Tensions in the Air [Izzy, MrMista, Zoph]

One.

Just one.

Just one slipup.



Ronny had been doing such a good job. He’d taken his time getting home, allowing the pain in his sides to fade until it was nothing more than a dull throb. He barely registered it anymore as he walked down his block and began to approach his home.

“Smile for the family,” he reminded himself.

Today was one of those days where it was easier for Ronny to follow those directions. He should have been worried about facing his parents, but he was too excited about the fact that he could be free of Jaden’s torment once and for all. Perhaps he was overconfident, but Ronny thought he’d pushed all the right buttons to get Brynna on his side. At the very least, he’d sewn some seeds of doubt in her mind. In the future, he hoped she would come to his defense as she had that day. Eventually, the goal was to get her to stop Jaden from laying another finger on him ever again. She was definitely capable of exerting that much influence over the brute, at least judging by what Ronny had witnessed. The only thing that remained to be seen was whether she would be willing to exert it to that extent.

Still, Ronny was in a better place than he had been just a few hours ago, and that was enough of a reason for him to plaster a grin on his face as he walked through the door of his house. “Mom, Dad, I’m home!” he called out.

“You’re just in time for food,” his mother called out from the kitchen. “How was your day?” She didn’t pause in time for him to reply. “Go drop off your stuff, then fetch your father, and help set the table. You’ll tell me all about it over dinner baby.”

“Be right there, Mom,” Ronny replied. He ran to his room, along the way inviting his father to eat, and within minutes the three of them were in the kitchen. Ronny went to grab some cups from the cupboard, and as he reached for them, he heard his mother gasp in shock. Turning around, he barely had time to register that she was staring at him before she let loose a torrent of worry, exactly what Ronny had hoped to avoid.

“Oh my goodness! Ronny, what-“

One.

“-happened to you? Baby, who-“

Just one.

“Did this to you? Was it someone from school? I don’t understand. Why-“

Just one slipup.

“Would they do something like that to my innocent little angel? Oh honey, why didn’t you tell us right away? How did this happen? When? Where? Barry,” she turned to look at Ronny’s father. “How can we help?”

Ronny’s father didn’t answer, but rather looked at Ronny, waiting to hear what the boy had to say. Meanwhile, Ronny berated himself internally for not being more careful. He’d been caught up in his thoughts, just as he had been that morning, when the entire incident had started.

He couldn’t tell them the truth though. That would destroy them, especially his mother. Quickly, he started to craft a story.

“I know it looks bad, but it really wasn’t. It doesn’t even hurt anymore. Don’t worry – it wasn’t anyone from school.” He looked from parent to parent and realized his father was no longer looking Ronny in the eyes, but rather focusing on Ronny’s left arm, devoid of the watch he’d been gifted that morning.

Ronny knew he’d have to provide an explanation, so he continued, “I was on my way back from school when this boy came up to me, probably around my age. He looked pretty hungry, so I’m guessing he doesn’t have much. He might be an orphan, living in the streets. The look in his eyes was pretty desperate. He wanted money, but when I told him I didn’t have any, he thought I was lying, so he said he’d ‘teach me a lesson.’ Sure, he roughed me up a bit, but I’m alright, I promise. As I said, it doesn’t even hurt anymore. To be honest, I’m more upset about the watch.”

Ronny reached into his pocket and retrieved it, the shattered face visible to all. “I’m so sorry, Dad,” he apologized. “During the fight, he pushed me, and when I fell this,” he gestured at the watch, “happened.”

“That’s alright,” his father said slowly. “I’m just happy you’re OK. The watch… isn’t as important as you are. Though do you mind if I take it for a bit? I’ll see if it’s possible for me to fix it up. It still works, right?” He sighed. “Looks like it’s causing more trouble than it’s worth.”

They’d bought it. Ronny nodded and went to hand his father the watch. Although Mr. Olemander hasn’t said anything, Ronny could tell he was disappointed about what had happened. The revelation made his heart sink, but he couldn’t dwell on it too long, as his mother erupted, “Forget the watch. This is why you don’t walk around with valuables in public. It’s alright?! It’s OK?! Barry, look at him! Our poor baby just got beaten to a pulp!”

“Mom, stop,” Ronny interjected. “I told you I’m fine. And I know you mean well, but please, don’t call me a baby. I’m 16.”

“Oh honey, no matter how old you get, you’ll always be my baby. You know that,” his mother responded, calmer yet oblivious to just how much more it irked him than it would another child. “I just want you to be safe.”

“Yeah, I know,” replied Ronny, “I will be. Can we eat now though? Our food’s going to get cold.”

The situation defused, the Olemander family enjoyed its meal together, although in a quieter setting than usual. Ronny couldn’t help but feel like he’d dodged a bullet, as the walls of his false reality stayed glued together, albeit barely.

---

“Due to reports of an altercation involving the three of them, Ronny Olemander, Jaden Ryders, and Brynna Yates are to report to Room 142 where Mrs. Hopkins will have an assignment waiting for them. Note that violence will not be tolerated in this school,” The note had read.

Ronny had gripped it with trembling hands, shaking with an odd mix of anger, fear, relief, and excitement.

Anger

None of Jaden’s friends had gotten in trouble, even though they’d been there at the time. Nobody except the three people in the letter would have to pay for what happened. Jaden needed to be punished, but Brynna, and Ronny especially? It made no sense. Besides, who would go to the administration and tell the principal about what had happened? Some “concerned” citizen? Well, they could take their concern elsewhere. Their meddling hadn’t helped matters at all. In fact,

Fear

Ronny would be in a room with Jaden for a prolonged period of time. There was no telling what would happen with nobody there to stop the bigger kid. Ronny might have to walk home with a new load of bruises, and he knew his parents wouldn’t buy the desperate street kid story again, especially now that Ronny no longer had anything valuable on him. Luckily,

Relief

It didn’t seem like the school had called his parents. That meant he might be able to wriggle out of the situation. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t serve his punishment. After all, Ronny didn’t want to draw any more attention to himself, and crossing Mrs. Hopkins was never a good idea to begin with. But, it was significantly easier to explain a late return home than years of abuse he’d never before mentioned. Ronny sometimes ran for hours after school, practice for running away from others more than anything else, though his parents didn’t know that, so that’s what his parents would assume had happened. Besides,

Excitement

Brynna would be there. This would be the first chance to see if he could get her to side with him, or at least keep Jaden on a leash. No doubt he would try to pull something, but hopefully, he would submit to Brynna’s will. She would be the shield that protected Ronny from Jaden’s abuse, at the very least a safety net that softened the boy’s blows.

---

Admittedly, as Ronny sat inside the chosen destination for the trio’s punishment, his previous feelings all melted together.

Nervousness

He didn’t really want to be there. Jaden sat at the back of the room, and Ronny could feel his eyes drilling into the back of his skull. Ronny had noticed Brynna walk in, but since then she had silently sat behind Ronny, probably in one of the seats near Jaden. He couldn’t pay her any attention, however, as Ronny was torn between Jaden and the equally terrifying Mrs. Hopkins. The middle-aged woman had made it clear she had no intention of staying inside with them, which was both a blessing and a curse. Jaden would have more freedom to make Ronny’s life hell, but Ronny would have more of an opportunity to work Brynna and try to sway her to his side. Yet Ronny just couldn’t shake the feeling that the larger boy would have more success in his objectives than he would. Still, it was too late to back out now.

“Make use of these,” Mrs. Hopkins commanded, pointing at 3 large containers of disposable wipes, “And don’t come get me from the office until these desks are shining.” With that, she stormed out of the room, making sure to lock the door behind her.

The stage was set.

Silently, Ronny turned around, and as expected, found himself looking straight into the eyes of Jaden, with Brynna a seat to the right of the boy. For a moment, nobody moved, and Ronny started to wonder if that was how they would spend the day together. No sooner had the thought crossed Ronny’s mind, however, that Jaden narrowed his eyes into a glare, got up, and marched towards Ronny. It was all Ronny could do not to shrink away, as he thought for sure that he was about to get hit. But no, all Jaden did was shove one of the containers of wipes into the boy’s hands, confusing Ronny. Was this Brynna’s presence at work? It had to be.

The momentary distraction had caused Ronny to freeze up, but he distinctly heard Jaden yell, “Get going.” Clearly the big guy wasn’t planning on helping out today.

It was time to see if Brynna would be as helpful as Ronny hoped.

He spoke to Jaden, but his eyes looked at Brynna. “Y-yes, Jaden. Right away. Though, don’t you think it would be better if you helped out? You’re, you know, so much bigger and faster at this type of stuff. You’d be so much better at it, and with the three of us, surely it’ll go faster than if you left it all to little me. We do all want to leave soon right? Or at the very least, you want me out of your way soon.”

Here, Ronny turned to face Brynna, as he’d never had any intention of leaving the decision to Jaden. “What do you think?”

I was pretty ticked off at Olemander just for talking to my girlfriend-- had I taught him nothing about respect? but Brynna's controlling attitude focused and calmed me somewhat. I'd completely forgotten about Chelsey's party and the last thing I wanted to do was make Brynna late.
So I decided to condescend to work beside the disgusting and aggravating Olemander-- because no matter how much it irked me to see the kid getting his way (he had been the one to suggest we all work together, I noted with irately), I'd do anything for Brynna.
Concentrating on her, I let all other thoughts flee from my mind. Getting finished with this task as soon as possible became my top priority, keeping Olemander in line taking a close second.
"Sure. Okay-- I can do the extra one," I offered, flashing a cheerful smile to Brynna and ignoring the one dark spot in the room which was Olemander.
I began to clean off the desk nearest to me that had some particularly nasty language on it, working quickly and efficiently. As always when I became determined to accomplish something, I became single-minded and didn't even think to look up to make sure that Olemander was also cleaning.

"Thanks, Jaden," I said when he volunteered to do the extra desk. I interrupted his cleaning to kiss him on the cheek, and then got started on the desks in the middle of the room as Olemander and Jaden worked on the others. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all-- with the two of them working so consistently we might be out of here soon.
I take that back-- this was awful. I wrinkled my nose. The sharp smell of the cleaning wipes was annoying and my hand already felt irritated. What kinds of chemicals were in these things and what would they do to my skin? And this had to happen right before a party? I sighed exasperatedly.
All of one minute of wiping desks quietly passed before I was bored out of my mind.
"So!" I exclaimed, breaking the silence. "We barely know anything about you." I looked at the younger kid, who had been very quiet. "How do you even know Jaden? You two can't be in the same classes." I glanced back and forth between Jaden and Olemander, waiting for one of them to explain how they had met. I hadn't known Jaden to be acquainted with many people much younger than him, and Olemander looked about twelve. It was just weird seeing him next to Jaden, who was about a million times taller.

Five seconds.

Ronny wiped away at the middle finger scrawled onto the first desk, happy to see it slowly fade from view.

Fifteen seconds.

He frowned as he realized that he wasn’t actually making much progress, merely smudging some of the ink.

Twenty-five seconds.

Ronny started wiping harder, and he finally started making real progress.

Thirty-five seconds.

Successful at eliminating almost all traces of “boredom’s masterpiece,” leaving nothing but a faint smudge he doubted would ever fade, Ronny moved on to the other drawing on the desk, a heart with “J+M” written in flowing letters inside.

Forty-five seconds.

The heart, drawn in pencil, faded much faster than the first drawing. Within seconds, there was no trace of it. Fitting, supposed Ronny. In the world of Panem, the good seemed to come in bursts, then fade as fast as it had arrived. The darkness in their lives, however, lingered on, merely varying in magnitude. This held true in cases big and small, from the annual Hunger Games to Ronny’s personal struggles with Jaden and the other cruel kids.

Fifty-five seconds.

Ronny was done with the first desk, and as he moved on to the next one, filled with its own markings, he started to wonder how long the silence would –

"So!"

Clearly not long.

Brynna was the one who had broken the silence, and Ronny couldn’t help but find it odd that the girl who’d been so keen on leaving was the one who would now make them all stay longer. Nevertheless, he didn’t wish to interrupt her. He had to stay on her good side for her to continue protect him from Jaden.

"How do you even know Jaden? You two can't be in the same classes."

Red alert!

Red alert!

Red alert!

He should have interrupted her. He shouldn’t have let her ask the question. Now, he was in a dangerous situation. Ronny briefly considered lying to the girl, but he realized it would be useless, as Jaden would surely call him out and reveal the truth.

Shit.

Jaden.

Ronny had to say something, to change the subject or even tell the truth, before –

"Actually, little Ronny here is an upperclassman-- he just has a few, um, development issues. He's going to live his whole life as a tween-- mentally and physically."

That.

Shit.

Shitshitshitshitshit.

That was the worst thing that could have happened. Now, gone was the chance that Brynna would step up for him because of a perceived age difference. In her mind, he would no longer be a little kid.

Except, maybe he would still be someone worthy of her help. Jaden might have unwittingly helped Ronny with the way he’d worded his revelation. No doubt, he thought his comments would embarrass him, but Ronny was years removed from being embarrassed by his condition. Despite Jaden’s remark about mental stagnation, Ronny’s affliction was purely physical in nature, so he’d be able to mature as he aged, although those who judged him by his looks would never know. So although the barb stung Ronny, he inwardly smiled, for once thankful for the brute’s inability to pass on a perceived opportunity to make Ronny suffer.

In his haste, Jaden had just admitted to the fact that Ronny was essentially disabled. Which, hopefully, sent a message to Brynna, saying loud and clear what kind of person Jaden really was.

In case, she didn’t get the message though, Ronny made sure to look hurt at Jaden’s words, which wasn’t hard, since they did sting a bit. With a look of inner pain on his face, he met Brynna’s eyes as he lamented, “He’s right.”

As he lowered his eyes to the ground, Ronny continued, “I have a condition – one he never lets me forget about. If I ever do, he’s always got plenty of reminders in store, the kind and caring guy he is. You should ask him about it sometime. I’m sure he’d love to share.”

“Hell,” Ronny turned to look at Jaden, noting that, for once, the boy was pointedly ignoring him. “Why don’t you tell Brynna about it right now? It’s not like any of us is going anywhere soon.”


Word Count: 693

I shook my head and chuckled, looking from Olemander-- who looked tiny and sad, to Brynna, who looked shaken.
I looked right into my girlfriend’s eyes. I wanted her to know that she could trust me because something seemed to have changed between us.
“Of course, Brynna,” I said reassuringly, wishing nothing more than to be able to see her smile again. And why wasn’t she smiling? Wasn’t it because of something Olemander had said-- talking to Brynna like I was some sort of villain?
“Of course, you know me,” I repeated. “How could you believe for one second what that guy is saying about me?” My voice grew stronger as my anger mounted. “How long have you known the guy-- like one day? And how long have you known me?” I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, trying to steady myself because I was starting to see red. It didn’t work, because suddenly I was a step closer to her and shouting in her face. “YOU’RE RIGHT-- I’M YOU’RE FUCKING BOYFRIEND-- HOW COULD YOU TAKE HIS SIDE? HIS SIDE? That little maggot- that little- tha-...” My voice failed me and my eyes latched loathingly onto Olemander-- still looking so hurt and sad, except for the first time I saw something calculating in his otherwise innocent blue eyes. I could feel my heart speeding up-- there was a ringing sound in my ears and everything felt hot.
I couldn’t think straight--
and Brynna looked like she might cry.
I couldn’t think straight--
and Olemander was standing there, he had the nerve to stand there unflinchingly, like he was in control, like he knew what was going to happen next-- he was standing there--
And then he wasn’t. Then he was underneath me, a desk was overturned, and my hands were locked tightly around his disgustingly tiny throat.