The Blooming Flower Club
Ch 19- The Bully
The sidewalk was empty as Leslie Jackson the school bully was walking along the path, her cassette player strapped to her belt as she had headphones in her hair, she was the kind of kid that even the older kids were uneasy around. she never hesitated to let her claws do the talking for her. Despite all this, her stomach was uneasy as she walked to the playground.
In truth she had a massive secret, that being her crush on her classmate Vern, and in every attempt, Leslie had made to confess her feelings to Vern she somehow messed it up, whether it be getting nervous and punching him or switching to bully mode because someone had almost caught her.
"This plan was foolproof and the best part is there is no way that he could have known it was me," Leslie told herself heading onto the playground walking around hoping she did not miss Vern, getting after school detention meant she clearly was late and looking to see if she find Vern, the playground seeing it was completely empty. Leslie looked around, her foot brushing against a crumpled wad of paper. she picked it up, smoothing out the paper as she recognized her note.
He was there and she had missed him, she was beginning to think decking that kid in the lunchroom wasn't worth missing out on her chance. Leslie took a deep breath, sitting on the swing, and looking up at the sky. She just wanted to come clean with Vern about her feelings, she hated the role she was forced to play and thought about Vern who felt comfortable with himself, despite being an unpopular nerd, Vern still accepted who he was and was genuine about himself, if only she could be more like him, and have the courage to tell him to his face. she just laid there thinking about what to do.
After a good thirty minutes of thinking Leslie just bit the bullet and stood up, deciding it was best to just head home. Leslie got up from the swings, heading back home, sliding the crumpled note into her pocket. Leslie began her trek home, a few kids on the block noticing her as they turned and made the distance between them.
Eventually, Leslie made her way to her house, which ironically was in the same cul-de-sac as Vern. Leslie sighed opening the front door, telling her father she was home as he was sitting on the TV with a beer, just nodding before simply asking where she was.
"I got detention, something about decking a kid at lunch as he took a swig of his bottle, telling her to just go upstairs before looking at her.
"I'm going out to eat tonight, if you want dinner, there may be something in the fridge," he said, taking another sip from his bottle, watching the TV as she looked at him, swallowing her breath.
"Could, you bring me something back to eat... please" Leslie said, her tone shifted from that of a hardened bully to that of a timid child. In truth, Leslie was terrified of her father, who showed no problem beating her. as he simply looked.
"Didn't I just tell you there was food in the fridge, should I stop by the seafood place and get you a fresh lobster" He joked as Leslie backed away. clarifying that he was already going out and just asking him to pick something up for her.
"It's not like I was asking you to go out of your way for me, I even have money to pay you" Leslie added as he looked at her, telling the girl he said no and was not going to repeat himself as Leslie nodded, heading upstairs, falling on her bed, It was common for her father to do this, despite him claiming he was just trying to make her tough, he obviously saw her as a weak failure, which was a disgrace for a hyena. especially a female of the species as her father called out.
"Why Can't you be more like your mother, she was a real woman, she knew how to take charge and didn't let anyone stand in her way, if she were around to see how her daughter turned out, she'd have died from shame" He replied as Leslie just went upstairs, without a word and with her tail between her legs.
No matter how many kids she bullied, no matter how many boys she beat up she could not face her father, that was the only thing that hurt as much as her crush on Vern. Leslie laid on her bed in her messy room, littered with empty chip bags and cola bottles, just sobbing, clinging to the pillow on her bed to seek some comfort.
Eventually, Leslie picked up her binoculars and looked out the window, even in her lowest moment she enjoyed looking in on Vern, and him living near her put his bedroom within view. Leslie looked through the glass seeing the boy working on some sort of model as the sight put her at ease, even if they could not be together she could always admire him from afar, watching him apply the paint to the toy robot.
The view calmed her down as she laid on her belly, kicking her feet up watching him, she desperately wanted to feel his warmth, and not at the end of her fist but a more loving embrace. Leslie wondered if she really was a failure, any other Hyena girl would simply approach him, and claim him, as the rule in hyena culture was that if a female claimed another hyena as their mate, he'd belong to her unless he was stronger than her. Leslie honestly did not know if she wanted to 'Claim' Vern as opposed to him genuinely loving her.
She really did not want to do it that way because she felt it wrong to force him into a relationship, she loved Vern with all her heart and wanted it to be done the right way, in a way they both were happy, but felt it was the only option she had as she laid on the bed, realizing she might not have another choice, next time she saw him all she could do was approach him in person and tell him how she felt and if that didn't work she would no choice.
After her father left Leslie tiptoed into the kitchen looking through the fridge only to find nothing suitable for a meal, a few cans of beer, a half-eaten box of takeout, and dried pasta. Leslie sighed, glad she had a stash in her bedroom, which her father rarely entered. He saw it more efficient to just call her from the hall. Leslie looked out the kitchen window seeing Vern leave the house and head for his mailbox. Leslie tossed the loaf of bread she was holding back on the pantry, she had another opportunity to tell him face to face. Leslie opened the door to her house, calling out to Vern who simply froze up as she caught up to him.
"What, I already gave you my allowance and you already bullied me," Vern said a bit surprised as Leslie caught her breath.
"Vern, I... I, oh screw it" Leslie said grabbing the sides of his head and pulling him into a kiss. Vern was beyond confused but he didn't try fighting back. Leslie put her tongue to work on him, savoring every second of this kiss, a moment she dreamt of and often fantasized about, though in her head it was more romantic as Vern tried to break away, a strain of spit, connecting their lips as he looked at her, demanding to know what reason she had for kissing him.
"Simple, I'm 'Claiming' you, I've proven that I'm stronger than you and Hyena customs say I can claim you as my mate" Leslie explained, laying it all on the table, that she has always loved Vern but never knew how to approach it.
"It was me who sent you that letter to meet me at the playground... I got detention and that's why I was late, But I did show" Leslie admitted, pulling the crumpled note and handing it to Vern, who saw it was the same note as Leslie reinstated that she wanted Vern as he looked at her, saying this was a lot to take in, Leslie had made his life hell since he knew here and she was now coming out with this.
I still don't know if I believe this Leslie but If you are being serious I could give you chance to prove it, but if your lying to me about this, that would be a new low, even for you, besides if you are really claiming me I have to respect that bond and be your mate" Vern said as Leslie held his arm, saying what she really wanted to be was his girlfriend and saying she would stop bullying him and show him that she could be a good partner as Vern sighed, realizing he had to go along with this forced relationship.
