What Am I?

Chapter 3

It was a pleasant morning, but not a pleasant atmosphere in Max's house. As usual, he woke up to the sound of his parents fighting, things breaking, voices being raised. It was very normal for him, almost like a daily routine. It had stopped affecting him a long time back. He took a shower and came down for breakfast, amidst his fighting parents. The only normal thing in that house was Max's relation with his younger brother Andrew.

Andrew was two years younger to Max. The sixteen year old had started getting used to the verbal wars that took place in the house. He had stopped trusting his parents when they had thought about getting a divorce. However, Max had somehow convinced them to stay together and sort out their problems for the sake of their children. The only person Andrew completely trusted was his brother Max. Their bond of love and friendship helped them through their daily family hassles.

"Morning Max! I forgot to ask how school was yesterday." "It was ok..ish. I'm not saying that I miss the old school but the change was too quick. I might take time to get used to it." "Andrew you need to open up to changes, and most importantly, start making friends. I know it's a little though to change your school, but the good part is that I will always be around if you need anything. Anyways, after what happened at your old school, I think it was a very good decision to shift you out." "Ya...I guess so..." "Chuck! I'll drive you to school with me after we're done eating."

"Bryan I don't get it! Once I've said no it's a no!" " Who are you to tell me what to do!?" " Don't you dare take to me like that! Don't forget that I'm your wife!" "That's out of no choice Jessica. If it hadn't been for the kids I would have divorced you a long time back." Max and Andrew were eating as if there was nobody else there. They laughed, made jokes and then left for school.

" So you guys made up?" asked Reece. "Which girl can resist Max Campbell's charm?" said Max, proudly. " Oh please. You know you can't function without me, that's why you came like a puppy, asking for forgiveness." Everyone laughed at the couple's attempts to tease the other. "Hey guys!'" called out a bubbly Andrea as she came in with Dylan. " Babe what's with the colour of your nail polish? I just noticed it." asked Dylan. " What's wrong? It's such a pretty green. I love it." " But you know I hate it when you wear such absurd shades on your nails. What's wrong with your choice?" "Aa-ha! Don't make fun of your girlfriend's choices, your one of 'em." "Oooooooooooo! That was a killer!" laughed the group.

While laughing at the joke, they suddenly noticed a boy being bullied by some guys from their class. There was only one thing Dylan could not tolerate, and that was bullying. As a child, he had been bullied for different reasons. Even when he was a little older, he was bullied for his looks; but nobody knew he would grow up to be such a good looking boy. He knew what it was like to be bullied and that feeling of being useless would really haunt him. He couldn't watch it any longer. He was boiling with anger. He went to the boys. " Why you guys picking on him? He hasn't even done anything to you." "You better get out of here if you don't wanna get hurt pretty boy." " I swear if you don't walk away from here in the next ten seconds, you will wish that you had never come to Sliders High." "Oh your scaring me. Let's see what you can do. Bring it on!" "Oh boy, I hope this doesn't take an ugly tu-"

Susanna didn't even finish her sentence and the bully was flat on the floor. "Why do I hope for such impossible things?" questioned Susanna as they ran to Dylan to stop him.

"Whoa! Whoa! Buddy stop." Max said, while pulling him away. "Wait a minute, what's this?" asked Andrea in horror, as she pointed to Dylan's left palm. His palm had turned into a puddle of blood. His thumb was bleeding profusely. "How the hell did this happen?! It's definitely not because of punching this guy." "Guys," pointed Mia, "look at this." As they turned, they saw a trail of blood, starting from the table. The fork on the table was dripping with blood. Dylan had the marks of the fork on him thumb. "How is that possible? I don't remember picking up the fork. I didn't feel any pain. In fact, I don't feel any pain."

*****

Dylan came out of the medical room with a dressing on his thumb.

"Does it hurt?" asked Andrea, her eyes wet because of the tears. "I'm fine, trust me. It doesn't hurt."
"Dylan Wood, you have been called to Principal Rolander's office."
"There comes my call. I'll see you later Andy."

"Mr. Rolander?" "Ah Dylan! I've been expecting you. Come, have a seat. How's the hand?" "Good actually. It doesn't hurt much" said Dylan while sitting down.
"Good. So I assume you know why I called you here. You have anything to say?" "Mr. Rolander, you know that I can't stand anyone being bullied and-" "And you have remarkable anger management issues..we know we know." "Well, if you know that then I shouldn't be sitting here. That other guy should be here listening to how to remove frustration in a productive way, and not by showing a boy who is half your size that you can crush the daylights out of him if you want."
"Dylan listen to me. I know that you don't like all this, but you need to start getting your anger into control. Similar incidents took place even earlier and we let you go because you are a very good student. It's only in such situations that your mind and anger is out of control. This is your last chance my boy. If this doesn't stop, we'll have to take serious action. And as for that boy, he's already been suspended."
"Hmm...hope I don't come face to face with him again." "Well, even I hope that doesn't happen. Anyways, you can leave. And take care of your hand. And next time make sure you know what your hand is doing." "Need to control the hand too I guess."
"You OK Dylan?" "Never been better Mr.Rolander. See you around."