The stale city air seems to permeate from the very essence of the building as Cairo confidently strides through the white tiled hallway. For three months he had avoided going to school, or as his court orders dictated, “refrain from entering school grounds” until “matters” could be resolved.

“Matters”, of course, was the situation which Cairo was arrested for.

The city had thought it was a bright idea to have delegations from the East bank and West Garden visit each other in an attempt for them to “reach an understanding”. They had thought choosing more promising and "docile" students would be a safer and easier method to stop the violence that plagued the city.  

Cairo smiles at the stupidity.

His best friend, Ricky, was chosen to be one of the delegates but him knowing better, refused.

Needless to say, when the East Bankers came to visit Cairo's school, trouble erupted almost immediately.  

Cairo rubs his knuckles at the thought of the massive rumble he took part in when half of his class rose up and attacked the delegation. Despite the heavy security, none of the Bankers left the school grounds unharmed.

Cairo didn’t regret his actions though. The Banker’s would’ve done the exact same in his position. Apparently, the students sent over to the East Bank were received in the same manner.

“No, Murphy,”

Cairo could hear Ms. Martin’s irritated voice behind the thick metal doors that would lead him into his classroom.

“If you have one candy bar in your left hand,” Ms. Martin continued, “and another on your right would you have eleven candy bars?”

Cairo quietly opens the door with great care in a feeble attempt not to disturb the class.

“I wish I had eleven candy bars,” Murphy sarcastically replies.

The snickers and groans from Cairo’s classmate suddenly stops as everyone notices Cairo’s presence.

Cairo smiles defiantly at all the stunned and shocked faces.

“Ms. Martin I don’t feel safe,” Ricky playfully teases, “There’s a dangerous criminal in our presence.”

“Hey, you can’t be within fifty feet of kids,” another classmate chimes in.

All at once the entire class erupts with playful insults and jeers as Cairo flips everyone off.

“Fuck you guys,” he embarrassingly comments.

Ms. Martin watches the entire procession with a mild smile on her face.

“Welcome back Cairo,” she says as she warmly welcomes him with an embrace.

Cairo hesitantly steps backward as his teacher affectionately wraps her arm around his shoulders.  He wasn't used to such open display of care.  Cairo wavers for a brief moment before finally smiling.

“Happy to be back.”