LIKE YOU MEAN IT
CHAPTER TWELVE !

NELL'S PANIC FILLED EYES darted around nervously. There she sat on the very bleachers from the afternoon before, surrounded by her fellow students. After the verbal beatdown Hazel had received yesterday, courtesy of PJ, the Callahan girl had rushed home, avoiding any and all interaction with those around her. Including Nell, who had searched the school high and low to find her only to learn she'd left mere minutes after.

            She must have been extremely hurt by PJ's words to head back to her own home, especially since she'd practically been living at the Hewitt residence the last week. Surprising Nell had never been to Hazel's home and therefore didn't know her address. This meant Nell had no way of finding her, no way of comforting her. No, Nell had to wait until the next day and just hope that Hazel showed up.

A nudge to her side pulled the girl from her stupor. She glanced over to see Slyvie now sitting beside her. "How's Hazel?" The girl inquired worriedly.

All Nell could do was shrug. "I have no fucking clue. She went home straight after school and I haven't spoken to her all day." She felt horrible. She desperately wanted to know if Hazel was okay but she was powerless to find her.

"Shit." Slyvie lowly muttered.

Before either girl could further their discussion, their attention was captured by the loud, boisterous cheers of their fellow students. Down on the main floor stood a grinning Jeff, holding up a microphone. "Everybody, even the fucking losers!"

"Make some noise!" Yet again, cries of excitement expelled from the mouths of Rockbridge Falls students, reverberating off the walls and no doubt echoing throughout the empty corridors.

"Right, we're gonna go the pep rally. First up, cheerleaders." Jeff uttered, his voice dripping with boredom. He barely even glanced the cheerleaders way as he gestured towards them while walking off to give them the floor.

A less joyful cheer followed. Everyone watched on as the cheerleaders sauntered into their designated spots in their routine, large grins painted upon their lipstick stained lips. Their usual uniform of blue and white had changed into one of complete white fabric, confusing many. Their confusion didn't last long as mere seconds later, two bottles of water was tipped over the head of Stella-Rebecca. The girl and clothing was doused in the clear liquid, soaking the white cloth of her shirt until it became transparent.

Stella-Rebecca happily giggled at the routine as the crowd clapped. The cheerleaders then walked off the court, their routine now over. What the fuck, Nell thought.

"Thank you ladies!" Tim said with a smile. As the uniform clad boy stepped forward towards the crowd, he continued, "Thank you all for joining us here today folks. There's been some exciting stuff happening at Rockbridge Falls recently."

An almost evil smirk pulled at his lips. "How many of you know about that little girl fight club that could?" As if he knew where they all sat, Tim's eyes darted out and locked upon each and every member. "Well do we have a surprise for you. We're gonna bring, where is she, Hazel down. One of the founding members to show us everything the club's taught her in a fun, little challenge."

Nell couldn't believe it. Hazel had actually been at school. And had also apparently talked to...Tim? What would have possessed her to do that, Nell had no fucking clue. The crowd watched on as the Callahan girl made her way down the steps, an awkward little smile upon her lips as she lifted her hand and waved at those who cheered her name.

"Hazel will be fighting Tucker—" Tim began, the boy still wearing a shit eating grin. He gestured over towards Tucker who was now being released from his cage. He was shirtless and seemingly very angry, judging by the growl he let out. "The schools number one boxer."

            As slight panicked breathing escaped from the crowd of students, Tim just dismissively waved a hand. "I know what you're thinking but don't be alarmed. Girls can do anything guys can do, right?"

            Fear for Hazel's well-being bubbled within Nell's gut. Yeah sure, Hazel could throw a punch but defend herself against the kid that literally had to be kept in a cage? She was one Tucker sized hit away from crumbling to pieces.

            A glint of excitement appeared within Slyvie's eyes as she stared down at her friend standing opposite the boxer. Her hands clenched into tight fists as she exclaimed, "Yeah, kick his ass!"

            "Slyvie!" Nell admonished, her eyes blowing wide open. She didn't need Slyvie egging this situation on.

            A few in the crowd cheered the Callahan girl on. Once the cheering had settled down, Tim continued to speak. "Ready? Go."

            At the encouragement from Tim, Tucker became riled up at an instant. His feet carried him across the court with such speed that he resembled the flash. Just as he was about to bulldoze into the Callahan girl, the crowd waited with bated breath only to gasp in relief as Hazel stepped out of the way and effectively tripped the boy. His whole body crashed into the linoleum floor, skidding harshly and burning at the bare flesh of chest.

            Hazel backed up, her breathing shaky. Tucker was pissed as he rushed to his feet. Before Hazel even realised, the boy was before her. His hands thumped hard against her chest, the blow sending her flying back and colliding with the floor, knocking the air from her lungs. Terrified gasps tumbled from the lips of Hazel's friends, each and every one of them frightened for her life.

            Nell had begun to tightly grip at the bench she sat upon, her fingernails digging in deeply to the wood and scrapping out small chunks. An awful taste of iron had filled her mouth from how hard she was biting at her bottom lip.

            Hazel struggled to her feet. She slightly stumbled around before firmly placing the soles of her feet flat against the floor. An almost bloodthirsty look twisted itself onto her face as she suddenly began to sprint at the boxer.

            Using everything she had learned while in the club, Hazel clenched her fist tight, pulled her arm back to gain momentum before swinging it and crashing it against Tucker's cheek. Her knuckles dug deep into his face. A mix of surprised and impressed breaths escaped the lips of the crowd.

            When tucker attempted to retaliate by swinging her closed fist at the Callahan girl, Hazel managed to dodge his hits and avoid the pain. She actually grabbed hold of one of his hands and stopped him from hitting her before then hitting him instead!

            She punched at his face, she kicked at his chest, she sent him skidding back all the while the onlookers had begun to cheer her on.

            "You got this Hazel!" Slyvie cried out in support. This encouraged Nell to do the same. Her voice was slightly scratchy as she yelled, "Yeah, tear his head off!"

            The Callahan girl began to punch both fists against Tucker's abdomen but this allowed him to grab at her head and push her away far enough that none of her blows made contact. Knowing that this wasn't the way to beat him, Hazel then kicked up a leg and knocked Tucker's hand flying away from her head. This caused the boy to stumble which gave Hazel the perfect opportunity to jump on his back and begin clawing at his face.

            Skin became lodged beneath her fingernails.

            Tucker was finally able to free himself of Hazel's grip. His hands held tightly to her body before he used all of his upper body strength to fling her across the court and crashing violently into the floor, face first. A cry of pain crawled it's way up her throat as she collapsed to the floor. Groans of horror escaped many as they looked on.

            "Oh my god." The Hewitt girl breathed out. The sight of blood spilling from Hazel's mouth nearly caused her entire body to seize up. She was powerless to help. All she could do was sit there.

            Tim chose this moment to speak to the crowd once again. "I know what you're thinking. You may be wondering how a girl under the training of two juvie convicted killers can't even stand up for herself against a regular old guy?" He feigned innocence as he spoke. "The truth is, they—they didn't go to Juvie. No. There's no record of them there."

            Anger swarmed his eyes. "And according to Hazel, they never fought anyone at all. And you know what else. They didn't start the club to empower women, they did it to fuck cheerleaders!"

            Glares became fixed upon the two girls. Josie and PJ could do nothing but sit, jaws slacked with embarrassment, eyes downcast in shame. Frustration and betrayal flooded the girls who had been none the wiser to their lies.

            "What is wrong with you?" Tim uttered with mock upset. The reality was that this was probably the greatest moment of his life. "It is such a shame. We were really rooting for you girls."

            Tucker, who had been growling with self satisfaction on the sidelines, suddenly made a move towards the incapacitated Hazel. With one swift kick, his foot pounded against Hazel's face. A crack could be heard in the gymnasium as the bright red blood spat from Hazel's mouth and dripped from her nose. Her entire body was sent flying back.

            A cacophony of horror filled the room. All of Hazel's friends jumped to their feet immediately, rushing down the steps of the bleachers and over to the beaten girl. Nell quickly collapsed to her knees beside her girlfriend, her hands shaking as she struggled to find somewhere on Hazel's face that was busted up and bloodied.

            "Oh my god!" She gasped out. The tips of her fingers brushed shakily against Hazel's bloodied cheek. "Hazel? Baby, come on, you're gonna be okay." She felt like she couldn't breathe. Why the fuck where they supposed to do?

            Sensing the panic that overwhelmed the Hewitt girl, Brittany jumped into action and began to call out instruction. "Let's get her up. Grab her arms, Nell grab her waist."

            A small gathering of the girls grabbed hold of Hazel, gently lifting her up from the ground and slowly dragging her out of the gym. Sniffles could be heard amongst the group, all of them having been terrified for their friend as they'd watched her cough up blood. Only grunts and groans, all laced with agony, fell from Hazel's lips while her friends brought her to the school nurse.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━

jamielee's thoughts.
chapter twelve. not proofread.
this scene was absolutely brutal to watch cause it was clear that Hazel was going to lose. watching her get kicked in the face was so upsetting. I wanted to make this scene one chapter cause it's quite important I would say, anywho I hope you enjoyed :)