The worst things in life come free to us..
It's the next morning. 5 hours of sleep on my system came to show when I place my phone in the fridge instead of the orange juice.
I finished breakfast in a hurry since I didn't want to be late for first block again. With a half eaten piece of toast, I headed off to my car and started driving towards the school.
—•—
I'm early. Way too early.
There's not a single soul in the hallways, not even the teachers are inside the classroom. I sigh to myself. One more year.. I tell myself.
"One more year of what?" asks an angelic voice.
Rose.
She had come out of the bathroom, a cigarette on her ear.
"Until graduation." I answer flatly.
I had to forget her. She'll only distract me from my real goal.
"Ah.." she lays against the bathroom door. "You're one of those people." Rose grabs the cigarette from her ear and light it, taking a hit of the deadly poison. "Mommy and Daddy don't love you enough so you want to escape your perfect life?" She releases the smoke and looks me straight in the eyes, hers not holding any emotion to them. They were dull, like a calm ocean full of hidden secrets that could not be seen due to a thick fog.
"I wish that were the case, babydoll." I smirk when she's taken back by the nickname. "Mommy and Daddy died."
Rose doesn't say anything after that and neither do I.
Soon enough kids begin to fill the hallway. Some talking to their friends, others with their partners. The bell rings minutes later and I turn to have one last look at Rose. She was gone however, the only trace left of her was the cigarette pack she had miss to throw in the garbage.
—•—
The late bell for third block rang as I barely made it inside in time. I sat in the back where an empty desk was on my right side. The less the people around me the better. I wasn't shy, far from it really, but I had to play a part to go unnoticed. If I draw attention to myself then people will start to put the pieces together and reveal my secret identity again.
Alec, the illegal street fighter.
"Open up your books to page 10, there you should see basic math problems that you should all know by now. Do the first 20 and hand them to me before the end of class. I do this assignment to know where the strengths and weaknesses lay." Ms. Green says, hushing the various people talking in the process.
The class is quiet after that. Everyone doing the assignment. AP kids alright. I focus on doing the problems and in less than 15 minutes I'm done with them. She was right about it being basic math problems.
I didn't want to be the first to turn in the paper so I wait until someone else does. Deciding it'll probably take some time for a non introverted kid to stand up and hand in their paper, I pull out a book. I'm halfway through the chapter when the classroom door opens and none other than him walks in.
"Isak! So glad you could join us today." Ms. Green gives him a warm smile which he returns. "Class, this is Isak Even, a new alumni to our wonderful school. I would like to let you all know he got a perfect score in his three previous math exams." Ms. Green's smile is that of a proud parent, like she was responsible for all his hard work. "Go on now, Isak. Sit in a desk."
Isak blushes, looking around for an empty desk to sit. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion. He had no scars or any signs of bruising. As I continue to examine his face he of course sees the only desk which is next to mine and heads my way. He was too embarrassed to look anywhere but the desk so he hadn't noticed me. I pull the book closer to my face. I definitely did not want him to recognize me. I had ignored his request to follow me and thought that would be the end of it. That's just not the case. He goes to my school which is strangely ironic as it is, but he's also a year younger than me, in a senior class. What was this kid's deal.
"Hi! I'm- oh."
Great.
"Yeah, 'oh' indeed." I sigh and place my book down, slightly glaring at it. It obviously didn't work.
"Alec was it?"
I turn so fast that I'm surprised my neck doesn't break. If looks could kill Isak would be long gone.
"Don't ever call me that outside the ring. I won't be as nice as before." My tone is cold and harsh, much like how Rose was when she first spoke to me.
"S-Sorry.." he bites his lip nervously.
I guess he got the the memo and turns towards the front of the classroom.
—•—
"By the looks of it school will be over in about a minute. Please remember to bring your assignments on-" Mr. Oliver gets cut off by the bell. "Every single time!" He sighs, giving us the infamous dismissal hand.
I hurried out of the classroom not caring about being shoved or pushed around anymore. I had to get out as soon as I could.
Mason had sent me a text.
Mason
Come quick. Jorge.
This was code for spectators who were not too happy about the result of a fight and wanted their money back.
I pull my keys out of my pocket when I get to my car. I speed out of the student parking lot, but not before noticing Rose being pinned against a car by a guy whose face I couldn't see.
—•—
Yelling could be heard when I basically ran inside the building. This was definitely not good.
"Listen, mate." I heard one of them say.
British? That's strange.. I thought. Only locals and a few people upstate new about The Ring.
"You will let her fight." The man stated.
I had now made it to the room they where in. Three large men hovered over Jorge and Mason. The tension is the room was beyond me.
"Listen buddy," Jorge says, mocking the guy's earlier words. "All our fighters are men. It won't be fair-"
Another one of the three cuts Jorge before he could finish speaking. This one had a calmer aura to him, but his bodyguard like appearance was still unsettling.
"How about this. If you let her fight your best guy we will bring you more spectators.. valuable spectators."
Jorge stays quiet. He was thinking of our desperate need for new sponsor, so to say. He glances at me. His face is uncertain, wanting me to reply for him.
"I'll do it. I'm their best fighter." I walk up to the calmer looking guy and stretch out my arm, waiting for him to shake it. When he does I continue. "I'm sure she won't be an easy fight if you're so keen on her fighting me."
The man laughs, "You have no idea."
