“Please tell me you didn’t follow me into the girl’s restroom for an apology,” Kori’s voice bounced about the room. “This is borderline stalking.”
“Apologize and you’ll never have to deal with me again,” Hayden urged as he went from stall to stall looking for Kori.
“Not going to happen, my dude,” Kori’s voice sounded again.
“Why are you so stubborn?” Hayden asked as he walked along the stalls waiting for Kori’s reply.
“I’m not. I think it’s cute when you get upset,” Kori said as Hayden stopped in front of one of the limited booths.
“Are you always this way towards people you don’t know?”
Kori sighed. “No...but your eyes...you have a look of sadness.”
Hayden grew silent.
“I’ve seen people who have lost something precious to them, but whatever you lost must have hurt you in a way that needs more than time to heal,” Kori continued. “I figured you could use some cheering up.”
“I’m sorry,” Hayden said abruptly.
His apology caught her off guard.
“It’s so weird. It’s like no matter what kind of person you meet you always judge them before you get to know them. Sometimes it seems useless to even try to talk to anyone new because your mind has already determined what kind of person they are...and I did that with you, I am sorry.”
This time around, Kori remained soundless as Hayden’s words seeped into her. He walked over to the vase of deceased roses and grabbed one of them. He glared at the flower then closed his eyes holding it up to his chest in a gentle brace.
“Maybe a day will come when people are more like you.”
Hayden felt a small vibration from the flower as its colors returned and it bloomed back to life.
He placed it underneath Kori’s stall.
She waited several moments before hopping from the toilet. Kori picked up the rose and stepped out of the booth.
Hayden was gone.
The rose’s flowery fragrance filled her nostrils. She closed her eyes taking in the wonderful scent. However, once the bell ending lunch blared. She opened her eyes glaring quizzically at the deceased flower in her hand.
Chapter-Thirteen
Stopping midway into the gym, Dominic watched a few of his peers running about either doing warm-up exercises or laps around the gym. Among the runners was Brianna. He flirted with the idea of calling out to her but changed his mind as he spotted Ethan. Like the others, he was dressed out in sporty attire. Dominic watched him try to dribble a basketball the best way he could towards the nearest goal, however, cursed with two left feet, Ethan slipped, and the ball flew from his hands as he face-planted onto the floor. Gravity took its toll on the ball and it plummeted, smacking Ethan on the back of his head.
“You’re a natural,” Dominic said mockingly.
He took a knee next to Ethan, “where is the coach?”
Ethan pointed to a man in the distance.
Dominic patted Ethan on the shoulder and headed towards a big man with massive arms and a beer gut. His bleach blond hair was fashioned into a crew cut and his mid-forties face was living proof that years weren’t kind to him.
He was Coach Stratney.
The coach stood on the sidelines monitoring his student’s activities as they roamed about the massive gym.
“Dominic Ashwood I presume, are you always late to your classes?” he said as the young boy approached. “Did you bring any gym clothes? or do I need to issue you a uniform?”
“Yeah about that, I can explain,” Dominic said nonchalantly.
“No excuses grunt,” Stratney barked.
He turned his attention to Kori who stood near the girl’s locker room entrance dressed out in sportswear.
“Dawson front and center.”
With a look of uncertainty Kori made her way towards the coach.
“Kori is new here I want you to keep an eye out for her.”
“Yes sir,” Dominic said with a mocking salute.
The coach grunted while shaking his head. “Both Ashwood and their sister all in the same class this ought to be fun,” he mumbled as he walked off.
“Hayden is here?” Dominic said to no-one.
Kori nodded. “Yeah I saw him going into the boys’ locker room at the beginning of class.”
“Where is he now?”
Kori shrugged. “He’s still in there.”
She looked about the area. “This place is almost as big as the school.”
Dominic shrugged not impressed.
“Well, it’s bigger than the gym at my old school.” Kori retorted.
“Hey Kori,” a female’s voice sounded.
Dominic whirled around to see Melinda heading their way.
She shoved him aside and embraced Kori in a hug.
“The school issue gym wear looks great on you...I could never wear them though.”
Puzzled Kori returned the hug. “T-Thanks.”
“Don’t I get a hug babe?” Dominic said stretching out his arms in a Y.
“Uh-no,” Melinda said rolling her eyes. “It should be illegal for you to even speak to females.”
Dominic chuckled. “Do you agree Kori?”
Melinda folded her arms glancing towards Kori for moral support.
She didn’t answer but smiled politely, then turned on her heels to join the group of joggers.
Melinda pointed an accusing finger at Dominic, “great loser, you scared her off.”
For several minutes she scowled with harsh words.
However, he wasn’t listening. His focus was on Kori.
She was running alongside Brianna. From where he stood, it appeared they were conversing as they jogged. A few other students sat on bleachers. Coach Stratney glared at them from a distance. While many of the students stood in groups either socializing or doing random exercises. Ethan, on the other hand, stood in the middle of the court, awkwardly trying to understand the fundamentals of basketball.
“Hey, loser are you listening to me?” Melinda’s words disrupted his thoughts.
“Go give a jock a handy or something! I don’t care, just go away,” Dominic snapped. He watched Brianna and Kori breathlessly hobble towards the bleachers.
Melinda’s face twisted into a frown. “I’m going to report you.”
“Ask me if I care.”
Knowing he was right, Melinda released an agitated huff and stormed off.
Dominic started to make his way towards Kori and Brianna when the sound of hostile voices caught his attention.
Declan and two of his friends had joined Ethan. The three of them were circling around him like vultures assaulting him verbally.
“What happened to your bravery from earlier?” Declan sneered.
Ethan remained silent.
“No-one is here to save you now.” Declan shoved Ethan into one of his friends who in return jostled him towards another.
As the jock became rowdy a small crowd accumulated.
Dominic sighed.
He strolled passed the confrontation and on towards the bleacher. Along the way, he spotted Hayden exiting the boy’s locker room. As if he could feel his brother’s presence, Hayden glared towards Dominic. Eyes locked, the two boys came to a standstill, both refusing to look away. However, their staring contest was cut short due to a sudden outburst of chanting.
“Fight.”
“Not again!” Kori shouted, forcing her way through the crowd.
Brianna went to follow, but a hand gripped her shoulder halting her momentum.
“What’s going on?” Hayden’s voice sounded from behind her.
“Declan is being a prick to Ethan again,” Brianna answered.
Her eyes spotted Coach Stratney patrolling the sidelines yelling into his cell phone unaware of the event unfolding.
“And he’s not going to be any help.”
Brianna groaned and started to make her way towards the crowd when Dominic blocked her path.
“
You’re not the type to handle confrontation,” he released a dramatic sigh. “Leave it to me.”
“The only way it will end is with you throwing punches,” Hayden scoffed.
Dominic looked at him sharply for a moment then his eyes shifted to the confrontation, “Then what do you suggest ol’ wise one?”
Hayden didn’t entertain him. For a long moment they watched the jocks horse Ethan around.
After exchanging glances, the brothers headed toward the crowd.
“I thought we went through this already bare-hand!” Hayden shouted. The assemblage parted allowing him and Dominic to enter the circle.
Declan and his friends ceased their antics.
A few inches away, Kori let out a sigh of relief as she and Ethan quickly withdrew into the growing crowd.
“It’s the Ashwood brothers,” Declan said. “Are you two here initiating this freak into your weird family?”
He pointed at Ethan awaiting their comeback.
He wasn’t rewarded with one.
Declan frowned sourly and continued. “After all weren’t you two and Brianna adopted by Alexander Ashwood out of pity since neither of your parents wanted you all.”
The crowd around them became silent anticipating Hayden and Dominic’s next move.
“I guess the Ashwood house is a home for unwanted children.”
Dominic glared at his brother. “Can I break his face now?”
Hayden shook his head. “He’s not worth it.”
Declan smiled as he pretended to shine his nails against his shirt. “You really want me to leave the new kid alone?”
Hayden nodded.
Declan turned towards the crowd. “Do all of you want me and my friends to stop?”
The spectators all roared their answers. “Fight -fight- fight.”
Dominic took several steps towards the jocks, “I’m down for fighting.”
Hayden yanked him back and picked up Ethan’s basketball. “How about the six of us play a game instead and if we win you have to leave Ethan alone for the rest of the year.”
Declan’s flunkies anxiously looked at him, waiting for a decision. “And if we win?” he said after a moment of consideration.
“Then you and your friends can torture the nerd whenever you want,” Dominic suggested.
Declan smiled. “Deal.”
Ethan finally piped up. “W-wait a minute it’s my wellbeing you’re putting at risk and plus you wouldn’t want me on your team. If I play, we will surely lose.”
His frantic expression urged for Hayden to reconsider the terms.
“Relax bruh,” Dominic said soothingly as he ran his hand through Ethan’s hair before plucking a few locks of it free.
Ethan winced in pain and fixed Dominic with an angry glare. He raised his shoulders in a halfheartedly apologetic way and without giving any explanation for his action he simply said-
“You’ll do fine...but before we play, I need to borrow the ball.”
“Why?” Hayden demanded.
“Don’t question my methods.”
“Whatever.” Hayden tossed Dominic the ball.
“I shall return.”
The crowd parted once again allowing Dominic to exit. In the distance, he spotted Brianna standing alone near the bleachers.
Her eyes widen as he approached. “How did it go? Did they stop?”
Dominic briefly filled her in on the details.
She frowned, “and what’s the catch?”
“If we lose Declan and friends can torture Ethan whenever they want,” Dominic answered.
Brianna gasped.
Dominic tossed her the ball. “But good thing we have a witch on our side.”
Ball in hand she stared quizzically at Dominic. “What do you want me to do with this?”
“Enchant it duh,” Dominic teased. “Make it so that it gives Ethan the ability to play basketball like a pro.”
“I don’t have my wand with me. Without it the enchantment won’t last long, plus you know the consequences of using unpurified magic can be harmful.” Brianna protested. “And we should never use our abilities in public, you never know who’s watching.”
Dominic scoffed. “The results of using raw magic takes years to affect the user and it’s only a little spell.”
He flashed her one of his pleading smiles.
“You know ninety percent of the time when I do get into any trouble, it’s your fault.”
“You’re not the first person to tell me this,” Dominic said ironically.
Brianna chuckled. “Anyway, if I’m going to enchant the ball, I’m going to need something belonging to Ethan.”
“Way ahead of you sis,” Dominic retorted as he presented her the hair follicle. “I’m a prodigy.”
“Um sure...” Brianna said trying to contain her laughter. “I doubt you even know the meaning of that word.”
Dominic snorted. “Don’t hate.”
Brianna placed the ball onto the floor with the hair on top. “Shut up and let me work.”
With the coast clear of prying eyes Brianna placed her hands on either side of the basketball.
She closed her eyes and recited what sounded like a nursery rhyme in a foreign language then followed with-
“Dabo Ei Talentum.”
There was a sharp surge of electricity from the bottom of her spine that flowed towards her shoulders then forked off spreading throughout both arms and into all ten of her fingers which then transferred into the basketball. Dominic watched in awe as Brianna worked her magic.
The ball began to glow dark orange for only a few moments as it absorbed the locks of hair and within a matter of seconds, it returned to its original state.
“Okay your dirty deed is done,” Brianna said playfully. “All Ethan has to do is catch the ball and the magic will do the rest.”
“You are the best.” Dominic replied.
As Dominic retrieved the ball, he heard the voice of Declan shouting out to him, “are we playing or not?”
Ball in hand, he spun around and saw the crowd had cleared the court. Everyone who wasn’t playing was either pacing on the sidelines or sitting in the stands.
“Please don’t embarrass him,” Kori said as she joined Brianna on the sidelines.
Dominic smiled. “Relax. This game is going to be epic.”
Chapter-Fourteen
Dominic dribbled the ball towards his goal. With Declan hot on his trail he threw his shot from the two-point mark. It arched and sailed through the hoop with ease.
“That makes the score...ten to eight,” he shouted.
“You three won’t keep the lead for long,” Declan retorted as he reclaimed the ball.
Hayden took off after Declan. However, the jock’s skill outmatched his and before he knew it Declan was at the three-point line. He propelled the ball towards his goal. Promising to swish through the net, Dominic appeared in mid-air and caught the ball before it could connect.
All three of his opponents stood side by side gawking at him in bewilderment while Hayden glared with scornful eyes.
Why can’t he play without using his abilities?
Ball in hand, Dominic called for a timeout. Regrouping on the side, he spoke directly to Ethan. “All you have to do is catch the ball.”
Hayden eyed Dominic. “You’re giving him the ball? Why?”
“Do you want us to lose?” Ethan said breathlessly.
“Don’t doubt yourself bruh,” Dominic said while slapping Ethan’s shoulder playfully. He ended the timeout and tossed the ball towards Ethan. The lanky teen reached out, eyes closed, and his heart skipped a beat when he felt a sudden impact within his hands. Opening his eyes Ethan saw he was holding the ball. Excitement with a mixture of anxiety overtook his emotions.
“I-I caught it?” Ethan whispered
Declan quizzically looked at his teammates. Then with a devilish smile, “Kevin, Josh, forget Hayden and Dominic, focus on the nerd.”
They shrugged and then rushed t
owards Ethan.
He froze.
“Just play the game.”
The sound of Dominic’s voice set off an explosive rush of adrenaline throughout his body. Ethan closed his eyes.
I can do this
Opening his eyes, the world around him kicked into high gear. He dribbled the ball expertly towards his goal. Josh was the first to reach him. He reached out for a steal, but Ethan swerved.
Declan was next to catch up and matched Ethan’s skills effortlessly. He cocked his head to the left and saw Hayden sprinting their way.
“Toss me the ball.”
Ethan nodded. With the ball in hand, Hayden stopped dead in his tracks and watched Declan stay on Ethan, while Josh blocked Hayden’s path. He looked to see if Dominic was open, however, his brother was occupied with Kevin.
Ethan broke away from Declan rushing toward his team’s goal.
Hayden faked left then threw the ball towards the basket.
While the ball was in freefall Ethan jumped, caught it in mid-air twisted his entire body around and immediately scored a basket with a slam dunk. Declan and his crew stood motionless for a moment, dumbfounded.
The other students began to cheer. He threw his arms into the air, basking in the glory.
Hayden gave Dominic a somber glance, “Brianna enchanted the ball?”
“Let this be his fifteen minutes of fame,” Dominic said nonchalantly. “The spell can wear off at any moment.”
BRIANNA COULDN’T HELP but smile at her handy work. She chuckled, perceiving Kori’s worried expression.
“Relax, our brothers are dominating the game,” she said.
“Yeah, I know.” Kori clenched her fist tightly. “But still...”
As Ethan slammed another basket a feminine figure obstructed their view of the game.
Kori and Brianna glared at Melinda.
Melinda rolled her eyes. “Get lost loser.”
“I understand, every school has a queen Bee and you’re it, but I hope you don’t mind if I don’t curtsy?” Brianna said standing from her spot. She gave Melinda a quirky smile walking off.
LAMENT OF PURGATORY (ASHWOOD CHRONICLES #1) Page 5