Page 13 of 4-Ever

“Awesome,” Ronin replied. “Well, we have math class and we better not be late. The last thing I need is extra homework.”

“Mr. Lansing’s class?” Holloway asked.

“Yup.”

“We’re in the same one.”

The four of us walked to class together. Brodie got some long stares from the other kids, but all he did was give them the finger in return and kept strutting, cocky as fuck. I was awed by his confidence.

When we did make it to class, our foursome sat at the back and talked about our favorite musicians and albums. All four of us were obsessed with the idea of being in a band and making it big. And talking with Brodie and Holloway, I felt like I did when I first met Ronin. We became fast friends. Me and Ronin didn’t have a wide circle of buddies in high school and that was okay. Not everyone did. We were video game geeks and music nerds. And a lot of the jocks in our class made fun of us.

One guy in particular, Ilya Vallen, the star quarterback and the most popular guy in our school, seemed to have a thing for stirring up trouble with Ronin.

Case in point…

“Ronin, why don’t you shut up already? No one wants to hear about your stupid music,” Ilya snapped, turning around and glaring at us. “Fucking queer freak.”

“Fuck off, jockstrap,” Ronin muttered back.

“Yeah. Turn your pretty boy face back around before I rearrange it,” Brodie snarked. “And I’m queer too, so watch your mouth.”

“Yeah,” Holloway interjected. “Me, too. So shut the fuck up.”

Holy shit! I couldn’t believe how bold Brodie and Holloway were. They were brand new to this school and already, they took no shit. And they were both queer? And open about it? I was blown away.

“Just what we need, more weirdos. And wearing makeup?” Ilya sneered. “Disgusting.”

“No, that’s your face. Now turn around and mind your own fucking business,” Ronin hissed.

Ilya made to get up, Ronin joining.

“Guys,” I cautioned as the teacher entered the room and gave us a warning glance.

They both sat back down.

“Is there a problem?” Mr. Lansing called out, adjusting his glasses.

Brodie nodded and pointed at Ilya. “Just this dumb jock here being a complete asshat.”

The classroom chatter turned to laughter.

“And you are?”

“Brodie James.”

Mr. Lansing nodded. “Well, Mr. James, given that you’re new to my class I will give you one reprieve. But I will ask that you please control your wayward tongue from here on out.”

Wayward tongue? Brodie mouthed to us. I tried not to laugh but it was impossible.

“For you, and as a reminder to everyone in this class, that means being rebellious will not be tolerated and neither will cursing at other students. Do you understand?”

Brodie nodded but behind his desk, he was giving the teacher two middle fingers.

Shit, this was too entertaining. I glanced at Ronin, and he was trying to hold in a laugh too.

“Don’t worry,” Brodie whispered to us. “We’ve got your back.”

I believed him. The guy was fierce, and he wasn’t afraid of anyone.

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