Three Against One, I Hate These Odds

I woke up to a raging headache and a pool of drool covering my mouth. The time read 6:55 am, only twenty-five minutes before first period began. With a speed I never knew possible, I blitzed through my morning routine and even managed to wolf down a quick breakfast, only to run into a brick wall. Mom’s car refused to start, and both she and Dad were already at work, with him having dropped her off with his own vehicle. Ride services were out of the question, too, for they were all unavailable. Incredibly, I only had one option.

* * *

“Come on, you can do it! Come on!” I was coughing my lungs out as I hauled my bruised and bloodied legs to school. Quite literally, they were bleeding from cuts sustained from a careless collision with a thorn bush. I did my best to persevere through the pain, but my body abruptly gave in and collapsed like a sack of potatoes.

I was now lying on the sidewalk. Defeated, I did nothing but gaze at the blue sky, hoping that it was a bad dream. But like a mirage in a desert, a hazy figure came into view.

“Paige! Hey, get up! Paige!” Maple was screaming, her deafening words loud enough to release me from my daze. “Hop in my car, hurry!”

As much as I wanted, no, needed to, I had no strength left.

“Looks like I’ll just have to do it the hard way!”

Before I knew it, I was hauled into her car, my back resting on the backseat. She then lent me her water bottle before resuming her drive. Unlike yesterday, I couldn’t care less about the implications of sharing. It was fortunate enough that she found me lying on the sidewalk.

By the time we arrived at school, I regained enough energy to walk by myself, but not for very far.

“Maple, you should leave me and head to your class before the bell.”

She shook her head. “We’re partners, and partners don’t abandon each other.”

“Partners!? Doesn’t partner mean—”

“Partners in the investigation, silly! You were thinking of the other definition, weren’t you, hmm?” Maple suggested with a wink.

“That’s not what I meant! But even if you don’t want to leave me, there’s no beating the bell. It’s best you save yourself and let me be tardy instead.”

“Nope, not having it. Get on my back and let’s go!” Before I could process her words, I was hoisted onto her back and hauled off at a lightning-fast speed. Maple showed no signs of difficulty carrying me. In fact, it looked as if she was enjoying herself, sticking her tongue out ever so slightly.

We whizzed through the hallways, attracting many odd stares along the way. It would have been wise to get checked by a nurse, but it was too late, not to mention class being a higher priority than some cuts and bruises. Once we arrived, I thanked Maple before she took off. As she did, her gait and form caught my attention, reminding me of the track students I would see practicing outside. Before I could dwell on it, I was ordered into the classroom by my teacher.

* * *

Aside from the soreness in my legs, the school day was thankfully uneventful. That was, until lunch period.

“Hey, kid, what’s your name?” demanded a male student. Behind him were two other students, their faces riddled with bitterness. Not wanting to get involved, I picked up my tray of chicken teriyaki and rice and left in search of a quieter spot to eat, only for them to follow after me. The leader persisted in questioning my identity. I didn’t dare to make eye contact, instead focusing on his letterman jacket. Embroidered on it was a collection of patches related to STEM clubs and organizations, and the name, Kevin.

“Kevin, my name is Paige. If that’s all you need to know, then I’ll be on my way.”

“Not so fast, you have some explaining to do.” With a snap of his finger, the group encircled me, blocking every avenue of escape. I was now in a full panic, shaking like a leaf from adrenaline.

“Hey! Can someone help! Please! Anyone!?” I screamed, but my voice was drowned out in the cafeteria’s noise.

“What were you doing with Maple this morning?” Kevin asked.

“That’s none of your business! Let me go!”

“It is so our business!” yelled one of the members. “You forced her to carry you around like a princess, didn’t you? You'd better confess now, or you’re in for a knuckle sandwich!”

“Yeah, you tell her!” encouraged another.

“You’re all mistaken! I didn’t intend her any harm; she voluntarily did that to assist me! I had an accident on the way to school, so my legs were injured and, and—”

“Shut up, that’s nonsense! Look at you, sweating and shaking at the knees! Boss, I think we should teach her a lesson!”

“Yeah, let’s teach her a lesson! For Maple!”

“That’s enough!” ruptured a voice.

Emerging from the lunch line was Maple. After eying the situation, she walked over to us while scratching her head.

“Kevin, Nick, Samantha! What are you guys doing!?”

“Maple!” shouted the entire group.

“We—we can explain! You see, we thought that—”

“Nick, you are sorely mistaken! I want all of you to leave Paige alone.”

“But, Maple!”

“Did you hear what I said?”

“Yes, ma’am! Everyone, let’s go!”

“On it!”

All three of them scurried off, leaving just Maple and me. My heart was beating out of my chest. The thought of eating lunch felt unbearable, sickening even.

“Who… were… they?”

“Some classmates I’ve known since last year. Sorry, they really were giving you a hard time, huh?”

“Yeah, you think? I swear, they really were going to beat me up—maybe even land criminal charges! I—I don’t even know where to begin! Regardless of your relationship with them, we—we should go report them!”

“Paige, everything is ok now. Try and calm down for me, alright? I’ll talk to them later and—”

“No, it’s not ok! Nothing is! Why don’t you understa—”

Wrapping her arms around me, Maple held me tightly. I didn’t know how to react other than to accept it. This feeling of warmth and reassurance, almost like how a mother would comfort a baby.

As she leaned her head on my shoulder, Maple whispered into my ear with a gentle voice.

“Let’s talk outside.”