The other three charged and I did the same. My forehead came down and I caught Luke square in the nose as I exploded through my three attackers. I stumbled several steps and turned around to see all three down. Luke had blood all over his shirt and was not getting up. Assholes number one and two tried to stagger up. That’s when my angel, Tracy, stepped up and pepper-sprayed them.
Several more football players ran up to finish the fight. Tracy sprayed them also. Kevin came running up and he yelled.
“Stop!”
Three teachers suddenly appeared. Mr. Jensen, the shop teacher, took charge.
“Tracy, put that pepper spray down right now!”
“Mr. Jensen, when you get this bunch of jerks under control, and I feel safe, I’ll gladly give it up, but not a second before that.”
He stomped up to her aggressively. I think he intended to take it from her. She warned him.
“Stop, I’ll protect myself.”
He made a grab for her and she put him down. Luke came around and was in a pissed-off mood, so Tracy sprayed him too. If you have ever been around pepper spray, you know that even being close to it will get you, so we all had tears running down our faces.
I led Tracy back several feet so we weren’t in the middle of the cloud. Four police cars showed up. Tracy called her father, which turned out to be a very good idea because, in short order, Tracy, myself, and everyone that was down had been cuffed. Even Mr. Jensen was cuffed. Then the ambulances started to arrive and, of course, it didn’t take long for the press to show up.
The only two with any real injuries were Ed and Luke. The rest were treated for pepper spray. Tom showed up in time for the local district attorney and a detective to arrive. The police allowed Tom to talk to us in the back of the squad car.
Tom was first a concerned father when he talked to Tracy.
“Are you okay, Honey?”
“I’ll be fine,” I answered.
Tracy gave me a smirk, but Tom wasn’t amused. Tracy calmed him down.
“We’re both fine, Dad. It was all self-defense. Luke and his football friends were out to hurt David. They took the first swing, but David finished it. I just helped when they tried to get up or decided to join in.”
“Mr. Dole, there’re security cameras that taped the whole thing. Have the police watch the video and they’ll see we were attacked.”
Tom nodded, got out of the car and had a long conversation with the detective and district attorney. Thirty minutes later, we were let out of the back of the car, and our cuffs were removed. They kept Tracy’s pepper spray, which I was glad of.
The principal was waiting for us. He led us into a conference room.
“Normally we have a strict ‘no fighting on school grounds’ rule, but this has been a mess since Saturday. If I suspend you from school, it will go on your permanent record. I’ve decided to give you both a choice: you can either be suspended from school or suspended from all athletic activities for the rest of the semester. What I ask is that you not attend classes today. I need a chance to gather the football team, and explain the facts of life as to what will happen if either of you are touched or verbally abused.”
“Sir, would the athletic suspension include me not seeing the trainers about the injuries I received during the game?” I asked.
Tom and the school official looked at each other, and they both had an ‘Oh, Shit’ moment.
“Are you telling me that you haven’t been looked at by a trainer?” Tom asked.
“No sir, after the game I just wanted to get home. The team already was mad at me. I didn’t want to hold up the bus.”
“I took photos last night,” Tracy said.
She had me get my tablet out of my bag and showed them.
“Of course student safety comes first. Please continue to see the trainers until they say you’re okay,” the principal said. “Now, what will it be? Suspended from school or athletics?”
It really was a no-brainer. I didn’t plan to go out for any other athletic activities until next semester. Tracy wasn’t as happy because that meant she couldn’t be a cheerleader for basketball games. Her dad pointed out the permanent record angle, and she decided she didn’t want to skip school like the others were required to do. The principal wasn’t giving them a choice because they started the fight.
At least the principal had some common sense. He arranged for us to be escorted so I could get my therapy. Tracy wasn’t willing to leave me, so we went to the training room. Jill and Becky both smiled when I came in. “You’re now a VIP; not that you were anything else as far as we’re concerned, but now it’s official. Strip so we can see what you did to yourself this time,” Becky said.
I got down to my boxers. Jill checked my latest injuries. She also gave me an ice pack for my forehead. In no time, they had an ice bath ready. They all giggled when I stripped off and climbed in.
“He’s never shy, is he?” Tracy commented.
Becky shrugged.
“Don’t get us started. Let’s just say that David’s our favorite patient. So, are you and David dating again?”
I let Tracy answer that one.
“Actually, we just got back together. I missed his cute butt.”
The three of them walked off so I couldn’t overhear them. It seemed by the looks and peals of laughter that they were comparing notes. The timer went off and I crawled out and switched to the heated whirlpool. I stayed in long enough for my muscles to relax. I then wrapped a towel around my waist and got on the massage table.
As I was getting my massage, Kevin came in.
“David, I need your help. I just talked to the recruiter at State, and they’re thinking of pulling Luke’s offer.”
“I’m not out to hurt anybody. Tracy knows the guy better than I do. Call him and put her on the phone.”
“This shit today got out of hand. I know you’re not responsible for any of it, and we all treated you badly. I promise you this stops here. You’ve done more for all of us than we’re willing to admit. I just wanted you to know that I’m sorry,” Kevin said.
“That means a lot. When we’re done, can you call Luke’s dad and let him know that we’re going to do everything we can to keep his scholarship?”
“I will.”
“Kevin, you’re a good friend. I’ll not forget this.”
He went in and Tracy made the call. When I was almost done, she came out.
“He wants to talk to you.”
“This is David.”
“David, this is Coach Beck. We’re inclined to pull Luke Herndon’s scholarship. We run a clean program and aren’t looking for hotheads or troublemakers. We also want you to come to State. If you announced for us, it would help several recruits that are on the fence to commit.”
“Hang on. Can I put you on speakerphone?”
“Yes.”
I sat up and turned the phone on speaker. I wanted Kevin to hear this.
“Coach, can you repeat what you just asked me?”
“David, if you commit to State, we’ll not pull Luke Herndon’s scholarship.”
“I have a weekly press conference on Wednesday at 12:15. Would that work for you?”
“You’re the best, David. Can you get some State gear to wear at the announcement?”
“You bet, Coach. Let me know if you need Magic and Kevin to make some calls for you. I’m sure they’d agree to help us build a winning program.”
“I’ll call them. How about you, would you make some calls?”
“Coach, I’m swamped right now. I’ll help the month before signing day in the spring.”
I got off the phone and turned to Kevin.
“I want you to tell Luke two things: first, what I just did for him to save his scholarship. The second is that he and I are done as friends, and he can handle his own shit from now on.”
“You did way more for him than I would’ve after the last few days. I’ll make sure word gets around as to what you did. I know Magic and I appreciate you getting us full rides, and Tracy, I know you had a lot to do with that as well. Thank you both.”