What is Love?

Chapter 2 - Raven

It was the first day of my sophomore year and it started out like any other. Pulling my small blue backpack closer to me, I got my schedule and saw that chemistry was my first hour. I was joyful, I love anything science related. I did not meet up with any of my close friends before school because I wanted to scout out my routes going between class since we have very little time to get to them. My school is fairly large with multiple buildings so it can take about five minutes to get from one side to another. The rustic brown buildings surrounded a center area that had a huge flagpole in the middle with two elevated grass areas and lines of small trimmed trees lining the lunch area and the sides of the buildings. We had a football field right behind the gym building, an art building, a CTE/science building, three other academic buildings and the office. The art and one of the academic buildings are the only place were the lockers are on the inside of the building so, you were lucky if you got one of those lockers. I, like many others, have my locker on the outside of the building.

While most of the time the weather is stable, during the winters, the merciless cold sweeps through chilling all to the bone .The air drops to an freezing temperature, barely above zero degrees Celsius. With the icy cold winds and heavy wet snow, most days are unbearable or unsafe to go outside. Though to us, high school students, it dose not matter. We are still forced to go to classes that we hate. But, moreover, forced to walk or ride in this dreadful weather that the school calls, ‘Not bad enough to have students stay home.’ Because of this the metal lockers become cold the the touch. For some frost forms on the outer edges, threatening to freeze the already worn down books. As we speak, the weather is already coming to be. The August winds already having that nippy chill in the morning. Frost forming on the exposed windows and pretty flowers that were not covered up in time.
Most people hate the cold. I don't really mind it, I think the soft white snow holds a beauty to it. Only when I see the city covered in snow, do I have a problem. The snow is no longer white, but a dirty murky yellowing gray. It no longer holds that soft powdery texture but, turns into a sluggish flat sheet of ice. Other then that I don't mind the snow. What I really love is seeing snowflakes. You rarely see snowflakes because the snow comes in heavy downpours. Only when the weather is just right will the small soft powers white dots drift from the clouds and on to the ground. Some not making it because many people are compelled to open their mouths to catch them and let the beautiful but brief specks melt on their tongues. I hope that day will come soon when I can see that beauty.

For second period I have language arts. My class is in the third academic building half way across the school up stairs. I start writing out a simple map to my classes. I really don't want to be late for classes it is just a pain to get in school suspension and I also have a feeling that my classes are much more spread out this year. As I was walking toward the middle where the flag pole is, I notice that there is a crowd starting to form and loud voices are coming from the middle. I probably shouldn't, it's none of my business, but I could not help but to be curious of what is happening. So I move closer to the crowd, pushing my way to the front. What I saw before me was a scene all too familiar to me.

It was two boys one the same age as me the other about a year younger. The older one stood towering over the younger one. His muscles bulging out of his tight jersey I can tell already he was a football player. sStereotypical am I right? The other was about the same height but he was crouched down and a lot skinner. He had one hand up to his chin the other down to his arm. It looked as though he was a pretzel trying to hold his throbbing arm and chin at the same time. This was a fight of unnecessary dominance. The older one threw a punch his fist soaring through the air fast as lightning. The burly fist make contact with the youngers cheek just below his eye. I can already envision the blue and black bruise that would form there. Another punch was thrown, even faster this time, I couldn’t even see it. What came next was a trickle of blood down the youngers face identical to a raindrop on a car door window, his nose was broken.

I was disgusted and horrified at what was going on in front of me. I knew I had the power to stop it but I did not want to get in trouble again and I promised myself I would not fight anymore no matter the circumstance. However, I couldn’t just stand idly by and let this kid just get beating to a plup. I also knew no one else can stop him if they wanted to. He is just too strong and I don’t even know why he was punching a kid that obviously can’t defend himself. Whatever the reason I don’t condone it. The older was not done yet, I can see he is going in for a knee jab right to the stomach. I knew from most of the fights that I’ve been in that blow is one of most damaging of blows you can do to someone. I mean, all of your internal organs are right there.

Then it seemed as though something clicked in me. I had no control of my legs or arms. My fury reach the boiling point. Before I knew it, the older was on the ground bruises and blood lining his face and body, broken arm, and hundreds of gaps running through the entire crowd. I realize the mistake all too soon. I knew I was done for. I was given so many warnings but yet I still could not stop myself. I turned towards the younger I did not expect any forgiveness or any gratitude and just as I expected the younger just stared at me, fear emanating on his face. Then within a few minutes, he got up unsteadily on his feet and turn to leave quickly, away from me. I knew that look. I knew that look all too well. It was the look as though someone has seen a monster, a beast of an uncontrollable nature. I was all too familiar with that look, but it still hurt every time I saw it.

I look down towards my calloused hands. Unknown blood on them small bruises starting to form I did not feel the pian at all. What I felt was panic. The life I spent trying to build for the past 3 years just vanished like that. I knew I screw it up and I knew I was at the end of my rope because the older boy that I just took down was none other than the main star of the football team. Yep, I was fucked. I would definitely expect him to try and sue me and my entire family.

Though I barely had time to think about the repercussions as he tried unsteadily to get on his feet again. I knew it was pointless my skill was far beyond those of a normal. I wouldn’t quite say it was quite military training, but it was close enough. I knew there was no way he was going to get back on his feet that quickly. As predicted he fell back down with a thump. Gasps laced with emanating murmurs started and couple giggles here and there. However, I couldn’t concentrate on that now because I can already see it the teachers, the custodians, and the police officers all surrounded the group. Someone yelled scram and the rest of the kids ran off back to their individual lives. Leaving only me and the older boy left. I didn’t try to run. I knew I was done. I was ready to take punishment even if it was unfair, I highly doubt it was going to be fair in the first place. Three officers advanced on me, while two custodians an a teachers try to help the older boy up.

“You’re coming with us missy!” one of them said, his voice rough like sandpaper. I didn’t even try to fight them. I let them take me. One of them seemed surprised that I didn’t fight it. So surprised he even asked me, must have been a new recruit.

“Hey why aren’t you fighting us?” I smiled a little at his ignorance and replied only once.

“You won’t be asking that question when you see my record” that seemed to shut him up and his sympathetic gaze soon turned hard. That’s the problem with all enforcers nowadays. They all assume the worst and they never get to know the real story. The three officers dragged me, well more like walked me, to the office. I pause for a minute to look at the glass front doors, all the while thinking about my impending doom.