(no subject)

[tofightinjustice]

At the end of the school day, Bryce's usual routine is to walk home as quickly as she can. Sometimes, like today, she has to wave off an invitation to the Bronze or the beach -- though not often. She gets along with people and people get along with her, but she's not really part of the popular crowd and doesn't have any real close friends.

But there are a few people, like Barbara, or Oswald, who make regular overtures of friendship for one reason or another, and don't seem put off when Bryce smiles and says I'm sorry, I gotta get home and do my homework for the umpteenth time.

Bryce has just declined yet another offer to hit the mall from Vicki and is headed home, her backpack slung over one shoulder.

Comments

[tofightinjustice]

"My hand! My fucking hand!"

Bryce winds up and socks him in the solar plexus, dropping him wheezing to his knees, and turns to Laney.

Cold: "Can you get up?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"Probably," he says, "but I'm comfy."

[tofightinjustice]

. . . Bryce is real unimpressed by your shit, Laney.

[edgeofyourseat]

"That was hot, though."

He grabs a handful of fence and hauls himself to his feet, not without a certain amount of trouble.

With a wink: "You can break my bones any day."

[tofightinjustice]

"You freak," rasps the kid on the ground.

[edgeofyourseat]

The smile drops off his face; he looks away from both of them.

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce huffs, annoyed.

"Fine." She starts towards her abandoned bag. "Fight your own fights."

[edgeofyourseat]

...Laney blinks after her, entirely at a loss.

[tofightinjustice]

"Bitch," the guy on the ground spits, trying to get to his feet. Bryce rolls her eyes.

[edgeofyourseat]

Well.

He shakes his head and smiles at her, a little crookedly, not that he has any other way to smile.

"Thanks, I guess."

[tofightinjustice]

"I'm so done saving your ass," she says over her shoulder, retrieving her bag.

The guy finally gains his feet, looking warily between Bryce and Laney.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Yeah, I get that. I just don't get why. Did you not want me to flirt? 'Cause I can stop."

[tofightinjustice]

"If we're going to discuss this, we're leaving."

[edgeofyourseat]

Laney shrugs. "Sure, okay."

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce snorts, derisive, and glances towards the guy who started the fight. He's glaring at her.

She feints towards him and he flinches.

"Leave," she tells him, and turns to stride away. If Laney follows her, great.

[edgeofyourseat]

He does, in fact!

[tofightinjustice]

Bryce doesn't speak until they're a good block away from the fight.

"Do you like getting beat up?"

[edgeofyourseat]

"Sometimes," he says, shrugging again.

[tofightinjustice]

"Why?"

[edgeofyourseat]

...He grins.

"What, you don't know? Seriously?"

[tofightinjustice]

She gives him a sidelong glare that clearly means no.

[edgeofyourseat]

"Sweetheart," he says, not unfondly, "I get off on it."

[tofightinjustice]

. . . Still apparently confused!

And angry about it!

[edgeofyourseat]

"...Okay, what part of that do you need explained?"

[tofightinjustice]

"What do you mean, you get off on it? How can anyone get off on that?"