A THRIFT SYSTEM

chapter eight

"Yes. I would like you to officially be my prom date and also can you.."

I saw her walking closer to me and before I could say another word, her lips brushed against mine slowly.

At that moment, the world titled around it axis. I felt like I was on cloud nine.

The students all began to murmur and the whispering got so loud that I couldn't concentrate anymore.

The sound of camera shutters from different phones filled the air and I smiled as she grabbed my hands. " You just got yourself a deal, Pointus. But first you need to be on the same level with me." Cassie said looking at my face.

"Not exactly my level but the school's level." She added. "Here is my card. Call me when you want us to talk more about what I can do for you." Cassie said and walked away while some of her friends had been staring at us wondering what was going on followed right behind her.

Finally!

I stood still and I could see the anger on his face. Jeremiah looked at Cassie as she walked out and his gaze landed back on me.

I had accomplished what many guys on the campus failed to do.

"How did he make that happen?"

"I can't believe Pontius dated the same girl Jeremiah had tried to woo."

"Can you believe that?"

The school was in total uproar as many of the students kept their gaze fixed on me. Some were even looking at me like I was some kind of god.

I smiled as I walked out of the cafeteria.

[ SYSTEM MESSAGE; TASK ACCOMPLISHED]

[ SYSTEM REWARD; ITEM WILL BE ADDED TO YOUR COLLECTION]

That is all?

I blinked at my phone and the gaming app disappeared once more.

I need more. My heart thudded with fear with my gaze fixed on my phone waiting for another flash of message.

But nothing!

I still had like two days before the prom and I also needed to show Cassie I was not a push over. I needed to man up and let her know I was up to the task.

I walked back to my car and what I saw made my face look pale.

My windscreen was smashed and my car wheel had been removed. I knew only one person was capable of doing that.

Jeremiah's minions.

I clenched my hands in anger and walked back to the cafeteria but he was there. I knew where he was going to be. Without wasting my time, I dashed towards the basketball court.

As I approached the basketball court, the sound of sneakers squeaking and the ball bouncing grew louder. I scanned the court, my eyes locking onto Jeremiah, who was indeed playing a heated game with his friends. His eyes met mine, and for a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension palpable.

I walked onto the court, my eyes fixed on Jeremiah. "You think you can intimidate me by vandalizing my car?" I asked, my voice low and even.

Jeremiah smirked, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, but the glint in his eye told a different story.

"Don't play dumb, Jeremiah," I said,my anger simmering just below the surface. "I know it was your minions who trashed my car. And I'm not going to let it slide."

Jeremiah chuckled, shaking his head. " You're really something else, Pontius.

You think you're on Cassie's level just because she kissed you? Newsflash: you're not even in the same league."

I clenched my fists, my heart racing with adrenaline. "We'll see about that, " I said, my voice dripping with determination.

The game had drawn a crowd, and now everyone was watching us, sensing a confrontation brewing. Jeremiah's friends seemed hesitant to intervene, but Jeremiah himself seemed to be enjoying the tension.

"You want a piece of me, Pontius?" Jeremiah asked, cracking his knuckles. "Let's settle this in court. If you win, I'll leave you and Cassie alone. But if you lose...you'll owe me."

I hesitated for a moment, weighing my options. But something about Jeremiah's confidence grated on me. I nodded, a fierce determination burning within me. "You're on."

The crowd erupted into cheers as we faced off on the court, the ball bouncing loudly between us. This was more than just a game - it was a battle for dominance. And I was ready to fight.

As the cheer got louder, it attracted not only the students but some of the educators who had been dying to see what was really going on between me and Jeremiah.

The thought of proving myself to them was all that was on my mind but when I turned my head. I saw her.

Seated with her friends and her gaze locked on mine.

" I can see you have got a motivation for you to win this fight but don't be delusional, Pontius. You are going down." Jeremiah said, adjusting his basketball jersey.

"Enough of your bull shit. Why don't you show me what you have got?" I said with anger.

I knew I was not a fighter but I won't be embarrassed right in front of the whole student body. At least that was what I thought before the first punch landed on my face sending me back to the floor

My nose cracked and blood flew out like Jeremiah's blow had unlocked the closed dam of blood in my body for a long time.

"Fight! Fight!!" The student kept shouting as Jeremiah walked closer to me. He threw another punch which I managed to duck before I landed another crucial blow to his face.

He staggered backward for a bit holding his mouth. I smirked, "That was for breaking my nose."

"Well, why don't I break something else." He said with anger walking towards me. Jeremiah launched a blow again but this time, it was a bait. I tried to dodge but it was too late.

I was falling flat on my back as everything became dark. I could hear the loud noise of the students as one of the teachers shouted, running towards me.

I had fainted.