K O A

As I walk through the crowded hallway I feel eyes burning holes in my skin, like fire ants crawling across my body. Every person I pass stares at me, horrified. The person next to them whispers things into their ear; rumors being spread like a bullet to its prey.

"Yo Whiley!"

I roll my eyes, just the sound of Flynn Chetwoods' voice gives me a headache. He's one of those rich, varsity guys that has that higher than thou attitudes, the guy sucks ass. Whenever he's around I have an almost untamable urge to punch him in the mouth, just to get him to shut up.

I crack my knuckles before turning to face him, puffing out my chest to appear bigger than I really am. "What Chetwood?"

He and his crew of preppy douches crowd behind him. He crosses his arms over his lilac colored golf shirt, chuckling lightly. "I heard what you did at the corn maze yesterday, nice going."

"It's not exactly something I'm proud of."

"Why not? You made the guy shit his pants."

"It wasn't my intention, now would you scram?"

"Me? Do you know who your talking to Whiley?"

"No, I'm just stupid." I seethe sarcastically, letting out an irritated sigh.

"Stupid like Knox."

My back stiffens, "And how is my brother stupid?"

"For fucking that Asian beauty."

"Don't be racist you dibshit. Eileens nicer than you'll ever be."

He cackles, "Wow, such a great comeback."

"I wasn't-" I shake my head, "Your not worth my time Chetwood." I adjust my bag on my shoulder, continuing down the hall. I stop abruptly when his hand lands on my shoulder.

He laughs in my ear, "I'd kill myself if my dad were doing such awful things to me." I hear his shoes tap against the floor and him and his friends laughing. I turn around swiftly, grab his shoulder, and jab him in the mouth.

He stumbles backwards, the boys behind him catch him before he hits the floor. He covers his mouth as blood leaks out, drizzling down his shirt. "I'd shut the hell up if I were you. You never know who you might piss off."

-

I push open the black katti front door, as I enter I hear an unfamiliar voice shouting in the bar room. My fathers maid Vera straddles up to me, sweeping the marble floor in the process. "Your father," she whispers in her thick Russian accent, "Isn't very happy with you Koa. You need to leave while you can."

"What's going on, Vera?"

She opens her mouth to say something but my fathers shouting stops her. "KOA!" He rounds the corner, waving his finger at me, signaling for me to come to him.

Vera sighs, squeezing my shoulder before I walk up to my father. "Yes?" As I round the corner I see Flynn Chetwood and his parents, they all look the same, blonde hair, hazel eyes, and dark tan skin.

"This is Witney and David Chetwood, Flynn's parents. They claim that you started a fight with their son."

I look over to Flynn, smirking like the devil himself. I exchange a death glare, which quickly wipes the smirk off his face. "Yes, I punched him because he was egging me on, saying things about our family."

Witney gasps dramatically, as if she's in a soap opera. "MY SON WOULD NEVER HARM A FLY!" She screeches, her mouse like voice ringing in my ears. Now I know where he gets his god awful voice from. "Your son should not be allowed at Maplesgrove High School, he's hurt too many kids to count on both hands. I think I will take this matter up with the school."

David tosses his arm over his dramatic wife, trying to comfort and calm her down. My father looks down at me with his blue eyes staring into my soul, making my mouth go dry. His stance is wide and intimidating, he pulls on his black suit jacket, looking like the powerful business man that he is. He clasps his arms behind his body, "Mr. and Mrs.Chetwood, I can assure you, this won't happen again." A confident smirk twitches on his lips. "How much would it take to make this problem go away?"

They turn to look at each other, whispering to one another. "Fifty grand." They say in unison.

My father shakes both their hands, "Sounds reasonable, lets take this into the kitchen." My dad rubs my shoulders.

"NO! This isn't fair! He should be expelled!!" Flynn whines, stomping his foot like a child. "He hurt me mother!"

She smacks the back of his head, "Oh hush up you pussy!"

He shuts his mouth instantly, his eyes wide at his mother's actions. He huffs and crosses his arms. My father places his hands on the small of Whitney's back, gesturing towards the kitchen, "Shall we?"

"Oh, yes!"

As the Chetwoods' wander into the kitchen father turns to me, placing his hands around my wrist. "I will deal with you later." He smirks sinfully, adding a subtle wink and exiting into the kitchen.

My fists clench at my side, my nails drawing blood in my palms. My hands begin to tremble uncontrollably, throbbing pounds at my head. My heart races at Flynn's narrowing gaze, his hazel eyes just staring at me. My stomach aches and my palms sweat, I move around the room but his eyes just follow.

"Hey Koa!" Knox chirps patting my back.

"D-don't touch me!" I shove him away from me.

"Whoa, Koa, take it easy."

"N-no!" I shake my head and dart for the front door.

-

The crowds chanting fades as I focus on my opponent. I wipe the sweat off my forehead with the back of my wrist, but that doesn't stop it from dripping down my neck. Once my boxing glove meets the mans face, blood splatters onto my bare chest, oozing down to the mat beneath my feet. The crowd cheers once the blood hits the floor, my opponents tooth flys out of his mouth, hitting someone in the rows around the ring.

He shakes his head, shaking off the blow. His fist hits my side, sending me to the ground. The taste of metal melts in my mouth, pushing myself back up. As my glove meets his jaw, a loud crack booms in my ear drums. He roars in pain as I pound at his chest. I strike him in the head once more, he falls to the mat, making a loud thud and passing out cold.

Greg the referee hops into the ring, counting out the seconds that the guys down before the victory bell clangs. Don smiles wide, repeatedly patting my back. "You did a good job kid. I'm proud of you."

"Proud? What's there to be proud of?"

"Yes," he nods, his black hair swaying in front of his eyes. "your a good young man Koa, you just have a lot of shitty stuff going on in your life. But I'm proud of you despite your ups and downs."

I jump out of the ring and walk with Don to the locker room, "I uh..." grabbing my towel off the bench I wipe my face down before wrapping it around the back of my neck. "I don't know what to say."

"You don't have to say anything. Sometimes life never gives you an answer." He hands me my gym bag before exiting the room.

"Um Don."

He pops his head through the doorway, "Yeah kid?"

"Thanks."

He lets out a soft chuckle as a smile twists on his lips before completely leaving the locker room. I limp over to a giant wall mirror, staring at my side which has now turned black. I shrug the pain off and change into joggers and a sweatshirt. Slinging the bag over my shoulder I wander out the back way. Raccoons in the trash bin scatter the scene, water drips into a puddle off the old brick building, moss and vines taking up the whole side of the building. The light beside the door flickers until it completely dies out.

I cross my arms over my chest, trying to find some warmth; fall feels awfully similar to winter this year. My soppy hair turns crunchy from the cool air surrounding me. I pull a plain matte black card with white letters written on it from my wallet, I stare at words written in Wilson's fancy hand writing. Pulling my phone out I scroll to Wilson's number, chewing on my lip, thinking wether I should call him or not.

I stumble down a street full of hundred year old houses. Street lights line the sidewalks, lighting my path. I stop in front of a navy blue house with a slick black door. I step up to the front door and hesitantly ring the door bell.

"Koa?"

I rub the back of my neck, "Hi Wilson."

"I.. wasn't expecting you. Come on in." He smiles cheerfully, stepping aside to let me in. "So, what brings you by?"