Alan's P.O.V
Justin was hella a good friend to me. He helped me blend into the school's system pretty fast. He also helped me in my assignments occasionally. Though his humor wasn't so great, he's still cool.
We actually went skating on Saturday and it was exciting to see that not all people are the same. Then he took me around the town in his uncle's car; to arcades, pizza places, cinemas… Saturday was so lit, I'd say it was the best day I've had in this town.
The reason I left Winchester High was because of the people there; they always treated me differently just because of my skin color. I was the only Black student in the whole damn school. Firstly, I was bullied almost daily by different assholes. No White student was ever bullied. And guess what… When I finally got the balls to report them to the Principal, she said she'll do something about it, but till today, nothing has been done to them… Not even a detention. Meanwhile, I got a detention the first time I tried to fight back. Damn them!!
And it wasn't just the students and the Principal, the teachers were also racist; they always let the White kids ask or answer questions or make contributions before I was ever given a chance. It was so bad, my grades went from not-so-bad to bad and from bad to worse just 'cause of the preferential treatment. They literally made sure all the White kids' hands were down before they let me say anything. It was as bad as that. They were all fucking racists!
But I didn't bother telling my parents. I knew that if they got to know about it, they'd have probably charged the school to court. And I didn't want to be the talk of the school. So, when I heard about the exchange program, I took the first flight straight to the Empire and since then, I've had no regrets. I felt better not being the only Black at school and everyone was different here. Those Winchester guys could fuck themselves now if they wanted!
I was now living with my elder brother who had an apartment here. I really wonder why I didn't think of this all this while. It woulda saved me a lot. It's so sad that Toby is unaware of what lies ahead of him at Winchester High.
Well, I'll probably tell Justin the actual reason for coming to the Empire someday. But it won't be anytime soon.
He even got a lot more popular in the Empire than I'd have ever been in Winchester; since he introduced me to football and I've been training a lot… and I'd say I'm getting better. I never got the chance to even have a training session. A training session! at Winchester High. Okay, I'll shut up about that damned school now.
I'm so glad to have a friend like him. And it's so weird that he ain't got like a pack of friends or even a gang. That was probably because he's an introvert; though he's a lot more fun and open than an introvert is… So I'd rather say he's an ambivert.
I think what made him popular was just his attractiveness- From his masculine face to his full, light pink lips to his icy blue eyes and then to his black hair. It was just a combo of great qualities. If I were a girl, Idda probably been falling head over heels for him. Plus, he's one of the school's top strikers; he scored the only goal against the Scorpions- Eastburn High's football team. His physique and his crazy speed helped him a whole lot in that.
I'm already dating Cindy Kentucky and believe me; I didn't make the first move. She's the leader of the cheerleading squad and a White. Weird, right? I told you they weren't that bad.
She's a good girlfriend though we've been together for a little less than three days. Just that, with extremely rich people comes extremely many problems. They always got that touch of snobbishness and arrogance in them. But it seemed like Cindy was different. Sincerely, I wasn't ready to take the relationship very seriously; like to be loyal to the end. I'm in love with diversity.
The only person I maybe coulda had a serious relationship with was Lisa. I developed a soft-spot for her the first time we met, I don't know why. She was just so beautiful, calm, smart and cool. But I decided not to do anything about my feeling 'cause apparently, she's Justin's cousin and I didn't want to… even by mistake, hurt her. So I'm staying away.
He told me that Lisa's his cousin and that he lives with her parents but he didn't tell me anything about his own parents. I didn't bother asking though. Figured that some things are better left unasked.
***********************
Football practice was quite exhausting this Monday and I was so glad when it finally ended. We were about to leave the pitch when Andrew Cameroon, the football captain told us both to stay behind. Every other person left us behind with Cameroon and some other of his friends. From what I heard, they were a popular gang who called themselves 'The Vipers' and he was the leader. I hoped we weren't in any kind of trouble.
They were quite dangerous. They had a record of literally having any girl they wanted to. They were like some undercover devils. And they looked so muscular.
Justin and I stood side by side as I hoped that they called us to talk to us about our formation or holding our lines or something but their stone faces told me otherwise. The seven boys stood directly in front of us.
I hardly saw any of them smile but this time, it was different- it felt different.
"Why have you called us?" Justin broke the silence.
"I'm going to go straight to the point on this."
"Okay, we're listening."
"I want you both to be members of our society… the Vipers" He said confidently and I gasped. It was so stunning how straight to the point he was. What made him think we were going to join them? "You prolly have already heard about us, am I right?" None of us said anything nevertheless, he continued blabbering. "We need you both, especially you, Justin. Your membership will open doors for us to have more members." I looked at Justin… he didn't look surprised unlike me. Was this a normal thing here? What the…!!
"Anything you wish for in the Empire will be granted- girls… academic excellence, protection, respect… just name it!" He spoke as if he was giving a manifesto. I didn't understand what made me eligible for this kinda shit! Winchester was bad but definitely didn't have any secret societies. Did I make a mistake?
Writer's P.O.V
Alan still stood baffled by the incredibility of the words Cameroon had uttered to both of them.
"I think you're getting this all wrong; I'm Alan Grey and he's Justin Cole. We never requested for anything like this. Did we?" He asked boldly.
"You must be crazy! I know exactly who you are. That was why we chose you." He sounded like some insane philanthropist. "It's not every day opportunities like this come by." He said, trying to entice them. "And then we can rule the Empire; the three of us! So is it a yes or a no?"
They looked at each other simultaneously; the Vipers were waiting for their reply. "No!"
"You just got yourselves a free trip to hell!" Two of the Vipers quickly went to them and grabbed their arms. Alan struggled with all his might but Justin just didn't bother.
"Why aren't you trying to escape?" Alan asked Justin.
"'cause it's of no use."
"Were you aware that they were going to do this?"
"Of course not!" Justin replied unbelievably.
"If you don't want to join willfully, you're going to be forced!" He said and cackled.
He called one of his members and whispered something to him then the guy left. Alan really began to feel that he made a big mistake coming to the Empire. He recalled that there was never any secret society or anything like that in Winchester. He wished he could turn time back but he just couldn't. He was here and here to stay.
Justin on the other hand was busy thinking about how he could beat them, save Alan and get out. He had no speck of pessimism in him 'cause he knew pretty well that he could and would do it.
Not long later, the Viper Cameroon had sent came back bearing some large metallic object which had the head of a stamp and a long metal handle. The head looked exactly like a snake- a Viper maybe. And the head was red-hot.
"Where the fuck did you get those stuffs from?" Justin asked.
"When you become a member, you'll know."
"You can't make us join your club, bigmouth!"
"Wow… I like your confidence. But it's so sad that you're going to watch me do it." Cameroon said and smirked.
"May I do the honors of stamping Justin Cole?" one of the Vipers asked, stepping forward.
"Sure! I don't even want his blood on my hands."
"I do!" He said and collected the stamp. "Do you remember me, Justin?" He asked dramatically. Now Justin could see him clearly so he remembered the face. It was Brandon Cage. He recalled that fateful day Brandon and his dumb sidekicks attacked him and Lisa after school. He beat them all so mercilessly and left them immobile. "That day, after beating us up, you didn't make us weaker; you only made us a whole lot stronger!"
After that day, I met Austin and we formed the Vipers together. And now… thanks to you, our society's going to rule the Empire! All because of you. Thanks!" Alan looked dumbfounded.
"And to show my gratitude to you, I'll like to punish…"
Justin cut in. "Can you get to it already? You're wasting my time."
"Take off his shirt!" Brandon ordered one of the guys holding Justin and he forcefully took it off. He threw the shirt to the ground. Now Justin was bare-chested.
Alan watched in fright, waiting for the next thing that was going to happen. He knew that they were surely doomed.
He took the red-hot, snake-like head and moved it closer to Justin's chest really slowly.