Orange Juice and Pop Tarts

Tyler Carson could feel the glass of orange juice and the pop-tart that he had that morning making its way back up from his stomach. He still owed Brian $40 from that skateboard he bought from him. Actually, Brian had stolen Tyler’s skateboard and then wanted him to pay him in order to get it back. Since he didn’t have any money, Brian let him have until Monday to pay him his money, or he would get beaten up again. Sadly, today was Monday and Tyler had no money. He spent it all on Superman comic books.

“You’ll be fine. All you have to do is make sure that you stay out of Brian’s sight.” Sara told him.

“That’s easy for you to say. You don’t have third period with him,” Tyler snapped.

“Just go to the nurse’s office during that class, and say that your asthma is acting up again.”

“I did that last week; I’m afraid Nurse Buleman might start to get suspicious. It doesn’t matter anyway, he’ll just come looking for me later.” The butterflies in Tyler’s stomach seemed to multiply as he stepped into Arlington High. He felt even worse when he had to part with his best friend, Sara and head to his locker.

As Tyler was wrestling with his locker to pull out his algebra book, he heard someone come up behind him. “If I ignore him, he will go away,” he repeatedly thought to himself. He didn’t go away. Tyler didn’t even have to turn around to know who was standing behind him. He could smell the putrid odor of Brian’s breath.

“Hey loser, where’s my money?” Brian’s voice boomed from behind him. Turning around slowly, Tyler could feel his palms get sweaty. The butterflies in his stomach turned evil as they started to pound themselves against his stomach making him nauseous. Now he was standing eye to eye with him. Actually, it was more like eye to chin since Brian was a freakishly tall guy. Then the worst possible thing happened. Out came the orange juice along with some pop-tart pieces all over Brian’s shirt.