chapter One

It was the fifth month after his mother's death. Austin was still struggling to stomach the loss of the only woman who had made him feel loved. He saw his father as a chronic cheat, even before her death, they never saw eye to eye on any matter. His twin brother Allen was far away in another school studying due to his rebellious behavior and he wasn't sure how he took the death of their mother because they never spoke, and even as kids they never did anything together.

"leaving for school already?" Austin's father asked him as he was making his way outside the house.

"Yes, Dad," He blurted out reluctantly.

"Your money for lunch is…"

"I took it Already". He replied hastily, almost shutting up his father. Walking out and making sure he slammed the door hard as if to signal to his father that he would never respect him.

Staring at the door with his glasses bent over his nose with his hand, his father shook his head in disbelief

He was aware that he was never going to make it early for his first class but still decided not to take the school bus. He could remember the first day he resumed after his mother's loss.

The eyes of every student on the bus felt like they were watching, waiting for him to slip or break down in tears. Walking past every seat and their eyes were still glued on him. He wanted to scream out loud at everyone to stick to their business but he couldn't find the word

"I'm so sorry," Nala said, holding his hand as he almost got past her seat. Nala was his only female friend in school, others saw him as a nerd and someone who shouldn't be related with. Their first conversation had to be when Nala pointed out to him that his pants zip was open while he was in front of the class giving his presentation. He thanked her after the class was over, and was very thankful no one saw it except her, or he would have been a laughing stock for another week in school. After that incident, they found themselves attending almost every activity in the school together.

"I'm fine," Austin removed her hand immediately, making his way to his seat. Nala followed him immediately trying to hold him back and get him to talk to her.

"No, you are not"

"I said I'm fine!" He said firmly, almost biting his lips to stop him from shouting. He walked to his favorite seat position, which was the last seat on the bus, and close to the window. Surprisingly, he saw Nala walking up to where he was seated and immediately raised his hands to his head to cover his face.

"I know you are upset, say something at least. I can't have you bottling up all this inside."

"What don't you understand?" He asked her, raising his eyebrows and his hands in the air. " I am okay, can you please go back to your seat." Austin was beginning to get irritated with her persistence.

"you know I'll always be… "

"Jesus Christ! what don't you understand Nala," he snapped at her while standing up.

"What don't you get? Leave me alone, I don't need your company now or anyone's"

He picked up his bag immediately and shoved Nala to the side, who was still dumbfounded by Austin's behavior. Everyone on the bus watched him walk right past them, as he walked fast to get off the bus. They faced Nala immediately as he was off the bus. She could hear some of them giggling and gossiping about the incident which just happened. She walked back to her seat, regretting ever trying to talk to him.

Austin and Nala never made up after that day, he would see her in class and she would act like she didn't even see him there like he was a Ghost. She tried as much as possible to make sure she wasn't made to feel that bad again.

Walking to school for Austin was the only way he could avoid seeing Nala and bracing himself for the day ahead at school. He had been enrolled in the school football team by the principal because according to him

"Getting involved in extracurricular activities would help you heal faster and move on."

He always told himself, there's no way possible he's forgetting about the death of his mother so soon.

Staring at his watch, he was almost at the school but he was a bit late and he only hoped the principal wouldn't see him getting into the class that late.

"I just hope this man doesn't see me this time"

He and the principal have had quite the show because of his late comings. The principal tried to ignore it after some weeks of him coming late to school, using his mother's demise as a reason to pardon him. But it became a Habit with Austin and the Principal couldn't allow it. He made sure to tell Austin that the next time he gets him coming late, it's going to be Detention.

On Getting to the school, as expected, the school halls were empty. His class wasn't anywhere close to the principal's office.

" Thank God"

He sighed with relief, walking down to his class.

"Look who it is"

Austin froze immediately, with the footsteps slowly approaching him. He couldn't move or turn because he recognized that voice like it was the sound of his alarm. It was Principal Jacob. He wasn't feared by the students but he was respected. He was known to be the father figure for every student, always trying to make sure they were in the right state of mind for their studies and other activities but sometimes the students feel like he overdoes it.

"Hello sir," he greeted, faking a smile on his face as he wrapped his fist firmly while he turned.

" What did I tell you about you coming late next time?"

Austin rubbed his hands on his head, pretending to try to remember " Did you tell me something, sir?"

" DETENTION!"

"But sir," he attempted to argue his case but the principal was already on his way to his office. Principal Jacob walked majestically and made sure his black Italian shoe made a single sound with his step as if to announce his presence and instill fear in his students. Whenever he was walking. He suddenly turned and waved his hands toward Austin,

"I'm expecting you by 3 pm, don't be late son."

He didn't expect not to be punished for coming late, he just hoped he'd beat the time and be at the school earlier.

Making his way into his classroom and there was already a teacher in the classroom.

"Ah, if it isn't our famous late comer"

Their football coach and also their chemistry teacher, Coach Damian.

"Sir I had something with my Dad this morning "

Coach Damian walked up to him and smiled "Don't you get tired of this same excuse?"

"I guess he doesn't because he doesn't even remember he said the same thing last week" a loud voice replied from the back.

Everyone in the class tried not to laugh, but it was a failed attempt as everyone burst out laughing and hit their desks.

Austin could feel his heart about to explode, not this same scene of having so many eyes on him again.

"Jade, I'll need you in my office for that statement, because I don't remember asking you that question" Mr Damian barked at him.

Jade was the football star in the school and a rough bully for someone as short as him. He's 5'4 but still ends up making people feel shitty for being who they are. He feels making them feel they aren't enough would raise his standards before them and at least hide his insecurities for being short.

"Okay sir"

"You can have your seat now," coach Jacob instructed Austin, pointing to his seat.

Austin made his way to his seat. His eyes caught Nala looking at him, but she immediately looked away.

Nala did everything she could to avoid Austin's stares as she felt his eyes steadily fixated on her during their lecture in class. She felt he'd stop anytime soon but he didn't. Nala, packed up her books and bag.