Lovers & Haters by Calvin Slater

Tukee said to his partner, sinisterly smirking. “A real hero. It’s going to take more than him to make us let her go.” Tukee was a big boy with a bushy beard and wearing a Detroit Tigers baseball cap.
    â€œCome and get some, hero,” Ricky D challenged Xavier.
    Xavier quickly sized up the situation. Ricky D was a lot shorter and lighter. The goon would have the most to prove. He would also be the weak link. Xavier would have to knock him out quickly to have any chance against Tukee. This brother was a monster and looked like he was built for smashing fools.
    There was nothing but rows of chairs between them. Xavier started slowly walking in their direction. Samantha looked terrified and was crying. Her blouse was ripped and she was badly trembling.
    â€œDon’t worry, Samantha,” Xavier said, “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
    With his left Tukee cracked the knuckles on his right hand. He said to Xavier, “You better be worried about yourself, fam.”
    Ricky D was the first to start walking toward Xavier. “We were about to throw a little party for her until you showed up, cuz. Gonna have to show you how we do party crashers, nephew.”
    Ricky D walked up on Xavier still running off at the lip—bad mistake! Xavier let loose with a wicked right cross and knocked spit out a Ricky D’s mouth. It was nighty night for him. The boy hit the floor with a thud and didn’t move.
    Xavier yelled at Samantha, “Go get security, now!”
    Tukee was smiling, as he watched Samantha snap out of it and disappear through the exit door.
    He said, “By the time security gets up here, fool, you gonna be a done deal.”
    Xavier kept his focus. He wasn’t going to get baited into a trash-talking match with Tukee. One mistake, one slip up, and Xavier could easily wind up on the floor, out cold and next to Ricky D.
    Tukee looked like he had learned from his boy not to walk up on Xavier. He hung back with his fist up, ready for combat. Xavier was aggressive this time. Tukee was thick and muscular, but homeboy had weak legs, like he was walking on toothpicks. When Xavier was close enough, Tukee swung on him. Xavier swiftly ducked and stood to the side. He watched as the momentum from Tukee’s swing carried him around and left the boy wide open for Xavier’s first shot. Xavier went for the outside of Tukee’s right knee. He kicked the joint with so much force— pop —sounded something in Tukee’s knee. The boy screamed like he’d lost his mind and fell to the floor, holding his leg in severe pain.
    These bums had almost hurt Samantha and for that Xavier wanted to inflict maximum pain on them. As Tukee lay writhing in misery Xavier was lining up his right foot to kick homeboy in the ribs, but good sense prevailed. Tukee had had enough. The boy was wounded and rolling around on the dirty carpets screaming his head off. There was no need to punish him further. It just wasn’t in Xavier’s spirit to be malicious.
    â€œThey’re up in the balcony!”
    Xavier heard somebody yell from below. The voice was followed by what sounded like millions of feet running up the balcony stairs.
    Doug was first to arrive on the scene. He looked at both of the clowns lying on the floor and shook his head. “Xavier, I hope you left enough for us to throw in jail! There’s no telling what would’ve happened to Samantha if you hadn’t shown up.”
    Xavier asked Doug, “Is she all right?”
    He smiled at Xavier. “She’s a little shaken but she’ll pull through.”
    They both watched as a tall and slender security guard brought Ricky D back to consciousness by lightly smacking his face, while two other guards helped Tukee to his feet. Both boys were handcuffed and taken to the security office.

7
SOME KIND OF HERO
    T he very next school day, Xavier attempted to get through without clocking out on