(italics are to show thoughts and telepathy)

The dream had been so vivid. The sight of her body hitting the ground and laying so lifeless was etched in Alex’s memory. His clothes clung to his sweaty body and he couldn’t stop shaking. He stumbled to the bathroom, trying to shake the lingering images from his mind.

He made it to the sink and splashed his face with water. Relieved, he saw he was wearing the clothes he had put on before bed. If he’d been wearing the same thing he had in his dream, he would’ve lost it. His mind was a mess, but he had to go to school regardless. If he skipped, his father would find ways to make Alex’s life more difficult than it already was.

Alex showered and threw on his uniform. His hair had grown long--it was against the rules to have hair past your collar. But he felt that a few demerits would be worth the price to show a bit of rebelliousness.

He wished he had the courage to do more. Facing people made him nervous. When he was on his bike he could be more reckless and free but with people he could only feel scared.

The starched collar of his shirt made him feel like he was being strangled. He pulled it with his finger to loosen it, but it didn’t move much. After a quick breakfast, the chauffeur drove him to school.

On the way, Alex looked up the local news on his phone and was glad to see nothing related to his dream. Only more news about the recent arsons in the area. No one missing, and no bodies found in a dark alley. Despite being sure it was a dream, checking relieved his anxiety. Now he could concentrate on school instead of worrying over nothing.

Though it was designed to be elegant, with a majestic feel, the school was boxy, gloomy, and old. The circular drive had a fountain in the middle with a statue of the founder on a horse. Every morning was like a parade with fancy cars driving around and showing off.

As Alex got out of the car, the other students stared at him and whispered. Some girls giggled near the entrance steps as they glanced at him. When he met their eyes they gasped and hurried off. Alex frowned and strode up the steps. He hadn’t bothered bringing the crutch since he felt fine. He wasn’t too slow and didn’t limp. At least one thing was going well for him.

When he reached the huge double doors, his path was suddenly cut off. He groaned. Reginald Colton, Hugh Patton, and Cole Peterson… his least favorite people. Just seeing them brought back unpleasant memories. They had been a constant unwanted presence since elementary school.

It had started small at first. With teasing, spit wads, and gum in his hair. But in middle school it had escalated to almost daily torture. Being beaten black and blue after school, accosted in the bathroom and having his head shoved into the toilet. But the worst was when they got him suspended for smoking. His father had been the one to beat him then.

He clenched his hands into fists and gritted his teeth as he got closer to the group.

“Well, well, what a surprise. I’m disappointed you aren’t in worse shape,” Reginald, the student council president, mocked.

Alex turned to look at him. Reginald had an aristocratic nose and refined features. He kept his short, blond hair slicked back, had cold, blue eyes.

Alex tried to brush past without saying anything but Hugh cut him off. Hugh was the burly captain of the school football team and Reginald’s loyal goon.

“Don’t run off now, Reggi was speaking to you,” Hugh said.

Alex sighed, then surprised himself by saying sarcastically, “What can I do for you, gentlemen?” He never usually spoke back - what had gotten into him?

“Listen to that. You shouldn’t use such a tone,” Cole said. He had been standing to the side with his arms crossed but now stepped out next to Reginald. He was the council secretary and was always eager for a fight.

Just then, one of the double doors opened and a girl stepped out. She took in the scene and glared sternly at Reginald and gang before turning to Alex with a smile. “I’m glad you look well, Mr. Kent.”

It was Veronica Ericson, the council treasurer.

Veronica turned to Reginald and blinked her deep green eyes. “We have a student council meeting, what are you doing lounging around out here?”

“Ah yes, of course. Later, Kent.” Reginald sneered at Alex again, then followed Veronica inside.

Alex waited a moment to let them get ahead before following them inside. He made his way through the crowded hallways to his locker then hurried to first period so he could grab a seat at the back of the class. Alex liked to sit in silence, undisturbed, as he read a book or checked stocks on his phone

Veronica's appearance had lightened his mood somewhat. She was one of the few students that had always been kind to him. He’d considered asking her out before, but didn’t really understand the point. Even if he had the confidence, romance was a foreign concept to him.

Slowly, the other students trickled in. They chatted in groups or played and talked on their phones. Reginald strode in just as the warning bell rang, giving Alex a sidelong smirk before moving to his chair. The teacher was close behind him.

Alex felt a sharp tap on his cheek and a wad of paper landed on his desk. He looked up but the teacher was writing on the board. Another mini missile hit, and the piece of paper landed on his hand. Alex noticed Reginald aiming another wad in his direction. A few of the other boys in class sniggered as they watched.

Alex decided to ignore it.

The teacher continued to drone on as she scratched the chalk across the board. Reginald only paused in his antics when she happened to turn around. By the time class was over, Alex’s desk had amassed quite a few paper balls.

Before Alex could gather his things, Reginald came over.

“Well, I see trash is attracted to trash. You blend right in.” Reginald laughed.

Alex sighed and slowly gathered the trash along with his bag. “Did you need anything?” he asked.

“I needed to see you in your rightful place among the waste where you belong.” Reginald leaned on Alex’s desk.

As usual, Alex bit his tongue to hold back a scathing reply. The teacher had already left. Only a few students remained, watching the exchange. Alex felt like he was on display.

“What? You aren’t going to speak back like earlier?” Reginald said with a glint in his eye. He clearly wanted Alex to talk back, it’d give him an excuse to heap more torture on Alex.

Alex dropped his head, gritted his teeth, and shuffled back and away. He didn't say or do anything else other than tossing the paper wads in the trash as he left. Reginald’s annoying laugh followed him as he hurried down the hall.

His next class passed by uneventfully and eventually it was time for lunch. For someone without friends, lunchtime was unpleasant. As he was carrying his tray, Marcus Halloby ambushed him.

“Excuse me, Mr. Kent, but I spotted you and felt I must correct your misconduct in allowing your hair to get so long.” Marcus spoke in a monotone and pushed his glasses up in a brisk, businesslike motion.

“I’ll take it under advisement, Mr. Vice President.” Alex copied Marcus’ formal air. Luckily, Marcus didn’t notice Alex’s sarcasm He had spoke up again without thinking. The dream must have addled his thinking.

“I would appreciate it,” Marcus said and turned away crisply before striding off stiffly.

At least Marcus wasn’t bothering Alex to be mean. Marcus just liked to make sure people followed the rules. He would approach anyone who wasn’t doing so, and correct them. Alex didn’t hate him, but he didn’t like the guy much either--he looked like he had a stick up his butt.

Alex hurried through the tables and out the glass doors to the courtyard. He found a quiet corner to eat in peace, under the shade of a large tree.

Alex looked around warily when he went back in and sighed in relief when he didn’t see Hugh or the rest of the gang anywhere. He was usually their favorite target during lunch period. A few girls were giggling in a group but stopped and hurried off as soon as they caught sight of him.

Alex’s shoulders slumped and he frowned.

Unlike his first couple classes, Alex was unfortunately forced to sit at a desk in the center of the room for the next period. Other kids crowded around, sitting or leaning on his desk as if he wasn’t there.

Hugh came in, and their eyes met through a gap in the crowd. There was a pretty girl on Hugh’s arm and Hugh was clearly showing her off. The crowd parted for him and he walked past Alex, frowning. The girl, however, blushed scarlet as soon as she got close to Alex.

Alex blinked in surprise and quickly looked away. The last thing he needed was Hugh thinking he was checking out his girlfriend.

Hugh pulled her along roughly and they moved to his seat in the corner of the room. Hugh’s voice rumbled, he sounded angry.

Alex swore he could feel a glare burning into his back from Hugh’s direction. As soon as class was over, Alex flew out of the room.

Finally, school was over. Even before the accident Alex didn’t want to bother with clubs, so he went to wait for the chauffeur. He knew he should try to find people he could connect with, someone to be on his side. The family car pulled up and he got in, continuing to think things over.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried to make friends before. Most people in his school were just impossible to get along with. Not to mention he was terrible at socializing.

Alex had never been interested in sports, especially team sports. The private schools he attended either had super elite teams not good for beginners, or teams that were too laid back and hardly practiced. He wasn’t terrible at sports, but he also wasn’t great. It helped that he was fit since he often worked out in the gym at home, but he didn’t have much stamina… or balance and coordination.

But his biggest problem was relating to people.

Alex had taken martial arts for a while as a child, for protection. His father had reasoned it was cheaper than hiring a bodyguard. A club related to martial arts might be good, but it had been awhile since he had practiced seriously.

Alex had enjoyed his time at the dojo. The people there were easy to be around, and the interactions were simple and straightforward. It had been the closest he had ever felt to being happy and the only time he had gotten along with people.

It would probably be different in the school club, though. Cole was in the martial arts club. He would definitely make things hard for Alex if he joined. Being in the same club would just give Cole more chances to torture Alex while Reginald cheered him on.

Alex would have to keep thinking about it.

He was watching the buildings go by out the car window when he glimpsed the bar from his dream. The horrible memories from the fight came flooding back. He turned away, but another building caught his eye on the other side of the street.

“Wait! stop the car!” Alex said.

“I can’t stop in the middle of the road. Do you want me to turn around?” The driver glanced back as he spoke to Alex.

“Yes please. I want to visit that dojo I saw. Turn around as soon as you can and find a place to park.”

“Why don’t you get out here and I’ll find a place to park?” the driver suggested after they turned around.

Before he’d even finished speaking, Alex had jumped out of the car and headed toward the dojo.

The sign over the door read “Mixed Fit”, and though the building was slightly scuffed, it looked clean enough. He had seen Cole’s family dojo, MMA Stars, and it had been huge and fancy with four floors. He hadn’t gone in, but knew it had good amenities, like a gym, an indoor swimming pool, and champion class trainers.

In contrast, Alex liked the quaint appearance of this little dojo. With a nervous smile, he pushed open the glass door. Yells from the group currently training came from the left in the main training area. To the right was another area where a few people were sparring.

Ahead was a desk and a hallway that looked like it continued on to the gym equipment and locker area. There was shoe rack right next to the entrance and Alex remembered that most dojos didn’t want you wearing shoes inside. So he sat on the bench by the door and pulled off his shoes.

A man who had been helping students in the main area saw Alex and came over. He was a tall, pleasant looking man, with short black hair and a mustache. Even though the Gi covered him, Alex could tell he was well muscled and toned. The man was also skilled, judging by the three gold stars on his black belt.

“Welcome to Mixed Fit. I’m the owner, Mike Grant. Are you interested in joining?” He had a friendly smile and Alex immediately felt comfortable.

Impulse had made him want to pull over, but the place felt right to him. However, Alex knew that even a tiny place like this would cost a lot to join. He would have to put off getting his own place, but finding somewhere to belong was worth it.

“Yes, I want to join.”