The Brains and The Rebel

Prologue

Why do they always come after me?! I just wanted to read my book on Physics before my class starts! And where was I? In the corner of the school, outside, getting my ass handed to me. The kids beating me up already ruined my book, and now left scars and bruises on me. I look up to who was the leader of this awful pack, Owen Donald. 

In all honesty, we used to be best friends back in elementary school. Then when Middle school hit he changed and we became enemies. For what reason, I have no idea. One day I was just waiting for him and the next thing I knew he was on top of me, hitting and kicking me. I never felt so much betrayal in so a horrible way to do it. Now, now he's just an asshole who's kicking the shit out of a nerd.

He smirked when I looked at him, "What? Why the long face? You knew we were gonna find you eventually..." 

He gripped my shirt and pushed me against the wall, " You don't think I got eyes, nerd!? I own you! Now, why did I get an F on a test YOU were supposed to take for me?!"

I had forgotten I made a deal with him that if I did his work, he wouldn't beat me up a lot. Except I had overslept and couldn't make it in time. 

"I'm sorry! I overslept and-"

He raised his fist and it smacked me right in the nose, my glasses fell off. He let me go and stomped on them, grinning. I couldn't see without them and as I put them back on, I saw him looking down at me.

"Pathetic, don't forget this. Because this is what happens when you break a deal. I'm gonna give you a second chance and if you fuck this up, there will be consequences..."

After that, he turned to his group and walked away. I sat there in the corner and my vision became blurry. I felt a small stream sliding down my cheek. I'm a senior at Elk Wood High and I was crying.

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I got home around four or five in the afternoon, the smell of cinnamon and vanilla were in the air; my mother was making snickerdoodles. As much as I wanted one, I didn't want her to see my face. I could feel the bruising where the bullies had kicked and hit me on my face. I went into the bathroom and started up the shower. I heard a knock on the door as I was getting undressed.

"Hi, honey! I didn't hear you come in! I made snickerdoodles so if you want one you can, I'm off to work love you!"

 My mother's voice was hard to hear over the rushing sound of water.

"Love you too!" I replied, hoping she said that and climbed into the shower.

I stood there for what seemed like hours. I hated my school, I had no friends and the friends I used to have now beat me up every day. What happened?

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/ ten years ago/ 

I was eating my lunch when I heard someone yelling. I looked over and saw a group of boys surrounding in a corner and I decided to see what's going on. When I got there I saw two boys fighting, as the other boys cheered I was worried for one in particular. One of the boys were wearing a black shirt, jeans, and had on converse. His hair was messy, probably from fighting and his green eyes seemed like they were glowing.

Something told me to get a teacher, but I listened to the other side that said to step in. I didn't care if I got punched in the face, I needed to help him. As I managed my way through the crowd of young boys, I ran right to the boy in the black shirt and stood in front of his attacker, putting out my arms. The cheering stopped, I stood my ground though, I wasn't going away.

"Get out of there, shrimp! You're gonna get your butt kicked if you don't!" One of the boys said.

I stayed silent, unmoved. The boy's attacker grew impatient with me and seemed to growl.

"Fine, then I'll just beat you up!" I saw his fist raised and I closed my eyes, waiting for the hit.

Then it never came, I opened one eye and the kid in the black shirt was in front of me now, and the boy's attacker was on the ground. The kid was kicking him now and the crowd was cheering. I was about to pull him off until we heard a whistle and a teacher heading right for us. The other boys scurried to the room, I was about to join them but the teacher stopped me.

"Not you three. You're all coming with me."

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I grabbed a cookie and made myself something to eat for dinner. Mom could bake, but she couldn't cook even if her life depended on it. I was left with the cooking since I was the only man around. My dad left me and my mom when I was three and occasionally he sends us Christmas cards with his new family. When something like a letter is in dad's writing I take it and either shred it or burn it. 

I know it's not the right thing to do, but if my mother ever saw it, she'll lose it. I sat down at the table and started eating, worried about what school will bring for me tomorrow. I tilted my head back and wondered what it must be like to be in Owen's situation... Why did he leave me behind, why did he stop being my friend? I shook my head and finished eating, then I worked on mine and his homework. 

If I was strong enough, I would fight him off and his goons. I could be so cool, showing everyone that not everyone is weak like me. Except this is reality, not some fantasy...