side to rule the school but he could be mean too, making your life a living hell if you tried to leave your place.

  You could think that he was born to be a bully, he seemed to be in his element making people life's miserable.

  The type of dangerous but handsome person girls loved. Bastian and Tobias learnt to be a player from him.

  And Felix, his cousin, was always next to him and even if he seemed like a lost dog sometimes, he was terrifying.

  – Hey guys

  – Cross just told me that you plan to leave the team

  – It's something I have to do – he wanted to elaborate and quickly –. Aly Brighton hates bullies

  – The girl of the pretty eyes?

  – Yea

  – She's playing hard to get and you want her to believe it?

  – Exactly

  – Very well – Anthony nodded –. But if you're lying, we'll know

  – Be careful, Turner – Felix warned and walked past him hitting his shoulder

  "Damn, that was close," Bastian thought and ran a hand across his perfectly combed hair.

  – What did you say to them? – Tobias was standing next to him when he turned

  – That I want to have some with Aly and I have to leave the team so she believes me

  – But is it a lie or not?

  – I really like Aly, I just said that so Anthony won't turn against me

  – Smoothly done, but I don't think…

  – Save your opinions – Bastian patted Tobias' back and walked to the classroom to find Aly

  He walked in and just as he expected, he found Aly sitting next to Briar in the rows of the middle of the classroom, exactly between the tv and the whiteboard so Aly could hear better he presumed since she was in the right side more oriented to the teacher's desk and obviously, Finn and Jesse were behind them.

  – Hey Aly – he stood in front of her and decided to act before her protectors told him to get lost –. I have something for you – he took a wrapped box out of his backpack to carefully place in her desk so her hands would touch it –. Don't think I forgot about you, Bree – he forced a smile and left another wrapped box in her desk –. Happy belated birthday

  – Thanks, Bastian. How nice of you

  – Don't mention it, I hope you like your gifts – and with that, he ran to his seat

  Little did he know that there was somebody watching him.

  – What is he playing at? – Briar turned to Finn as she took the box out of the way to prepare Aly's laptop

  – I don't know – he shrugged

  – Rumour has it he's leaving "the team" – Jesse whispered making quotation marks for his last two words

  – The lacrosse team?

  – The bully gang too – Finn clarified

  – That can't be serious

  – I'm just telling you what I heard yesterday after the practice, he said that to Tobias and then ran out to speak with the coach

  During the class, Briar couldn't concentrate.

  Was it serious?

  It was the lunch break and Aly walked out of the classroom with Bastian's gift in her hands.

  Briar was about to take it from her hands to throw both boxes in the locker.

  – Wait – Finn stopped her – Won't you open it?

  – Why would I?

  – Aren't you curious?

  – Not really

  – I am, let's open it – Aly intervened and Briar growled, she couldn't say no to her

  – Fine

  The quartet walked to their usual spot.

  – Are you sure you want to open this? We can wait until we get home

  – No! You do want to open this now, right Aly? – Finn helped her to sit in the bench

  – I do, come on – Aly took the box and shook it –. I don't know what it is. Help me, Jesse?

  – Sure – he said and tore the wrapper –. Here it is – he handed it to Aly, he observed her feeling the dots with her fingertips

  – Braille scrabble – she smiled

  – How thoughtful – Briar rolled her eyes

  – Stop being sarcastic and open yours

  – Okay – the girl of the blue eyes said forcefully and tore the paper – It’s a box of gourmet truffles

  – Nice, can I have one?

  – After you finish your salad – she said and turned to Jesse and Finn –. I'm certain Tobias gave him tips, how could he know that I love these chocolates?

  – He's up to something

  – Definitely. First, he leaves the team and now he's trying to gain points

  ***

  Bastian stood in front of the classroom as he waited for Aly to come out.

  – Hey, won't you need a ride home? – He asked as soon as he saw the twins –. I mean, now that Rae graduated I can…

  – Thanks but somebody will come to get us

  – Are you sure? Because I don't mind

  – Seriously, mate – Finn patted his back –. They have that covered – he said trying hard not to give him more information

  – Okay, then I'll see you tomorrow – he couldn't help but kiss Aly's cheek

  – See you tomorrow and thanks for the presents, you didn't have to…

  – I know, but I wanted to – he interrupted

  – Let's go Aly – Briar took her sister's arm and led her to the lockers before Bastian could touch her again

  Finn and Jesse went to theirs and agreed to meet on the sidewalk to wait for Terrence.

  But he was already there.

  – Let me know if you hear something in the practice, okay?

  – Yea don't worry

  Terrence hopped out of the car to open the door for Aly.

  – See you guys tomorrow – he said to Finn and Jesse when his sister's had the seat belt buckled

  – Bye – Briar and Aly said

  Finn and Jesse waved goodbye as Terrence started the engine.

  – Let us not tell Bastian that they have a brother, he has to figure something out, if he's serious

  – I don't think he is

  – Me neither but let's hope Tobias doesn't let him know

  – Talk to him out of it in the practice – Finn suggested and Jesse looked at him with realisation

  – Yea

  – Okay and let us know what's up

  – Sure

  The former lacrosse teammates separated ways; Finn went to Rae's waiting car and Jesse went straight to the field.

  They had to warm up first and looking around, Jesse realised that Bastian leaving the lacrosse team was just a rumour, he was there next to Anthony so he took the opportunity to get information from Tobias.

  – Hey mate

  – Hey

  – I thought Bastian wanted to get out of the team

  – The coach didn't let him because his replacement is injured

  – And what about Anthony's team?

  – He wants to leave it momentarily so Aly can see that he's not a bully anymore, but he needs to convince Anthony first

  – Do you think that his intentions with Aly are pure?

  – No, I think he wants her because he knows she isn’t like the other girls

  – And have you told him about Terrence?

  – No, I wasn't planning on it

  – Finn thinks we should keep it a secret because a meeting with him will probably make Bastian think twice if he wants to hurt Aly

  – I agree

  ***

  The new of Bastian giving birthday gifts to the twins got to the Milner cousins' ears.

  Anthony didn't like that one bit since in his "How to be a p
layer" course he never said it was allowed to buy expensive gifts because according to his spy, braille scrabble isn't cheap.

  So it could only mean one thing; Bastian wanted to leave his gang and get away with it in order, to be honest with a girl he's in love with for once.

  He couldn't let that happen.

  – Hey Turner – Anthony called and gestured him to come

  – What's up?

  Anthony had a plan and he had his cousin and two other guys ready to help him.

  – How's it going with Alyssa?

  – Not so well, I'm still trying

  – Really

  – Yea – Bastian said and Anthony nodded

  – But last time I checked, we never said anything about giving gifts – he said and Bastian's eyes went wide

  – It was just a special case, it was her birthday and I need to change her impression of me

  – Don't lie

  – I'm not…

  – I know you do – he interrupted –. And let me tell you something, you won't leave my gang or lacrosse – he warned as two guys walked to stand behind Bastian –. If you want that girl for real or not figure something out because guess what? – He paused waiting for Bastian to ask

  – What? – He took the hint

  – You belong to me until prom – Anthony smiled maliciously –. I hope this makes you understand – he smirked

  Bastian furrowed his eyebrows and when he was about to turn around he received several punches in the face.

  13

  Bastian felt awkward since many people stopped dead in their tracks to see his face.

  Anthony was exceptionally nice; he ordered his gorillas to use their strength in Bastian's face only since they needed him for the upcoming game.

  He would probably be lying in a hospital bed with several bones broken otherwise.

  For the first time, Bastian was grateful that Aly couldn't see him completely because she would be terrified if she could.

  He stopped in front of Briar's locker.

  – Hey Aly

  – Bastian, hey – she smiled – Thanks again for the gifts we really liked them a lot – she cleared her throat wanting Briar to be polite too

  – Yea, thanks… – she started as she closed the door and then interrupted herself to gasp

  – What? What's wrong? – Aly asked

  – What happened to you? – The girl of the blue eyes looked at his bruises on the cheekbones and black eyes

  – Anthony Milner wanted me to understand I can't leave his mafia

  – Who? – The twins asked at the unison

  – I'll tell you later, okay? – He said and made his way to the classroom

  Briar was eager to know but waited until the lunch break to ask.

  – What's the story of this Anthony Milner guy?

  – He's the captain of the team of lacrosse – Finn said

  – Two years ago I went to the try-outs and he was there with the coach – Jesse continued –. The coach decides who gets in the lacrosse team but Anthony decides who fits in his idea of a bully

  – If you're muscular and intimidating, you're in whether you want it or not

  – Yea, Finn and I didn't get in because according to him, we're too soft

  – Would you get in if he asked?

  – Never

  – No – Jesse shook his head –. Why do you ask?

  – Bastian said that Anthony wanted him to understand that he won't leave his gang – Aly shrugged, the guys looked at Briar and she nodded

  – Haven't you seen his face? – She asked and they shook their heads

  – What the bloody hell are you talking about?

  – He's got bruises in the cheeks and like a broken lip and shiners in the eyes

  – Wait – Finn said – Are you sure we're talking about Bastian?

  – Yea

  – It's odd that he didn't defend himself

  – He shouldn't have had the time

  – I didn't have the time, certainly – Bastian stood next to Aly

  – Why don't you go talk to the principal?

  – Because I've done this too and he would likely suspend me if he sees any similarities

  – On a scale of 0 to 10, how much does it hurt? – Aly inquired

  – Like a 9 probably

  – May I feel how bad it is? – She offered her hands to the front

  – Sure – Bastian took them to help her stand up, then he led her hands to his face

  – It's swollen – she said being careful across the eyes

  – Yea

  – And your bottom lip… – she brushed a finger

  – Ow – he protested and looked at her eyes, they were so ravishing and yet her cloudy lenses made them look so empty

  – Sorry – she apologised and continued to touch his face that was when finally she could make her own image of the guy in front of her on her mind with detail as she traced his features

  Pale slightly tanned skin, brown eyes, thin eyebrows, curly brown hair, like 1.80 cm tall, medium-sized forehead, thick lips, triangle face shape, Roman nose.

  – Will you go out with me? – Bastian took her hands in his and intertwined their fingers

  – I'll think about it – Aly smiled lightly

  – Aly, eat or you'll run out of time to finish – Briar took her arm to sit her back down on the bench

  Bastian just looked wanting to kill her. His dislike for Briar was going up on a whole new level.

  – I'll wait anxiously for your response, Aly – Bastian said and turned to leave

  ***

  – You won't go out with him, will you? – Briar glanced at her sister inquisitively on the way out of the school

  – I don't know, I'll think about it

  – You can't actually stop to think about it! – She argued

  – I'd like to see him dealing with Terrence – Jesse mocked

  – He will never allow it, not with a person that hurts people just for fun

  – He's changing!

  – Anthony didn't let him, what if he orders him to break somebody's bones?

  – He said he likes me, right? I'd like to hear how aimed he is and how much he's willing to change to show me that he's real

  – The problem is that I don't believe he's real and neither do Briar or Finn – Jesse said –. Even Tobias doesn't think he's real

  – Then I guess he has 4 people to prove wrong

  – Wait for a second – Finn said –. Do you believe him?

  – I believe he's making an effort

  14

  Briar walked out of the classroom so mad she could perfectly drown somebody with no regrets.

  The teacher of the first class announced they had to present a topic, but this time, she didn't let them pick their partner. She decided to make the teams mixed, pairing Aly with the person Briar least expected.

  – Can you relax? It's just an innocent presentation – Aly said as she was led to the locker

  – Why did she have to put you with him out of all the other options?

  – I don't know but that's not so bad – Aly shrugged –. I find it better than being paired with somebody I don't know at all

  – But… – Briar started

  – So when do we meet, Aly? – Bastian interrupted

  – What about tomorrow?

  – As you wish. Yours or mine?

  – Ours – Briar answered "I'm so going to test you in our territory, Turner," she thought

  – Yea, ours – Aly nodded

  – Very well – he sighed –. We'll set the time later

  – Okay

  Once on their bench, Jesse wanted to tease Briar a little.

  – So Aly and Bastian are partners?

  – Ugh, don't remind me – she shook her head –. That was a mistake of epic proportions! I bet she was drunk or something when she thought about putting Aly with that tosspot

  – Let us make sure Terrence is there to intimidate

  �
�� He will be, trust me

  – Too bad I won't be there to see the show! – Jesse complained

  – I'll record it to watch it every time I want to laugh

  The twins walked together to the kitchen to have dinner.

  A gluten and egg-free piece of vanilla cake with strawberry jam filling and glass of almond milk for Briar.

  And the same type of cake only with walnuts and glass of regular milk for Aly.

  They took their seats in the counter along with their parents.

  Their dad saw them and doubted but it was too late because Briar was having trouble to breathe.

  – Dad? The plates are switched – Aly said after swallowing and he ran to his studio

  Terrence took his sister in his arms and ran to her room.

  Mom took Aly's hand and they followed him.

  As soon as Briar landed in her bed, dad injected antihistamine but had to make a phone call to the hospital he works at since they were out of epinephrine to stop the allergy completely.

  She was out of risk but the eczema was still all over her mouth and started to feel nauseous.

  Aly and Terrence were sent to eat their supper and then to bed early.

  15

  Terrence left Aly in the classroom and went to talk to the principal.

  – Hey Aly – Finn greeted as soon as he walked in