I watched the cloudy skies as I sat in the corner of the room. Our history teacher was up front, discussing about something that didn’t interest me in the slightest. I was just tapping the pen I borrowed from Andre on my desk.  

“Mr. Miller.” The teacher called, her annoying voice lingering in my ear. I glanced at her then cocked a brow. 

“Is your mind somewhere else?” She crossed her arms. She always did that out of spite, embarrassing her students in the middle of her classes. Which was ironic, considering she was the one who looked embarrassing. She wore ugly Christmas sweaters everyday paired with kneaded skirts that reached the floor. Her short curly blonde hair bounced around as she bobbed her head. Huge circular frames were covering her eyes. 

I didn’t answer her. I just looked at her indifferently. “If so, I will have to give everyone a pop quiz. To make sure if everyone really is listening.” She raised a brow and smirked sarcastically. She was lucky she was standing afar from me, otherwise, I would have already beaten that annoying smile off her face.  

“Be my guest.” I shrugged then looked out the window again. I heard her scoff. I can hear the whiny whispers of my classmates. Some of them gave me disapproving looks, which didn’t bother me at all. 

“Alright, then. I will be giving a pop quiz, as stated. Whoever fails this has to see me after class and I’ll be giving you reading activities.” She grinned; it was as if she gets off on being a burden to her students. 

“What is wrong with you, Oli?” Andre whispered on my right. I just smirked then lazily leaned back on my chair. 

The quiz was short. I could see the worried faces of my classmates as they scratched their heads in confusion. I just rolled my eyes then took my phone out of my pocket. I didn’t want to stay late after class. I sneakily opened my notes then filled in the answers. 

A few minutes later and we completed the quiz. Most of the class failed, which wasn’t a surprise to me. She was an annoying teacher with an irksome voice. It was only expected people would rather not listen to her. 

She looked displeased as she looked at the results. She looked especially irritated when she found out I passed her little test. She was about to scold the class when the school bell rang.  

“Those of you who failed, stay. The rest, you may go.” She said in a passive-aggressive tone. She glared at me. I didn’t give a fuck. 

I immediately stood up from my seat then slid my fists in my pockets. I walked out of the classroom with the same poker face I use all the time. I sensed Andre following after me. 

“Did you cheat? How did you get a perfect score?” He whispered as we both walked the hallways. “Yes, I did.” He did a face palm. “You could have been caught.”  

“But I wasn’t.” I shrugged then started taking quicker strides. I just wanted to go home and puff a cigarette after interacting with people today. Andre tried to follow me with his short legs but was barely catching up. 

“Hey, slow down!” He complained, half-running to my direction. The right corner of my lips rose as I watched him waddle like a penguin. I rolled my eyes then just gave in his request. I stood for a while then waited for him to catch up. 

“So, what are your plans for later?” He faced me. We were walking side to side in the corridors. I could sense the stares my other schoolmates were giving me. It was a usual scenery which I’m afraid I’m already used to. 

They often gave me lingering stares, which of course, irritated me too much. When I’m not in a good mood, I often glare at anyone staring at me which makes them look away in fear. 

“Work.” I answered. 

Every day after school, I head straight to a restaurant to work as a janitor. I didn’t like it one bit, scrubbing the filthy toilets and wiping the greasy windows. However, I don’t have much of a choice if I want to earn for a living. 

“Bummer. My mom said she wanted to invite you to dinner.” He pouted. 

“What time is it? Maybe I can make it.” I said without glancing at him. On my peripheral vision. I saw his face lit up. “7 or 8. Depends.” He answered. I simply nodded. 

As we both were walking, some prissy blonde girl dressed in pink approached us. On her sides were two other girls who looked like they ate cosmetics for breakfast. 

“Hi Oliver.” The blonde said in a sing-song voice. I cocked a brow at her. Andre was fidgeting nervously on my side. He wasn’t very good at talking to girls. He’d sometimes shit himself whenever a girl is just looking at him. 

“What?” I asked in a bored voice. She took out a letter from her purse then handed it to me. I took it then scanned it. It was a folded card with hearts on them. The colorful design of it almost made me puke. 

I opened it then saw the words written: “you are invited”. 

“Ta-da! Parties at the house of yours truly, address mentioned in the card. Be there on time!” She bantered. Her girly and energetic voice was odious enough as it is. 

She then averted her gaze towards Andre. “You can invite whoever this is.” She pointed at him then gave a clearly fake smile. Andre looked down in slight embarrassment. Oh, this poor nerd. 

I slipped the letter back to her purse. “No, thanks.” I said then walked past her. Andre reluctantly followed; nervousness still evident in his mannerisms. I heard the blonde girl gasp. Both of her friends were looking at her in disbelief. 

“Why did you do that?” Andre asked when we got afar. She’s Trixie Moore, the richest and most popular girl in school. You’re lucky she personally invited you.” He explained. My brows furrowed. 

I always hated social hierarchies, especially of those in schools. They were pointless standards people held themselves towards, with no real benefit to the world. 

“I’ve got more important things to worry about other than some lame teenage party.” I shrugged. “You really are weird, you know that?” He said in disbelief.  

“Tell me something I don’t know.” I said coldly. He just shook his head. 

… 

I put the mop back in the storage room then let out an exhale. It had been a long day of cleaning messes and all I wanted to do right then was to grab a beer then watch some random shit I find in the tv. 

I turned off the lights in the storage room before locking it from the outside. I was the last employee for the day. Everyone’s shift had already ended, and I was left to clean up all the remaining mess.  

I approached the manager seated on one of the tables. He was punching in numbers in the calculator while writing stuff down, probably accounting. 

“Sir, I’m done for today.” I said. He looked up to me then gave me a smile. 

He was in his late 60s but he’s still tough as a nut. Even if all his hair has shed and all his teeth have fallen off, he wasn’t helpless. Far from it. 

He wasn’t too bad of a boss and in fact, one I can actually tolerate. He makes my job more tolerable. 

“Good job, Mr. Miller.” He praised then put his wallet out. He took out a hundred-dollar bill then handed it to me. “See you tomorrow.” He politely dismissed. I took the money from him then gave him a curt nod. “See you.” I said before heading to the locker. 

I changed back into my school uniform then flung my backpack on my right shoulder. I walked out of the restaurant then was surprised to see Andre standing by a lamppost. My forehead creased. 

The streets were winding down, with only a few cars passing by. We were in a remote area of the city which is why the streets weren’t too crowded. 

“What are you doing here?” I asked then approached him. “I got bored at home.” He shrugged. I just shook my head then started walking away.  

“Hey, stop walking too fast. You always do that” He said in short breaths as he tried to catch up.  

I smirked. He wasn’t wrong. I’m just not the type of person who likes to take his time. I prefer if when things get done quickly. 

“So, dinner’s still on?” I asked when he already neared me. 

“Of course! I told mom you were coming so she cooked steak, your favorite.”  

I looked at him with eyes slightly gaped wide. “She didn’t have to.” I said. “She wanted to.” He answered with a grin. I smiled subtly, making sure Andre won’t see it. 

I didn’t like showing emotions to other people. Doing so would mean showing vulnerability, and it was the last thing I wanted.  

We eventually ended up in a dark and empty street after a few conversations. The buildings on the side of the streets were already closed. No cars were driving around, and it was just the two of us. 

“Do you walk here every night. This place looks sketchy.” He commented. “Yes, I do.” I answered. He was right. This place looked dangerous. It was a dark and lonely street I walked across every day. Nothing has happened to me, only the darkness accompanying me. 

All was well, until two dark silhouettes appeared in front of us and stood in a threatening stance. I furrowed my brows. Not once did someone ever walk in this street. I suddenly had a very bad feeling. 

“O-oliver. Who are those?” Andre quivered beside me. I heard footsteps behind me then glanced behind. There was a tall and buffed guy holding a bat. I squinted my eyes and saw that it was Roger, my former gang member. He stood at 6’5, just a few inches taller than me. 

“Stay calm.” I whispered to Andre then prepared for a fight. 

I glared at Roger while he just looked at me with a menacing grin. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t pretty boy himself.” He stepped forward, flaunting around the bat on his hand. 

“What do you want, Roger?” I asked then balled my fists, preparing for an attack. “Rudolf, our gang leader, wasn’t happy about your sudden departure with the gang. Luckily, though, we were able to pin-point your flaky ass.”  

I gave him a sharp glare. I stayed cool and collected. Andre, on the other hand, was practically pissing himself. I didn’t want to give Roger the satisfaction by showing fear. I took a step towards him while giving him a challenging gaze. He gritted his teeth. 

“And I’m supposed to care, why?” I mocked. 

His jaw clenched. “You know the rules. No one’s allowed to leave the gang. Only way out is death.” He flung his bat around. He bluffed by attempting to hit me with it, stopping mid-air.  

He gave out a teasing laugh. “Any last words?” He asked then positioned his bat. 

I didn’t waste a beat. I immediately gripped his bat then kicked him on the balls. He whimpered in pain. He dropped on the ground then clenched his crotch.  

I then remembered there were two other goons behind me then faced back. I pushed Andre away; ensuring he doesn’t get in the middle of the fight then hit the guy on the right. He was knocked back. 

I swung the bat against the one on the left, but he was quick to dodge it. He elbowed me on the ribs which sent a jolt of pain to my body. I groaned. 

I gave another swing then hit him on the head. He held his head in pain then stepped back. 

“Oliver!” I heard Andre scream. My eyes widened in horror. I witnessed Roger impaling him through the back with a knife, his other arm wrapped around Andre’s neck. 

“No!” I screamed then punched Roger away from him. Andre dropped on the floor then Roger stepped back. I quickly grabbed the bat then threatened him with it. He didn’t advance forward, afraid of being hit by the bat. 

I was about to launch another attack at them when a light flashed at our direction. A car was fast approaching us. “Retreat!” Roger said then he, along the two goons scurried away. 

I dropped the bat then ran towards Andre. He was lying on the ground, giving out shallow breaths. Blood was gushing out of his mouth. “O-oliver.” He struggled to say as he coughed blood. A tear escaped his eye. 

This scene was all too familiar to me. I suddenly remembered my dream. The dream where the girl was taking her last breaths, surrounded by her pool of blood. I was holding her in my arms. 

“No-no. Don’t cry. You’re gonna be fine.” I said then tried to carry him up. He was already closing his eyes as I stood him up. “Fuck!” I cursed under my breath. I held him tightly. 

The car halted right in front of us. A pregnant lady went out of it. “Oh, dear lord.” She exclaimed as she saw blood gushing out of Andre’s wound. “Help me bring him to a hospital!” I ordered. She nodded quickly then opened up the backseat. 

She helped me lay Andre down the back seat. I entered the car in haste then the lady drove away without hesitation. I glanced at Andre and saw him with eyes shut tight. His breathing was slowing down.  

“Stay with me, please.” I whispered.