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Twenty-Four
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Julie's P.O.V
"Attention students. I have an announcement to make." The loudspeaker interrupted our Monday morning first hour. "We have decided to hold a little competition between our students. We will be holding a battle of the bands." The class erupted in cheers. The voice continued. "But! This time we will let individuals perform too. You don't have to have a band, but we do require that you use an instrument and sing." I let out a deep breath.
I used to play guitar, but I put it away when my dad died. It just sits there in the back of my closet, collecting dust. My dad used to say that I was a natural, and I would be famous one day. Maybe I could pull it out just this once and play a song for Chris or my dad.
I could do it in front of the school for them, and if I make a fool of myself, then I make a fool of myself.
So, it's decided. I'm going to stand up in front of the school and sing a song for Chris and my dad.
Just thinking about it
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I saw some people around me look at me, but I just stared at the screen in shock as the audience got louder as they discussed the image. The music didn't play because Jessie started to speak. "First off, I would like to say to all you ladies who are going around saying me and you did 'stuff'. You're full of shit. I never went beyond making out with any of you. So, you guys can shut the hell up." He grabbed his guitar as I could hear girls start to whisper to their friends. He strapped up and the drums counted them off. Jessie started strumming and it was awesome. He leaned in to the microphone. I recognized the son instantly as Just the Girl by The Click Five. I was in shock, with my jaw on the floor. I was staring wide eyed at Jessie as sang, his eyes not leaving me for a second. My heart was pounding in my chest and by the heat in my face, I knew it was the most red it had ever been in my life. As he finished the song, he winked with a wide smile. T
KNOCKOUT Twenty-Six
"What you did was uncalled for, but I expect you of all people to understand that." The principal glared at me. "I don't care if she came at you first. She will be dealt with as well when she gets out of the nurse's office. Your language and actions were completely unacceptable. This behavior has gone on too long." "What's that supposed to mean?" I swear something crawled up my principal's but and died. She had always been on my side. Of course, that was before I started punching people. I might need to cool it on that a bit. "It means that you used to be this sweet girl. Now, I see you beating up people left and right." She said loudly. "What I choose to do is none of your business! Focus on being a principal and not my mom. I already have a shitting one of those at home. If you want to punish me as my principal, that's fine, but stop acting like we are friends." She flinched but stood up leaning over me. "Do you really think Christine would be proud of wha
KNOCKOUT Twenty-Seven
"Is there something we need to know?" They turned to the living room to look at the other four guys sitting there, staring at us like we were crazy. "Oh, sorry Julie, your boyfriend is fired. He didn't introduce them to you. Okay, so this is Jared, Tim, Josh, and Cameron. We go to Jessie's old school across town." Mike pointed them off. I waved, and there was a chorus of greetings. I walked into the living room, and they were stretched out on the couch, Jared was eating my sandwich, and Josh had my chips. I walked over and grabbed the bag of chips out of his hands. I sat down on the floor with my back to the couch. I put my hand in the bag and looked up at the T.V. Then, I realized it was dead silent. I looked up, and everyone was staring at me. "What?" I suddenly felt self-conscious. Tim was the first to speak. "I don't know, it's just, from what we've been told, you're normally very quiet and anti-social. Most people of the people at our school thin
KNOCKOUT Twenty-Eight
Jessie surfaced first, and I could tell he was laughing even though I was still underwater. When I surfaced, I went up, so the water pushed the hair out of my face. The food was residual food was floating all around us. I started laughing when I realized that all the others had taken off their shirts to jump in too. They started to run toward us. "Freeze!" That all too familiar voice said. I turned to see my mother in the doorway to the backyard. The boys stopped right where they were. I swam to the wall closest to my mother. A strange man walked up to me and grabbed my elbow, yanking me out of the pool. I groaned and grabbed my shoulder. "You dirty little slut! Six men?" I turned to my mom, and the male joined her. "You are not worth the air you breathe! Get your fat ass in there and make that room spotless!" My mind blanked, and I couldn't process that I still had friends over witnessing this. All I knew was that I needed to do as she asked to lessen my punishment
KNOCKOUT Twenty-Nine
The darkness that pulled me under turned into the night sky. I was lying on the beach as the water would come up and play with my toes, then run and hide back in the ocean. My head was against the sand, and I was staring up at the night sky. The stars have always been one of my favorite things. It was so serene and beautiful. I knew exactly where I was because I had been there before the few times I had gotten severely hurt. It was where my mind took me to heal. The stars would flicker in and out with my breathing. They grew brighter with every inhale and dimmed with every exhale. The longer I watched them, the more sure I was that I needed to let my heart keep beating. If only to keep the stars in the sky for a little longer. The warm water danced to the rhythm of my heartbeat. Every time a wave came in, it beat once more. So many times in my life, I've had the option to make the waves stop crashing on the shore or the stars stop twinkling, but I had
KNOCKOUT Thirty
"Oh, thank God that you're awake! They said you wouldn't wake up for another week." I reached up and touched his cheek. The muscles in my arm feeling weak. "You're trying to change the subject." He didn't deny it. Instead, he smiled a heartwarming smile. "You just woke up in the hospital, and you're still as pushy as ever." He let out a chuckle as he pressed his face deeper into my palm. "She really didn't come to the trial?" He pulled the chair, so it was right next to my bed. "No." He let out a deep breath. "Surprisingly, your mother was still alive when the ambulance showed up, but the alcohol she had in her system didn't help her case. It thinned out her blood too much, and they couldn't stop the bleeding. She didn't make it. I'm so sorry Julie. I wish that never happened." He looked up at me again. "You saved your sister's life, you know that?" I smiled and nodded. "Where is she?" "She's was already sent to the family hous
KNOCKOUT Thirty-One
My mouth was partly open as I stared at the house we were pulling up to in shock. It was huge, and I could see movement from the front curtain. Houses like this, I had only ever seen in movies. "Don't tell me that you're pulling an Annie on me," I said to Jennifer as she pulled into the rounded driveway. There were several cars parked along the side of the house, and I had to wonder if they were having a party of some kind. "Not really. You actually got really lucky. This family saw your file, and they pulled a lot of strings to get you assigned to them. They tried for your sister too, but that didn't work out." I turned to stare at her as she explained, watching the fascinating lack of emotion as she spoke. "I've worked with them one time before, and they were just a family who had too much money seemed to be taking on too much. They have heart. I'll give them that. I was surprised they were allowed to take in another kid. It seems even after their foster kids turn
KNOCKOUT Thirty-Two
The next morning, I discovered Terry hadn't been kidding when she said she got up early. I had sent a text to Jessie asking him to break me out of my most recent prison and was just waiting for him to wake up and respond when she found me on the couch fully dressed to make a break for it. I wasn't running away. I just wanted to get away from the strange house with its strange people inside. There were too many things happening in my life, and I felt like I was going to explode if I didn't take a break from them. "Okay, so here is the living room, this is the dining room.." I nodded at her with each room as she took me around the ground floor. There was only one bedroom downstairs, and I wondered why but she didn't explain. "This is Liam and Bri's room, everyone else lives upstairs. You'll meet the whole gang later." She glanced at the gold watch on her wrist before clicking her tongue to the roof of her mouth. "It's about time for everyone to start waking up
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KNOCKOUT Epilogue
"Bye, Julie!" The ten-year-old screamed with laughter as she ran into her bedroom, slamming it behind her to prevent her older brother from getting to her with his can of silly string. A smile stretched across my face at the sight of my family celebrating Bri's birthday. It had been a relaxing day enjoying the barbeque and pool party with all of her friends and family. Ryan and Terry had been present, and while we were civil for the sake of Bri, we tended to avoid each other at these types of events. Ryan held a grudge against me for being such a troublemaker and reflecting negatively on their family name. Meanwhile, I held a grudge against them for trying to put me back into the foster system to find a new family after I was released from the hospital. I knew it would happen eventually, but that didn't make it hurt any less. They never made it that far. I had been able to petition for my independence and emancipation as I was only a few months from turning 18. Luckily for me, this
KNOCKOUT Ninety-Nine
I woke up as the door slammed open, and the lights came on, peaking in from the edges of my blindfold. I would have tilted my head back and looked over to see who walked in from under the fabric, but I still couldn't move."Please! Why are you doing this? Why can't you just kill me? Don't do this please! Don't do this to her!" Mark's voice would have been calming if it wasn't full of panic and fear.The sound of someone approaching was followed by the blindfold being ripped off my face. I could see three men pulling Mark into the room from the corner of my eye. I wanted to tell him I would be okay, but couldn't. He had to know that I was stronger than anything they threw at me."She had nothing to do with it! If you're going to kill me, just kill me! She wasn't even there! Please, I'm begging you! Don't touch her!" He was slammed down into a chair that another man dragged in behind them, and was quickly tied down to it.A hand wrapped around my ankle, but
KNOCKOUT Ninety-Eight
Julie's P.O.V.I took a deep breath to relax as I felt the SUV pull to a stop after at least half an hour of driving. I heard doors opening, and I tensed back up. Someone grabbed my legs while another pair of hands reached for my arms.I squirmed and struggled. They had pulled me halfway out of the car, and I started screaming. A cloth was shoved into my mouth, but I kept hitting and fighting with all I had. I felt a sharp pain in my leg. Not even thirty seconds later, my leg went numb, followed by my other leg, abdomen, and everything else as it worked its way up my body until I couldn't move or speak, but somehow felt everything.I collapsed onto the ground with a thump. My limp legs were lifted up off the ground, and I could feel my back and hands scrapping against the hot concrete as they pulled me to our destination. I heard the door open, and I was dragged once again.My back held a searing pain, and if I could, I would have screame
KNOCKOUT Ninety-Seven
As I made my way to the door of the classroom, my eyes eerily glanced to the parking lot on my right. This building was the closest to it, so I was worried. I picked up my speed a little bit when I heard footsteps quickly following behind me at a faster pace than my own.The logical side of my brain was telling me that someone was just late for class, but the panicked part of my brain told me to run. The footsteps grew louder as the person got closer, and I turned my walk into a brisk jog, my backpack bouncing as I did so. The door to my classroom was only four doors away, and it was open. I just had to make it a little further before breaking down and having my panic attack.The squealing of tires caught my attention and sent the hairs on the back of my neck standing straight off of my body. My breathing came out in small pants as I could feel the adrenaline pumping through my veins.A large black SUV came into view and slammed on its breaks not more than 50 ya
KNOCKOUT Ninety-Six
I backed up towards the door. Unfortunately for me, we didn't keep the cleanest room, and I tripped over a pile of clothes landing right on my butt. When I looked up, Mark was smiling at me, the humor of me falling taking away from the seriousness of the situation…for him at least."Mark? W-what . . . what the fuck is going on?" I stammered as my throat closed up. He stood with the gun still in his hand and walked toward me. I started to shake. He stopped a few feet in front of me and looked down at me with his other hand outstretched in my direction, palm up.When I didn't take it, he narrowed his eyes in confusion. "Julie, I'm not going to hurt you. I would never, ever hurt you." He said as he crouched down next to me. "Why would you think that I would?" He sounded honestly hurt."You just pulled out a fucking g…" He placed his hand over my mouth."Julie, no one can know. Please, just let me explain. Plus, this gun isn't mine. This gun is
KNOCKOUT Ninety-Five
His Adam's apple bobbed harshly, and I met his stare as he scanned my face over as if judging how serious I was. Then, he nodded his head to the side and turned to resume walking. I moved with him, knowing that he needed a minute to collect himself. We made our way back to our dorm slowly, but he stopped me before we reached the front doors."I know what you mean. It was so hard…everything we went through, but we did it together. I don't think I'm ready to let you go yet, but I know I have to. I can't keep holding onto you and what we used to have, because that's gone now." He nudged the tip of his shoes against mine, and I looked down just as he pulled his foot back. "You do seem happy with him. I don't want to be in the way of that.""I really am." My voice was soft, as I didn't want anyone to overhear us.Jessie cleared his throat, and I fiddled with the hem of my shirt between my thumb and forefinger. He gave me a sad smile and let out a chuckle while
KNOCKOUT Ninety-Four
I flipped through the television, rather violently, much to Deidra's annoyance. After several minutes, she got to her feet, announcing that she was going to go visit her boyfriend (who I had yet to meet), and left me alone with my thoughts.Why would he stand me up?Was this payback for me not forgiving him sooner, or was it because of how poorly the conversation went last night?That petty, son of a bit…The sound of knocking broke me from my thoughts, and I turned off the baking show I had landed on.I got up slowly and walked over to the door. I swung it open."Hello?" I looked up, and I saw Jessie in a clean white t-shirt and a pair of black skinny jeans."Are you ready?" He asked with a big grin.I kept a straight face."I'm sorry I'm late. The headmaster called me into his office. I tried to get out sooner, but he just kept babbling." I smiled at him and nodded."It's okay. I'm ready. Let me just grab
KNOCKOUT Ninety-Three
I wanted to pull Mark to the side of the hallway and tell him everything involving Jessie from yesterday to today, but with the crowd around us trying to get to class, it didn't seem like the right time.Maybe, I should wait and tell him after I cleared the air with Jessie this evening and everything was settled. If he knew about my meeting with Jessie beforehand, I figured it would make him stressed and frustrated wondering what we were doing, and if I was being faithful, even though we weren't technically together. As far as I was concerned, Mark was mine whether we placed a title on it or not. If another woman tried to make a move on him, she would have to deal with me.The entire second period, I was flooded with guilt that I hadn't talked to Mark yet, that I couldn't even enjoy the feeling of his hand on my thigh throughout the class.I pretty much ran to World History for third period so I could talk to Chey and Deidra and not have to worry about Mark over
KNOCKOUT Ninety-Two
I burst through the door to my first hour at the last second with my backpack slung carelessly over my shoulder and my half-finished coffee in my hand."Nice of you to join us, Ms. Sanders." The teacher said with sarcasm.I just sent her an apologetic smile, and she nodded as I sat down in my seat."We're going to be studying the magical work of Romeo and Juliet for the quarter." The males groaned, but I had a huge grin on my face. I was still a nerd at heart. Plus, my old school had already covered this curriculum months ago."Two households, both alike in dignity,In fair Verona, where we lay our scene,From ancient grudge break to new mutiny,Where civil blood makes civil hands unclean.From forth the fatal loins of these two foesA pair of star-crossed lovers take their life;Whose misadventured piteous overthrowsDo with their death bury their parents' strife.The fearful passage of their death-
