We're finally getting to that point in school when all of the final learning units are about to end, and everybody is full of energy because of it. That goes double for the kids in grade eight, since this will be their last year of middle school before going into high school.

Keeping with middle school tradition, close to the end of the grade, each school sets up an event outdoors when the weather is supposed to be clear. Right now, I'm standing before the impressively large display of sporting events, most of which involved water. I'm not alone taking in the sights in preparation either. The entire school is all around me too doing the same, well seventh graders anyway. It's too easy for me to recognize what this is; every person going to elementary or middle school in America knows what this is. This is the setup and startup for a field day.

And so, everybody was excited to get started playing with water sports on a hot sunny day, almost everyone. Yep, you guessed it. I'm possibly the only kid here who is dreading this very moment as we speak. I even let out a stressful sigh right next to Banarus voicing my concerns. "They had to pick today of all days to do this?"

"Get with the program Reed. It's only a month away from summer now. We got lucky they decided to do it early this time!" Banarus wasn't even angry for what I said. Her joyous attitude bubbled up and repelled any lurking negativity coming from me.

Early, late, I don't really care about this right now. To tell the truth, I was actually looking forward to this a bit, but only for one reason. I wanted them to conduct this field day when it was cold outside, so that I could bring Lumina in to see what it was like. Care to take any bets on how well my luck went this time? Seriously. I know that this field day is supposed to be about having fun, but right now, I'm having no such thing.

Before I could even continue the thought, my body and face cringed harshly in response to the combined senses coming at me. I covered my nose, trying to pretend I'm not smelling that, but I just can't get it off now. That horrible sensation, that smell of the summer air mixed with the sunscreen emanating off everyone; I really don't want to smell that right now. It's ten times worse only because it's being combined with the strong bright sunlight and its raging heat from above. Anyone who lives in Georgia knows what I'm talking about. It's like some lightly burnt tumbleweed mixed in with the smell of proliferating bugs and the rising heat from the sidewalk is all flowing with the radiant heat from the sun. This is what summer smells like.

Any why is that such a horrible smell? It's obvious. The heat right now is thankfully only 70oF, but that's still way too hot for me and Lumina to connect to each other. I intended to have fun at the field day with Lumina, but the weather is too random to predict, and it's not as if I could pick the day to have this moment. I don't care if the Altiri hate the feeling of water on their skin. I would have forced Lumina to enjoy those moments with me.

At least, I did manage to contact her yesterday. The weather here just keeps cycling between hot and cold. It's like Georgia is giving a very obnoxious warning to let everyone know that summer is right around the corner. Not only that, but lately, my ability to talk to Lumina has only been successful really late at night after the night air cools the place down, assuming I decide to stay up that late. Here a news flash, I do stay up that late now, all the time. My bed time used to be around ten, midnight at the latest. But now, I'm getting in my sleep as late as three A.M. and still waking up at six-thirty. Some sleepless mornings are just worth it to get in that few hours with Lumina.

"You were right. It's so nice out today!" Her voice was so cheery and happy that it turned a few heads in her direction, including mine.

I was about to silently give her a piece of my mind, as I couldn't disagree more. However, as soon as my eyes brought the tall girl into focus, a twitch shot through my body, freezing my thoughts in place. It was no surprise to me that I've never seen the classmate before, at least until I was dazzled with the beautiful grace of her alluring charm. It felt like several long seconds before I could actually process how I felt about this.

Who is this chick? She looks like she's seventeen years old! Totally not a stretch of my mind. The stranger was pretty enough to make any guy blush red on sight, but obviously taller and more mature looking. Her skin seems so much smoother too, as if she somehow managed to apply her sunscreen to perfection. And the bikini she's wearing is much smaller than what the others are wearing. Isn't that bathing suit going too far? I wasn't sure given the field day right in front of us, but my teenage mind wasn't going to question her on it either. Still, this seems way too good to be true. What is this?

Coming in to answer my unvoiced question, Ashly stepped right next to the stranger, supporting her shoulder and pointing her body to me. "Hey Reed. This is my friend, Malica Ridge."

"Malica Ridge?" The name wasn't the only thing that got my attention simultaneously, but I could only choose one thing to say to her in the moment. On one hand, I never knew Ashly was packing a girlfriend with so much heat. Secondly, I found it too weird for Ashly to randomly address me for any reason, let alone something like this. And that could only mean that I must have been making that dreamy-eyed dork-face expression towards Malica Ridge without being aware of it. It's so embarrassing! The third strange aspect to this is that I've heard half this name before. So there is someone far hotter than the Malica I know with the same first name? I wonder if the rest of the group might turn out like this somehow.

Demanding the attention from everyone, the teacher blew slightly into her whistle before announcing, "Okay, listen up. We're assigning everyone into groups of four to make this easier, plus one partner for the two-player events."

Nobody was excited to hear that, and it was made well known in a roar of grumbling and complaining. Banarus, Malica, Ashly, and I all chanted "What?" at the exact same time too.

Everybody knew that is was one of the lamest possible ways the teachers organizing this could make things worse, but somehow, Malica Ridge had the guts to say what we were all thinking. "That is so lame!" Even her defiance was too cute for me to ignore.

"Reed," the teacher called, "You will be partnered with Aaron."

"Who the hell is that?" I winced at my own words, wanting to cover my mouth before I get myself into detention. I really didn't know any one by that name, but I too was annoyed by this buddy system they wanted to use.

Fortunately for me, my own reaction seemed to get Ridge to talk to me, if only to answer a basic question. "Aaron is cool, sort of. But honestly, I'm probably going to split from whoever they assign me."

So she's a rebellious type? I kept my composure nice and calm, even if my heart was beating too fast early into this. I don't understand why I'm finding this girl so attractive. I mean, I'm the last person anybody would expect to break any school rules openly and on purpose. I don't respect the authority that much, but I also hate getting into trouble... But something about Ridge tells me she's the opposite. She gets herself into trouble, and loves it... So why do I feel so empowered by the thought?

Either way, the group teams were set pretty quickly, so Ms. Ridge and the others starting going their own ways, while I waited for this Aaron guy to show. Ridge said he was cool, but I have my doubts. 99.999% of all men are heathens, so I don't think this one will be the exception. Before long, a skinny but tall man literally twice my own size starting coming right up to me, a student no less. What is it today with students looking like they're three years into high school?

"So, are you Reed?" His voice wasn't too deep, but his posture, build, and height would be intimidating to most.

If he's asking me, then I already know what's going on. "Yes. And you must be Aaron." I didn't give this as much enthusiasm as I normally would have, but that's because I don't really trust this. It's actually the first time I've ever had a field day where we were forced into assigned groups. This entire day is ruined.

"Hey, look what I brought today." Uncertain what had him excited, I stood there playing along, waiting for Aaron to show me whatever he was hiding in that small bag of his.

I have to say, the device he presented to me took me for surprise. I know that small foldable box from any angle. What I didn't know was why. A Gameboy? Why bring a Gameboy to a field day? It doesn't make any sense!

Aaron must have thought that my silence was an open cue to elaborate on what he thought was being cool. "I got this discount monster game where you fight other enemies with the monsters you get, and try to capture lots of new ones."

That's just a cheap imitation of Pokémon.

"But never mind the game." Aaron put the thing away, as if it never existed. "I bet you already noticed all of the hot babes here in bikinis!"

Well, I won't dispute the idea that it makes this field day better or worse... But I don't want to hear that coming from you.

"You don't say much, do you?" The man started staring at me with questions, trying and failing to get a read on me.

Though it is my fault for not saying anything for so long. The guy kept talking while taking so many U-turns from what I expected, so I lost my voice for a second. But I don't feel bad about it. Aaron can be excited all he wants, but it's going to take more than a few bikinis and a Gameboy to get me in the proper mood for field day. It's the reason I'm put off by him right now; our energies just don't match at the moment. "Must I really?"

"Whatever." He didn't mind my careless response one bit. "Just stay away from Malica. She's already in my group, right in line to go out with me."

Wow. I figured he might feel this way inside, but I never thought he would say it aloud. It's a stupid question, but I'll ask anyway for my own sake. "Which one?" Since today, I now know of two Malicas. But there could be many more.

"What do you mean which one?! The one with awesome boobies!"

It took me a full second to reset myself in front of this wacko... He's not your typical heathen. He's just a complete moron. Anyway, I know now that he's talking about Malica Ridge. Sorry Malica Moringstar, but it's best you stay out of this ridiculous comparison for now.

The guy pointed right at me with a menacing scowl all the sudden. "I mean it! I don't to see you anywhere near the same girls I hang out with."

I don't even want her! "Fine, whatever." I can't pinpoint exactly what ticked me off about this idiot, but I wasn't lying about the agreement. If Malica Ridge wants a guy like that, she can have at him. She is beautiful, but certainly not worth this much trouble...

A calm settled between the two of us, which allowed me to relax as well. Such a feeling gave me more time to think. Hanging out with Malica Ridge will only attract more crazy idiots like this one. It simply isn't worth it to me. If the circumstances were any different, I would have told the creep to get lost.

"Hey, you're not like, gay or something, are you?"

Where did that question come from?! All of that relaxation I just made shattered away from that one retarded accusation alone. "The hell kind of question is that? Of course I'm not gay!" I nearly growled at the end of my response, riled up by the audacity and randomness of this guy. Why did I have to get stuck with such an idiot? Lumina was right. All heathens always fall into one of two categories; evil, and stupid. "Anyway, I just want to get this over with."

"Get what over with? I'm not splashing around with the little kids. You do whatever you like, but I'm leaving now."

So his appearance here was just a formality then! But upon realizing what was going on, I let out my breaths in calmer, even patterns. At least, I should be okay with this much. The feeling is mutual after all. I don't want to hang out with a moron like that. Still, why waste his time chatting with me if he was going to do that anyway? "Fine by me." Ghah! I'm finally free of that lunatic!

So, time passed on. I tried getting involved with the little sports with the acquaintances I knew within the larger group. But, I could only pretend to enjoy myself for about twenty minutes tops. No matter what I tried to do, I just felt so emotionally numb today. Messing around with water sports without Lumina can't lift my spirits even a little. Before long, I gave up and ditched the area like many others did with their random excuses. With nothing in mind, I picked out a quiet looking spot on the hill overlooking the school facility, right where the sun was shining the least without shade. As soon as I sat myself down in the damp grass, I'd be able to relax my mind this way.

But, almost as soon as I sat in the grass, my eyes wandered over to the person six feet to the left of me. I had no idea who she was at first since I wasn't paying attention yet. But without realizing it, I just sat down right next to Malica Ridge. She was wearing sun glasses, so her identity was partially obscured, until she decided to take them off right in front of me...

Hm... This girl is literally like a pretty girl cliché. She's just sitting there with her arms arched backwards, angling her body in just the right area of the sunlight. Then there's her skin tone, flawless since she managed to acquire the perfect body tan other girls could only dream of.

My mind wasn't lying to me either. Malica Ridge might very well be the most mature looking middle school girl here, just as much as she is attractive in her own way. It didn't seem to me that her posture was a deliberate attempt to lure people like me near her. I mean, she looked twice as hot holding herself up with her arms behind her, but the expression in her face was something of enjoyment and relaxation. I quickly assumed she loved to sunbathe.

Looks aren't everything though. I'm learning that the hard way. Still, I know nothing about this chick. She just came out of nowhere! And her name is Malica too... I wonder what she is like... I'm going to find out. I'm bored of everything else already. Of course, now that I wanted to ask her anything, my mouth couldn't move at all. I did the only thing I could think of instead, mimicking her pose in the sunlight. I want to see if it feels as good as she makes it look...

"You like the sun too?" Ms. Ridge certainly accepted my presence beside her, which was typically rare for my luck.

I didn't maintain direct eye contact for my own sanity in speech. I kept my eyes half-shut, staring outward at the sky and the area in front of us, while my new posture allowed my stiff shoulders to melt into the new stretch. But honestly, she couldn't have been more wrong. Still, I won't lie about it. As much as I hate the heat, right now, it does feel cooler this way. It may just be my soaked clothes doing that for me. Meanwhile, Ridge is as dry as ever. She must not have participated in any of the sporting events from the beginning. "Sure."

"I bet you're just bored of all this stuff."

"You got bored of it faster than I did..." Nervous as I was around her, I managed to keep general talk going. I've already decided thus far not to get carried away. She is interesting, I'll give her that. She might look like the cliché I made her out to be, but...

Ridge blissfully dusted herself off and stood back up, reminding me how tall she was, and interrupting my previous chain of thoughts. "Well, I'm going to take a walk inside the school with my friends. You coming with?"

She's inviting me on her own walk? And on the inside of the school? I felt so many things at once, so it was impossible to think clearly. I just met this hot teenager, and without even trying, she's inviting me to hang out with her. Could she be into me? No, I have to be rational. If I decline, it won't look polite on my end. At the same time, we're certainly not allowed to be inside the school at this time. She's a rebellious rule breaker for sure. I tend to avoid these types of people, but right now, I'm suddenly craving this edgy desire to do the same as she was. Even though my heart was pounding with anxiety, I stood myself up in front of her with a decision already made. "Yeah. Might be a good way to kill time."

Without delay, Ridge and I started walking to the many side entrances of the open school, which is unlocked since we all assembled inside before heading outside earlier. Like I said before, the school makes it an important rule that no students can be inside while field day is taking place outside. My heart was terrified by the fact that I've never gone this far to intentionally go against any important rule before. But I was doing it for many reasons, some of which I easily understood, and others I didn't.

If they didn't butcher field day as badly as they did, I might have been doing something else, probably with the same lack of enthusiasm I had earlier. But the depression I was sinking into earlier was quickly being replaced by this anxiety... No, it's more than that. I feel more alive right now that I have in some time. Am I really excited to be doing something I'm not supposed to be doing? It's not even a big deal. I'm walking into a school, big whoop!

Given the fact however, admitting it to myself only intensified my alertness. I'm walking towards the school, on my own accord, right next to an attractive girl my age. She didn't invite any other boy to walk beside her, just me. And though I haven't met them yet, I already have this feeling that Ridge's friends in this scenario are also going to be all girls.

Two minutes later of awkward silence, I was soon to be proven right. I considered what I was even doing, my mind on a wild loop for why I was doing things so differently today. Am I really so bored that I'm willing to break school rules and waltz right into the forbidden school simply because some chick asked me to? Or is the reason something else? Whatever. It seems I'm becoming more rebellious too. What a day!

"I'm going to get a drink from the soda machine. Want anything?"

I only suspected that her voice sounded so soothing and angelic only because I found her so attractive, but I didn't let it distract me too much. The fact that she's even asking me that proves it's not to actually hydrate me. I mean, can she even see the open bottle of water I'm holding in my hands, right now? She had to have seen that. I'm sure even the readers would have seen that coming too, given how much water bottles I drink these days. "I've got my own drink. Don't worry about it." I didn't want to be rude by declining a nice gesture. But trust me! It would have seemed much worse if I were to let her buy me a drink that I wouldn't be able to tolerate in the first place. I avoid soda machines because I hate anything that isn't water.

"Okay."

What am I even doing here? I know I didn't want to be outside anymore, running around in soapy water, but what the hell am I even doing here?

"Oh! Hey Malica!" Before she could run off to get herself a drink, the friends Malica spoke of showed up to greet her, all three of them in fact. All three of them were woman her age and height as well. This alone should have blown me away on any other day. "Whacha doin? Who's this?"

Though this put Ridge on the spot, I knew she wasn't the least bit bothered or worried about my presence around her. Being unwilling to endorse this any further, I just played this directly. "I'm Reed." No need to expand from there. Right now, I'm in a weird mood. I could already tell why. If I were to recap everything and summarize for myself what happened, it leads to an alarming conclusion. I'm in the school right now with no chaperones and four mature students who all look stunning, all of them also wearing bikinis despite none of them getting themselves soaked from the sports. Ideally, this would be any guy's dream. If we were to assume the classrooms were all empty right now, I'm sure people could get away with a lot of crazy ideas in this moment.

"I came out this way for a drink. But we should totally hang out here for the rest of the field day." Malica proposed the idea as if she were the event organizer.

It's not a bad idea. If Lumina were here with me right now, she and I could capitalize on that idea and just hang out, alone, together. Right now, the school is mostly void of all other people. Since I want to avoid people while connected to Lumina, that works out best for us. Hell, I could even talk to her with my normal speech as loudly as I want...

But Lumina isn't here. And right now, all I have to hang out with are these strange people. I worried for a second where my mind was taking me moments ago. I mean, I shouldn't be thinking about any crazy or wild thing like that; in the school of all places. But the reality seemed to inch closer to that scenario. But, as soon as I remembered wanting to hang out with Lumina, I found myself again, seeing what's right in front of me with my real eyes. Malica Ridge is interesting. She has all these cool friends that give off the vibe that you never want to mess with them. Some find it off-putting, but I only find that more attractive... The problem is, with what they are talking about now, it's clear that I have nothing in common with them. But the bigger issue is, if I fall head over heels for any of these girls, I'm not going to be in the right frame of mind when Lumina does return to me.

"Come on and walk with us. Are you just going to stand there?" Ridge was holding out her hand as if to invite me through two offerings.

My brain would have caught on fire had she offered to let me hold her hand minutes ago. But right now, I'm too confused to go through with it. It's all too fast and crazy. "No, I think I'll just head back. If I get bored again, I'll be bringing in more people that I know next time." Wouldn't it be something if Ridge was friends with Banarus's entire group? I bade her a farewell before turning around to head back outside.

"Okay. See you around Reed!" Ridge intentionally stretched the voice on my name while I was walking away, adding some kind of teasing tone to her gesture.

Naturally, I cringed and blushed inside, hating myself for leaving them for the few seconds it took to recover from that attack. No one should ever call my name with that kind of voice and body... Malica Ridge is already trouble. If she get's stuck on my mind forever, I'm doomed to repeat another breakup. Better not to let that happen, and go back to where I was safer.

Guess I'm back over here again. My silent response was only to the fact that I found Banarus by accident. On top of that, everybody looked like they wanted to relax now, all tuckered out. Man, I just want to go home now. Good thing I brought all this food and water with me.

"Sup Reed. Looks like everybody else is close to being done too." She was only making a mild observation, talking to me being the excuse to do so.

I was done the moment it got warm. But now, all I can think about is Malica Ridge and Lumina. Half my thoughts are split between the two of them. My mind is already full enough to have any more enjoyment.

"Yo, Banarus! What up?" Both our heads turned to find out which guy was reuniting with us.

But upon seeing his face again, my jaw nearly dropped with dread. It's the moron, Aaron. But forget that! You actually know this Banarus? That's a disturbing coincidence! Maybe I need to dissociate myself from her as soon as possible.

"Aaron. What do you want?" Banarus didn't try to hide her displeasure of talking to him, though I certainly didn't expect her to react that way. Banarus's light left her eyes when she addressed him, neutralizing her standard happy energy of expression.

I'm sure Aaron doesn't realize how disgusted Banarus is to see him, but the fact that she doesn't want to know him brought a smile to my face. I just stood here, watching the two of them talk since this made things more interesting for me, and since Aaron was ignoring me for the moment. I shouldn't be too shocked that Banarus doesn't like the guy. I mean, not even an hour ago, I heard him shout about his joy of boobies to the heavens. If I so much as make a small lewd joke in front of Banarus, she would tried to slap me for it. I know this because it's happened once before. So I know already how she feels about guys like him.

Even so, the expression she was making in front of Aaron was just too funny for me to ignore. Even if the idiot doesn't get it, I certainly do. Banarus wants nothing to do with him or his cheap talk. Since we both don't like the guy very much, the moment lifted my mood enough. I let out some sharp laughter, right in front of the two of them while some of the others from before were trying to catch up to us. It was the first time I've laughed all day, so I didn't feel the least bit guilty.

"What's there to laugh at?" Aaron now had his gaze glued to me, and despite how dumb we thought he was earlier, he seemed to catch on to the idea that I was laughing at him somehow.

"Oh, it's nothing." He can't really get mad at me if he can't prove I was laughing at him. But it's too funny to ignore. The man has some screws loose, doesn't respect women as much as we do, and practices a demanding attitude with just about everyone. Of course I and Banarus hate his face. I'd bet money that Malica Ridge won't even look his way. And for all of that, it's absolutely his fault for how he behaves.

However, I shouldn't have assumed I was safe. Aaron for once didn't need context clues to understand that I had somehow silently mocked him. His response was to quickly shift his feet in the dirt and stomp up towards me like a big brute ready to raise his voice. "You think you're some hot stuff? Who do you even hang out with?" Aaron nearly screamed his last words into my face, as the man towered over me looking downwards.

I had to back up a bit because of this. Personal space man! And what does it even matter to you? Even I knew this guy had it out for me, but I wasn't ready to rock the hornet's nest just yet. I hate when people like this get near me, and I never really did anything to provoke him in first place. But, he is twice my size, and I've never once been in a physical fight before. I have no reason to let either of us start something, so I'm just going to pretend we're being serious and literal for a change. If he really wants to know who I hang out with, so be it. I'll bore him away. "Only the usual gang. Banarus, Laura, Malica, Ashly..."

I was cut off by a sudden incite of fury and rage from Arron, who inched closer to me in such a threatening manner. "What?! Didn't you hear what I told you about that earlier?! I told you to stay away from her!"

I never attempted to listen to you. Besides, this guy has the wrong idea, which I understood immediately. He thinks I mentioned Malica as in Malica Ridge, but I was actually referring to Malica Moringstar, my ex... Though technically, I did just roam the halls with his version of Malica, so I'm not even going to bother correcting him.

Aaron oddly changed his stance and calmed down a bit, which got my attention despite me remaining silent. "You know, you're really weird, or gay, or something else pathetic." Aaron got much too close to me for comfort, obviously doing his best to intimidate me and get me to back down.

Nice insult. Now back up about two meters. I didn't directly challenge him openly, even though I wanted to. The problem for him is, I'm not going to be intimidated by a heathen when I've done absolutely nothing wrong in the first place. I literally just walked away from Ms. Ridge because I don't want to risk a relationship right now. So she's all his, if she'll take his sorry ass. Still, the guy better get away from me. He's literally about to spill the ice water I'm holding up in my left hand. "You don't even know anything about me." Even if he did, his insults do nothing against me since I don't care about his opinion in the first place. But he really doesn't know me at all, so they're somehow even less effective.

"What?" The brute maintained his aggressive energy, making me wonder where the hell the teachers were at a moment like this. Some of the other students are starting to gather around, since it almost looks like the two of us were about to fight.

Banarus even tried to chime in from behind and defuse the situation. "Hey Aaron? Reed is a buddy of ours. Even if he's on the weird side, that doesn't mean it's a bad thing. So kindly leave him alone."

I'm still surprised that after all this time, Banarus still stands up for me in certain situations. All of the others she hangs out with would never think to back me up like she just did, because they don't care... I'll have to remember to owe her a favor later on.

Aaron squinted his eyebrows some more, focusing only on me. He started poking and pushing me in the chest slightly, still just intimidation, but an obvious bully tactic. "See, you even have girls sticking up for you! I knew you were the lamest kid in school. How does it feel to have a girl come to your aid?" Aaron was trying to get a rise out of me, eagerly waiting on how I might react.

I know already how most macho men would react; they wouldn't tolerate that kind of talk, and would try to knock Aaron to the ground without a second thought. But honestly, he's too much of an idiot to realize that I personally don't mind if a girl comes to my own rescue, and I certainly don't see it as something pathetic. I know that if any girl around here were in trouble and needed rescuing, I would do the same for them no questions asked. Helping people is just what decent human beings do. "You're one to talk. Do you even have a girlfriend? Ms. Ridge doesn't count, since I've never actually see the two of you spend any time together." I'm not stupid enough to strike a punch at the guy. In fact, I won't know what to do if I get into a fight, since I've never been in one. I know that I can't actually hold my own considering how much bigger he is than me. But I'm also not going to just absorb everything the guy says to me. If he wants to throw around aimless insults, two can play at that game.

"Huh. You know what? You have a really big mouth for somebody your size. You should be more careful, or else you might get beat up someday."

See? Even though I've pissed him off, it hasn't gone far enough to turn into a real fight. However, I've somehow slipped right into the crosshairs of this new bully. But really, what would beating me up accomplish for this guy anyway? "Am I really that threatening to you? Hope that didn't bruise your ego." I let my voice shift to make it sound like I was talking to puppy at the end. Even I knew that was going a bit far, but I'm in this really weird cynical mood, so I can't help it right now.

A few of the kids in the background seemed excited by what I just said, prompting Aaron to quickly come at me with his hand, grab and tug me by the front of my shirt, and lift me straight off the ground so that my face was eye level to him. It certainly demonstrated how serious he was, as well as how he could use is own strength to pulverize me in one go. All things considered, I am skinny and without muscle.

Aaron pretty much spat in my face to deliver his rebuttal, more aggressive than we've ever seen him before. "I'm twice your size and strength, weakling! If you want to find out who's better than you, I can show you right here and now."

I honestly have not cared about a single insult he's throw my way so far. Even if somebody is angry at me and calls me nasty names or makes fun of me, I'm mute to it all. That's just how I am. But seeing as I was now being lifted up by my own shirt in front of all these people, the experience was a quick wake-up call to my brain. I instantly felt alert and nervous given that I was about to be wailed on for the first time in my life, for something I didn't even do! What is his problem? First he's an idiot, then he's full on heathen! If Lumina were here, she's flip her brain from what this looks like... But it's not too late. I really shouldn't provoke him. He is twice my size and strength. I know that I won't be able to beat him in a fight if he starts one up right now.

"Loser. You don't even have a girlfriend yourself, which is twice as sad for you since you surround yourself with them all the time."

When did he notice that? I've never met this man in my life, but he already knows this much about me? Did he learn that from Banarus?

"Aaron! Stop!" Banarus didn't approve of Aaron's actions one bit. Even though she can't physically do anything to stop him, it was clear by now that he won't be popular if he beats up a kid half his size over nothing.

But Aaron didn't stop. He wanted to keep the insults coming, especially since it appeared I was ignoring them all. "Pathetic. I bet even the people you hang out with are just as wimpy and tarnished as you are... Huh?!" Without letting me know why immediately, Aaron dropped me by letting go of my shirt. It didn't cause me to fall to the ground, but gently land back on my feet.

At lot suddenly happened in short moment, so I was easily confused by what was going. The first thing I had to register was that Aaron let me down. When I tried to find out why, I found him nervously glancing down at the bottom of his bright shirt, where there was but the smallest little patch of fresh moisture.

"And your stupid open cup of water got on me!" Revealing the reason why he dropped me, Aaron tried to somehow rub the temporary stain out of his shirt, even though it was nothing but water.

A few drops maybe. It's not sensible to get bent out of shape for having a tiny bit of water touch his clothing. It's not like a dry shirt will make him attractive enough to get a good date. Yep! I've been holding onto this open cup of water for a while now. I finished off the bottle that I had, and needed to settle for another source. These styrofoam cups with no lids were all the school had to offer. And even though I was just lifted off the ground by a bully, I didn't drop my own drink just to cater to the idiot. I did warn him to stay back, else my drink could spill on him.

"If you get one more drop of water one me, I'll kick your ass right here!"

At last, my thoughts caught up with me. As soon as they did, I finally let the anger build, redecorating my expression and fixating my evil gaze to this new target. Ohohoho! That does it! Normally, I would ignore idiots like these. But this loser just picked a fight with the wrong guy! Again, lots happened in the same moment, which is why my anger was a bit delayed to figure it all out. I wasn't triggered because of his complaint about a little water. I didn't even care at all about all the names he just called me or the way he talked down to me. However, he had to go insulting the very people that I hang out with?!

He might not know about the other Malica, and he certainly knows nothing about Lumina. But he still took it upon himself to attach labels and insults at them anyway. It doesn't matter if he doesn't know who they are. I won't stand for someone who hassles the very people that I do care about! And after all that, you're the one go got water on your shirt, after messing with me in the first place. Just who does he think he is? "First of all, it's just water. And you won't talk about my friends like they're somehow messed up because they want to hang out with me instead of losers like you!" This time, I really meant it, letting all my hostility show.

"This is a new shirt, and you're about to regret what you just said!" On cue, Aaron marched as quickly as he could into my direction, having slightly distanced himself from me since he dropped me.

It was right now and only now that I realized that this will start a fight after all. I didn't have any time to think about what I could or should do. All I could think about instead was how I wanted this man to suffer the consequences no matter what. Another drop of water eh? Right before Aaron was about to deck me in the face, I reacted first, lunging my cup out in front of him, which blasted all of the ice water directly into his face before he could do anything else. Since it was full of ice, the water must have stunned him a little, being that cold.

"Aaagh!" Aaron slid back just as I moved away for distance as well. The man literally hissed like he was some vile snake monster, rubbing out his eyes from the sting of the water.

If only I had more time to celebrate what I just did. I didn't even think about the impulsive action. But that felt good just now, standing up for the people I care about instead of only myself. Unfortunately, Aaron isn't going to take that lying down.

"That is it!" He shouted as if to be a car alarm. He got up close to me again, shoving me around instead of throwing any direct attacks. "Just you and me! Parking lot tomorrow, at two P.M. If you're not there on time, I'll just kick your ass in class!" Aaron then shoved me down to the ground and walked off in stunning anger, likely due to the soaked shirt he didn't want to show off in front of Malica Ridge.

There were several things about this moment that made little sense. I wanted to know why he would bother waiting to beat me up when he could just dish it out right here. There are apparently no teachers who care enough to stop little fights like these when it would have been convenient. However, I was so fixated on destroy Aaron now that I didn't give any of that other stuff any mind. So what if I get expelled from school? I refuse to let people like that get a pass at that.

As soon as Aaron was gone, some of the acquaintances I had huddled up around me, curious about my state in all this, though Banarus was the only one to speak to me first. "Oh my god Reed! Was that really such a good idea?"

I ignored her entirely. I had no choice but to fight back. But don't worry. I'll be there for sure. That guy is going down! I picked myself up and dusted myself off in silence, letting my new desire run the show inside. There will be no hiding my vile anger towards that creepazoid. I don't care if he's six hundred pounds with muscles from the Hulk. I may not have the same physical strength of a boar, but nobody insults Lumina and gets away with it! That heathen will die tomorrow.

Looking forward to the most irrational fight I'll ever have in my life, I let out a crazy laugh that only a lunatic would make. "Don't worry Aaron. I won't be late at all!"

"Move! Hey? Did something just happen?" Pushing herself through the growing crowd just as a few teachers were finally interested to see what was going on, Malica Ridge sped-walked her way over towards us, looking to Ashly for answers.

"Only Aaron being an asshole." Ashly didn't mince words; that's exactly the short version of it.

Ridge then looked at me with curious eyes, perhaps surprised that I of all people would ever end up in a confrontational situation with anybody. But my attention did not meet her. "Don't worry. I'll take out the trash that he is, tomorrow at two as planned." With that, I started walking away from the area, planning to head back to my locker, grab my things, and go home.

This fight with Aaron was suddenly the only thing on my mind. It really drove the point home to me, about the fact that I was going to get involved in a fight that I statistically can't win, all because I want to take that man down to hell. And though I didn't seem to realize it at the time, I was only this wound up because of all the people he insulted, he went for my friends, including Lumina, without him knowing who they were or what their names were. Tomorrow at two, I'll fight my first bully for the first time.