Max – "Be brave, take risks, and allow the unexpected." – unknown
We get to the hole at the top of a roof, the way we get into our school. To get out, all you do is climb a ladder, but to get in, you have to jump. At the start of our first year here, when we're 11, no one knows what's at the bottom. That's the fun. And if you're not brave enough to jump, you have no business here. Unfortunately, our leader, Gretter, tells them what's below before they jump. My group goes in pairs and shrieks as they drop below. I go last, letting the wind fill me as I plummet towards the bottom. I feel the net fold over me as I land, air returning to my lungs. I chuckle as I flip over the side, seeing Bee crying and the others looking pale. Harlow looks more mad then scared, mad that a nail broke.
Bee has already started to get on my nerves. Harlow is already acting like we're beneath us and the smart ass is way too quiet. Nakia seems ok, just way to honest and Raven is not what I expected.
I lead them into the dorms, Bee chatty happily about god knows what. Each dorm normally houses about 12, but they've been split in half. Thankfully, I didn't have to move.
Three beds sit side by side, facing the other three. I point randomly and they chuck their stuff down. Tonight, we're only 'getting to know' each other and eating.
"I'm going out to train, stay here if you want." I say and tie up my laces. I walk out into the pit, where hundreds of boxing bags circle the boxing ring. I wrap my bruised knuckles with the black boxing tape and tie my hair back. I pull my fists up and start hitting the bag. I'm the only one here so nothing distracts me.
Just as I'm getting into the rhythm of it, a noise makes me guard up. I whirl round, fists ready.
"Whoa, sorry, just me." Says Raven, his hands up.
"oh." I say and carry on hitting. I look from the corner of my eye that he's still standing, staring at me.
"What?" I say, turning round, my hands on hips.
"Want to fight?" he says, a grin spread from ear to ear. I raise an eyebrow at him, skinny as a rake.
"I think I scare Bee, and Harlow. Maybe Nakia." He says, looking down. I sigh and grab two pairs of gloves, tossing one to him. I swing my leg over the rope in the ring and move about on tip toes.
"it's been a while, so go easy." He says, tying up the gloves. Of course, he must've come here before getting kicked out.
We circle each other, before I dart and hit him. I hit squarely in his abdomen. He groans but doesn't move. He goes to punch me, but I block with ease. We keep going until he concedes, breathless. For a skinny guy, he wasn't terrible. But I certainly won't let him know that.
At dinner, everyone sits and eats happily, Raven looking amazed and shovels in as much as he can.