“A little nosebleed normally doesn’t take half an hour,” she snapped. “You left your team with a disadvantage.”

Mrs. Hodgins had hated me since I quit the teams. I think she was really disappointed that I just left.

“Sorry, it turns out that the nosebleed was pretty bad,” I explained. “Earlier, I lied when I said it was the weather. One of my team members accidentally hit me, so I really hurt my nose. You can call the nurse if you don’t believe me.”

She eyed me suspiciously, but decided to give me the benefit of the doubt, likely because she was too lazy to call Silena. Charlie jogged up to me.

“Your team was getting destroyed without you. Why’d you let him hit you so hard?” he inquired.

“I could actually hurt him. Then I’d have to move again,” I replied.

“Aren’t you leaving anyway?” Charlie retorted.

“Yeah, but… my mother… She’d have to deal with all of it when I left,” I said softly. “Anyway, I was talking with your sister… She said you didn’t tell her I was leaving.”

“It shouldn’t matter to her,” he muttered.

“I guess not, but she does worry,” I commented.

“She shouldn’t. I’m already here to help you when you need it. You’re perfectly okay,” he snapped, his eyes meeting mine.

His eyes widened at my injury and he took my face in his hands.

“Can you not? It kind of really hurts,” I commented.

“Sorry,” he apologized, immediately letting me go.

“S’okay,” I replied.

“They better not have caused permanent damage, or I will personally deal with them, since you don’t do it yourself,” he threatened.

“Charlie!” I groaned.

“Keith! This is serious! You need to stop being such a doormat!” Charlie exclaimed. “If they actually hurt you…” he trailed off.

“I’m not a doormat!” I shouted at him.

“What do you call allowing other people to do whatever they want to you without saying anything?” Charlie questioned me.

“That’s not what I’m doing. I’m just avoiding hurting other people,” I argued.

“At the expense of your own health?!” he countered.

“Yes! I mean… no! I’m just trying to…” I trailed off.

“Trying to what? Huh, Keith? Explain what you’re trying to do by stupidly allowing people to beat your ass on the daily,” Charlie hissed.

“I-uh… um…” I stammered.

“You what?” he pushed.

“Just leave me alone!” I exploded, turning away and running off, ignoring the teacher’s sudden protests.