Hi,

Chapter 1

Hi, my name is Nathan. I'm 14, and I love fighting."

That's how I introduced myself in one of those pointless assignments they gave us back in middle school. You know, the ones where you're supposed to "get to know each other." That was 8th grade. Now, I'm 18, a senior at Komrad High—the same godforsaken high school that I've grown to despise. For the record, I didn't just say that line to be edgy. I wanted to scare people, and it worked. People started noticing me, some out of fear, others out of curiosity, and a few just straight-up hated me.

The first person who showed interest was Connor. He came up to me after class, walking with me to the cafeteria, asking what kind of fighting I was into. We weren't exactly destined to be friends, but when he challenged me to a fight, claiming I'd never win, it was on. Spoiler: I won. We've been training together ever since, trying to outdo each other, especially in hand-to-hand combat.

Then came Haze, Marco, and Dustin. All of us, a group of messed-up kids with a nasty reputation. Not the "bad boy" crap you see on TV, but the real deal. Our school records read like a rap sheet: "poor attendance," "disruptive behavior," "fighting," "drug use on school grounds." And the list goes on. We didn't earn respect with kindness. Fear was enough to get people to back off. Respect? Fear? Same thing in my book.

Now, we're known around school as "The Scourge Boys." Yeah, we're actually thinking of getting T-shirts made. The name sticks, and it fits—scourge, you know, like a whip, a punisher. People either love us, hate us, or fear us. Sometimes all three.

Girls? Let's just say they're a distraction. Most of them are manipulators, cheaters, or just plain drama. They're good for one thing, though. It's when they start thinking they have control over you that things go south. Since 8th grade, I've made sure no one takes control of me. I run things. I leave when I want, I push people's buttons when I feel like it, and I'm in control of their emotions—always. It makes me feel invincible. Call me cold or heartless. Honestly, I enjoy it. When they lose control—when they cry, scream, or lash out—I know I've won.

It's lunch, and the guys and I are sitting in my car, bored out of our minds. I take a hit from Duncan's joint, watching people shuffle across the parking lot like ants.

"Bro, look at Jade in that dress," I cough, my eyes tracking her as she walks by.

Haze laughs, giving me a nudge. "Nah, man. Bro code. I already dipped into that. Off-limits."

I smirk. "Bro code's for people you care about. You care about Jade-got-laid?" I ask, raising an eyebrow.

"No, but how'd you feel if I screwed one of your girls?"

I shrug, leaning back in my seat. "The girls I mess with are lucky I even bother with them. If they sleep with anyone else, it's a downgrade. Feel free, man. It's their loss, not mine."

The guys laugh, and I pass the joint back. Then, I spot Lexi Rivera heading our way—captain of the dance club, the girl every guy wants. But she's mine, at least for now. It's not love or anything like that, just another win for my ego.

"Oooh, look who's coming," Connor whistles, nudging me as Lexi walks up.

I get out of the car, leaning against it, waiting for her to make her move. As always, she does.

"Hi, Nate," she says, her voice soft, like she's trying to melt me or something.

I nod, opening the car door, silently telling the guys to get lost. Haze rolls his eyes but grabs the joint and climbs out with the others.

"Manwhore," he mutters, but I don't care. They know the drill.

Lexi slides into the backseat, and I follow. I lean in, kissing her hard, her hands immediately working on my jeans. I push her back, and we get to business, quick and dirty. She's done this before; she knows the routine.

Afterward, she fixes her hair, applying some bright pink lipstick that I can't stand.

"You should ditch the lipstick," I mutter, holding the car door open for her.

She steps out, nibbling on my ear. "Don't be grumpy. See you later," she whispers before walking off, swaying her hips like she knows I'm still watching.

I roll my eyes, grab my books, and head to class. Third period biology. I barely go to this class, but whatever. Dustin's there, too.

"Bro! What the hell? Didn't know you had Bio P3," I say, smirking as I take the seat next to him.

He laughs. "First time I've shown up," he says, sounding half-stoned.

We settle in, and the teacher drones on with some boring PowerPoint. God, this class sucks. I glance around, my eyes landing on a girl sitting diagonally from me. She's twirling a pen between her fingers, pressing it against her lips. I've seen her before, but for the life of me, I can't remember her name. Doesn't matter.

My eyes keep drifting to her lips as she bites the pen, then wets her lips with her tongue. I feel a flicker of something as my mind drifts to thoughts I probably shouldn't be having in class.

"Dust, look," I nod toward her.

He glances over, smirking, making a rude gesture with his hips like he's fucking the air. I stifle a laugh, leaning forward.

"I'd like my dick to replace that pen," I mutter.

Dustin chuckles, and we both zone out for the rest of the class, too buzzed to care.

As class ends, we grab our stuff and head for the door, but someone bumps into me on purpose. Not a smart move. I grab him by the shoulder, my temper flaring instantly.

"What's your problem?" I growl.

"You, jackass," he snaps before throwing a jab at my jaw.

The fight's on before I even realize it.

My name's Nathan, I'm 18, and I still fucking love to fight.

________________________________________________________________________________Author's notes

Hi, I hope you'll get as attached to these characters as I am. 

Nathan can be intense, it's ok if he offends you, he is supposed to. 

Im excited to finally share this publically. 

Let me know what you think.

-With love