A Clash of Fire and Gold

I tightened my jaw and clenched my fists. The yellow, dying grass under my feet crunched underneath my weight while a soft breeze chilled my skin. I trembled, but only for a moment. I couldn’t believe this was really happening. I could hear my heart pounding in my chest, even over the eager and anxious yells and jeers of the other thirteen kids standing in the circle. 1

Yet, the sounds were all fading. My vision was clouded with tears. Strong, bitter fire raged in the boy’s eyes. I bit on my bottom lip, bracing myself for that first punch. The anticipation of the impending fight filled the air. I could almost taste the excitement on my tongue. 2

“Please!” I cried out. I knew it was in vain, I had already tried this method numerous times in the last few days. For a moment, everyone’s eyes were drawn to me, I could feel them. My eyes, however, were on both of the boys. “Don’t do this. Please.”3

I really hate fights. I especially hate fights over me. 4

“I don’t back down!” came a reply to my plea. It was my boyfriend, Josh. He stood on the right side of the two boys in a wife-beater and baggy jeans. His eyes locked with mine, he slowly shook his head and shiny, red flames like an angry sun danced against a pale blue sky. His hands were wound into tight fists and his feet danced back and forth as he turned to his opponent.5

I inhaled deeply, mainly with annoyance. A gentle hand found a way to my shoulder in support. I turned to face my friend, Devynne. She smiled calmly and I looked back towards the boys. 6

“You know it will be okay,” a voice reassured me. A hand slipped into mine and gripped it tightly. It was my best friend, Ashley. She squeezed my hand and told me over and over again that it would all be fine in the end. I quietly thanked her.7

By this time, the boys were circling each other. It reminded me of vultures, although I do not think vultures attack each other. However, I could be wrong. 8

I took another glance at Josh, sweat beaded down his face like tiny diamonds as the light that bounced between the tree’s leaves hit his face. Anyone could predict he would be the victor. I had known Josh had fought a fair number of fights before. Aaron, my ex-boyfriend didn’t stand a chance.9

We had been together for ten months. A month earlier while sitting in his 1998 grey Ford pickup truck I broke his heart. He cried and I told him if things were meant to be, in the future they would work out. I told him I didn’t want to be with him anymore. I lost the feelings I once had. He had been my best friend since middle school, and I had always known in the back of my mind it was a mistake to get involved with a friend. I had been so much happier as his friend and I wanted to be just friends.10

Obviously, Josh was not fond of that idea.11

Aaron was unprepared, he was wearing green gym shorts and a black band t-shirt. He didn’t look like he was about to be in a fight. His red-orange hair looked like rust and gold in the sunlight and I pitied him. It was my fault that he was standing here right now about to get beat up.12

Not wanting to watch this happen, I gave one last effort. “Please!” I ran over to Josh and grabbed his hand. “Please don’t.”13

“Did you forget?” he snapped. “He kissed you! He called me names and he called me out on this and you’re standing here telling me not to fight?” 14

I stepped back. He was right. Aaron had kissed me and I had slapped him for it, but when Josh found out Aaron did call him some colorful names. Josh noticed my upset and walked over to me, softly stroking my chin with his index finger. “This is not your fault. Quit blaming yourself,” he whispered into my ear and quickly kissed my lips. 15

I ran back to Ashley and watched as the boys began to circle each other again. I only watched two parts of the fight; it was hard to watch more. First thing I saw was Aaron running and jumping at Josh, which resulted in a swift punch to the stomach. Second thing was a minute into the fight and Josh had Aaron in a headlock and head-butted him. Aaron’s rusted, golden hair flew gracefully backwards and then forwards.16

At the end, I recalled hearing some kids yell, “Is that all?” The fight only lasted two or three minutes, but for me, it felt like an eternity.17

Aaron walked forward toward me and our friends, tripping over himself like a drunken man. He was delusional from being punched and thrown around. He had a black eye, except it was more blue and purple than black and two big hematomas on both sides of his forehead. My stomach flipped. I looked over at Josh; he had some cuts on his shoulder from the blades of grass. 18

Then, I made a decision. Seeing as Josh was okay, my motherly instincts told me to make sure Aaron was okay. I walked over to him; he was crying and shaking his head. “You dumped me for that?” he asked, then scoffed. “I can’t believe you.”19

I turned towards two of his guy friends, both were agreeing with him. I closed my eyes and shook my head. “I just wanted to make sure you’re okay.”20

“Yeah, I’m perfect,” Aaron noted sarcastically. “What do you think?”21

I started to make my way over to Josh, feeling unwelcome by my ex-boyfriend and our friends. “Are you okay?” I asked him while I began to trace his cuts with my finger, but I only got pushed away.22

“Cops!” someone screamed. “Chris’s neighbors called the cops!” I looked towards the deck of the house closest to the field we were in. A grumpy, overweight woman was standing on the deck with a phone in her hand.23

In an instant, everyone in the field had vanished. I was running, in heels, up a hill of rocks and long grass that cut at my legs until I reached the street. Cars began to drive off, until me and Josh were alone in front of his car. 24

“Why did you go to him?” he questioned me. He was still angry from the fight and his voice was loud. I shrank back, the fire was still in his eyes.25

“He was hurt. I was just checking on him,” I answered. I grabbed his hand and kissed him lightly. “I’m sorry.”26

He gave me a half-smile and told me to get in the car. In the distance the wail of sirens went off. “I’m happy you won,” I whispered.27

I realized that day, I lost my best friend. Aaron, my best friend since middle school who had been there for me when no one else had, I had betrayed him. There would be no compromise between the two. With losing him, I lost the rest of mine and Aaron’s mutual friends. I gave them up for someone I had only known for one month. The difference though, was I was happy being with Josh, even if he had beaten up my ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend. After all, he did it in my honor.