Ficlets

Fight for the Field [LoA Challenge]

We pedal up to the empty construction site together, all four of us. One by one, we let our bikes fall to the ground, orange dust rising in the air like smoke. There are other kids out here, five boys, and they’re playing football. I crack my knuckles, “Hey, get outta here, this is our spot!” I shout, Ben and the girls moving to stand beside me.

One of the guys turns and smirks at me, not moving. It’s Shane, who’s taller than me- even taller than Kim, who towers above the rest of us. Kim steps forward, “You heard him! Go!” She puts her hands on her hips, the sunlight making her even more freckly, and less intimidating.

“What, your girlfriend’s gonna beat us all up?” He calls, walking toward us. His friends all come too, sneering. Ben pulls on my arm.

“Come on, Billy, we’ll play at the playground. We can go to McDonald’s, they’ll be gone then.” I shake him off. Lisa moves back toward the bikes, agreeing with Billy.

“She’s not my girlfriend.” I yell at the new kid, my face warming up, “We’ll all fight.”

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