The Hart Game

LUKE

California.

Other than the sun, beach and Hollywood, I don’t know what else can be so great about California. But moving because your dad had a job transfer? I really have mixed feelings about it. I mean I can either be happy because it is California, or I can be miserable because I’m leaving my whole life here in Minnesota.

Either way I really don’t have a choice. Plus I have to go where my parents move, I looked into it and apparently I’m struck with them till I turn eighteen. At least I have one more year and I’m off to college, away from my parents. Not that I don’t love them and they’re basically the greatest parents in the world, it’s just sometimes I wish that they don’t check up on me every two seconds. I get that losing one child is bad enough and a good reason to keep tabs on me but that was two years ago and I’m not my brother.

Anyways, I’m getting off topic but don’t worry, you will hear that story soon enough. Actually this isn’t even my story, I mean, well, half of it is my story but this is mostly about a certain girl that I happened to have met on the first day of my senior year at Morningside High School.

“Luke! Hurry up and get down here. Your breakfast is getting cold,” My mom yells from the kitchen, trying to keep busy. To keep her mind off of what happened those years ago. “And you don’t want to be late for your first day of school!”

Yeah, sure, cause I want to be late for my first day of a new school in a new town and in a new state. Why would I want to be late? I was in a whole new town that I was not familiar with and starting my senior year at a new place. I mean what sort of teenager wants that?

Okay, so maybe I was contemplating on pretending to be sick today. I mean who wouldn’t? I know I probably sound like a teenage girl but in my defense, it was my parents’ idea to move our whole lives across the country to a new city, right before what is supposed to be MY year of high school. I wasn’t going to be spending it with everyone I knew since pre-school. I was going to be the new kid, at least trying to make friends. I guess I can try to make the most of it, I mean what’s the worst that can happen?

After making my final decision on actually going to that place and actually getting ready, I grabbed my backpack and phone before heading down the stairs but not before responding to my buddies from back home who have been texting me nonstop since I stepped foot on that plane ride here.

As I made my way to the kitchen, I took a seat at the kitchen island, my mom was still standing over the stove cooking what smells to be bacon. Mmm bacon! My mother was in her late forties with no grey hair in sight. She was always flawless, fair skin that every woman her age craved for. Unlike my brother, I was the one that shared the same chocolate amber eyes with her. Eyes that were always so warm and full of love and light. And now every time you look into them, some of that light was gone.

“Is it too late to ask to be homeschooled?” I ask semi-serious as I stuff a piece of toast in my mouth. She laughs as she places the bacon onto a plate.

“I love you, Creepy, I really do, but sometimes a Mother just needs a break.” Yeah, I really wasn’t expecting for her to say yes and maybe I was being slightly serious but it didn’t hurt to try. Nothing could get pass my mother. You have no idea how many times I snuck out of the house only to realize by morning she knew all along that I was gone and that I was grounded for who knew how long. I never understood how she knew. I asked her one time and all she answered was, “A mother just knows.”

I don’t get it either.

After breakfast - and believe me, I tried- I stalled the best that I can but unfortunately I lost to Her Majesty. She should just be known as the Evil Queen because she’s making me go to this school. What the hell kind of name is Morningside? But I guess I can try to make the best out of it. I mean I can reconstruct my whole image and personality. Become a whole new me. But the problem was, I actually liked who I was and hopefully the people that I meet likes me for me too. Maybe I’ll be lucky enough to not draw too much attention, and go my last school year without being noticed.

I guess I was spacing out for too long cause suddenly there was a hand waving in front of my face. “Earth to Luke.”

“Sorry, I blanked again.” I said. Ever since the accident, I would space out of nowhere. Especially when everything is quiet.

“It’s okay sweetie. I was just trying to tell you that the Impala will be here in a week or two, so you don’t have to keep getting a ride from me or your father.” She informed me about ‘Baby’ with a look of sympathy knowing that I had to wait two weeks till my almost freedom. With that, I said my goodbyes to my mom, got out of the car and headed towards my own personal hell.

Morningside High School.

When I walked into the building I realized that I was basically the only one in the hallways. I was either really early or really late. Deciding on which later, I headed straight to the office. When I got to the main office there was a woman in her mid thirties sitting at the front desk typing away, probably trying to look busy. She had honey blonde hair that was up in a neat bun. Dull brown eyes that were covered by thick rimmed glasses.

I made a coughing noise when I was standing there for what seemed like forever but was probably only about thirty seconds, but she was still typing, completely ignoring me. I decide to try and cough as obnoxiously as I could just to get her attention.

“Yes, may I help you?” She asks sounding un-enthusiastically, finally looking up.

“I’m new here, may I get my schedule?”

“Name?”

“Luke Garrick.”

“Okay, Mr. Garrick. You are actually a little bit late, class starts at eight. I’ll write you a tardy pass and print your schedule and you can be on your way.” When she was done printing everything out and handing me a map of the school - cause you know I would get lost in this place - I decided to find my locker later because I didn’t want to be more late than I already was. I ventured off to my first period class which was AP Chemistry with Jay Gordon.

Great.

I hope you heard the sarcasm in that, because I hate anything that has to do with science, especially this early in the morning. When I finally found the classroom, I hesitated going in. I mean I’m already 30 minutes late to the class. Finally stirring up the courage, I put my hand on the handle and pushed the door open. I probably should’ve waited till I had more courage cause every single pair of eyes were on me in the doorway.

“May I help you?” Asked the guy who was standing in front of the class, who I’m guessing is the chemistry teacher.

“Y-yeah. I-I’m new here.” What am I doing? I’ve never stuttered before. I heard a few giggles and whispers as I gave him the tardy pass. All of a sudden I see a pair of enchanting deep green eyes. The color of emerald, looking straight at me. It was hard not to look away.

I realized that the eyes I’m staring at are ones that belong to a girl. And not just any girl. The most beautiful girl I have ever laid eyes on. A heart shaped face, with cheeks so rosy you’d mistaken them for the most precious rose. Beautiful, wavy brown locks going a bit past her shoulders. Cutest button nose ever, I just wanted to kiss it all the time.

What in the world is happening to me? Did I just say the cutest button nose ever? I must have been staring too long cause all of sudden there was another hand waving in front of my face for the second time today and I realized that it was the teacher.

“Luke Garrick? Am I correct?” I couldn’t say anything so I nod. By now the whispers around the room and the little giggles have died down a little. “Alright Mr. Garrick, I’ve actually been expecting you. I’m Mr. Gordon, your AP Chemistry teacher for this year. Take any seat that is open. Alright now back to today’s lesson.”

As I make my way to an empty seat almost in the back corner, I could feel those same deep emerald eyes on me. Trying to ignore them, I take my seat and at least try to listen to what Mr. Gordon is saying. I took a chance and looked at the direction of the girl with the mesmerizing eyes and as I guessed they were looking right back at me. I don’t know how long we were looking at each other but neither of us seem to not want to break it.

“Hey.” I hear from the seat next to me. “So you’re new here huh? Welcome to Morningside High. I’m Jesse.” He says sticking his hand out. I take it and give it a firm shake. The kid looks a little young to be in this class. He has light brown eyes with dirty blonde hair coming down to the side of his face with a bandana around his head.

“Luke.” I say without hesitation. He looks decent enough to be friends with, I guess.

“If you want, I can show you around the school? You know since you’re new here.” He says after a moment of listening to whom I now know as Mr. Gordon. I nod my head, hopeful that I actually made a friend on my first day. I’m good at this. He continues, “Great! May I see your schedule?”

I give him my schedule and he looked it over. After a moment he finally answered. “So you have four other classes with me which so happens to be in this side of the school. The others are on the other side.” Now that made my day a whole lot easier.

The morning goes by faster than I was expecting, with Jesse around I feel like this year will be great. He’s kind, out going and a bit quirky and speaks whatever is on his mind without a filter, which I found out this morning when he told one of the teachers that she needed to get laid and fast. That might have caused him detention after school but other than that, he’s cool. I also found out that he is actually a Junior but takes Senior classes. I guess his parents’ idea. We made plans to have lunch together and then he is going to show me around this place so I won’t be lost the whole school year.

After a long walk around this place, we had time to go to the cafeteria and get some lunch and relax before heading to our afternoon classes. As we made our way to the cafeteria, I was mindlessly walking along side Jesse while he was talking to me about which teachers to stay clear of and which ones I can suck up to and be on their good side easily.

All of a sudden, I hear a loud crashing sound and my mind automatically goes to that day when everything changed, but I’m brought back with yelling for someone to watch where they’re walking. And I realize that a very big person is holding up a small lanky looking guy against the locker.

“You better watch where you’re going Fag!” The guy was holding up the small one against the locker. He was a pretty big build, like he works out three times a day. I wish I was that motivated as he was. Arms that can probably break a person like me into two just as easily as breaking a toothpick. He’s tall with brown hair and tan skin, with a face and glare that can probably kill a person just for looking at him wrong but can easily get any girl within a five mile radius. He’s basically a walking, talking skyscraper that has the words ‘WARNING! STAY CLEAR OF MUSCLES’ written in big, bold, light up flashing letters, across the building. My guess is that he is captain of the football team, wrestling team and every other sport using brute strength.

The boy he’s holding up, on the other hand, looks to be as small as Jesse but a bit taller, with blonde hair and a baby make face that’ll make grandma’s go crazy for. “I-I’m sorry! I’ll pay more attention next time! Just please don’t hurt me!”

“I’m surprise you even think there’s going to be a next time!” With that said Mr. Big Arms that had the small blonde one in a hold, threw him against the lockers like a rag doll causing him to fall on the ground but was brought back and held against the lockers again by two guys just as big as Mr. Big Arms, slightly smaller but just as intimidating. Mr. Big Arms took a swing at the poor guy, everyone was waiting for the sound of a punch against a face being made, but it never came. My brain barely had time to process what my body and mouth was doing before registering that I moved in between the kid and Big Arms.

“HEY! BACK OFF!” Stupid brain! Stupid, stupid brain! Why do you have to be so slow from what my mouth is saying and what my body is doing? Everyone stood there in silent shock. Probably because of the fact that I’m standing in between Mr. Big Arms and the kid, holding Mr. Big Arms fist in my hand, not moving at all, just silently staring at Mr. Big Arms.

I really need to find a better name for this guy.

What surprises me though, is the fact that he has the same deep green eyes as that girl in my first period. But stupid Luke! Why do you have to step into every fight you see? This is one of the reasons why your parents moved you to California. One of the reasons why your dad took the transfer promotion job.

“Mind your own damn business!” Big Arms said retracting his arm back to his side.

“And if I don’t?” Play it safe, Luke. I hear my brothers voice in my head. One slip up and everything will go downhill. But by the looks of it no one has ever stood up to this guy. I mean the wide eyes and jaws dropped sort of gave it away. Everyone would be hearing about this if everyone isn’t here already. There goes going this school year unnoticed.

“Then we will definitely have a problem.” The guy next to Big Arms spoke that time. He was the same build but slightly smaller than Big Arms, anyone with eyes can see that. I’m guessing second in command. Maybe even third, if he’s being compared to the other guy, who’s watching Big Arms like a hawk, ready to fly in if need be.

I hold my breath standing still waiting to see what happens next. If I have to go full blown superman. I really hope I don’t have to. I mean I’m already going to have everyone talking about the new kid getting in between this guy’s business. But no one should be bullied like that just because they accidentally bumped into someone. And especially if the other person is a tiny little thing like this kid that looks like he hasn’t lifted anything in his life. But I’m sure I don’t look that different. I mean I was tall and lean and to a naked eye I would look like a weakling cause the flannel isn’t doing justice with my arms but once I’m in a fight, my true strength comes out leaving my opponents shocked after losing to a small lanky guy like me. Honestly, I don’t know where all this strength comes from, I don’t even work at it, I just am. But they don’t need to know that.

“Then I guess we do have a problem now.” I say without hesitation, ready to fight just in case it came to it. I can see the wheels turning in this guys’ head and unspoken words passing throughout the friends, cause then there were two pairs of hands holding my arms to hold me down. I played every scenario in my head. Analyze then act. That’s what my mentor always said, so that’s what I did. I have about a ten second window to either prepare to fight back or take it as it is. I can take a few punches. But my fuse is already way too short I don’t know how long I’ll last. I can either take it or risk knowing rumors that someone like me just stood up to probably the most fearful person in school and all of this for some poor kid who I don’t even know.

“Hey! What the hell is going on here?” As if answering my prayers, a sweet angelic voice with a tone that has a softness to it but a bit more authoritative than most came singing to me in my ears and what the hell is happening to me? But what was more surprising was Mr. Big Arms right in front of me, froze in mid swing. A flash of rage and what looks like fear came to view in his eyes and left as quickly as it came.

That can’t be right. I can understand the rage but the fear part is unclear.

Suddenly everyone’s eyes were on the girl whose voice seemed to be heard throughout this whole school. And from the tension in the air, this girl must be popular or important, or something. Leaving my gaze from Big Arms to the person whose voice that belonged to, I almost did a double take. It was the girl from before, the one with the emerald eyes.

She looked more fearless than anyone small like her. She shouldn’t be going against this guy that might’ve as well been the Hulk. Now that’s a good name for this guy. Taking in her full height she looks to be about 5′4 perfect to my 6′ height. Her slightly wavy hair falls perfectly just below her shoulders. With a trim waist and curves in all the right places, gives her a look of a Goddess with a bikers edge. A fitted leather jacket over a white crop top showing a flat toned stomach. And to finish her look off are a pair of faded skinny jeans that does her curves justice and a pair of black and white Converse.

I lift my gaze back to find her emerald green eyes staring back at me. I feel my cheeks heat up and I’m sure they’re red of embarrassment from checking her out.

“Well, is someone going to answer me or not?” She asked with the utmost confidence. Leaving me to question why Big Arms was afraid of her.

“None of your business Cass, leave it alone.” Big Arms said through gritted teeth. Looking rather annoyed now.

“Enlighten me, Brother.” She said crossing her arms over her chest. Wait. Brother? I guess that explains the same green eyes, but hers are much more softer than his but has the same fierceness in them. For what seems like hours, the supposed siblings hold their gazes in a face off, staring each other down like having a silent conversation, or more like challenging each other. Both standing to their highest heights, shoulders rolled back and everyone within the perimeter is paralyzed to just watch.

With the air becoming more intense than before, a new guy I didn’t realize was there, who looks slightly taller than Big Arms steps up slightly in front of the girl in a protective stance. That only made Big Arms more annoyed and a bit too furious.

“Dean. Still following my dear baby sister around like a lost puppy, I see.” Big Arms says looking amused now, with a little smirk on his face. The guy who supposedly is Dean, scoffed and tensed up more, seeming to challenge the supposed Alpha of this school.

“Still picking on poor weak kids just to prove you’re not as weak as they are. Christian.” Dean fires back with just as much confidence and low enough so people who are close enough could hear. Big Arms, who I now know as Christian - Finally! - smirk slightly falls, and tenses a bit more, causing his muscles to bulge out even more and they both glare at each other.

I think it’s time for me to head back to the gym. I mean it’s not that I couldn’t hold my own during a fight with this guy - I could knock him out in a heartbeat - but with my lanky arms, I look and seem like a weakling, Which is good in my advantage, I guess.

Suddenly the girls steps up in between the two skyscrapers and I have the sudden urge to protect her from how small she looks, but I push it down. Because how am I going to explain that?

“Okay, that’s enough!” She says placing a hand on Big Ar-Christian, whose chest is moving up and down rapidly. With her hand on his chest, he seems to calm down a bit. Then all of a sudden the girl - who I assume is Cass - goes close to his ear and says something inaudible to everyone around us. Christian seems to tense up even more, if possible, while still glaring at Dean.

“Let’s go.” Christian mumbles so low, you almost wouldn’t hear it. He looks to Cass for a moment before turning around and walks away with his two goons who were still at my side until then. And as if rehearsed the sea of students that were surrounding us watching this show go down, splits like the Red Sea, as if scared to get in his way. When he’s out of sight I come face to face with the mesmerizing green eyes that captivate me every time I make contact with them.

“Hey, thanks-” I say making my way to the girl but before I can say anything else she walks in the same direction as her brother without saying a word. Dean, who is still standing there, observing the exchange, looks at me with an apologetic look and then looks at the kid - who is still on the floor - for a moment longer before turning and walks in the direction the siblings went.

“You, my friend, are one lucky son of a bitch, after surviving the Hart Siblings.” Jesse says, coming to stand by me and claps me on my back.

Okay, what just happened?

“The Hart Siblings?” I ask curiously, as the last name sounds too familiar. But I’m guessing the way he said that seems like if you encounter them you won’t survive. Looking to Jesse who has an amused look, nodding. I feel like I’m missing something. And then I remembered the other kid who was about to get a beat down, who was now trying to pick himself and his stuff up off the floor. With a sudden protectiveness for the kid - like a big brother - I crouch down and help the kid out with his stuff.

“Thanks.” He mumbles as he looks up for the first time and I’m frozen to my spot, shocked at the shade of his eyes. Bright hazel, almost gold. Like Kyle’s. I stand as I realize that I’m staring, before handing him his stuff. He continues, shyly. “I’m Cameron by the way.”

“Luke,” I reply introducing myself and point to Jesse, “This is Jesse. Do you maybe wanna have lunch with us?” I found myself asking, cause why not? He seems taking aback by my question, as if he doesn’t get that question enough. I mean if the wide eyes weren’t obvious then it was the mouth that was wide open I’m sure he would catch flies.

Cameron is a bit smaller than I am. You can clearly tell that he doesn’t have any muscles, he’s basically a walking skeleton. But what caught me off guard were the bright hazel eyes with gold specks around them, reminding me of my own brother.

He looks to Jesse which causes me to look at him too. Jesse shrugs his shoulder, “Fine by me.”

“Okay.” Cameron says, unsure but follows us to the cafeteria. When we got to the cafeteria, all eyes suddenly turns our way - or should I say - my way. I guess word around here goes around faster than you can say your own name. It was making me uncomfortable. What’s even worse is that I can feel those specific emerald eyes on me, but they were nowhere to be found.

“WHAT!” Jesse screams out loud for everyone in the cafeteria to hear. “Nothing to see here, so mind your own damn business!”

Well, that took care of that, but I can still feel those damn eyes. What is this girl doing to me? We walked up to the now small line of students to get some food. Not having much of an appetite now, I settle for water and an apple. After getting lunch, we take a table in the back of the cafeteria with Jesse right across from me and Cameron sitting on my right, away from prying eyes. At least I can’t feel those eyes on me anymore. A couple minutes later, two guys come and sit at the table.

“You sir, are my new favorite person.” One of them exclaims still trying to adjust his chair. He had bright blue eyes and curly brown hair that was covered by a hood, he had freckles that covered most of his pale face. He sits on Jesse’s right, while the other guy sits on his left. This one looks just like the one who exclaimed I was his new favorite person but a bit older and darker, longer, straight hair.

“What are you talking about? Why would I be your new favorite person?” Interest bubbling up inside me. Why would I be someone’s new favorite person? I mean this is my first day and I don’t even know these people.

“Luke, This is Jack Frost, grade 12 and this is his little brother, Shrimp, grade 9.” Jesse explained. Jack Frost? Shrimp? What kind of school is this? I guess I am definitely in La La Land now. I guess I had a weird look on my face when Jesse introduced them, cause Jack Frost was quick to explain the weird names.

“I know what you’re thinking. Frost isn’t my real name, but it is Jack. People just call me Jack Frost because of my eyes.” And I can see why. He has the brightest blue eyes I’ve ever seen - the color of ice. “So just call me Frost. And Shrimp here got his nickname from our grandpa and I guess it just stuck and everyone else started calling him that.”

“The real name is Francis, but don’t ever call me that.” He said with a stern face. Guessing he doesn’t like his name, so I guess I was sticking to Shrimp. I just nod.

“Luke.” I introduce myself, giving them a slight nod.

“Oh, we know who you are!” Shrimp nods back with an amused smile on his bright face. Furrowing my eyebrows, I was about to ask how but he beats me to it, exclaiming a little too excitedly for my liking. “You’re the one who stood up to Christian Hart and lived! You’re practically a legend! And on your first day!”

“Okay. Is that supposed to mean something? I mean I’m kinda sick of people sticking their noses in my business.” I mean come on, it’s my first day at this school. As if on cue, the cafeteria doors open and in walks the people I have decided to avoid this school year.

Christian walks in hand in hand with a stunning blonde, who looks like she can be a super model. But of course, someone like Christian would get someone as beautiful as her. Much like the attention everyone gave me when I walked in, all eyes were on them. But they must’ve been used to the attention cause they walked in and headed straight to a table without a care in the world. When they sat down, I realized at the same table was the girl with the emerald green eyes.

She was sitting in between Dean and a girl who wasn’t with them earlier. The girl seemed to be talking to the rest of the table while it looked like Dean and Cass were in a heated conversation. Cass looked uninterested while picking at her lunch, while Dean had his hand on her back as if comforting her. A sudden urge of jealousy and anger came to me wondering how this one girl can get so much emotions from me. “So, who exactly are these Hart Siblings that so happen to let everyone believe that I should be dead right now?”

I look at each of them looking at me like I was supposed to automatically know this stuff.

“Christian and Cassie Hart.” Jesse decides to speak, letting me know that it’s actually, Cassie. He continues, “They run this school. Mess with one and you get the other. No one and I mean no one gets in their way. They are both seniors but Cassie is supposed to be a junior. She skipped grade 8, apparently she’s incredibly smart.”

“You met Christian at his finest.” Frost decides to jump in. “He’s captain of the football and wrestling team. Biggest bully in the whole school. Big, mean and scary. It’s rare to catch him being nice to others rather than to his sister and girlfriend. He’s smart but he has a short temper. Get in his way, you’d be lucky to get to see another day.” As if a tag team, Shrimp decides to speak next.

“And on his many temper tantrums the only people who can calm him down are his sister and girlfriend. Now Cassie on the other hand is something quite... Different?” Different? What is that supposed to mean? “Cassie is what everyone likes to call, the Nicest Bully in all of Morningside.”

“Cassie is the sweetheart of Morningside High. She is the sweetest, most kind girl you will ever come across. But get on her bad side, challenge her or even mess with someone she cares about and she will personally make your life a living hell. She’s silent and reserved, no one really knows her, only that she can ruin you. A couple of years ago, this girl decides to challenge her. Tried to turn her friends against her and couple months later the girl disappears. Turns out she transferred to a school on the other side of the city.” Jesse says with much adoration. I look to Cameron, who was rather quiet, but I guess that’s who he is so he just nods in confirmation.

Frost decides to add in, “But both of them together is always trouble. But Cassie is always trying to keep Christian out of trouble most of the time. Both over-protective of each other. As Jesse said before though, you mess with one, you get the other.” He says cautiously.

And with that, the conversation was over. I decided to tune out the conversation after that. We still had a few minutes till the warning bell rang. As I decide to go to my locker, I couldn’t help but look up and there they were. Those beautiful deep emerald eyes looking straight back at me. I’ve never felt this way before. The feeling of familiarity was settling in as we kept our gaze and that scared me.

For what took all the power in me and with much reluctance I tore my gaze away and stood up. I needed to get out of there before the air was becoming too tight. I told Jesse that I would see him in AP Math, to my surprise Frost was in the same class. As I make my way out of the cafeteria I felt the anxiety attack coming. I haven’t had one since I left Minnesota. So, I ran to the bathroom and quickly ran to the end stall.

Breathe Luke, breathe. I repeated in my head. As I was about to calm down the warning bell sounded which meant I had about five minutes to get to class. Thankfully I was able to pull myself together in less than a minute before it became out of control and hopefully from what just happened not too long ago, I would be able to avoid the Hart Siblings. But that was where I was terribly wrong.

As I walked into AP Math I spotted Jesse and Frost right away sitting by the window near the front. I made my way to them and took a seat besides Jesse and much to my luck, the people that I vowed to try and stay far away from, walked in.

Christian walks in still holding hands with the blonde, after them is his two goons that I still don’t know the names of. Next up was Dean with that other girl that was sitting next to Cassie. She had raven black hair and tanned skin, she appeared to be Latino. She’s beautiful, not going to lie about that, but not as beautiful as Cassie. And as my thought go to her, she walks in with a guy that has his arm latched on to hers. I can’t help but feel the same jealousy coming back. They made their way to the back of the classroom where Christian and the rest were. Great this is going to be an interesting class.

More like an interesting year.

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Just some minor changes, don't be alarmed. Just FYI this will be happening, so sit tight and relax.

Thank you....

*Hopefully I will post new chapters..... If I could get my characters to actually talk to me!*

*I promise, I'm not crazy*