The next morning I was awoken by the sound of my phone alarm going of next to my head. I got up, and proceeded to get dressed into my school uniform. Made eggs for breakfast. Then finished it all by finishing the homework my physics teacher gave us two days ago--which is do today. All went the same as it did everyday. Except for one minor, tiny, small change.

Kolt was still asleep on my couch.

--(Last night...)--

"So, lets clear a few things up, okay?" I began, "You promise to help me control my Mana, so that I won't be targeted by Monsters anymore, and in exchange, I help you catch the Monster that killed your girlfriend?"

"That's right!" Kolt exclaimed.

This was the deal we came up with. For my help he would teach me to control my Mana, and I would help him find his girl's murderer. Sounded far to me.

"Why don't you just make me into a Seeker then?" I asked.

Kolt shakes his head no. "Because it's not that simple. You have to receive proper training from the Seekers academy."

"A school for Seekers?" My mind immediately thought of all those magic school anime's I used to watch. 

"Yeah, so I can't make you a Seeker. Also, you would have to give up your old life anyway, and that's the downside to it all."

Like I had a life. My life was always pay rent or get kicked to the curb. Not much of a life if you ask me.

We stepped out of the park's gate, and back on the streets of Atlanta. It was close to around midnight, but the city was still busy as ever. Like the events that just took place had never happen. No one saw me get carried off by a Feral vampire, or beat up by a bunch of Ogres. Just goes to show you how little that matters to the peoples eyes. 

If it's not on Facebook, then it's not important.

"Oh, one more thing." Kolt said.

"What?"

"Could you do me a favor?"

"What kind of "favor" do you want?"

"I need a place to stay while I'm in town."

"What?!" I yelled, "Why?"

"Well~, remember that healing potion I used?"

"Yeeeah..."

"Well I used the last of my back account to by it, and the Seekers guild won't pay me until next month, sooooo--"

I could already piece it together. It wasn't like he didn't know where I lived already, so lying was out of the option anyway. But why did it have to be me. Why couldn't blow his money somewhere else.

"C'mon, It wont be so bad, pleasessss."

I gave in. "Fine--"

"Yay!"

"But you have to pay rent."

"Wha'!?"

"Yep."

"BUT I'M BROKE!"

"Get a job."

--(Now...)-- 

So that's how Kolt ended up staying here. 

Now all he has to do is get a job, help pay rent, and then Mr. Sanders can get off my back. Perfect plan, if I say so myself. Now I had bigger fish to fry, namely school.

I grabbed my bag sitting next to the door, and headed on out to eleven hours of hell.

I went to school over at High school A, one of the new schools constructed a few years back. It was sleek, modern, and rated as one of the best schools in Atlanta. I walked thru the gates and onto the front courtyard, were I was greeted by the normal assortment of peers. 

Even thou I didn't have many friends, lots of students came to me for schoolwork help. That's how I made some extra money, by charging them twenty for tutoring. It was the easiest way to make money.

As I walked into the school, a much bigger kid--twice my height--bumped into my shoulder, and knocked me to the side. He was followed by a few others, and I instantly knew who he was.

"Chad..."I said.

The bigger kid turned around, and smiled mockingly at me. That was just his normal greeting to guys he didn't like, and I was one of them. 

"Michel!" he called out, "How ya been buddy."

He came over and patted me on the back, but was really more like he was slapping me, trying to push me to the ground. 

"Fine, but don't call me buddy, jackass." 

His smile faded. "What's with the harsh town, buddy..."

He said it like a threat. This was how he got his kicks, from beating down poor kids like me, and making them feel like crap. But I wasn't about to be one of them.

"I said, screw off." I warned. 

This only made Chad madder, and he looked ready to fight. Good, because I was all ready.

But before any of us thru our punches, a sweet voice called out...

"Chad! Michel!" the voice called out.

We immediately look in the direction of where the voice came from, and saw Mary running up towards us. 

"Mary." we said unconsciously at the same time.

We didn't realize we been staring at her for a good five seconds, and quickly gain our composer. I tried not to look embarrassed, but somehow, Mary always made me feel like a fool. Chad had better luck at hiding his emotions than me.

"How's it goin' babe." he said immediately after calming down.

Yep, these two were a couple. It made me sick to no end, seeing your best friend go out with your worst enemy. But it is what it is, Mary always liked guys taller than her, and being here made me feel shorter than I already am.

"H-hey Mary--" I stuttered to say, but she quickly cut me off.

"No time, we need to get to class. Remember? The group project for world history."

"Oh shit, your right!"

I completely for got about that project, and I have't done my part yet.

Mary grabbed my hand, and pulled me inside. Before I was pulled away thou, I looked back and saw Chad's face grew in disgust. He didn't like any other guy--except him--hand out with any of his girlfriends, and that was part of the reason why he didn't like me.

It filled me with little satisfaction of winning, but not by much.