The Rat Pack

That night in another party of campus, a part of campus infamous to everyone who knew about it, an even more infamous group drank and chatted together.

Dixon and his friends were using the Eagle Nest as somewhere to hang out in. They sat in arm chairs, gathering around a half used keg in the middle of their isolated area.

“Thanks for having my back boys,” Dixon said, holding his red plastic cup up in the air.

The other boys all did the same in return, even cheering as if they had pulled off something incredible. The only one who didn’t have a smile on his face was Z, the tall handsome Asian boy barely putting his cup in the air.

Dixon gave him the side eye as they celebrated, constantly trying to read his old-time friend. He had stuck to his word and hadn’t reported or gone to someone about what Dixon did to Maple but his attitude about it all made the jock question him and his future decisions.

Leo Lennox burped as he swallowed the remainder of his beer. To his left, the more scrawny Justin Martin adjusted his body in his seat to speak to Dixon, “You really think they won’t speak now?”

“No, we’ve done enough to keep enough of them quiet, like I said, all we needed to do was scare a couple of them and now they’re all too afraid to do or say anything,” Dixon explained to them like he had done before.

They laughed together, ignoring the fact that what Dixon had done, was beyond horrific.

Suddenly, a noice behind them caught their attention. They all turned around to hear the sound of the shed lock opening.

In walked Bryce Walker.

There were no rules about teammates coming in here during the week but there was a strict rule against others entering uninvited, especially when they were unwelcome. Bryce saw Z sitting there and his cheeks brightened up instantly, bright red with fury.

“You’re banned Z…” he muttered as he approached the boys, “How many times do I have to tell you this…”

“Hang on Walker, Z’s cool, he’s actually…”

“Shut the fuck up Dixon,” Bryce cut him off, “He leaves… right now.”

There was silence in the room as everyone was too afraid to say anything to Bryce. His intimidating figure stood it’s ground, keeping his eyes fixated on Z who was slow to get up.

Bryce didn’t move his feet as Z walked passed him, making eye contact as he did so.

He stood, listening to the sound of the door lock before shifting his focus back on Dixon.

“What the fuck did I tell you about inviting people who are banned in here,” Bryce lectured Dixon and the others.

Nobody wanted to speak, whenever Bryce was in a mood like this, it was best to just stay out of his way. The only person that was brave enough to reply was Dixon.

“Look, I need him close to me…” he admitted, “He knows something and I have to keep my eye on him so…”

“Don’t bother explaining, I can connect the dots myself,” Bryce cut him off.

He stepped forward again, looking down at Dixon, he scrunched up his nose and shook his head, “You’re lucky I haven’t kicked your povo ass off this team…”

Sitting in his chair, Dixon’s bottom lip trembled as he looked up at Bryce who was staring him down. He wanted it to sting, he was beginning to despise him as much as others.

“You’re bringing too much negative attention to this team Dixon,” he told him, “You know my rule, as long as you’re playing well on the field, I don’t really care what happens off it… but you’re recents performances aren’t shit.”

If anyone else had have said that to the boy, he would have snapped back. But instead, he just listened, feeling his heart beating faster.

“You’re one bad game or one mishap off the field from being kicked off the team…”

The warning was sent, message received.

Walker breathed in and then out, before giving him a very fake smile before leaving the Eagle Nest himself.