Hunter

Saintwood High School

Hunter

Mason enrolled me in Saintwood High School as he had promised. The secretary handed me a schedule and a map. I glanced at both and rolled my eyes.

"Head to class before the teacher marks you tardy," the secretary said.

"Whatever." I walked out of the office and wandered these godforsaken halls until I found my first class. I handed the teacher my schedule.

The teacher glanced at it, handed it back to me, and pointed to an empty seat. "You can sit there."

"Whatever." I walked away, plopped in a chair, and sat there.

While the teacher talked, a few classmates thought they would be cute and mess with me.

One flicked my ear as I smacked my hand at him. Another one shot a spitball at me and laughed. I removed the tiny ball of paper from my hair. A third one kicked my chair. I craned my head to find two laughing while the third smirked.

My anger coursed through my veins as I gripped the chair's arm.

"Issues?" The third guy asked me.

I narrowed my eyes to a slit, got out of my seat in a flash, and pinned the third guy to the tile floor. The teacher stopped as other students got to their feet. One guy tried to pull me off. I grabbed his jean pant leg and dropped him. The second guy jumped on my back. I flipped him over and spun around.

With one knee pressing on the third guy's throat, I slammed my fist into the second guy's chest. The guy gripped his chest and coughed.

"Mr. Michaels, that is enough! Go to the principal's office now!"

I released the third guy, stood up, and left the classroom. But I didn't go to the principal's office. Instead, I headed to the rooftop. I hated this school.

I sat on the rooftop with my legs bent and leaned against a wall. A few minutes later, a door opened. I heard footsteps approach me and looked up at Mason standing there.

Mason sat down beside me. "What happened?"

"Three guys wanted to mess with me. So, I retaliated in kind." I shrugged.

"I see."

"I hate this school. People don't leave you alone."

"People will leave you alone when you give them a reason. The first rule is never to give anyone a reaction."

"Am I supposed to let people mess with me?"

"No, but control is key. A cool head will prevail over a hot one. It would help if you were more calculating than your opponent. And always fight fair."

I glanced at Mason. I didn't know if I would survive four years in this hell.

*******
Mason

I stood up and held my hand out to Hunter. He took it, and I pulled him to his feet. High school would be an adjustment for Hunter.

After reviewing his records, he missed more school than he attended. I needed to change that. Education was important when dealing with my business.

I spoke to the office and rearranged Hunter's schedule.  Then I dealt with the three boys who started their bullshit with Hunter. I refused to have people mess with my plans.

Once I got things situated at the school, I headed home to deal with other business matters. The Frazier brothers were causing issues again. I sent Elliot to handle them. It would give baby brother an outlet and give me a break.