BACK TO DAISY'S POINT OF VIEW
*****
It was the last day of school before the Christmas break. Chelsea and I were becoming much closer. After she'd defended me from Heather, I felt like I was able to trust her, which was exactly why I'd chosen to confide in her during our phys ed class.
"I swear, Chels, I'm being watched. Just the other day, I was taking out the trash at work, and then I saw a figure watching me in the alleyway," I anxiously whispered while tightening my ponytail. "I don't know, maybe I really am crazy."
"Hey, don't do that," Chelsea scolded. "I totally believe you. Is there anyone you know who'd want to follow you?"
"Iâ"
"Ladies, less talking, more running!" Mr. Martins, our new phys ed teacher, bellowed from the other side of the gym.
"Gosh, I hate our new PE teacher," Chelsea rolled her eyes.
"Me too," I sulked. "Ms. Lindsey never cared when we talked. Too bad she's on maternity leave."
Just as Chelsea opened her mouth to reply, a body shoved its way in between us.
"You heard the man, ladies, pick up the pace!" Malcolm taunted before evilly cackling and running past us.
Chelsea and I shared exasperated looks before slightly speeding up. As an ex-cheerleader who was already used to intense training, she was hardly phased by the activity. Meanwhile, I was completely out of breath by the time I'd finished the lap.
"Jeez, you're as slow as a turtle," Malcolm teased, coming to stand next to me while I was doubled over. "Hey, maybe turtle can be my nickname for you!"
Andre came to my defense. "Leave her alone, it's not her fault she's got short legs. Wait, that came out wrong. I'm not tryna say you have short legs, I just meant that you're really short for a seventeen year old girl, so it's not surprising that you're not a fast runner. Not to say you're slow or anything, it's just thatâ"
"Please do us all a favor and shut your ass up," Elias sweetly smiled, emerging from who knows where.
Phys ed was the only class I had with all three of the guys, although it was less glamorous than it seemedâbesides having to watch them being pined after by Heather and her cronies, more often than not, they broke out into some stupid argument. Oh well, all is fair in love and war.
"Don't tell me to shut up."
"Yeah, don't tell him to shut up. Only I'm allowed to do that. Shut up, Andre," Malcolm said.
"Be quietâ"
"Mind your businessâ"
"Oh, so now you wanna gang up on meâ"
They began to argue over one another. I rolled my eyes at the three big idiots, meanwhile Chelsea tossed me a water bottle, which I gladly chugged.
"Boys are stupid," Chelsea mused as she observed the trio.
"Agreed," I nodded. "May God punish whoever's ridiculous idea it was to create co-ed PE classes."
Just as everyone was recovering from the gruesome run, Mr. Martins blew his whistle.
"Everyone line up!" he barked.
I grimaced at his loud voice before obliging, as did the rest of the class.
"Today, we're gonna be playing dodgeball," he shouted. "Matthews and Davis, get up hereâthe two of you will be picking teams."
I internally cringed. Dodgeball was a nerd's worst nightmare. It granted the perfect opportunity for other kids to attack easy targets like me. I shuddered as I recalled the number of times I'd been brutally slammed while playing this barbarous game.
Per Mr. Martin's demand, Elias and Andre made their way up front. Of course, the teacher had just so happened to choose the most tall, athletically gifted males in the class to pick teams.
Heather, Ruby, and some of the other girls on the cheer team straightened up and began to giggle and whisper amongst each other. I didn't know why they still tried. After I'd openly voiced my distaste for Heather, the guys had been fast to cut her offârightfully so. Although, she clearly wasn't taking no for an answer.
"What a disgrace to the rest of us normal women," Chelsea murmured to me. "Be honest, do I ever act like that?"
"If you did, we wouldn't be friends," I whispered back.
We shared grins before Mr. Martins loudly spoke.
"Alright, who wants first pick?" the teacher gruffly questioned.
"Me," Elias coolly answered without hesitation. "I pick Daisy."
My head snapped up in surprise. He chose me? Uncoordinated, unathletic, inept clumsy ol' me? I slowly exited the line as I was shot with looks of jealousy, bitterness, and even fascination from other classmates.
I approached Elias, who stood with his strapping arms crossed and a stoic face. When it came to picking teams, I was usually chosen last, and so it was difficult to contain the grin that was threatening to creep its way onto my face.
"Fair warning," I whispered while nudging Elias' shoulder, "last time I played dodgeball, I was out in the first three seconds."
His lips quirked into an amused smile, although it was already gone by the time I'd blinked.
"Davis, pick a teammate, we haven't got all day," coach shouted at Andre.
Andre, who had been previously watching Elias and me, cleared his throat and looked away. "Right, sorry. I choose Malcolm."
And so, they finished calling out names until the class was evenly split into two teams. Just as each team was heading towards separate sides of the gym, a sharp voice caused me to freeze.
"Hold it, Johnson," Mr. Martins barked at me.
"Yes, sir?"
"You're not in proper uniform," he pointed out.
I frowned. Our phys ed uniform consisted of a blue t-shirt that displayed our school logo, as well as a pair of black shorts. Although I was wearing the tee, I'd subbed in the shorts for a pair of black sweatpants.
"Ms. Lindsey never cared if I wore sweatpants," I frowned.
"Do I look like Ms. Lindsey to you?" he roared. "Go change!"
"She's standing right in front of you, there's no need to fucking shout," Elias defensively snapped from his position next to me.
Other students, me included, gasped at the fact that he'd just cussed at a teacher. Then again, most rules didn't really apply to Elias. He had an air of authority which no one ever questioned.
Mr. Martins, who was several heads shorter than Elias, turned red in embarrassment.
"R-Right, my apologies," the teacher stammered. I internally scoffed. Of course he only happened to show respect when a white male got involved. "Anyways, rules are rules. You're not allowed to participate if you're not in full uniform, Johnson, so it's either you change or you sit out."
By now, we'd garnered the attention of the entire class. Slightly bowing my head, I quietly made my decision. "I'll sit out."
I was met with questioning looks by the vast majority of the class, all wondering why I couldn't just change into a pair of shorts and call it a day. Normally I liked to obey authority, but this was the exception.
I approached the sidelines and quietly sat down on a bench, where I'd remain for the rest of the class. By now, everyone had gone about their day and was ready to begin the dodgeball game. Except for Elias, that was. He stared at me with a blank face, almost as though he was reading right through me. When the teacher blew the whistle, Elias was forced to look away.
I released a breath I didn't even know I was holding. That was weird. It almost felt like Elias knew exactly what I was hiding. Though of course, that wasn't possible. Not a soul on this earth knew what I'd done, and I planned on keeping it that way.
*****
QOTD: coffee or tea?
AOTD: coffee
Looks like both Elias and Daisy are keeping secrets from each other. Wonder what that could be about...
Until next time, Emmanuela
03/05/2023