Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. There is no relation to any real persons, groups, events etc. They are all fictional.

Chapter 3

School Life - The Man Of Fortitude

“Princess, are you alright?” I yelled out of my lungs, as I rushed towards the lonely injured princess in the corner of the carriage. 

Her luxurious dress was covered with dirt, she was barefooted and hair was messed up from the rough ride. She was crawling in the carriage waiting for her savior. 

When her eyes took a glimpse of my sword as I put it to the side, she tried to jump to me but her feet gave up and fell into my arms. Her eyes warring with despair, Lifeless limbs hung from my arms. 

“R-r-” She started to murmur but I couldn't get what she was saying. 

I grew closer to her, placing my ears near. Fatigued, her mouth moved. 

“R-run” 

Suddenly my face was splashed with hot water. 

“ADY!” I heard someone yelling out my name. 

“Did you just sleep without bathing?” Mom asked me while holding a small bucket in her hand.

“What? Mom I was sleeping few minutes”

“Are you saying that I am hallucinating?” Yelled mom, as she removed the curtain from the window. 

Then I felt a sudden blindness, the sunlight beamed through the window. 

“Wait, it's already morning?‘

Wow, nice way to start the day. 

“It's time for school, fresh up and come downstairs for food.” Instructed Mom as I slowly stood up from the bed.

“Ok” I baffled as mom walked out.

I placed the folded bed sheet into the side of the bed with the pillow, Then I took the towel and rushed to the bathroom. Just before the showering area was a small space with a sink and a mirror which was square with lighting around it. 

When I took the bush from the side of the sink, my right hand was covered with white cloth which stung me whenever I moved it. 

Just what happened on that day? I wondered as I looked at my still injured right fist. 

After the shower, I dressed up in my usual Uniform and went downstairs for breakfast. I was surprised to see Dad was absent from the dining room. I stared at the clock thinking I was the one who is late

[8:02 Am]

But it's only 8 in the morning. I have plenty of time to get ready

“Mom, where’s Dad?” I asked as I settled myself on the table.

“Your Dad went to investigate the forest fire” Answered Mom while sizzling a steak. 

She was wearing her a white with red Apron on top of a pink cardigan with blue loose pants,hair tied in a bun.

“Did he at least eat breakfast?”  I asked while placing my bag against the leg of the table. 

“No, He said he would be back when it's time but knowing him, he's gonna be late for breakfast.” 

Mom settled the plate in front of me with a steak and some rice. 

He is still angry about the Forest fire being man-made. It nearly destroyed the ecosystem but fortunately, Dad's team was big. Though it took time to exhaust it, they even had the help of 2 helicopters that poured large amounts of water in order to put out the fires. There’s no actual reason for a fire to  have happened in the first place. The temperature was normal on that day, due to this he thinks it is man-made but no one admits it. 

Should I tell Dad that I know who caused the fires? But what will happen to Jake and his gang?

“What are you thinking about?” Mom asked as she saw me being silent for a few minutes. 

“Nothing, just thinking about yesterday,” I answered.

“Ohh…” 

Mom started to do the side eye where your parents give when they found you talking with the opposite gender.  “You mean when you saved Yumi?” Mom chuckled. 

“Mom, please,” I replied “It isn't like that.”

Mom just chuckled as I tried to defend myself.

After finishing breakfast, I got up to go to school. As I picked my bag, Neco jumped up to the table and started purring for food. 

“Ohh our little boy is hungry, I guess.” Mom cooed as she patted Neco.

“Alright Mom, imma go to school, see you later” I said before I left.

I took the lunch mom prepared for me on the table and walked out of the kitchen. 

“ADY!” Mom yelled as she ran out of the kitchen. “I nearly forgot to say this, Yumi’s Mother has invited us for dinner so don’t be late!” 

Again my heart jumped in excitement. 

“Ohh will dad be there?” I asked but I couldn't hide my joy as mom started to smile. 

“Yeah, I told him to come if he doesn't, don't worry I will punish him” Mom smiled with an evil grin.  

“He-he” Sorry dad. I thought to myself. 

“Anyways, bye mom!”

When I stepped into the road I saw Yumi walking. I felt a weird sensation which I seemed to not know. Yumi stopped in her tracks after seeing me in front of the gate. “Good Morning Aden” she said.

“Good morning,” I greeted and ignored the fact that she knew my name, though I hadn't told her. 

We started walking towards the school, in the way The Antique Shop was open earlier than usual. The granny who owns the shop was cleaning the glasses which store some small antique pieces. 

“Is your palm alright son?” said granny as she saw my fist being rolled with white cloth.

“It's alright ma, just a small scratch” I assured her. 

She gave a gentle smile, then she turned to Yumi in confusion. 

“Ohh she is my classmate and new to this city” I said. 

“Hello, My name is Yumi” Yumi introduced herself. 

After a few minutes of chatting, we started our journey to school. 

“Is she your relative or some sort?” Yumi asked me. 

“No no, I walk through that shop most of the time. That's all” I replied. 

The morning was brighter today, the sky shone in blue with the big yellow sun, the birds flew around the trees and chattering, the noisy sound of vehicles echoed. 

“Good Morning Ady” The policeman exclaimed. He wasn’t here when we were caught in the fight. 

Woof!. The dog in white barked, he was wearing a police collar. 

“I heard you were fighting yesterday, Is that true?” He asked me in disbelief. 

“Well, I also don’t know," I stated. 

We left the police station, walked through the path where we met Jake and his gang yesterday. When we crossed the school gate which was surrounded by radiant yellow trees. She turned back and thanked me with sincerity. “Thanks for helping me yesterday, who knows what could’ve happened if you hadn’t intervened.”

“It's alright” I responded.  

The day ended the same as yesterday though today I brought my Fantasy book but I can’t seem to be focused on it neither the teacher nor the students. It's like I was alone in a world with her seating near me. People still get ignored or never get close to Yumi. It seems like she doesn't like to be friends with them. Though, we didn't talk too. 

Same as yesterday we walked home together, tired. Bag hanging from the shoulders, my hair was messed up as I woke up today.It was an awkward silence between us. As we walked through the antique shop she glanced at all the objects that are placed outside, behind the glass for showcase. 

“You want to buy something?” I exclaimed.

Her eyes were fixed on something so I walked toward it but I wasn't able to see what it was as Yumi pulled me from the spot and started to walk home.  Just then, we heard the sound of a metal pipe hitting the floor.

“See, I told you they will come this way.” Boasted a guy while hitting the metal pipe on the ground. It was Jake's gang but he wasn’t present. Some had the button of the coat open and some only wore white shirts and mellow yellow coloured pants. Everyone had a weapon like a wooden bat etc. 

“No one will come to save you this time,” the guy grinned. They stepped closer to us. I stood in front of Yumi who was sacred. “It's time for revenge,” He announced before dashing towards me.

Then I heard a rush of footsteps around my back, it got louder and louder but when I turned around no one was there, Yumi was staring at me straight to my eyes. 

THUD!

A loud sound echoed through the road, I turned Yet again to see the guy who was baffling all that revenge stuff was crying in pain near the wall. In front of the weeping boy and the gang HE stood alone. 

Reid

It was none other than my one childhood friend. 

He’s known for his strength and talent in martial arts,He won the City ChampionShip Under 14 in his first year.   

“A group of buffoons teasing my friend, ain’t gonna happen when I am near” Teased Reid.

The sunlight of the setting sun reflected on his White skin, standing taller than me with long black hair styled in a mullet. His physique is what every teenager has wished for.

I let out a sigh of relief after seeing Reid. He can easily take down the group with his MMA but Yumi got scared as she was completely hidden behind me shaking her legs. 

“Yumi.. Are you alright?” I asked with worry as she started to sweat a little. “Don’t worry Yumi, he is my friend..” Still she was scared and shaking. 

The guy yelled from the ground “MAKE HIM PAY!!”. 

All of the guys started to launch towards Reid.

“It's show time!" Reid yelled as he ran forward. One guy swung his baseball bat at Reid’s head. He slid to the right, threw his left fist straight to the face of the guy and knocked him out cold. 

They came one by one, then got body slammed to the ground, thrown away, hit in the solar plexus, and in the end The guy stood alone shivering from the pain. 

He looked around, all he saw was his friends knocked out cold in the ground and Reid was standing in the middle as the sun gave his last shine towards Reid. 

The guy stood up in pain and took the metal pipe that was on his side, he rushed towards Reid with fury, swung the pipe at Reid's hip but missed when Reid took a step backwards.

The fury only grew in him, as he again rushed towards Reid but in a second Reid was dashed in front. All of us were surprised by his speed. Reid pulled his right fist and aimed it straight to his face.

Again he was thrown across the road with more beat up than before. Everyone was on the ground either knocked out or screaming in pain.

Reid ran towards us. “Let's go before the police come here!” 

When I started to run, Yumi stood there frozen. I got hold of her hand and started running towards Reid. 

The sky started to darken by the second, only then I realised that it had become night.Once we reached a bridge which was illuminated by the moonlight,  Reid stood in front of us, with his arms crossed.

“You didn't tell me you had a girlfriend, Ady.” Confronted Reid.

“No no no, it's not like that we are just friends.” I quickly answered.

“Also why haven't you answered my calls?” I asked. 

“Ohh that I changed my number lately… wait … DON'T CHANGE THE SUBJECT!” Countered Reid. 

“I TOLD YOU IT ISN'T LIKE THAT” I yelled.

“Yelling won't change anything now.” After saying these words he turned to Yumi.

“Nice to meet you, my name is Reid. Sorry if I scared you of any sort.” He greeted her with a smile. 

“My name is Yumi, nice to meet you.” Bowed Yumi.

“Please don’t mind my dumb friend, he is always like that.” I assured her. 

Reid's arm surrounded my neck. “Is this how you introduce your friend?” He nearly choked me at the end. 

We started walking home. Reid is coming with us to ensure that we reach safely 

“So what is with those guys?” Reid asked.

“Well Yesterday…” I explained everything to him. 

“Won’t your father be angry? I mean in the morning they were searching the perimeter of the forest.” Questioned Reid. 

“Of course he will. Though…I have not told him about this,” I replied.

We have reached the gates of our home. Reid's mouth hung agape as he came to the realisation that me and Yumi are neighbours. 

“I told you to come early didn't I, Aden!” Mom yelled from the door of my house. 

Author = Ryujin (@gol_d_ryujin) 

Editor/Proofreader= Tricky (@tiky_tricky)  

Art = Sara

Instagram = ryujin._.200