Article 33 of the 1949 convention states: “No protected person may be

punished for an offense he or she has not personally committed. Collective

penalties and likewise all measures of intimidation or of terrorism are
prohibited.” xxxxxxxxx<<<
My second option was to run to the door, that was still open. It was my only
option and my more academically favorable one, so I chose it. I sprinted to the
door and then slammed it in Derek's face. I think Derek has now a new beautiful
purplish mark on the face, and I also think that I should become a runner,
because, damn, that was a sprint.

The bell rang, and I was about to go to my first class in senior year, English. I was
luckily sended my timetable, so I didn't need to go to reception for getting it.

I walked to English, taking my sweet time, but not lots so I wouldn't be late. I
enter. I entered and sat at the very end, trying to be invisible.

Miss Heathem, our favourite English teacher was there. And she was starting the
year with the same introduction. It always went something like this;

"Dear students, I hope you all know that this is going to be your hardest year.
You are going to have lots of tests counting for your future, your homework will
emotionally destroy you and..."

Before she continued with all those threats, I zoned out.

Without realizing, I was tracing all my scars in my arms. It can freak out to other
people, but it was calming on me. I released a breath I didn't know I was
holding. Maybe I was just tense or anxious about starting my lasts school year. I
don't know.

Miss Heathem was continuing rambling about English things and about how the
school is going to try everything they have at their will to kill us. I don't even
care if I ended up killed. I just want my brother to be happy and get good grades.

The bell rang, and my first period was over. The next period is Maths. I mentally
groaned. Maths wasn't one of those classes that didn't require an effort, I
needed to let all my mental capacity and focusness to get more than a 90.
I entered the class and followed the same ritual as English. I entered, went to sit
at the back, and remained invisible. But this time, I tried to focus. We had Mr.
Trenchuis. I don't know where he got that surname from, but it was... special.
He, the kindest soul, had to give us homework on the first day at school.

Luckily, next period, I had a free one. So, I went to the library and did the math
homework. It was extremely difficult because he didn't give a shit about us and
didn't explain anything to us. Sometimes I wish he would just care or go to teach
somewhere else. Just not here.

Once finished the impossible task, my mind wandered to books. Books. I loved
them. It was a beautiful escape from reality, apart from sleeping and dreaming.
They had lots of stories, but my mind wandered to a special book for me. It was
Percy Jackson. It may seem like a children's book, but that book made me
realize that I loved Greek culture. Sadly, my parents decided to sell them and/or
burn them because some of the characters were gay.

But that was not why I was thinking about Percy Jackson. I was thinking, what if,
my math teacher was also one of those Greek monsters. I mean, they are equally
cruel.

Looking at the time, I double checked and saw that in 5 minutes my art class
was about to start. Damn, that was fast. It's incredible how time flies so fast.

I got my things and went to art class. We had a sweet teacher. This time without
sarcasm. She was new and young. They wanted us to call her Marism. She
reminded me of the sea. She was fierce, tall and strong. I liked her. Not
romantically, but friendly.

Once she was done explaining how to do things and with what painting we
needed to start with, some guys randomly started hitting on her. She looked
uncomfortable. I thinked about stepping in, but before I could do that, she
screamed at those guys to get to work, or she was about to give them their first
fail of the year. She seems cool.

I started painting. I decided to paint the sea, with a beach. I tried, but the end
result was shit. I don't know how to paint. I hope to not fail this class. I recalled
her telling us this was for next week, so I have more than enough time to watch
tutorials and have a 100.

I had next history. We had Mr. Ballswon. I honestly don't know where teacher
get those super strange surnames. Like, who the fuck has the surname of some
balls that won.

It looked like we where going to study again the 1800th century. I liked it. I don't
know why, but I like vintage things. Yellow is a cozy colour, and the 1800
reminded me of this particular colour.

Once we finished history, I put my body on automatic. I knew the classroom,

and I knew that today, teachers are going to ramble about how senior year is
our most important year and that they are going to drown us with homework
and stuff. I don't care.

The school day had just finished, and my body was itching to go to a special
boxing club. I liked boxing a lot. It helped me thorough stress.

I learned about that boxing club 2 years ago. I actually found out about it on
accident. I was walking through a street, my face freshly beaten up, and I saw
one of those college kids, all super strong and with beard and piercings and
tattoos. I was scared. This was because people looking like that, they were a
predator against me. Maybe he was going to beat me up. He got up, walked past
me, and whispered to my ear;

"If you want to learn to fight, People gather here to train, Even if it's flooded by
rain. Gloved fists and punches in the air, A place where champions prepare.
Where is this place, you might ask? Look down and put on a brave mask."

Then, he walked away. At that time, I was surprised. I was scared but I felt
courage. Why courage? He was obviously telling me that there was a boxing
club. I could finally learn how to fight, to fight!

So I tried to figure out where this place was. It only took me 3 days. I always
went to the same place, to see if that boy was there again. I never found him
again. But I did directly what the instruction said. I looked down. It was normal,
a floor with graffiti, chewing gums wrappers all around and a sewer cover.
At first I thought that that boy was kidding and he was cruel. But when I heard
some as coming from the sewer cover, I didn't allow myself to overthink and
went down the sewer cover. I must say, I was impressed. It was like a 5 star
boxing club down here. However, all the boys were older than me. I was
instantly meeted by a young woman, she told me all the rules and asked me
what my name was.

I Didn't know what to answer, so I said what I thought I was, a Captive.

So I used the last 2 years in the boxing club, slowly getting stronger and better.
Now I'm the most stronger one. I'm the one that most wins have. I think it's all
about the tactics and speed.

So, I got my car, left school and went home. I had to do my homework first. It
was only art, so I saw some tutorials and tried it. It didn't went well. It was a
combination between a blue smoothie colour and a shit diarrhea one. I think It's
better that I do it tomorrow.

I went down, alone again. My brother didn't finish his shift until 9pm. Being 8:30,
I locked my room so no one could get in and notice that I was gone and went out
the door.

I memorized the way, because I did this every day or so. I need to go to the left,
then all straight and then to the right. Then, to the skateboarding place, look
around for someone seeing and get inside.

Once inside, I was instantly greeted by my best friend, Apollo. He was trans. I
know its against the rules, but Apollo and me have meeted outside the club. We
went to a Cafeteria, to malls, to cinemas, even, one day, to his house. It was
pretty cool, but he blindfolded me because he didn't want me to know where he
lives. He was worried that I would get offended, but I understand it. It was just a
safety measure.

"Hey bro, what's up?" he asked

"First day of school. And I hope my last."

We already knew the ages of each other. Apollo was younger than me, he was
16. I was 17 and a half, so there will be a moment that we both would have the
same age. He always has to remind me. He is annoying. He is annoying but I still
love him.

"Well, at least you started this week. I started last week. Last week! Honestly,
such unfair things happen nowadays."

"When I was your age, I never said those things."

I love saying to him 'when I was your age' he gets super mad. I like reminding
him that I'm superior.

"Bro shut up" He cried.

"Anyways, today I'm signing in for the fights."

"Stressful day?"

"Nah"

"Alright."

He went to the 'reception' and talked to her, then, he approached me.

"You are next. I convinced her. You are fighting with some new guy called
Hades"

I raised eyebrows.

"Don't look at me like that. I'm not the only one that is called after some Greek
god. It's you and your uncultured ass here."

"Alright. I'm going to train. Call me when it's my turn"

I went to the training room. It was like a gym, but with boxing.
20 minutes later, Apollo came into the room and told me it was my turn. Without
hesitation, I got up and went to the ring.

I waited. After 2 slow and painful minutes, someone appeared on the ring.

I knew that someone. Those eyes were difficult to forget. I remember him.