Thirty- Five: The Plan

~A FEW HOURS EARLIER ~

[A U S T I N]

"Darrick slow down!" Austin hurried to catch up to Darrick, who was storming out of the school like a bulldozer, not stopping or slowing for anybody while making his way through the empty car park. Austin had to almost run to keep up, trying to persuade the taller boy to stop and hear him out. Austin had only received the cold shoulder with every desperate attempt at stopping Darrick, not daring to touch him incase he snapped his neck.

"Darrick I swear I wanted to punch him too back there but you know I can't be throwing fits in the middle of practice! Don't be angry at me!" Austin whined, stumbling over his words desperately for forgiveness

"I'm the captain of the team, damnit! I couldn't do anything"

"Listen to me!" Austin shouted and In the midsts of his frustration Austin reached forward to grab Darricks arms, yanking him back in an effort to get him to slow down. Big mistake

A sudden gush of pain jolted throughout Austin's cheek, then again to his ribs as Darrick fist crashed into his face then relentlessly again into his side, his legs instantly collapsing beneath him as he fell to the ground from the sheer force of the boys punch and with a yell he crumbled to the ground before Darrick. He couldn't comprehend what had happened at first, his hand instinctively grabbing at his cheek as he sat stunned upon the ground, his brain having been rattled inside his skull.

"You've got my attention now! What Austin! what else do you possibly have to say to make up for this!" Darrick now faced Austin, his face twisted with anger and chest heaving with adrenaline. Austin sat stunned for a long minute, staring up after he'd dropped to the ground while clasping his cheek and wincing at his ribs. His tongue was soaked in the taste of blood already and his jaw began to throb. Bruised and shocked, he stumble over his words as he faced the giant boy before him.

"I-I" he started, blinking up at the black head boy not knowing what to say now. He had something planned, he had something to say but lost it into the recesses of his mind after being punched. He could taste the words on his tongue, actually.. he could taste something metallic now.

"That's what I thought, nothing! Pathetic" Darrick growled and turned his back to the Backnott captain on the ground, moving to leave again. Austin's anger was almost cartoonish, so lost in that moment along with the pain in his cheek that tormented his brain. It started in Austin's eyes first, growing wild, then a tension of his muscles, an inability to think clearly soon followed. The rational austin was offline, he didn't feel intimidated, didn't feel scared. The primitive austin who usually came out to play when competing on the field growled from within

Austin had no rational thoughts and without thinking or realising what he was doing he simply acted in an attempt to stop the other boy. Austin scrambled to his knees and reached out and grabbed the foot of Darrick, only to pull him back to the ground with one mighty tug. The large boy didn't have time to realise what had happened and came crashing down to the ground, head smacking against the dirt with a loud shout and sending a cloud of dirt into the air around them. Austin wasted no time, his fists couldn't stay by his sides a second longer, now climbing atop of the boy he brought a clenched fist to Darricks face, able to bloody his nose with simply three hits before being easily thrown off. Darrick being much stronger and larger then he. Grunting as Austin hit the ground again, he wheezed, straining against the pain in his ribs trying to ignore the muscles in his body crying out in agony.

"You prick!" Darrick shouted from where he lay on the ground clutching his nose. Austin didn't waste a second to let himself recover, clambering to his feet to charge with a mighty cry, Darrick quickly sitting up to regain his balance only to dodge to the side in one fluid move as Austin pounced again. Austin thrust his fist forward, aiming for his nose in the hopes of breaking it but was stopped in his tracks by Darricks hand, grabbing onto Austin's wrist to only push him away with a strong shove. Austin stumbled onto the ground, letting out a loud grunt as his entire body strained to stop. His body still ached from the beating he'd received the night before at his own house by Finnick and now Darrick too! He didn't seem to catch a break. Shakily climbing to his feet, he wiped at the jewelled blood that dripped from his lip with the back of his hand, chest heaving and cheek swollen.

"Come on! Hit me again! Let it all out!" Austin motioned Darrick to hit him, waving him forward trying to encourage him to punch him again, why not! "I deserve it, hit me!" Austin shouted, his knees wavering as he watched Darrick slowly climb back to his feet, eyeing Austin cautiously as he got up. Austin felt a wave of hot anger and frustration wash over him, his body shaking as he looked to Darrick.

"HIT ME!" Austin screamed, falling to his knees then and clutching at his side, letting out a low cry as "i know I'm pathetic, Darrick. You think I don't realise? My dad thinks I'm an idiot.. I'm failing in all my classes, I probably won't get into collage.. I'm ashamed to say it that I know I'm a dick to Tess and all my friends." He let his hands fall into his lap in defeat, feeling his heart throbbing heavily in his chest "And I know I'm paranoid of what people think of me! I feel like I'm under a stethoscope all the time! By everyone!" Austin felt his throat strain against his words, trying to hold back tears "Austin's a whore, Austin's the Backnott captain, Austin's dumb, Austin's a jerk." Austin felt tears finally welling in his eyes, trying to push them down not wanting to cry in-front of Darrick "Hell my own mum couldn't even stick around cause she couldn't give a shit about me~ got a whole new family of smart kids"

"Austin..." Darrick said lowly, his face falling into a soft line as he moved to crouch infront of Austin, resting a hand on his shoulder to comfort the boy while blood rolled down his chin. Austin tugged back, his brows furrowing as he looked to the ground before him not wanting sympathy. He was ashamed of himself, hated who he was and knew he had to change but didn't know how. Didn't know how to be different. Austin lifted his eyes to Darrick then, pushing back his chestnut locks that had fallen into his glassy eyes.

"And now~ now I wanna help and you won't let me! I'm trying to change for Tess." Austin huffed, feeling his chest heave and the back of his head began to throb feeling a headache knotting in the back of his neck and made his nose run "I just want to help her okay? It's my fault and I want to fix this. I don't care, whatever it takes"

"Okay.. okay, calm down" Darrick rubbed his hand over Austin's back again, trying to soothe his tears "you can help, I~ I just got mad okay, I'm scared that she's hurt and I'm not thinking right. I'm sorry I hit you, that wasn't right of me. But now we're even." Darrick spoke soft, his voice deep while trying to calm Austin.

"Im.. I'm sorry I hit you too...." Austin murmurs, taking a slow breath trying to calm his beating heart and quickly wiping at his eyes, embarrassed realising Darrick had just witnessed an emotional outburst. Austin had never done that before.

"It's okay, come on let's get you back to the car" Darrick signees and stood up, brushing off the dirt from his knees then wiping at his bloody nose with the palm of his hand. Looking down on Austin, Darrick sent a small smile toward his friend, seeming to find something amusing in that moment which Austin didn't manage to understand. Austin scowled and looked away quickly.

"What?" Austin grumbled, shrugging Darricks hand off his shoulder then as he tries helping, feeling embarrassed now and tried to stand up by himself, but felt uneasy on his own knees and eventually had to allow Darrick to give him a helping hand onto his feet

"You actually threw some pretty good punches, for once" Darrick chuckled lowly, wrapping an arm around Austin's waist and helping him along. Austin huffed and tried shoving him away, only for him to nearly stumble and Darrick have to hold him tighter.

"I always throw good punches~" Austin murmured but couldn't help a small smirk to tug at the corner of his mouth and gave a chuckle alongside Darrick, wincing as he stepped forward and together they made their way toward Austin's car. Austin appreciated Darrick in ways he didn't know how to explain, would never tell the other boy he was thankful that he didn't judge his tears. Didn't over react to his anger and didn't judge him for being so emotional, ignoring the fact that they'd fought so quickly. As they shuffled along, Austin tried to not smile to himself.

~~~

" you have to listen to me closely and not freak out, okay?" Darrick ran his fingers through the length of his black hair, pushing back the dark strands out of his face to reveal his scar on his forehead. They'd finally reached the car and after some time to recover, Darrick had began to explain his thoughts on how to get into Lennys house and grab Tess. Austin had a water bottle pressed to his cheek and head resting on the window sill as he listened to Darrick, raising a brow seeing as Darrick suddenly appeared nervous. Austin couldn't focus much, thinking about the pain in his ribs and face.

"Yes of course" Austin shifted, swapping the water bottle in his hand while turning his full attention to the large boy by his side who was looking stressed, rubbing his hands together and staring to the roof of the car. Austin lifted a curious eye brow, eyeing Darrick with his one good eye while the other one throbbed as it tried to heal.

"Do you know those special classes I go to once a month?" Darrick finally spoke, turning his eyes slowly to Austin and taking a slow breath, trying to calm his thrumming heart. Austin shifted in his seat and pursed his lips, finding himself feeling confused and curious by the second. What did he mean by that?

"Uh~Yes?.." Austin said and raised his brow, crossing his arms over his chest he began to become more confused and cocked his head to the side "Why does that have to do with getting Tess back?"

"Just~ just listen okay. I know everyone talks about it and it's not got to do with anything you think. I'm not getting private tutoring and I'm not fucking the bloody teacher okay. I.." Darrick groaned and pressed the palms of his hands into face, rubbing at his red cheeks looking more and more like a tomato as he sat uncomfortably the further the conversation continued. He was breathing so quickly he appeared to be drowning in oxygen and Austin could've sworn he could see a vein appear from in Darricks forehead, as if forcing himself not to get up and run away.

"You what? What are you going on about, Darrick? This makes no s-" Austin started, reaching forward to delicately touch Darricks arm in an effort to comfort him seeing as his breathing progressively got quicker

"I have an ability! Austin. I'm special.." Darrick blurted then and Austin startled, his eyes going wide and quickly removing his hand and bringing it back to his lap. Special? For some reason, the word made Austin smirk and he couldn't help but let out a bemused chuckle as he looked at Darrick.

"Special?" Austin snorts and tilts his head some more "how so?" Austin licked his lip, finding the amusement amongst this apparently serious topic that was eating away at Darricks nerves by the second.

"Im.. Im like that species we learnt about you know.. I'm different" Darrick twisted and wriggled in his seat, unable to keep still for a second as he was uncomfortable. Austin's brows drew together briefly as he tried to think of what Darrick meant by "that species". His eyes widening he looked to Darrick as he realised, thinking back to biology and history classes when they'd learned about a species greater then there's from long ago, that had been thought to have died out or extinct from being bred out of society over hundreds of years. They'd been known to possess what some would say abilities or powers, which had been thought to be dangerous to the average person and many people feared their species, even locking them away. Austin couldn't remember much, but he knew that Darrick must be bullshitting him. They were extinct! Everyone knew that.

"You mean the ones that can like do shit... wait what~ I thought that was made up? Like how humans made up dinosaurs" Austin crossed his arms and looked to Darrick with a mix of amusement and also a little annoyed that Darrick would make up something so stupid.

"No there's a few of us around, it's just rare~ agh! This is so stupid. I can manipulate my size. Look I've had to keep it on the down-low unless I apply for some ID or certificate to allow me to, but even then I could be fined if I'm reported." Darrick twisted nervously at the rings on his fingers, "If Im caught doing this out in public I'll get in trouble unless I'm supervised by an official. Only the school allows me to because I asked and had to sign some papers.. " Darricks face was a bright red and he nervously rubbed the palms of his hands over his thighs "Im telling the truth.. I haven't done it in a while since Tess has been here"

"So what your saying is that you can~ ?" Austin looked stunned as he looked at Darrick, confused with wide eyes and still not convinced. How could Darrick keep such a big secret for so long if he were telling the truth, why had he not known that this species was still around. Why were schools lying and teaching kids as if they were a made up story in history.

"I can shrink Austin" Darrick turned to Austin bluntly. Austin tried not to, he tried desperately and even cupped a hand over his mouth. He burst into laughter and shoved at Darricks arm, chuckling in his seat, picturing Darrick the size of a human. It was ridiculous!

"Prove it!" Austin snorted, sucking in a breath of air as he teared up, grabbing at his side feeling a stab of pain in his ribs "your telling me you can shrink?" Austin snorts, wincing at his side again as it tried healing.

"Yes I can, why would I make this up?" Darrick glared over at Austin and sunk into his seat "I'll show you.. but Just don't freak out and don't laugh! It's embarrassing~"

Austin nodded, pursing his lips together trying to hold back his laughter as he looked to Darrick, not completely believing or being able to comprehend what he'd been told but finding it absolutely hilarious at the same time. Even though he found it funny, he leant in curiously wondering what would happen next. If his friend could actually shrink!

"Okay.." Darrick took a slow breath and let his eyes close, bringing his hands together to clasp in his lap before him in concentration. Austin eyed Darrick closely, his green eyes flickering up and down his body trying to catch a glimpse of any movement, any shrinkage that could've happened.

"Nothings happening.. it just looks like your meditating" Austin smirked, resting his cheek in his hand against the door.

"Shut up" Darrick snapped, "I have to concentrate.. I haven't done this in a while" Darrick murmured, keeping his eyes closed and breathing slowly. Austin rolled his eyes as he watched Darrick, not believing this was Darricks plan to save Tess. Austin thought the best idea would be to burst in there with bats and just beat the shit out of anyone that got in their way. Maybe Tess had made Darrick delirious, he definitely hadn't slept much and appeared to be very anxious about the whole matter. Maybe it was all going to his head?

Austin sighed and let Darrick continue, watching closely as Darrick took a long second follow by one slow breath and~ Austin leapt out of his seat as Darricks body suddenly twitched and, he couldn't believe his eyes but he definitely became smaller.. and smaller.. and again, much quicker this time until he was about the size of a baby. Darricks muscles strained and pulled in his body, flexing across the length of his legs, arms and neck as his entire being shrunk! A layer of sweat gleamed across his body, heaving as if trying to calm the muscles. His small body was still trembling from how tense they were pulled as finally Darricks eyes opened and he looked up to Austin, his face having turned a shade of beet red from exhaustion and also as he appeared embarrassed being so small and quickly clung to the loose Backnott shirt. His once fitted shirt hung over his shoulders like a oversized dress, pulling on it to hide his naked form that no long fit into his backnott shorts

"What the fuck!" Austin grabbed at the handle of his door, flinging it open to quickly escape, unable to think and not knowing how to react to his best friend shrinking before him. Standing out into the cool of the air, he sucked in a heavy breaths to fill his grasping lungs as he paced back and forth. Austin couldn't help but gasp as he looked back down at his friend "that's fucked up, why the~ since when. Oh fuck this is so weird" Running his fingers through his hair he tugged on his brunette locks in utter disbelief, seeing Darrick the size of a child. His brain felt like it had shut down, didn't know how to comprehend the sight before him as it turned to mush

"I told you not to freak out!" Darrick shouted, shifting uncomfortably where he sat in the giant car. Austin could reach in and cradle him like a baby, looked like a father and son pair! Austin shook his head, taking a step further back.

"It's a bit hard not to freak out when-when!" Austin shouted back then, looking around him at the school grounds seeing one of the school janitors was staring at him in his blue overalls from where they stood cleaning a window on the building.

"Just! Get in the car, your drawing attention" Darrick grunted and just like that he grew back to his normal size, grunting against his muscles as they appeared to strain as if it were effort to grow. Darrick began quickly adjusting his pants to pull up his hips while Austin scurried into the car, closing the door with wide eyes and a gaping mouth .

"Whoa~ dude that's.. that's insane. Why~ why didn't you tell me?!" Austin stammered over his words, hands moving about the air in front of him wanting to touch Darrick as he leant close toward him, unsure if he should be scared of him or amazed.

"I!.." Darrick started, having to take a breath to calm himself from the adrenaline of the moment "I told you before~ I can't otherwise I'll get in trouble if someone reports me. And also it's embarrassing, I know you guys would tease me" Darrick shifted, tugging at his now fitted shirt that hugged his muscular chest

"Can you only shrink? How small? Can you grow too? How big?"

"I can get down to Tess's size and sometimes smaller but it's exhausting after a few hours if I'm that size for too long~ and I've never tried growing but I know I can~ I~ no more questions! back to my plan"

~~~

Ahhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhh!

I hope you liked it!! Finally the big secret is here! I hope you like how I revealed it! I was gonna make it a big ass surprise but idk

I've felt like my writing skills have been a bit slack! Hope it was okay.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments ! I've got a new update coming soon.

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