Tethered

Chapter 5:

My life at school started to suck. It was the same story every day. The inglorious bastard named Rome treated me as if I were inferior to him! The nerves of that guy! A few more days had passed and the same story continued, yet my heart skipped a beat whenever I looked at him.

And him ignoring me like a plague only fuelling my irritation; he was getting the best of my temper. He had being a complete asshole to me, the rudest, most arrogant being on the earth I had ever met. Every time his eyes found me, he would happily deliver a glare in my direction as if I was an abomination to the entire planet.

The next period was my first gym class of my final year and I was really looking forward to it, to vent out my bottled up stress. After changing into my white gym uniform, I reached the basement where the gym was situated. A big basketball court which was now filled with my classmates.

Forced out of habit, my eyes scanned the room for Mrs. Shane but landed on an unexpected specimen making my heart to skip a beat or two.

Great! He was in two of my classes now! Joy to me! I thought sarcastically.

His cold blue eyes met mine as if he sensed me staring at him, making a chill go down my spine. I averted my gaze immediately.

What was his problem? I asked myself while a snide little part of me commented he looks super hot in the uniform.

That was it! Shut the f**k up! My nobler part shouted at the less noble one, silencing her effectively. However, my nobler part couldn't deny the fact that he looked extremely hot. Mrs. Shane's long speech finally came to an end as she announced, "students! Now you choose a sport and report to me. I will assign you to your partners."

I sighed as I looked around to choose a sport. Many guys rushed to pick up the basketball. Few opted for volley ball, two of them fought to take the last one of the tennis rackets and the left out went for athletics and dodge ball. It was always better to have known basketball for it was such a cool sports. One could flaunt their skills in the game and impress guys, not that I needed to. So picking up the last of basketballs, I made my way to Mrs. Shane.

Liam and David were going for one on one gaming bet with the basketball. Liam was dribbling the ball when his eyes met mine and I smiled. Taking the distraction as advantage, David grabbed the ball from Liam and scored a basket. I couldn't help but laugh as I continued walking towards Mrs. Shane. She was talking to that unfriendly being who had such an unfathomable effect over me.

"you really don't know any of these games? Well, that's a shame if it really is the case," Mrs. Shane's voice showed clear amusement. Neither had I expected that news by looking at his athletic physique. I could have even me, though?" he asked innocently like he was just a child. I could feel my heart melt inside my chest like an ice cream under the sun, after seeing that vulnerable look on his face and hearing that adorable helplessness in his voice. He looked so cute and innocent!

"I think, I can help!" I offered but then immediately regretted opening my mouth. He gazed at me as if I was a vomiting snail rolling in its own vomit.

"yeah sure! Ms. Marshalls can teach you..." Mrs. Shane looked at me and raised her eyebrow, indicating me to complete her incomplete statement.

"basketball," I replied bluntly and suddenly not that enthusiastically anymore. Why did I have to open that damn mouth of mine!?! I scolded myself, internally. But still, I went ahead to offer him the ball that I was holding. He didn't react and pretended that I wasn't there till Mrs. Shane left us on our own.

He silently started to walk away from me without another glance.

"aren't you suppose to learn something from me?" I asked grabbing his attention.

"you can never mind your own business, can you?" he suddenly turned and stepped towards me until we were standing chest to chest. I couldn't help but flinch. His intoxicating aroma engulfed me making me slightly unfocused.

How could someone smell so good?

"maybe some time, I will teach you how to," he hissed at my face. I was shocked was an understatement. How could he talk to me like that? How dare he? I composed myself as I gathered all my courage and retorted, "I can always tell Mrs. Shane that you need some lessons on mannerism before you are taught how to play, especially, on how to treat a girl."

He gritted his teeth in anger and was about to snap back at me when Mrs. Shane called out, "will you two love birds even practice something or just keep staring at each other all day long?" I made a face at her comment but straightened up as he took a step back. I looked around to find Liam looking towards me ready to come to my defense any second but only waited for my signal. I averted my gaze as questions filled my mind. Had I done the right thing? Should I have let him go when he wanted to? I shook the thoughts away.

What was done was done. I couldn't change it now but I could teach him how to play basketball. So, I started dribbling the ball and then passed it to him. When he stood still with the ball in his hands, I decided to guide him - despite his ill-mannered ways.

"dribble the ball," I commanded. He stood still, staring at me like a retard, making me sigh in annoyance. Somehow, enlightenment seemed to showered over him as he started dribbling the ball. He did it as if he was a professional already.

What a show off jerk!

I attempted to teach him how to pass the ball with different types of passes but he just threw the ball away when I accidentally hit his head with it. Without another word, he walked out on me even though I apologized for the accident.

I had no doubt that I looked crestfallen. Rome always made sure that I felt it.

"you okay?" Liam asked as he approached me. Did he just leave his game in middle just to check on me? That's so sweet of him!

"I'm fine," I nodded with a small smile as David called him back for the game.

"you go and play," I pushed him towards David.

He turned around and cupped my cheeks, "come, join us," he offered. I kept looking at him in shock. Did the famous high school basketball player want me to join him in his game? Boy, what if I embarrassed myself before him? Because it had been a while since I last played the game. I could feel that I had lost my edge. And what if David didn't like my intrusion?

"no," I shook my head slowly pushing his hands away from my cheeks.

"no?" he questioned in disbelief, his eyebrows knitted in confusion.

"no, I was thinking to go for a run. Thanks though," I reasoned not wanting to show my insecurity or jeopardize his practice with David and walked away to join the students waiting for their turn to run. The period didn't seem to come to an end nor was it my turn to run. And to top it all, my stubborn eyes involuntarily stuck to Rome learning how to volleyball with Yana, without my consent. I was getting annoyed watching them laugh, talk and enjoy. At a point, I even saw Yana chase Rome around and throw balls at him. I felt my blood boil when they scored a point and he lifted her in the air making her giggle like a dying donkey.

"Elizabeth," Mrs. Shane called grabbing my attention. I walked front to stand by her.

"how many laps?" she enquired.

"three," I replied, keeping my face void of every emotion.

"what time record do you want me to consider?" she asked resetting her stop watch.

"two minutes coach," I replied glancing in their direction again before looking at Mrs. Shane to find her wide eyed.

"you sure? You look somewhat stressed out."

"oh, trust me coach, I've never been better," I replied sarcastically before taking my position.

"1...2...3...go!" Mrs. Shane's voice echoed making me run like a cheetah. It was my fastest speed, I could proudly say as I saw a few jaws drop open. But I needed to concentrate. I need to focus and vent out my stress and anger. So, I began chanting. I hate Rome, I hate him more than Daisy, I hate him more than detentions and I seriously hated him more than anything! He deserved nothing, certainly not me.

The words kept echoing in my head, fuelling my strength and my will to run faster. I didn't even realize for a moment that I had completed the first lap and was already set for second which was going pretty well. Though, the third got the best of me. Mrs. Shane pounced off her seat cheering loudly as she clapped with others.

"well done, Elizabeth! You finished three laps in one minute thirty six seconds!" she announced quite impressed.

"have you thought of joining school's athletic team? You sure have talent and we can use someone like you in there," she added.

"thank you coach, I will think about it," I panted.

"relax for a bit and then go shower," she patted my back as she announced, "class dismissed."

Liam's eyes darted to mine and he smiled genuinely, inducing one from me. I closed my eyes and concentrated on my breathing to slow it down.

"well, well, well. Look who we have here. The rejected Barbie!" I turned around to face the she-devil incarnate, feeling livid at the lame taunting only to find Yana standing there.

"what's your problem?" I questioned with a still hoarse voice.

"no, nothing. Just thought of reminding you just how much of a rejection you are! That's why your dating history is next to Nada!" oh she shouldn't have said that! I almost pounced at her trying to punch her right in the eye. A black eye would keep her away from me and would be a constant reminder of not to mess with me.

My fist was just two inches away from her, making her eyes to widen up dramatically due to shock but before it could make a contact with her grey eye, a strong hand grabbed hold of my wrist in a painful grip. A little more pressure and my wrist would have been fractured. A helpless whimper escaped my mouth. With pain clear in my eyes, I gazed up to meet his cold, icy blue ones.

"Elizabeth!" Liam's worried voice echoed from behind me as he looked shocked and furious to find Rome torturing me again and that made him run towards us.

"looks like someone else needs some lessons on how to behave like a girl," Rome taunted haughtily, his eyes were void of any emotion.

"hey! Leave her alone!" Liam growled from near now. Rome pushed me away from Yana rather harshly while she smiled triumphantly as he put his arm around her shoulder and they both walked away, laughing at my misery. I might have fallen on my butts hurting them seriously if Liam hadn't caught me.

"you okay?" he asked concerned. I could see the tears blur my vision and looked at the bruise left behind by Rome. My wrist ached badly and Liam helped me go till the shower room. He held me against his chest as he kept mumbling, "it's okay, babe. I will deal with him. He will pay for every single thing he did to you, I promise."

I cried my heart out on his chest. Why the heck was I even crying? When, at last I stopped crying, I had a shower and wore my black summer dress. Liam was waiting for me outside. We walked to the canteen silently and sat there. The bell hadn't rung yet, resulting only us to be the two people in the canteen. He seemed to understand my mood and didn't speak a word, making me feeling grateful about his understanding. The bell went off acknowledging us the start of the lunch and I could feel the tears build up again in my eyes.

I let out a soft sob making Liam to immediately pull me into his chest as I silently wept.

"what happened?" Diana's worried voice asked from beside.

"what did that jerk do now?" Janet gritted through her teeth. Liam filled them up making me bury my head deeper into Liam's chest. Looking at their expression, anyone could tell how furious they were.

"how mean!" Janet exclaimed.

"asshole!" Diana spat out venomously.

"but why was he doing that?" Lola asked puzzled.

"because he is an A-hole!" Susie commented.

"I can't take it any longer now!" Janet got up and marched towards the subject of our topic. Walking in with Daisy and her minions was none other than the infamous Rome. Lola rushed behind Janet. I could see the argument had started and Janet was almost getting physical as Daisy and her group stepped forward, this made Diana to run to Janet's aid.

"what is your problem?" Diana shouted angrily almost pouncing over at Rome but the plastic witches pushed her back. Silence had engulfed the canteen. Rome's amused eyes met with mine and they immediately turned cold. He stated something seriously making everyone compose themselves. Some serious talking went on and the girls turned to look at me with poker faces.

At last he surprised everyone by laughing out loud.

"okay, we good now?" he asked loud enough and then glanced at me. The girls looked at each other while Daisy tried to object which he successfully hushed. The girls at last nodded before coming back to us.

"what was that about?" Liam asked the question that was bugging the hell out of me.

"he agreed to behave with you. He gave us his words that he will NOT insult or misbehave with you, Z. We will NOT allow him to," Diana emphasized at 'not' placing her hand over mine and squeezed slightly assuring me. I nodded in reply, gratefully.

"but isn't he so handsome?" Lola interjected looking in his direction.

"Lola, get a grip!" everyone shouted in a sync and then ended up in laughter. But I was satisfied knowing that Rome wouldn't treat me like s**t from now on. That was enough for me to hope for a better year ahead.