Down the Alleyway

Chapter 4

Adam

"I know you."

"You're that try-hard guy. You try your best to be the leader but no one recognizes you as one. You might've fool the others but don't think you could pull that shit on me, justice boy."

Shit, she knows me.

Why didn't I noticed? I changed school just for the sole purpose of not being recognized but she-- has she always been there? Talking behind my back? Judging me from the background?

Someone's breath came in hitched and it took me a moment to realize that it was coming from me.

My body initiated auto pilot and my mind dove deeper into the past.

I was in Elementary again.

I was not in the sidewalk anymore, on my way home. But in a classroom, introducing myself in front of the class. So proud and hopeful; and looking at it now made me wanna vomit.

"Hi, my name is Adam Alston. And I will try my best to be the person you guys would want to look up to."

I was so naive then.

I was driven by pride and my parents' "compliments" that I turned out like that.

"Don't let me down son, I know you'll do great." I grew up hearing those words from my dad and I ended up believing them. "Being a leader suits you," or, "you're better than them," drove it even further. It got in my head that I worked hard prove just that. My every action shouts, "leader material" and maybe I pushed too far.

Back then, I was just trying to do what is considered is right and correct all of their mistakes, but all they saw in me is the cocky brat that uses justice for an excuse.

And maybe they were right.

"Hey, stop that. Do you want me to report you again? Didn't I told you--"

"Shut up! We're tired of you nagging at us all the time! You think you're better than anybody else but all you do is run your mouth!"

They were right.

After that, the guys turned on me and started bullying me.

They called me the "justice kid" and I hated that name with every fiber of my being.

Maybe, I shouldn't have listen to my dad.

Maybe, I should just disappear into the background.

So, I did just that, but my father despised the idea.

"Adam you've got great potentials--

"But-

"But I guess that wasn't true. You disappoint me. All I ask of you is to do better and you couldn't even do that."

Do better.

Do. Better.

The fuck does that mean?! I was already doing my best back then but he'd still ask me to do better?!

I learned the hard way and never again am I gonna listen to his words.

I did the exact opposite of everything. I stopped being the rightful guy, minded my own business, and snarked at best.

This is the real me, the rottten, sociopath that's plotting your demise all the time. It actually suits me and I never felt so alive.

But fate decided to do this sick joke and sent someone to throw all of my younger days embrassment into my face.