first day and a black eye

               “Joey get up or so help me I’ll pour ice water on your head,” Bobby said in a booming voice. I knew that it time for me to get up. I didn’t want to spend hours drying my mattress again.

               “Jesus, Bobby, you are actin’ as if it’s a big deal,” I grumbled as I got out of bed.

               “You bet your ass it is. It’s my boy’s first day of school. I expect you to pose for a picture in five minutes young man.” He said leaving the room. I couldn’t help but smile. Since I had been allowed to by myself I had never felt happier. Bobby was the best person in the world. I am certain of it. I smelled my clothes testing to see which ones smelt the least gross. I found a white button up shirt and a pair of jeans that made me look hot. I ran a hand through my hair.

               “Looking good Joey,” I said with a smirk. I quickly put on my converse and ran down stairs. Just like Bobby said he greeted me with a camera flash. “Ouch! I’m going to go blind! How am I supposed to get to school if I’m blind?” I said. I pretended to stumble around. He shook his head. I took the camera from him and pulled him into a hug. Not caring if the picture came out I snapped one. “Now that is how we take a first day of school photo.” He ruffled my hair. “Hey can I take the car?” I asked. I knew the answer would be no. He shot me a look. I waved up my hands in defeat. “Ok, Ok. I’ll take the bus. By Bobster,” I said. I popped an apple into my mouth and headed for the bus stop. I shoved my hands into my pocket as I waited at the stop sign.

               I only had a few moments to myself. A group of boys made their way towards me. A kid who looked as if he was still in elementary, a dude who looked as if he was some catalog model, one who had his nose stuck in a book, and another who was fidgeting with his sleeves. “I don’t see why we can’t just wear sleeveless shirts,” the last one said.

               “Because then you’d look even more like a red neck,” the kid said. The one who wanted to go sleeveless tried to take a punch at him. However the catalog model intervened. Probably his older brother or something. I looked away and continued looking off into space. “Hey look a new kid. Hey new kid, I’m Sam,” he said running up to me. I looked at him and gave him a friendly smile.

               “Name’s Joey, nice to meet you Sam,” I replied.

               “Is it your first day, or are you just starting to take the bus?” He asked. I could tell he was talkative; not that I minded.        

               “First day taking the bus and going to school. Just officially moved in with my Uncle and my prize is going to school,” I said. I didn’t dislike school. I like the learning and stuff. What I didn’t like was the having to take P.E. or using the restroom.

               “Don’t like school?” he questioned. I gave a little shrug.

               “It’s ok. I’d rather be playing my guitar or helping Bobby fix up a car.” I said.

               “Your Uncle is Bobby?” One of the other guys asked. I nodded. “Lucky bastard.”

               “Yep I am indeed.”

               “I’m Dean, Sam’s brother.” He said. His tone was like that of a Mother protecting her young. I immediately understood that I was not to mess with Sam. “This is Cas,” he said pointing to the one ignoring us and reading. “And this is Daryl.” Daryl—the one who was a sleeveless advocate—gave me a nod and wave. “What grade are you in?” he asked.

               “Junior, you?” I replied.

               “Same; we are all juniors in fact. Well except Sammy, he’s only a seventh grader. How come you moved in with your Uncle?” he asked. I didn’t feel like divulging that information yet.

               “My mom said I was too much trouble and sent me to live with him,” I answered. They nodded. I noticed I had gotten some cool points with Daryl.

               “Are you bad?” Sam asked. I gave another shrug.

               “Don’t know, but I know that everything is bad when you have a mother who spends her entire time praying or at church.” I said. Thankfully the bus got there. I climbed in and sat at the first seat I saw.

               “You don’t want to sit there,” Sam said. He pulled me close and whispered, “That’s Leo’s girl. He’ll punch you if you sit there.” I looked over at the girl.

               “Do you mind if I sit here?” I asked.

               “I don’t mind at all,” she said.

               “I’ll be fine Sam, don’t worry.” He shook his head and quickly took his seat. I sat back and got comfortable closing my eyes. How was it that I was still tired?

               “I’m guessing that you’re new,” the girl said.

               “Yep,” I said not opening my eyes.

               “You know that Sam was right. Leo will go crazy if he sees you next to me.” She said.

               “Why? It’s not like we are making lovey-dovey eyes at each other.” I said. I opened my eyes and pretend to act like a cartoon character in love. “Besides if he gets mad over nothing then he has some issues he needs to work out.” She gave a little laugh.

               “I suppose you are right. Still I would feel bad if you got hurt.” She said. I tuned towards her.

               “If I do, I do. Don’t worry about it,” I said.

               “I’m Emilia Clarke,” She said holding out her hand. I took it and gave it a light shake.

               “Joseph Hyster-Singer at your service.” I said with a smile. We talked for the whole ride. She was cool and liked a lot of the same stuff I did. When the bus stopped I got out of the seat and waited for her to go first. “I guess this is where I pretend not to know you?” I asked with a teasing smile.

               “I wouldn’t allow it. You sir have just made yourself a new friend,” She said. I grinned.

               “Cool. Would you mind showing me around?” I asked. She nodded with a smile. We got off of the bus only to be greeted by a boy with a frown on his face. “Is the Leo?” I asked. She gave a small nod. “Hey Leo, what’s up? I’m Joey.” I said. He took a swing at me. It connected with my face. I stumbled back, and gave him a small grin. “I guess you do have some issues you need to work out. Catch you later Em. You too Leo,” I said walking off. Normally I would have gone all crazy spider monkey on him, but I promised Bobby I would not fight. They could still take away his guardianship if I messed up too bad. I found my way around the school easily. Not that anyone wanted to help me. It was as if I had become a patient zero or something. Toxic to whoever came near me. At lunch I sat down at a random seat. Immediately all the people who were sitting around me got up and moved. “Seriously?” I laughed. I shook my head and started to eat my lunch.

               “Damn, that is one shiner you got,” Daryl said as he sat down next to me. I gave a little smile. At least not everyone was afraid of Leo.

               “Yeah some caveman thought I deserved it for talking to his girlfriend.” I said taking a bit of my sandwich.

               “Leo is afraid someone is going to take Emilia. They’ve been together since grade school.” He said.

               “Well she is beautiful. Still, I don’t think she is the type to fool around,” I said. He was taken aback by the level of bluntness. “It’s true. The way I see it people only react that way if they think that the other person is unfaithful or because they are possessive. He’s just some d-bag who thinks he can own her.” I said gulping down my water.

               “Jesus, don’t let Leo or his gang hear you say that. He’ll give you real pounding.” Daryl said.

               “Daryl, the only reason why Leo doesn’t have two black eyes is because if I fight could be placed into foster care. I am not really keen on the idea of growing up with strangers. I can defend myself.” I said. Daryl, despite his appearance, was rather friendly. I finished the day and loaded the bus. Finally it was time to go home. I sat against the window and closed my eyes. I wanted to take a nap.

               “Howdy Joey,” Emilia said taking a seat next to me. I gave her a smile. Dean and Daryl sat in the seat in front of us.

               “Hey, how was your day?” I asked.

               “Pretty good. I am sorry about Le-“

               “I told you not to be sorry. He’s the douche who punched me for no reason. You didn’t do anything.” I said.

               “Still I should have known that he was going to react that way. I shouldn’t even be sitting next to you,” She whispered.

               “You are your own person Emilia,” Dean chimed in. She looked at him. I got the feeling the two were close.

               “Deano is right. I’m not worried about him,” I said.

               “Besides if he messes with Joey again he’ll have to answer to us,” Daryl said. I smiled.

               “Thanks guys. It’s nice to know that I got my back covered.” I said. Dean rolled his eyes.

               “God, no chick flick moments. Do you and Daryl need a room?” He said. I pursed my lips and shrugged.

               “Depends on what we would be doing in that room. Is it a room loaded with sweet movies? If so sign me up. Emilia do you want to join us in the room?” I asked her.

               “Hell yeah! Only if we can have a batman marathon.” She said. We spent the ride home talking about which batman series was better. When I got home Bobby was about to bust my chops when Daryl stepped in.

               “That punk Leo did it. Joey was talking to Emilia and Leo popped him one.” Daryl said entering the house. I had no idea that Daryl and Bobby were so familiar either. I had never seen him when I had come to visit.

               “Did you fight back?” Bobby asked worried. I shook my head. “Good. Dinner is almost ready Y’all go get washed up. We washed up and ate dinner. I later found out that Daryl hides out at Bobby’s when his brother and dad had been drinking too much. Bobby didn’t say much, but I got the hint.