The Quadrants

Chapter 1

*Author's Note* - Audiobook of the prologue and 1st chapter is available on youtube - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60caiQmV-68&t=371s

-Also, the Gacha of the first chapter is posted on Youtube- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_q373C3LhQ&t=3s

CHAPTER 1

Rohan pulled his pyjama top over his head and looked down, studying his bare torso. He puffed out his chest and prodded a finger here and there. All puberty had done for him in the past two years was stretch him out like a bean stalk—the taller he had grown, the skinnier he had become. But recently, he thought his muscles seemed larger. They had to be, because he didn't know how much longer he could take being beaten up by Titus.

Titus Blackwell was a hulk of a boy who had gotten more than his fair share of puberty hormones. At just sixteen, he already stood at six foot two and was packed with muscle beyond his years. Rohan could attest to that, because for the last few months Titus had been using his prodigious strength to throw him, and his bike, around on a regular basis. He had battered Rohan's last bike beyond repair, and since having received a new one for his birthday a month ago, he hadn't wanted to risk bringing it to school.

Rohan curled up an arm and flexed it, then squeezed at his bicep, and did the same thing on the other side. Slipping a shirt off a hanger, he put it on, and moved around in it a little while he did up the buttons—it felt tight. He was convinced of it now. Although Rohan was still nowhere near as big or as bulky as Titus, his muscles were finally catching up to the rest of him, and he thought now he could at least do something to defend himself.

Rohan wheeled his bike out of the garage a short time later, and with his bag on his back, he rode along the streets leading to the school. He slowed when he neared the side gate and scanned ahead to see if Titus was around. The area was deserted. Beginning to relax slightly, he cautiously made his way into the bike shelter. He bent to see the numbers on the chain and turned them to unlock it from below the seat.

The sound of cracking gravel came from close by, and Rohan jumped. He spun around with a start. He knew who it would be even before he saw him. With a smirk on his face, Titus stood there, arms folded across his chest, leaning his shoulder casually against one of the poles holding up the shelter.

"You're early, Fraser," the giant said, watching Rohan begin to fidget nervously. "You weren't trying to avoid me, were you?" He stood up tall and started to walk slowly towards him.

"Go away, Titus, it's new," said Rohan. He felt his stomach clench tight, and keeping a hand protectively on the bike, he moved his body across to stand in front of it.

"Yeah, I noticed," Titus said, sounding upbeat. "Nice!"

"Why don't you find something else to do, rather than pushing people around all the time?" Rohan's voice was raised, having mustered as much bravery as he could. He was sick of this, it had to stop.

Titus strolled closer, the smile still on his face.

"What... you mean like this?" He gave Rohan a sharp shove in the shoulder, sending him stumbling sideways a few paces. Then quickly, the larger boy grabbed for the bike, yanking it out of his reach.

"Leave it alone!" Rohan shrieked in alarm.

Lately, in compulsory sport at school—which was the only form of sport Rohan Fraser did—he had been running faster and kicking further, he felt strong, and with a burst of confidence, he ran forwards. He launched himself into Titus, shoulder first, trying to throw him off balance. Titus looked surprised and stumbled, but only a bit, then with one arm, he roughly swatted Rohan away. His face darkened. It was rare for Rohan, or any of the kids at school for that matter, to fight back. He let the bike drop to the ground.