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It wasn't like Kevin had expected people to take his transfer well. He was fully aware of how vicious the media could be, and how zealous Raven fans were.
Still, the abject chaos Palmetto State was dealing with seemed a bit much.
"For fucks sake!" Dan swore, which was as sure of a sign as any that she was having a bad day. "That's the third time this week!"
She was referring to the vandalised stadium entrance, graffiti covering older graffiti that no one had gotten around to removing, and rubbish bins tossed around and emptied.
"I mean, this is pretty tame." Nicky said. "They didn't even break the door!"
"Don't say that! Quick, knock on wood!" Matt said, looking around. Allison knocked on Seth's head, earning a severe glare.
Dan sighed. "Yes, well. It still means coach has to write up another incident report."
"I have an idea," Seth said. "Give coach a break and let the guy who's fault this is do the paperwork." He unsubtly looked at Kevin.
Wymack had spoken to the whole team before signing Kevin, and they all knew the risks. Why should he have any sympathy for them now?
"Worry less about that and more about your complete inability to defend."
By the time Dan brought the group under control, they were late starting morning practice. Kevin made sure to point out everyone's points to improve on, to make up for it.
Afterward, they had classes. Most times Kevin could stay with Andrew, sitting in on the blonde's lectures or dragging him to his own. It was a comfort Kevin was getting used to, a reliable presence at his side for the first time in way too long. Unfortunately, today they had class at the same time on different sides of campus.
"Don't get lost." Andrew said, outside Kevin's lecture hall.
Kevin didn't, for the record. It wasn't his fault that things went wrong once his lecture was over.
He knew the way to Andrew's classroom. Kevin made it halfway there before someone crashed into his side, dragging him down the side of a building.
"Bastard!" The man yelled, before shoving Kevin against the wall so hard his head collided with it.
Kevin kicked at him, making contact with his abdomen before the man punched the side of his face. It wasn't even the hardest punch Kevin had ever taken, but it still throbbed.
"The Ravens gave you everything, and you just turned around and left them as soon as you got the chance!" The man was seething, and pressed an arm across Kevin's chest, pressing him against the wall.
Okay. Calm him down. "The transfer was a mutual decision-"
"Shut up!" The man pressed harder, scraping Kevin's back against brick, lighting it up with pricks of pain. "I don't give a shit about your lies! Even after the accident, I thought you cared about the Ravens, but here you are! Messing around with a pathetic, second rate team!"
"I-" Kevin wasn't sure what he would have said, because two things happened nearly simultaneously. First, the guy punched him again - Knocking his head against brick and bringing out reflexive tears.
Second, Andrew Minyard appeared from nowhere. In an instant, the man was pulled away from Kevin. He hit the ground, closely followed by a blonde with a knife.
Andrew pressed the blade to the man's throat, before turning to Kevin. "I told you not to get lost."
"I know exactly where I am!"
"Fuck! Get that away from me, psycho!" The man yelled, freaking out at the possibility of having his throat slit.
Andrew looked at him, smiling. "Oh, you think you can come here and attack people without facing consequences?" His voice wasn't angry, which was probably worse.
"Fuck! Day, call off your dog! I'm sorry!" The man was really losing it now.
His dog. It was a funny concept.
"Andrew does what he wants." Kevin said.
"Please!"
"He really thinks I'll do it," Andrew said, amused. "Well, maybe I should. Are you hurt?"
Not badly, not really, but Kevin knew Andrew didn't want his own opinion on the matter. "My face and back are gonna bruise. I hit my head twice."
"Hmm. You know what they say - Blood for bruises. Or something."
The man seemed incoherent.
Kevin checked the time. "You'll be late for your next class if we don't leave now."
"No time to dispose of a body then?"
Andrew didn't actually intend the kill the guy, Kevin was (mostly) sure. For all the others called him a monster, he wasn't a serial killer.
They left the man on the floor. Maybe he'd have nightmares of a short, blonde monster tonight. The blonde in question pulled Kevin's head down as they walked, checking for damage.
"No blood." He poked the area. "Does that hurt?"
"Obviously."
"Well, don't get lost again." Andrew said, letting him go.
"I was never lost!"