Because Of You

Chapter 3:

(Much longer chapter for you guys! Enjoy!)

Chapter 3:

Well, I see that you're rather interested in learning about my first school experience outside of the tribes, so, I'll jump right into the story.

My father dropped me off at this large building. There was nature around, so that was rather comforting, and kids of all ages piling into the three different sets of doors at the front of said building. For once, I was unsure about school. Sure, I loved it, and I always would, but... Something about this place just made me want to stay home. I didn't say anything, of course, just said goodbye and got out of the car.

I stood there until my dad's vehicle disappeared from my view and blended with the traffic of the cramped city, then turned back towards the building and started towards it. The closer I drew, the more uncomfortable I had begun to feel. I didn't feel... welcomed. Everyone was casting weird looks my way, almost as if they'd been disgusted by me. Honestly, now that I look back upon it, it makes sense. I was the only bacca there. I was the only one who wasn't human.

Upon entering the building, the people parted away from me like the banks of a river. My stomach had begun to turn and for once I wasn't looking forward to school. I'd never been exposed to a hatful environment before and I didn't like it- who would? I turned a corner, searching for the principal's office, already completely lost in the huge building. That was when I witnessed some small, scrawny kid get shoved to the ground, his stuff going everywhere. No one moved to help him- in fact, everyone would rather laugh at him. They laughed as the kids who pushed him called him names- hit him- kicked him- beat him in every way they could muster- mentally and physically. I was the only one who seemed to care.

"Leave him alone!" It took 3 words to silence the entire hallway. 3 words earned me disgusted looks. 3 words got me shoved towards the jerks beating on the defenseless kid.

"Look everyone; it's an idiot who wandered out of his tree!" One of the 3 had declared, pointing. I wasn't offended, just confused. Why am I an idiot?

"Want us to stop-?"

"Make us, wimp." One of the 3 guys walked towards me, standing in front of me, smug looking. He had about 3 inches on me and looked rather tough for someone who was 10. So what did I do? I punched him square in the jaw, tackled him to the ground, and beat the ever-loving shit out of him.

Bacca's are known to be territorial, and when challenged we never disappoint. After all, we're raised from birth to be able to handle our own weight, and fighting in packs increases our threat level. The kid may not have known it at the time, but you can't treat a bacca of any age like a normal human. We may walk on two legs and speak just like everyone else, but we are animals. Body language is a big key in how you challenge us.

Let's take horses for example. If a horse bites another horse, it can represent one of two things. Either that horse is challenging the dominance of the other, or it's simply being playful and the bite wasn't a bite at all, but a nip, like a puppy biting its sibling's ear. If the horse is challenging the other and turns its back, it's a sign of disrespect, and as you can imagine that doesn't turn out well.

In my situation, I was the horse being challenged and the dude turned his back to me. He disrespected me and my kind and that never turns out well. Don't get me wrong, I know my manners and I understand when I've overstepped my bound, but I was young and it was the first time something of that sort happened to me.

It wasn't long before I had him pinned underneath me, and when I said "beat the ever-loving shit out of him", I meant it. He had a black eye, bruises, and a busted lip by the time he was crying. Now, considering I was raised harmless, that's when I stopped, having pinned him with an angry look.

"Don't challenge me- ever­." After that I stood up and dusted myself off as the kid got up and ran off, his friends following. Everyone else had simply frozen in place, not moving and watching as I began to gather up the kid's stuff. The kid on the floor looked utterly terrified, though I didn't notice until I was standing over him, waiting for him to get up. My ears gave a slight twitch, soon pointing down towards him, waiting for a reaction.

His vision met mine and our gazes locked, and nearly instantly, he'd understood that I meant him no harm whatsoever. So as a weak smile made its way to his face, he'd reached up and taken my hand, allowing me to pull him to his feet, both of us smiling now. He timidly took his stuff and soon, the halls had emptied and we were just standing there, staring at each other like idiots.

"Uh... My name's Mitch." He outstretched his hand and I took it, gladly shaking it.

"I'm Jerome, I just moved here."

"What classes do you have?"

"I don't know, I need to find the principal's office." Mitch then quickly offered to help me and I accepted, realizing I had made a new friend... So Mitch quickly showed me the way to the principal's office and there I met with the lady who gave me my class list, then gave us both notes and sent us on our way. Mitch and I were quick to examine the list and he was extremely excited when he noticed we had all the same classes together. And then he noticed my frowning.

"Jerome? What's wrong?"

"There isn't a fighting class on here..." I knew deep down that I wouldn't have one anymore, but I didn't want to accept it. So, in the end, I disappointed myself by thinking I'd have one for whatever reason.

"The Minecraftian schools don't teach us how to fight, but you can take classes outside of school for that. My parents said I could sign up for one once I start middle school next year!" I looked to him, and then smiled, nodding.

"I'll join with you then!" Even back then, I could already tell we'd be the best of friends. Even back then...

The day went by rather quickly, and at the end of the day Mitch was following me out the front doors, almost as if he were a lost little puppy. I didn't mind though, I'd found it both amusing and sweet. My mother had been waiting in the parking lot for me, and couldn't even begin to contain her smile when she'd seen Mitch.

"Well hello there, what's your name?"

"I'm Mitch!"

"Well I'm Mrs. Aceti, but you can call me mom if you want." My mother had always been that kind of mom that basically adopts you. Even if we'd just met, and my mother introduced herself to you, she'd tell you: "Call me mom." Mitch didn't hesitate to reply, calling her "mom". All of my friends back at home thought of her as a second mom- in fact, most of every mother bacca back at home would adopt every other person's child.

We hopped into the car and talked the entire drive home, my mother joining the conversation and Mitch not even caring. Mitch talked to her like he would me. Mitch had this flexible, excepting personality, and I guess that's what made him so interesting to me... When we made it back our new house, we went inside, my dad sitting in the living room. He had the same reaction to Mitch that my mother had. He didn't say: "Call me dad", but Mitch called him dad anyway, causing my father to simply grin.

"Oh, Jerome, I have something for you." My dad pulled a cell phone out of his back pocket, handing it to me and explaining why he wanted me to have one. "The cities big and your mother keeps saying you'll get kidnapped or something, so our numbers are in there already. You can use it however you want." Nearly instantly, I had Mitch's number in my phone, and Mitch, who apparently had a phone and neglected to share that information with me earlier, had my number in his. After that, we started doing our homework together, my- our mom making us snacks as we did so. When we had finished, I dragged him up to my room, putting my school stuff away as he answered his phone, talking to his parents and explaining where he was. I then proceeded to ask him to spend the night. His parents said yes and mine did too, of course.

So we spent the entire day together, talking, messing around, and having fun in general. Towards the end of the night, as we both grew tired, we both lied down in my bed and just stared at each other for a while, until Mitch yawned and curled up into me. I had snuggled up with him, not bothering with a blanket, and soon we both peacefully fell asleep in each other's arms.

Anyway... That was my first day of school, and thefirst new friend I made... I'm not crying- let's just continue, alright? I knowwhere we can pick up. 7th grade, when stuff started changing.