Corbin: The College Years, part 15

By Corbin, corbin@poetic.com

How life tests the endurance, patience, and sometimes faith of one young woman.

 

 

Pre-Story Introduction/Ranting/Venting/Rambling…

 

Another question to answer:

Do I get jealous? Yes I do. I think everyone will get a kick out of this, but I get jealous of other blondes, especially tall ones, funny huh?

I was standing on the elevator last week when this 6’ Blonde, maybe even 6’ 1”, steps on, fairly attractive…ehhh so-so I guess…hell I don’t know what the  definition of attractive is…although a tad on the scrawny side. Anyway, I felt that tiny little pain in my gut, where I was suddenly sizing her up…her build, making all sorts of comparisons. I had her beat in every department, no question, except height…DAMN, she beat me by an inch or so. Oh well, maybe I’ll wear some heels next week…TAKE THAT!!! HA!!!...see, I can be just as petty as the next person.

 

Today I was sitting in the weight room when to my left this girl walks up and picks up a pair of 5lb dumbbells (please don’t strain yourself, really now). So the girl begins to raise her arms up to her side and then back down, then back up, but this time in front. She does this about fifteen times, sets the weights down and walks off. Uhmmmm…..WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT ALL ABOUT? You call that a workout? You must be kidding! I see that happen all the time…pathetic.

 

 

 

 

Part 15

 

 

“What was that all about” Dale asked, looking back at the door Corbin had just shut.

 

“Nothing, typical girl stuff” Corbin shook her head and walked over to her desk to sit back down. Dale looked around for a second and then cautiously sat down on her bed, watching…studying Corbin’s mood.

 

“But is she right? I mean…” Dale pinched his eyebrows together with concern. He didn’t want to start off with an argument but it did bother him that maybe he was suddenly shrinking in Corbin’s life.

 

“Look,” Corbin leaned forward and massaged her temples, “It’s not as bad as Sharon makes it out to be, Sharon is a dramatist you know that!” She sat up, only to slump back into the chair looking exhausted. Dale looked down at the ground and appeared to fade off for a second in thought, which wasn’t like him, “What’s wrong, come on tell me” Corbin leaned forward with genuine concern.

 

“Well, if it’s not as bad as Sharon makes it out to be then why are you slamming the door in her face and choosing to spend more time with Nikki then me? I mean if something is going on, please just tell me” Dale blurted it all out in one breath.

 

Corbin was on the edge of blowing up…yet again, but found enough focus to relax as her left elbow propped up on the desk so her weary head could rest into the palm of her hand. Closing her eyes brought some relief as she tried to regain her composure, ‘How did everything get so fucked up’ she thought, considering the stress from everything;

-Friendship with Sharon going down the tubes.

-Nikki’s friendship getting so intense.

-Mora looking to pick a fight every chance she got.

-Trying to maintain an ‘A’ grade average.

-And now her boyfriend is sitting here grilling her AND wanting to get more physically intimate.

 

“I’m not very good at multi-tasking sometimes I guess” Corbin sighed and opened her left eye, then her right. But she did start to wonder, would things improve if she spent less time with Nikki? It did make some sense…that would mean more time for Dale and Sharon and almost totally eliminate the physical issues that seems to weave their way into her relationship with Nikki every time they are together.

 

“That’s okay, I understand.” Dale sighed and slid his sandals back and forth across the floor.

 

“No, it’s not okay, I’ve been a crappy girlfriend lately and I’ve missed you” Corbin suddenly stood up and walked over to where he sat, it felt good to take the imitative like this.

 

“I’ve missed you too” Dale sighed quietly and looked up, a giant grin forming on his face and suddenly all of his anxieties melted away as he continued looking up. There was no denying that he was totally head-over-heels for this girl like no other he had ever met, he stood up and found himself face to face, well almost as he was a bit taller. He suspected their was more going on behind those hazel eyes then she was willing to talk about right now, but his brain had started to shut down…her intoxicating looks, aroma, hair, body…’I’m doomed’ he thought and smiled. He felt her arms wrap around his waist and pull him in tight.

 

“Weakling” He smiled as she pulled him in firmly.

 

“I am a weak little girl” Corbin smiled and batted her eye lashes playfully.

 

“What are you doing?” He smiled nervously feeling her right hand adjust behind his back.

 

“Nothing” Corbin shrugged, but he had noticed her jaw muscles clenching, a prelude to something…it was a physical characteristic that he picked up on, the way her jaw would tighten prior to her doing anything physical. And now she was pulling him in tight…very tight against her body as if applying a bear hug, which he wasn’t minding at all in fact, it was a total turn on feeling their bodies mash against one another.

 

“Think this weak little girl can pick you up?” Corbin smiled in a very uncharacteristic way.

 

“Corbin, I was just teasing…” Dale shrugged with a nervous chuckle, he really couldn’t give a shit about what she was doing or proving…he was getting a major erection right now by her sudden display of aggression and force. His hands came up to gently stroke her bare arms, all he could do was contemplate making out, but Corbin had other ideas. Now Corbin was always afraid of making an ass of herself, thus she rarely showed off…also, Dale was like almost 6’ 3” and weighed in at least around 220 of muscle but for some reason it was a turn on to exert herself like this ‘And why now?’ she wondered, knowing herself like she did, she would probably analyze this little stunt of hers later, until then her left hand gripped her right wrist. Her body tensed as she arched her back, because this was probably going to be no easy task so she had to call into play her Lats, Traps, calf…hamstring…you name it in order to perform this little balancing act. As for Dale, he was still acting like she couldn’t do it…or was just playing around not totally sure what was about to take place.

 

“Jesus…Corbin…be careful!” He groaned as she was really going to try and lift him up, his gut reaction was that she might hurt herself or fall over if she lost her balance. Not to mention it wasn’t the most comfortable feeling having your guts squished.

 

“Hold still tough guy…stop squirming…” Corbin grunted and even managed to maintain a smiled as she arched back a bit further.

 

“Fine…fine…but don’t blame me if you get hurt!” Dale snapped, feeling semi-mad, nervous, and a bit silly, “…god-damn…” he groaned. Actually, he was now curious to see if she could do it and found some pleasure in anticipating the scolding that he was going to give her after-the-fact when this little foolish stunt of hers was over with.

 

“SAY WHAT?” She glanced up into his eyes when her body suddenly straightened up.

 

“Okay…okay, you proved your point…whatever that was…now stop fooling around…” Dale groaned but stopped short of his thought as he realized his feet were totally off the ground.

 

“Just a sec…” Corbin grunted and held him there, for several more seconds before slowly bending her legs; her thighs and calves worked some overtime to control and balance their combined weights. Upon his feet resting back she released her clutch from around his torso…

”Are you finished?” Dale snapped and took a step back, his right hand massaging his ribs and side. It didn’t hurt that bad, he was pretty muscular, but it made an impression…physically, emotionally and more importantly in their relationship…psychologically.

 

“Dale?” Corbin looked on perplexed, “Are you actually pissed?” trying to figure out his reaction. Honestly, Dale didn’t’ know what to say or think…it was totally fucking with his head, never in his life had he met or dated a girl that was strong enough to pick him up and yes he did admit on some subconscious level it turned him on…it really turned him on. So he lied about why he was irritated…

 

“Well, that kinda hurt!” He looked over at her, massaging his waist with both hands now.

 

“I’m sorry” Corbin looked sad now and came over touching his torso, “I’m sorry Dale I was just messing around…I’m always fucking things up…” she sighed, “I thought you’d be impressed”, but that was a partial truth on Corbin’s part, Corbin did it more for herself, just to see if she could then to seek his approval, but it sounded like the ‘right’ thing to say.

 

“No…no your not fucking anything up…I’m just a bit…” Dale felt like he was now getting tongue tied in an explanation.

 

“What…just a bit what?” She quickly tossed his statement around, analyzing every possible angle.

 

“Corbin look, I’ve just never dated anyone like you before…” Dale nervously ran his hands thru his wavy dark brown hair,

He was going to insert his foot into his mouth big time but realized what a mistake it would be to say ‘Un-ladylike’.

 

“What does that mean? Like me?” Corbin’s head tilted back with a wounded expression forming on her face.

 

“No…no…don’t take it wrong like that…fuck!...I’m not insulting you here…” He pleaded.

 

“Well what the hell are you doing?” she took a step back and placed her hands on her hips.

 

“Look, can’t we just forget this whole silly thing…I haven’t seen you in a few days and it’s killing me…” Quick change of subject his mind was scrambling for, but he knew, Corbin wasn’t going to let it go and sure enough…

 

“What silly thing?...Now it’s a silly thing!” Corbin waved her arms out to her side as she rolled her eyes.

 

“Oh god” He groaned and turned around to sit back down on the bed, “Here we go” he mumbled.

 

“Here we go is right” Corbin fumed.

 

“Look, I’m just used to dating more frilly, ditzy…” Oh boy did he regret that comment as he watched Corbin’s eyes narrow with an emotional storm that started brewing…the light hazel was gone…replaced with a darker hue…

 

“CORBIN! What are you thinking!” Dale snapped as he leaned back, his fearful eyes growing wide as he watched her left fist rear back but suddenly stop, he was sitting…frozen…in awe that she was getting ready to slug him, or so it appeared.

 

“Then you go date one of them! Why are you even with me? Go down to one of the Sorority houses…bars…or whatever the fuck you football goons like to pick…” Corbin swallowed hard, but couldn’t keep the tears from showing, her words seemed to seethe from between her front teeth.

 

“Stop…stop…stop!” He tried to jump in verbally, but she continued. Her left arm un-cocked from the punch she was ready to deliver, instead she stuck the same arm out in front of him, her fist clenching tight as her forearm and biceps flexed. His eyes looked on transfixed, like cords of rope twisting under her skin suddenly became etched in definition.

“You see this…I’ve worked too damn hard for this…for so long…” the tears came a little faster now, “…and if you think I’m going to stop…because you have a problem with me…”

“God damn it! Your totally misunderstanding me…twisting it all around!” Dale jumped to his feet trying to take the offensive in the argument, “I love everything about you…the way you are…from the moment I first saw you…you know that. Why are you getting so hostile and defensive…I’m just trying to say, poorly I might add,” His hands came out to touch her shoulders but it was no use she pulled away and paced towards the bathroom, then back in his direction but remained out of arms reach.

 

“Corbin, it’s not like you’re the first girl I’ve ever come across that is in great shape, come on, I’ve been going to the gym and have been around many girl’s that are very fit…true none that could lift me off the ground like that…” and his eyes seemed to drift in thought as if he was still amazed by the whole thing, “…but that is in NO WAY a bad thing…please…I mean, don’t I get a fucking break in any of this? This is a lot for a guy to take in dating someone that is so independent, focused on school and sports, not all caught up in social-minded games. I’ve never been jealous when I’ve dated a girl, I know that’s an egotistical thing to say, but I see how guys look and talk about you…always hitting on you and I find myself unraveling when I even think about you being with or around another guy. Also, every time I turn around there’s something else that totally throws me for a loop…shit…please stop being so mad with me…”

 

She wasn’t sure, but the red complexion in Dale’s face really shot her in the heart, his eyes glazed with a tearful look that really shook her. Yet Corbin just turned away as her left fist came up and gently pressed against her lips, “I’m not as strong as you think” she sighed reflecting on several things, getting lost in her own thoughts. This time she didn’t pull away when he came up behind her and touched her on the shoulders,

“Look…” He took a deep breath before speaking again, “…in so many ways your far more feminine then any other girl I’ve ever been out with…it’s like they hide so much of their real beauty behind makeup, fancy bullshit clothes, perfume, hair color…shit the list goes on…and you’re just like…’This is me, take it or leave it’”

 

Corbin lowered her head and smiled, slowly turning around in his loose embrace, “So if I did my hair up and put on a nice dress, heels and all that bullshit you would dump me?” Her light hearted coy grin came back.

 

“Let’s not get carried away, I would make an exception in your case” He smiled with a sigh.

 

“Sorry about that…” Corbin nodded back to the edge of the bed where she had picked him up.

 

“No…don’t be…I just…” Dale’s left hand came up and massaged his forehead as he avoided eye contact.

 

“Will you just spit it out” Corbin sighed impatiently.

 

“It’s hard to admit that YES, it kind of turned me on…okay! Jesus…” He fumed and looked away not sure why he was feeling so uneasy about admitting that.

 

“Well I can’t promise to make a habit out of trying to pick you up but…we’ll see…” Corbin chuckled and was relieved when he smiled and nodded, ‘Finally the dark clouds are lifting off this relationship’ Corbin thought and stepped back, grabbing his right hand, “Let’s go for a walk” she smiled.

 

“Sounds good” he responded.

 

“You know,” She pulled his arm in close to against the side of her body, “If it would make you feel better you can pick me up and carry me” She smiled up at him.

 

“I plan to take you up on that” He smiled and just looked forward to the walk ahead, the overcast sky helped cool things off.  Yet Corbin did have an ulterior motive for the walk and was thankful they found some privacy as they headed in the direction of Duke Chapel; there were plentiful areas of wooded seclusion for them to talk without interruption. All of his worries seemed to wash away as he felt her stroke his forearm, but there was no mistaking the fact that Corbin was somewhere else, although he wouldn’t have to wait long to find out why.

 

“Dale look, we’ve been getting more and more serious lately and I know the extent of our physical relationship has been limited to kissing…and I know you want more…” Corbin sighed. ‘This is going to give me a heart attack’ he thought, one second they are having a relaxing walk and the next second it sounds like she is getting ready to drop a major bomb. His initial hope is that she was going to give him the green light on sex…’oh please god…please let it be yes!, hell I’d settle for a blow job even’. Taking a deep breath he could feel his heart hammer in his chest as he leaned forward.

“No…it’s not bad, and I know I should have asked this upfront, but I want…” Corbin rolled her eyes and he watched the way her forearm muscles tensed with anxiety, especially since she was now clutching his biceps and could feel how strong she really was. Another major turn on, dating someone who was so freaking strong as Corbin was actually a bit intimidating, more then proven earlier by her lifting stunt.

 

“What? You’re killing me here” He leaned forward some more with a nervous smile.

 

“I want you to go get tested” Corbin blurted it out and then held her breath, waiting for something…his reaction…an explosion…something.

 

“Tested for what?” He looked at her as his mind spun with confusion.

 

“Well, for everything” She shrugged.

 

“Everything…as in WHAT?” He leaned back defensively.

 

“As in you want me to spell it out for you?” Corbin cringed with irritation as her eyes squinted.

 

“YES, I deserve that Corbin…are you asking me have some STD testing? Is that it? Cause if it is…” Dale defensively pulled his arms away from her grip, Corbin had let go in any case as she could tell this was going to go none too well.

 

“Cause if it is what?…Tell me what? You’re not going to do it?!” Corbin looked up at him in disbelief and placed her hands on her strong hips.

 

He looked around for privacy and then quickly back at her, “I’ve been tested so many fucking times over these past years, because of sports…donating blood so I know I am clean” He said, “Jesus, I can’t fucking believe you!” He started to get mad.

 

“Well too-boo-hoo-fucking bad!” Corbin snapped and pointed to the ground, “You hound me constantly to get more intimate with you, touching…holding…kissing…but I’ve never been with anyone Dale and you have…I have to know for my own piece of mind…” Corbin’s lower lip trembled. She really wasn’t so upset with Dale or the testing, but everything was starting to come to a head now.

 

“So does this mean we are going to start having sex?” His voice lowered as he folded his arms across his chest, his tone authoritative as if he could command a ‘yes’ from her.

 

“Shit Dale” Corbin huffed and she turned away, pacing a few times before taking a deep breath, “No” she finally stopped and looked him in the eyes.

 

“Then what is the fucking point!” He shook his head in disbelief.

 

“Because I am paranoid about my health, that’s why…because I have a right! Because I said so…take your fucking pick!” Corbin leaned forward, she was actually clenching her teeth now so her words seethed out of her mouth, “…AND…AND there will be no more kissing…or anything until I know!” Corbin felt the blood rushing to her face as her heart pounded.

 

“Then you get your ass tested as well!” Dale shot back.

 

“Fine, I will!” Corbin snapped and actually felt a little spit fly off her lower lip she was so enraged.

 

“Fine!” Dale waved his hand in the air as if shooing a fly before turning around to storm off leaving her standing there alone.

 

“Fine!” Corbin yelled at him as he walked away and proceeded to pace in small circles, wiping the steady flow of sweat now pouring over her face as she mumbled curse words to herself. She actually felt her arms and knees shaking from the argument and carefully looked around as she walked behind a large tree for even more privacy. “Fuck” Corbin sighed as she leaned against the tree wiping the tears from her eyes, only a few sobs escaped her lips as she tried collecting herself, but felt foolish leaning against a tree crying. Slowly she pushed off and kept walking in the direction of the Chapel. It was all a blur, she remembers going inside and sitting in one of the last pews to rest, it had been so long since she had been and it felt good inside…nice and cool…but most of all so very quiet too. She leaned forward and folded her arms on the backrest in front of her, it would look like she was praying, but in fact she just wanted to rest, and the place was mostly deserted so she didn’t worry about being disturbed.

 

“Miss?...Miss?” The voice seemed as if it was in a dream.

 

“Huh?” Corbin rolled her head across her forearm and slowly sat up, a man was standing to her left in the pew, gently touching her on the shoulder.

 

“You okay? You’ve been here a long time,” He said.

 

“Uhm…” Corbin’s groggy eyes looked around and she slowly got to her feet, “…how long?” her hands brushed away the blonde hair from around the front of her face.

 

“I don’t know, maybe a couple of hours…you’re welcome to stay, it’s just that it’s getting late” He sighed with a faint smile.

 

“No I need to go, thanks” Corbin followed him out of the aisle and gave a thanks before walking out. “Wow, I really did drift off” She mumbled, it was dark outside as she walked back across campus to her dorm. She checked her messages on her cell phone; One from Nikki, two from Sharon, two from Dale and one from Carla one of the Soccer Coaches asking her to stop by early before practice. Corbin felt a lump in her throat upon hearing Carla’s voice…she listened to the message over and over trying to discern any tone that might reveal something bad. Corbin chose not to return any of the messages that night but simply lay down on the bed as her eyes and body welcomed sleep.

 

 

~~~~~~~

 

 

Corbin didn’t change into her uniform before practice, but went straight to Carla’s office, she was greeted with a smile as she entered which alleviated some of her anxieties; Anxieties that were soon replaced with another set of concerns when she found out it was Mora’s position she would be expected to step into. There was no hiding in the shadows now Corbin considered, her performance on the field  would be out there for everyone to judge…especially Mora, who stared hateful daggers at her while they changed.

 

Mora didn’t know what it was, but every bit of hate she could muster seemed directed at the blonde that day and getting knocked back to some second-stringer was the final humiliating blow as they headed out to practice.

 

‘That wasn’t so bad’ as Corbin stood there, hands on hips as she watched several team members disperse and head back to the locker room. Her eyes gazed across the field towards the row of trees in the distance, sort of daydreaming.

 

Mora looked down at her feet and stared at the black and white soccer ball, it lay there…motionless…it seemed to want a purpose…it wanted to be kicked. The Latin girl’s eyes slowly traveled up until she saw Corbin standing about twenty feet away, the back of her head coming into Mora’s focus…like a cross-hair forming on the blonde’s skull, she continued to stare. One…two…three…Mora counted as she took measured steps back, her heart pounding in her chest as her fists clenched and unclenched, over and over.

 

*POW* Like an explosion inside Corbin’s brain, her entire head rocked forward as her strong neck muscles felt like they might rip from their very base. Involuntarily her arms flew out as she was falling forward, “What the fuck?” Corbin gasped as her head spun and an incredible ache began to fill her skull. She felt woozy and nauseous as she swayed back and forth on all fours trying to get her bearings and to figure out what the hell just happened.

 

“Oh shit Corbin, I’m so sorry” she heard the voice say.

 

“You okay” Nikki’s voice came from across the field, coming closer, several other girl’s were beside her now, but what really stood out in Corbin’s mind, was the sound of laughter…some of them were laughing at her as she was helped to her feet.

 

‘No, I’m not okay’ Corbin thought to herself, she was far from okay and seeing Mora’s smile of satisfaction made Corbin almost loose it…loose it in the sense she wanted to just blubber like some baby. Damn near close to it already as she felt the tears run down her cheeks…she was sick and tired of being humiliated by this little bitch.

 

“Oh poor baby, you going to squirt a few tears because of a small knock upside the head,” Mora laughed and placed her hands on her hips, “It was just an accident, maybe you better go lay down” and a few of the girls chuckled. That was it, Corbin snapped, it was the first time in her life that she could remember seeing red, blood red…death incarnate rising up from the recesses of her brain as she looked across the space separating her and that laughing idiot Mora.

 

“Corbin don’t!” Bev yelled and came at her from Corbin’s left, but Corbin’s brain had checked out, her right hand shot out to block Bev’s advance. But it was more than a block and Corbin regretted that, Bev didn’t deserve it, but she wasn’t allowing anyone to stop her as she simply twisted her entire body and slammed the palm of her right hand into Bev’s chest, right above the girl’s breasts.

 

“FUCK” Bev grunted and was literally knocked back, off her feet; it felt like she had been hit by a truck, her back slamming into the ground leaving her breathless and gasping for air. A pain shot thru her chest from where Corbin’s hand had whacked her, “Jesus Corbin” She whimpered and rolled on the ground clutching the area right below her collar bone.

 

Corbin would not have to wait long, Mora saw the blonde moving towards her and her eyes lit up with excitement…she charged Corbin, her fists clenched. “I’m going to kill you,” Mora growled and this time no one else got in the way, the rest of the team simply must have figured it was time to let this play out. Enough was enough…

 

Corbin saw Mora charge her, amazing how the smaller girl was fearless…she so wanted this showdown to happen and now it was at hand. Nikki looked on and her heart was racing, she worried for Corbin…for Mora, she would have jumped to help the downed Bev, but her eyes were transfixed upon the train wreck getting ready to happen. Mora practically leapt at the blonde, her right fist cocking back to strike while Corbin simply kept coming at her. Corbin had no plan of attack, she just wanted to grab the girl and break her into a million pieces. At the last second Corbin also moved in, she decided that if Mora wanted to charge in, so be it, but all Corbin could think about was deflecting the attack. Fortunately, all Mora could think about was slugging it out…it wasn’t immediately clear who would benefit; Corbin latched onto the front of Mora’s shirt, they had closed the distance so quickly that Mora misjudged the distance and her right forearm, not her fist, hit Corbin on the left side of her head. Corbin’s triceps flexed and kept Mora from slamming into her, but she was also simultaneously twisting her body to the right allowing Mora’s momentum to continue. Mora felt her entire body continue moving thru the air, now beyond her own control, but she was still in fight mode and threw her left fist in a wide arching motion even as she felt her body tossed aside. Corbin felt totally possessed and flung Mora thru the air; the combination of Mora’s charge and Corbin tapping into her strength made for a devastating effect. Yet Mora’s left hook found contact on Corbin’s right cheek, it was a glancing wild blow, but still cocked Corbin’s head to the left briefly, it would definitely leave a bruise.

 

Mora was literally flying thru the air now and then everything was moving fast…faster then she could react as the ground seemed to fly up towards her and she slammed into the earth. Her injured shoulder, her left shoulder…took most of the impact and Mora screamed in agony as it exploded in pain upon impact. Corbin’s right hand was touching her cheek as she watched Mora stagger to her feet, her left arm hanging down to her side, looking painful but still useful as her fist was tightly clenched. Indeed, Mora’s body and mind were screaming in agony, but she fought thru it and the two girls circled one another, sweat dripping off their shaking bodies. But Mora wasn’t waiting for Corbin to get her fists up and swung her right fist, her target was the perfect little kisser on the blonde. She wanted to smash those lips and tear up the girl’s perfect, white teeth. Corbin jerked her head back, blonde hair flying in all directions as the punch sailed past her face, her eyes darted around and found that the entire right side of Mora’s body lay open, ‘Jesus’ Corbin thought to herself as if she pictured the end result of what was going to happen…the punch, the effect…the after-effect all played out in her mind. Sharon’s dad was a boxer and had held a few impromptu sessions to teach them a few tricks of the trade; but the only thing Corbin could think of right now was ‘Punch thru your target’. Corbin bent her knees a little and brought back her right elbow, and in what could only be described as one-fluid-motion her entire body shot up and forward as her right fist exploded towards Mora’s midsection. Every muscle seemed to work in unison, driving forward with one goal in mind.

 

Nikki didn’t even know who this girl was, Corbin had that classic ‘crazed’ look in her eyes as she went on the attack. She watched as every muscle, from calf up to forearm coil, and twisting with staggering power before exploding outward. There was a surge of glee went up inside Nikki as Corbin was not holding back any longer, not second guessing herself…but is that a good thing now? She wondered.

 

Corbin felt the uniform connect with her knuckles and then give and while Mora’s body was fit and tone, it didn’t seem to make any difference. Corbin initially wondered if she had hit the girl at all, and that’s when she realized that not only had she plowed deep into Mora’s gut, she had actually lifted the girl off her feet. It was only when she pulled her fist back the dark haired girl simply slumped to the ground; the sound of her breathing was dangerously short, coming in sharp wheezes that soon turned into agonizing dry heaves as Mora’s body curled up into a fetal position. It seemed as if she was trying to almost vomit but nothing was coming out.

 

Nikki charged in and grabbed Corbin’s shoulders pushing her back a couple of steps, “Stop now!”

 

“Out of my fucking WAY!” Corbin screamed and grabbed Nikki under her armpits. Nikki felt her self practically lifted and pushed aside, it was unnerving to feel totally helpless as all she could do know was struggle to stay standing. Her left leg skidded across the grass as she fought to keep her balance, but ended up dropping to her knees and then all fours.

 

Out of the corner of Corbin’s right eye Crissy was advancing to also block Corbin from heading towards the downed Mora, but Corbin spun around unleashed her venom on the advancing girl, “You can join your fucking buddy bitch!” Corbin snapped. Crissy’s right arm was reaching out and Corbin’s left hand latched onto the girl’s forearm, while Corbin’s right hand found and clamped around Crissy’s throat for leverage; “Corbin no!” She screamed but the blonde was already using all her strength and weight to sling the poor girl in a semi circle before letting go, like a shot-put. Her body crashed to the ground flopping over repeatedly in a roll that had arms and legs flailing, kicking up a billow of dirt. She wasted no more time and leapt towards Mora, grabbing her by the back of her head and shirt,

“Get up…you want to fight, well get your sorry ass up cause today is your lucky day” Corbin seethed and pulled her up, ignoring her screams and gasps for air as she clutched her gut. “You thought that shit was funny, didn’t you? Well let me tell you…you’re fucking dead” Corbin spewed her venom at Mora and propped the girl up by her throat, cocking her left fist back. Thankfully, everyone was there; Nikki…Katie…the remaining members of the team, maybe nine or ten, had all jumped in to restrain Corbin, but her right leg managed to kick free and slam into Mora’s hip with tremendous force, knocking the girl back to the ground.

 

“You even look at me wrong; I am going to make this beating seem like a friendly chit-chat”

 

“Get the fuck off me!” Corbin yelled and yanked her left fist, her arm popped free and flew around, accidentally plowing into one girl’s face, knocking the poor unsuspecting down and wailing in agony from the punch. Corbin’s feet kicked and body twisted as she actually seemed to be fighting her way free; Yet amongst the chaos, confusion and rage, Corbin heard Nikki’s voice in her left ear…it was soothing, soft…and she wasn’t fighting, no, she was merely holding her more like hugging her in a friendly embrace.

 

”Corbin…please stop…” Nikki kept repeating, she held on and slowly Corbin felt the anger subside…even quicker when Corbin spotted one of the Assistant Coaches running across the field and with it reality.

 

“Corbin come with me now!” The coach said and pulled the blonde free of the throng of girls. Corbin suddenly slumped and rested her head against the Coach’s left shoulder and began to sob, she didn’t know why, but one instant she was filled with total, uncontrollable rage and the next…sadness.

 

Sitting, she held the ice pack against her right cheek as she leaned forward, wiping the tears from her eyes, the Head coach and two assistants were now with her in his office.

 

“Corbin, your suspended…well, not officially…just until we can get things settled down, both you and Mora. And then we’ll meet again, separately and then with the two of you together once we’ve decided what to do. It’s really going to come down to a team decision” he sighed.

 

“I understand…” Corbin gasped and sat up straight as she choked back her emotions, “…but, but in my defense…I just want to say that I was setup…when Coach Overbeck put me in Mora’s position she knew there was bound to be a blow up because of my past with her.” Corbin glanced up at the coach she was referring to. Coach Overbeck looked down at Corbin, into the girl’s bloodshot eyes and nodded her head in recognition of what Corbin was driving at.

 

“That will all be taken into consideration” The head coach piped up, now get checked out and cleaned up, and then ask that Mora also come in.

 

Corbin slowly stood up and took several deep breaths as her hand rested on the door knob, slowly she opened the door and looked over her shoulder at the Coaches, “I’m truly sorry, thanks…” She sighed and walked out.

 

“Crissy…” Corbin walked up behind the girl as she was getting dressed to try and make amends.

 

“Forget about it” Crissy mumbled.

 

“Look, I’m…”

 

“I said drop it!” Crissy snapped and glared at Corbin, but quickly looked away. Corbin felt her heart pound with regret and took a step back, she just wanted to get the hell out and get back to her dorm room to rest. Only a few girls, of course Nikki, hung around and tried to reassure Corbin that she had no other choice but  to stand up for herself. But the worse feeling of it all was how so many of her team members were looking and acting different around her, ‘Maybe they just want to give me some space? Or they never liked me to begin with’

 

“Thanks for the ride Nik” Corbin sighed, “I think I’m just going to spend some time alone tonight and rest” She looked up and could tell Nikki didn’t want to leave her. Nikki stepped in to give a hug, “It’s going to be okay” she sighed into Corbin’s ear.

 

“I hope so” Corbin whimpered and quickly collected herself before heading upstairs. As she trudged into the building and up the stairs, she could sense the oddest feeling, that although there was this overall somber feeling starting to settle in, it also felt liberating…dangerous…and oddly satisfying to look back on what happened. She had lived so much of her life trying to ‘play it safe and not cause waves’, but now people knew where she stood and like her…love her…or hate her…people were starting to know exactly how far they could push Corbin before she pushed back. It some way it was like she was defining who she was…’I’m sorry people got hurt, but I’m glad I did it and I’m not going to feel sorry or punish myself over it’.

 

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~

 

Post story rant…

 

I didn’t see Mora till the next day and instantly there were many regrets; She was limping and her left arm was in a sling, her face had a couple of bad bruises although I don’t remember hitting her in the face…then again, so many things happened in such a short period of time it’s hard to recount everything in detail.

 

I had a small bruise on my cheek, but it was barely noticeable, once again I somehow managed to come thru unscathed. It seemed to only pile on the resentment, more girls’...their boyfriends even, seemed anxious for me to take a major spill. As if I had this chip on my shoulder…what fucking chip?! If there was one there, I didn’t put it there…THEY DID!

There I go…’blaming again’ as Sharon would say.

 

Anyway, I don’t know if that little fight on the soccer field set Mora straight, but I was never going to let her blind side me again and took the initiative, regardless of how bad she was feeling. I could have confronted her in front of her friend’s right in the student commons, but chose a more private moment to lay it on the line. I knew she could have run back and ratted on me that I threatened her, but I was thinking less and less clearly during that year of my life. Basically, I cornered her and asked her if we had any more problems between us, cause if we did we were going to get-it-on right there in the parking lot. Shit, I can remember that moment like it just happened yesterday, it was so fucking hot and humid that day, and the heat coming up off the blacktop was almost unbearable. Okay, as I was saying, when I saw her as I quickly crossed the lot I already knew the answer, it was in her eyes, it wasn’t even the same Mora looking at me…why does that bother me…even sadden me now, like I beat the spirit out of her or something. But she started it you know? So anyway, she had this fear in her eyes I had never noticed and seemed to almost tear up when I suggested we slug it out in the parking lot if there were any more issues to resolve.

 

What the fuck was wrong with me? Telling some girl in the middle of a campus lot that I was going to start reigning down punches if she crossed me again.

 

By the way, the mighty do fall…and mine was coming…at least in my eyes I it was my lowest moment.