King of Creatures

Chapter 6

Amari took a long, cold shower, his stomach still a little sore, but he knew that his arms were probably going to feel worse tomorrow. He smiled at that thought before turning off the water. He had missed this. He missed boxing. He knew he had. Sometimes he'd come home from work, lay down on Devon's couch, and think about how he should go to the gym. But he never had the time anymore.

Even after he had graduated high school, which was only a few weeks ago, Amari found himself too tired in the mornings to go to the boxing gym. Or too busy looking for an apartment. Some days he felt himself thinking about how he was slowly turning into a failure, a nothing. A small ball of remorse slowly brewing for his mother.

Amari dried himself off, throwing on a beige cropped t-shirt and a pair of baggy blue jeans. He tied a brown bandana that had black broken heats on it on around his head. He checked his look in the bathroom mirror, fixing his locks, making sure that they fell over his shoulders properly.

You look fine. Amari glanced over at Buster, who was watching him contently on the desk. He shook his head before heading towards the door.

"C'mon, lets go."

Amari had looked around for Max in the cafeteria but couldn't find him. So, he just settled with eating by himself. He got himself a pizza, a chocolate chip cookie, and a root beer, surprised that nobody called him out for Buster, who was trailing happily behind him. Amari had also gotten a piece of ham.

He sat at the same table Nixus had them at yesterday, gave Buster the ham, and began to dig into his own lunch.

"I'm impressed." A voice said. Amari looked up, surprised to see Penelope. She was standing with her arms crossed. She wore her hair in a half-up style and a denim romper with rolled up shorts. She sat down opposite of Buster, eyeing him wearily.

"What do you want?" Amari asked, scooting away from her slightly. Penelope shrugged and picked at the table.

"Nothing. Just...Wanted to let you know that I was you with Max earlier. I'm impressed. Looks like you can fight a little." Penelope said, not making eye contact.

Amari nodded and took another bite of his pizza. "Thanks." Penelope looked up at Amari, squinting at him as if she were examining him.

"Are you even Greek?" She asked suddenly. Amari gave her a confused look, wondering where in the world this question came from. "I mean, Johnston, that's a Scottish name. And as for Amari, that's originally a Hebrew name." She said leaning forward. Buster looked up, watching her carefully.

Amari stared at her, unsure what he was supposed to say. What did his name have to do with anything? Why did she care so much? Didn't she hate him or something? "What does it matter?"

Penelope scoffed and leaned back. "Because historically, the guide has always been a Greek warrior. You're clearly not Greek." She said, her face contorting with disgust. Amari sat up straighter and looked at her, his eyebrows knitted together.

"What's that supposed to mean? Besides, I found out that my mom isn't my real mom so who's to say? Maybe my name isn't my name. Who knows?" He said sharply.

"I thought you said you didn't know whether or not you were adopted?" Penelope said.

"Who even knows anymore? I sure as hell don't!" Amari shot back before standing and walking away angrily, Buster hissing at Penelope before turning up his nose and following after Amari.

Amari ran into Aoshanay in the hallway. She exclaimed, dropping a box. Amari cursed before bending down to pick it up for her.

"Thanks." She said with a smile, adjusting her sunglasses. She was wearing a silk, baby blue dress and her black combat boots. She had her pink braids in twin tails that were fastened with blue ballies that were bow shaped instead of round. He smile quickly vanished. "What's wrong?" She asked.