Honor for the Fallen

Chapter 1 - Stalkers

The bus breaks squeaked slightly as it came to a halt in the queensway bus station. Max stepped off the bus, quickly turning to thank the bus driver before heading down the busy streets of downtown Kelowna. The tourists had begun to roll into the city with summer being just around the corner, and so the roads were packed with bikers, cars, and people simply going for a stroll. This didn’t stop Max from getting to the Rotary center for the Arts where a chess tournament was taking place. Usually Max wouldn’t be caught dead near a chess tournament, opting rather for the basketball courts in city park, but if Jeremy really wanted to nerd over pieces on a checkerboard, he would support him in that. As Max stepped into the crisp airy atmosphere of the Arts building he ran a hand through his raven black hair, an anxious reaction at the sight of the crowded room full of observers and chess players. Jeremy was one of those players, currently sitting across from a boy who Max guessed was at least 14. Slipping his way through the crowds, Max found his way to Jeremy’s game where he leaned over the back of Jeremy’s chair.

“You're breathing down my neck,” Jeremy huffed, glancing up at the towering boy. 

“And you’re losing,” Max countered. The opponent smirked and made his move, tapping the game clock to signal the end of his turn. Jeremy’s leg bounced as he examined the chess board. Max himself always imagined it as a battlefield, and really how could you not when the pieces are named Kings, Queens, Knights, and Rooks. He didn’t know much about the rules, but as Jeremy’s game went on, Max picked up a bit on the do’s and don’ts of the game. After a couple minutes of pieces being moved, Jeremy’s opponent gave out an arrogant snort and with a move of his rook put the King in check. Jeremy’s foot stopped its rhythmic bounce and the bubble centered around the game popped as Max realized people at surrounding tables had finished their games. There was a defeated sigh and the respectful handshake before the opponent went off to claim his spot in one of the winning brackets of the tournament. Max ruffled up Jeremy’s red hair before throwing an arm around his shoulders. 

“I can’t believe I left my king open like that!” Jermey beat himself up as he and Max followed the opponent to the game settlers. 

“You can’t win them all man. Besides, you really wanna be mixed in with these arrogant pricks? This room reeks of entitlement,” Max gagged after his statement, earning him a few glares from nearby players and the game settler. Jeremy chuckled and handed in his player card. “You’re not going to play some more rounds? You could still beat some butts and get back on the winners bracket J.” 

“I’ve been playing for hours at this point Max,” Jeremy pointed out with a sigh. He looked around at the game settler and players who were still giving them nasty looks. “Besides you’re right, I could use a breath of fresh air,” Jeremy pushed through the doorway and out into June sun. Max and Jeremy weren’t a common pair. One relied on street smarts and instinct to get through life, the other thrived on book knowledge and his own intuition. Max would wear whatever was still clean in his closet, while Jeremy would plan out his outfits the night before. One stole assignment answers and the other would be the one in which Max would be stealing the answers from. 

“Hey Max!” A girl with a long back ponytail called while waving enthusiastically from J’s Cafe and Bistro across the street. Max waved back at her with just as much enthusiasm making her laugh before walking back into the cafe. Sitting on the steps outside the cafe after crossing the streets, Jeremy let out a disappointed huff. Max leaned against the light post nearby. He didn’t always show it but Max cared for his friends, and seeing Jeremy so defeated and down made him a bit angry. Not at Jeremy of course but at the guy who beat him in the chess tournament. 

“J, it’s just a game. There’ll be another tournament again in a couple of months where you can beat some more rich people and win,” Max glanced at the cafe door as the black haired girl walked out again, this time with two bento boxes in hand. Nari hadn’t lived in Kelowna too long now since her parents were in the market for fixing up the house they moved into before moving on to the next one, but J’s was also one of Max’s favorite cafes and when Nari began there they became fast friends. 

“That’s exactly what you said at the last tournament,” Jeremy grumbled as Nari handed him one of the bento boxes. Max caught the box tossed to him. 

“Just eat your bulgogi. It’ll make you feel better,” Max suggested as Jeremy didn’t hesitate to rip into the Korean beef. Nari sat beside Jeremy dusting off her apron and baggy ripped jeans as she did so. 

“How far did you make it this time?” Nari asked. Max winced at the wording of the question, knowing it would only remind Jeremy about the amount of tournaments he had lost. Jeremy though, now mouth full of rice, answered in a slightly happier mood. 

“Third bracket from winning position,” he stated through mouthfuls. Nari gave him a bewildered look. 

“And you're not going to play in the losers bracket to get back into the winners? Are you insane!?” She threw her hands up in the air. Jeremy leaned away from her as she became more animated. “You know what your problem is Jeremy?” Jeremy glanced at Max for help. 

“Zero social skills?” Max suggested.

“No-” Nari paused. “Well, yes.” Jeremy gave a small protest, but Nari quickly shushed him and continued. “Your problem is that you always give up at the wrong time. 

“I didn’t give up, I lost,” Jeremy argued.

“Except you haven’t lost yet,” Max interjected. “You lost the battle, doesn’t mean you're going to lose the war.” Max didn’t always come off as the smartest kid, which is how he liked it, because the faces Nari and Jeremy make every time he says something smart is priceless. 

“Alright then Master Oogway,” Nari laughed, taking the now empty bento boxes from the boys. Jeremy remained silent as Max bowed his head to Nari and recited a couple more kung-fu panda quotes. Nari rolled her eyes and shook her head at Max’s childishness before being called back into work. When Max turned to where Jeremy was sitting, he was no longer there and instead half way back down the street to the Arts center. Max followed behind Jeremy, at a slower pace, simply taking in the city around him. The air was scented with fresh baking as he passed the curious cafe, and opted for a walk instead of the crowded chess tournament room. The streets were buzzing with people, buskers played their music, and families shopped and dined in the outdoor patio setting of some restaurants. Max was a laid back kid. Not much bothered him, and not many could startle him or get any sort of big reactions out of him. But, today as Max walked, hands in his jacket pockets, shoulder to shoulder with others crossing the street, he felt like eyes were trailing him. Someone was following him. Instead of letting his nerves get to him, Max continued his relaxed walk down Bernard ave until he got to an alley between two shops. In a split second decision he quickly slipped out of the busy street and into the quieter atmosphere of the alley. He hummed as he walked until he heard feet shuffling behind him.

A/N

There is no cover to this book, its a bit rough but eh it's something. Life is kinda hell rn but hey writing helps distract me.

Enjoy ig.