Chapter Sixteen
Kelley shook his head as he headed to the showers to freshen up and change back into his clothes. He followed Jesse towards the diner, located just down the street from the dojo. A black truck with tinted windows slowly crept forward, Kelley completely unaware of it following him.
Forty minutes later Kelley started his Escalade and drove to the rundown motel. He didn’t see the black truck stopping at the corner as he kicked the door closed with his foot and locked it. He pulled off his clothes as he walked to the bathroom and took a shower.
Tomorrow would be another day in his self-made hell. Tired and sore from his workout, Kelley fell on the bed and slept like the dead, oblivious to the pair of eyes looking at him from the small partition in the curtains.
Mason James parked his truck in front of Jesse’s dojo and walked inside. Jesse was busy cleaning the boxing bags and he smiled when he saw Mason. “Hey, kid.”
“Did I see Kelley Alexander walk out of your dojo earlier?”
“He’s not a bad kid, just like you.”
“He’s Elite, Jesse.”
“Is he? Maybe he’s just a kid that needs a helping hand like you did a few years ago.”
“Once an Elite always an Elite.”
“He’s Public now, isn’t he? Are you the one giving him a hard time in school?”
“I don’t bully, Jesse, you of all people should know that.”
“He’s been messed around enough. Do yourself a favour, Mason, and really look at that scar around his eye and then ask yourself what seventeen-year-old walks away from getting that and still keeps doing the right thing.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m not telling you his story just like I’d never tell him yours, all I’m saying is that he needs a break and maybe even a friend.”
The rest of the week was slightly better since Kelley mostly sat in the back of each class, classes he shared with half of the football team and with Mason James and his silent friend, Lee Munroe. At lunchtime he made his way to the cafeteria, eyeing Arlo O’Neill as he sat at a table with a bunch of girls and two other football players.
Kelley got his food and stopped. The tables were pretty much all claimed and he was about to head to the side door to sit outside when he saw Lee Munroe looking at him. “Sit.”
Kelley placed his tray on the table opposite Lee Munroe. “Thanks.”
Lee just nodded his head and continued to stuff food into his mouth. Every bite Lee took had him closing his eyes, savouring each flavour. Watching Lee Munroe eat was like an art, something to behold and the only time his face showed any emotion.
Mason James wasn’t in the cafeteria at all and he ate his food in silence, every now and then glancing at Lee. The guy was an enigma, a mystery since nobody really knew anything about him. Kelley was glad all the same that he’d shown him some kindness.
“Sitting with the freaks now, Lee?” Arlo O’Neill stood to one side and eyed them both.
“Piss off, O’Neil.” Lee Munroe didn’t even look up and his arms flexed on the table as he moved. Pure muscle adorned his frame and if Kelley had been anyone else he’d have felt intimidated.
“Shut up, you creepy weirdo. Do you think being quiet makes you seem all mysterious? Just because you’re friends with Mason doesn’t mean you’re not a freak like him. I guess it takes one to know one.”
Kelley stood up, anger burning in his eyes. “He said to piss off, O’Neill.”
“Oh, look at this guys! Private thinks he’s got some balls on him. Sit down, rich boy, before I make you.”
Arlo aimed to push Kelley down in his seat but Kelley didn’t even budge. He took a step forward and grabbed Arlo’s hand. “You’re going to make me?” He could see the challenge in Arlo's eyes and he knew what was coming.
Arlo’s fist hit the square of Kelley’s jaw and his head snapped to the side as loud cheers and yells broke out in the cafeteria. Kelley clenched his fist tightly and his punch landed solidly on the point of Arlo’s chin, knocking him out cold.
The bell rang and Lee Munroe stood up from his chair and handed Kelley his backpack. He walked out of the cafeteria as if nothing had happened and Kelley followed him, flexing the fingers of his left hand. After two turns he couldn’t hear the commotion in the cafeteria anymore and he smiled to himself.
Lee stopped abruptly almost making Kelley walk into him from behind. “Football. This afternoon.” With that said Lee turned another corner and was gone.
For the rest of the day, people scattered to the sides when Kelley walked down the hallways. Nobody bumped into him anymore and nobody pushed him into lockers. Whispers could be heard as Kelley walked past them and he found that to his liking.
Kelley walked onto the football field and Coach Maxwell and Coach Daris both turned towards him as the team grew quiet. Everybody stared. Coach Maxwell was the first one to react and he clasped a hand on Kelley’s shoulder.
“I was hoping you’d show up to practice.”
“Thanks, Coach.”
Coach Daris nodded with a smile just as Coach Maxwell started talking. “Okay, boys, it’s a new year and a new season. Last year we went all the way to the semi-final state championships. This year we’re going to take it!”
The boys hooted and cheered and Coach Maxwell waved his arms for silence. “Give me five laps for warm up and then we’ll start on stretches.”
Kelley took hit after hit from Lee Munroe as Arlo failed to block him. He grunted with each tackle because Lee Munroe was one hell of a tough player, strong and bulky. Kelley knew he couldn’t go on taking those hits and every time he got to his feet Arlo gave him a chilling sneer.
“Arlo! Get your head out of your ass and block for Kelley!” Mason James’s voice was loud and the players all stood with their hands on their hips, breathing hard.
“He’s Private, I’m not playing with him!”
Mason walked closer to Arlo and stopped right in front of him. “He’s not Private, he’s Public now, he’s one of us and either you block for him or you get the hell off my field!”
“What the hell, Mason!”
“I’m serious, Arlo! We’re a team and Kelley’s a part of that team now. Now block or go home!”
