Josh Santos.16 years ago.
the next day.I went to school at 7:30am.I didn't bother to smoke before sleeping because I wasn't interested in taking anything apart from cocaine.
Blake had suddenly disappeared.he knew this streets well and this was his uncle's hood. I was thinking of the man named lobos odini.he was his uncle.Blake looked different than his usual self.he looked more depressed and thin.
like he was hanging on to life.
I saw the bruises on his face too.
he probably got into a couple fights.
i didn't really know how he spent his days at lake lines.
one thing was sure.
it was business.
the school was open.
it usually starts at 7:am.
the gate keeper.
mr Laran. he had not changed from his gate keeping position. he usually comes at six.
to set the environment right before the students and workers came in.
I was at mr homers office.
he was the director of holy high and also a counselor who settled dispute.
luckily for me.the case was being handled by him.
Mrs Williams was out of town and the problem had gotten to his table.
Mr homer wasn't gonna let it slide.
"so what happened?he asked.
I was staring at him.
"they came at me first."
"why?
"because they wanted to."I said.
"he owns this place."
"doesn't he?
Mr homer expression changed.
"who?
"you mean Levi."
"yes."
"why isn't he here then?
"I don't see any of them here."
"take a seat."he said.
"you're accused of stealing."
"you took something from them and ran away."
I shook my head.
"i didn't."
"he wants me to stay away from someone."
"and that's why you punched him."
"like I said."
"he started it first."
"who's this person you speak of."
I sat down on a chair and observed as he picked up a pen and paper to write.
"Amanda mills."
"we are in the same class."
"yeah."
"so this girl."
"are you dating or what?
"I see no reason why you boys would fight over a girl."
"ask him."
"I just want to go to my class room."
"lectures has already started."
"I'll let this slide mr santos."
"for today."
"this shouldn't repeat itself."
"l'll talk to the other boys too."
"you can leave."
I stood up from the chair and walked out of the office.
Willie was at the other side. He was waiting for me.he had a smile on his face.
"he let you go."
"didn't he?
"yeah." I nodded.
"I explained to him when he called me."
we began to walk along the hall.
it was filled with lockers.
"have you seen her yet?
"no." I shook my head.
"she's been asking of you."
"yeah."
"I know."
We were walking in a passage.
"is she around today?
"I don't know."he replied.
"there's something I want to tell you Josh."
"they both dated last year."
"but not in school."
"I think he's still attached and doesn't want you near her."
"that's not his decision to make."
"this may escalate if he takes it seriously."
I stoped walking.i stared at him.
he stoped too.
he was waiting for me to speak.
"you gat any money with you?
"um."
"nah."
"what do you want?
"just a couple bucks."
"I need cocaine."
we both walked into literature class.
it was taught by Mr Divine Clark.
he was among the new transfer teachers from other towns.
he was a black man. he had a well built body and muscles.
the class was filled.
chairs were arranged to face the white board. It was hanged on the wall.
we passed the back door.
few faces turned to stare at us.
I saw Amanda.I took a seat at one of the chairs and desk at the back of the classroom.
willie did the same.
robert browning.ABT VOGLER was written on the white board.it was a poem and Mr Divine Clark was teaching and explaining.
I stared at Willie.he was removing books from his bag.his attention was on
the teacher.
i turned back just in time to see Amanda.she was staring at me.she seemed to be distracted by my presence.
I looked at the desk and opened my book.
I leaned back on the chair.
the sun wasn't out yet and the environment was calm.Blake and Rachel were not in school.
I wasn't surprised.
Amanda walked toward my chair.
"meet me outside."she said and walked toward the exit door.
I stared at Mr Clark.he was facing the white board.
I sighed and stood up from my chair.
I was following her.
the hall was empty. expect for the two of us. she kept walking. not looking back. I watched as she walked toward the left direction in the passage.it was clear that she was going to some where private.
the rest room was just at this corner.it was for girls and boys.
she entered the girls restroom.
I followed her.
she was already waiting for me.her hands were folded. she had a calm look on her face.
"so what happened?she asked.
"noting."I said.
"he didn't suspend you."
"did he?
"no."
"he didn't."
"good."she smiled.
"am sorry."she said and held her head with her left hand.
"I don't know what came over him."
"you mean Levi?I asked.
"i heard you both dated."
"so you knew."
"yeah."
"it's no big deal."
"but am not gonna stand down if he attacks me for any reason."
"he won't."
"I promise."
"I'll talk to him."
"sure."I nodded.
"I gat to go now."I said.
she made to speak but kept quiet.
i was already at the door.it closed as I past by. for some reason.I didn't feel like going back to class.
I decided to stroll around.Mrs Williams wasn't around yet.else she would have summoned me.
I was still walking at a passage way when I saw Mr Gibbs.the janitor who cleaned the floors and rest room.
he wore his uniforms.he held a mop and bucket.
he whistled as he did his work.
"good morning sir."I said. I went close to him.
he looked at me.
"hey."
"what you doing here?he asked.
"noting."
"no class?
"they is."
"I just decided to stay out for a while."
"well."
"you shouldn't miss your classes boy."
"yeah."I said.
I looked at the open space from where I stood.
the height was something else.
I walked toward the steel instalment that barricaded this corner.
It prevented students from falling to the ground.
I loved noting more than to be outside these walls.
grandpa would be at home now.
smoking weed.i sighed.his day would be more eventful than mine.
the bell suddenly rung and I looked around in surprise.
I could hear doors opening. footsteps and laughter from the crowd of students.
another period had began.
(present moment)
Fred was in a hurry to follow the nurses who rolled the stretcher that onswart lay on.
his arm was bleeding and he had lost a lot of blood.they had lost a lot of men and some were already being treated.those exposed to the gas.he could not breath well.
but he followed them.
at the end of the passage.
they was a double door.
they walked past it.
Pushing onswart along with them.
"please."
"stay back."said one of the female nurse.
Fred stopped following them.
he went over and sat down in one of the hospital chairs.they were positioned at the left side.he closed his eyes.
they had failed yet again. their target was dead and lobos odini was no where to be found. even thier men. they had died.
Fred suspected zero.he may have sold them out.he didn't trust any of them.
he needed a back up plan.the chief wouldn't be happy with the sudden development.
he didn't know which way to follow any more. they had lost this battle.
The hells angels camp could be seen. inside. the girls were all busy.
it was dark. thier camp was filled with lights. Sarah could be seen on her bike.among the others which were parked at the corner of the buidlig. she had a cigarette in her mouth and a cell phone in her hand. she was dialing a number.
she brought it close to her left ear.
"hello."a voice said.
"it's me."
"sarah."
"tell zero that the job is done."
"good."
Sarah put the phone in her jacket and continued to smoke her cigarette.
she stared at her girls.they were busy playing the game of dice.
lavander notes could be seen on the ground.
they cheered at each other.
she often joined them.
she had other things in her mind and her mother was one of them.she needed to visit her too.it had been long she visited.
Josh Santos pov.same day.sixteen years ago.
it was break time and I was at the cafeteria. Willie. Vanessa and Charlie were with me. the hall was crowded and everyone was busy eating at their separate tables.
"did you see dad this morning?asked charlie.
Vanessa was busy staring at her phone.
"no."
"I didn't."
"I swear he's been busy lately."
"what you expect."said Willie.
"he's a busy man."
Abel came to meet us.carrying a tray.
"what are you guys up to?he asked and sat down on the last chair at the table.
"none of your business."said Vanessa. She was still staring at her phone.
"my dad is way worse."said Willie.
"he gets to spend his time with his beloved daughter."
he stared at the table of the 4g girls. they were eating.his attention was on summer. his step sister.she was having a fun time with her friends.
"can you blame him."said Vanessa.
"it's his choice."
"isn't it?
"sure."Willie said.
He began to eat his food.
I stared at thier direction.to see them smiling. including Amanda.she was oblivious to my stare.I looked away.not bothering to interfere.
"well."
"at least."
"some one is back today."said Abel.
I looked at him. he was already staring at me.
"what happened?
"you missed school for two days straight."
"that happened."said Charlie.he pointed at the double door.it suddenly opened.
the popular boys walked in and everyone turned to their direction.
Levi and his friends.Diego smalls.Garfield stands.Antonio Gilbert.the four of them were from reputable families and well known in town. they were lots of talk about them.
the girls often gossiped about them.
they were excellent too.in sports.
rugby. football and basket ball.their star player was Levi Williams.
the son of the newly elected council woman of education. she was in charge of holy high.
he was the captain of the tigers.he had brought victory to holy high in the competition between rapture high black dogs. led by Samson bright and his team members in 2017.12 years ago.
Mrs Anderson Williams had been the one to approve of it when the owner of the school. Adams govini had suggested it.
to test their might in sports.
the royal festival.it was called and it had taken place in their school. It was located at lam light.
it started in the morning.
in their schools sports center and had ended in the evening. with the tigers gaining victory in rugby. with a win of 27:19.
and also in basket ball.21:19.
and a straight win in football.2:0.
both goals were scored by Levi Williams.
it was an eventful Friday and thier cheer leaders were more than happy.the tigress had celebrated all day long.decorating thier opponents school with flowers.posters and praises of thier boys.
it was a straight loss for the black dogs and thier black cat girls.
the next campaign for sports came from all saint high. in the year 2020.
15 years ago.last year.in the month of February. at summer time in Torino.
Gwen steel.the owner of all saint high and a share holder of the Torino central bank had come to holy high.proposing a sport festival. which was named nights of champions.
the rhinos were prepared as they came to holy high that Saturday.
the Torino media house had aired it.using thier helicopters and cameras.
vans were parked outside as media personalities came forward.
the school was properly arranged and filled with guests who had come to watch.
the event kicked off that night with both women having vip seats at the stands.
both team cheer leading squad had performed on the field.
first was the roaring rhinoceros.with the Bella and Ella twins who put a show for their male rhinos.
then came the tigress.led by summer sanders and her girls.
thier performance ended with fire works.it illuminated the sky with the face of a huge tiger. thier logo.
the game had began in the field.
Levi and his boys had struggled to gain dominance in the first half of the rugby match. with a 13:10 score.
thier boys was quite skilled and fast but the rhinos made it quite hard. thier boys were huge and big.
thier star player.David Armstrong and his team members played rough.
hitting thier opponents down with brute force.
the first half ended with four tiger boys destroyed. either of broken bones or ribs.it was clear that they were over powered. even tho they were leading in the game.
second half quickly kicked off. with replacements of the tiger squad.holy high blazing bulls had offered up some team players.to assist and it ended up with a 22:20 win for the tigers.
the next sport was basket ball and both team presented thier players.
Levi was put on bench beacause of the injury he'd gotten in the second half of the rugby match.
basket ball was led by Ramos.a captain in the tigers basket ball team.
the game had kicked off but had ended with a loss of 27:20.
next was football.it ended in a draw of 0:0. no one had scored any goal and the game had ended With a draw. Of 1:1.
both women shook each other's hands. for a successful match. same with the players.
Levi was quite disappointed.it was seen on his face but they was noting he could do about it.
both teams were awarded and they had gone thier separate ways.
Levi cleared his throat.
"listen up everybody."
"we have gotten a new proposal for a rematch."
"with all saints high rhinos."
a surprise look could be seen on the faces of everyone in the cafeteria and some of them began to smile, whistle and cheer.
"it's about time."said Charlie.
"we are going to thier school next month."
"so prepare your self."
"because am not losing this time."
"to anyone."
"yes."someone yelled.
"never."another yelled.
they began to clap and cheer.
"tigers."
"tigers."
"tigers."
Levi and his boys walked toward the 4g girls.
"you ready for me babe?
asked Levi.
"for the team."
summer turned around and pulled him close. she leaned close and bit his ear in a sexy way.
"you know we are."said summer.
as if he knew I was staring.he turned toward our direction and our eyes met.
Amanda was staring at our direction.she had a calm look on her face.
Levi stared at her. then stared at me before starting to walk toward our direction.
his boys followed behind him and all eyes were on them.
Levi walked toward our table and stoped when he got close.
"what's up Santos?he asked with a cheerful smile on his face.
"I see you came running back."
"that's how losers play."
"you attacked me first."I said.
"yes."
" you're noting and some one like you is not supposed to date a girl like Amanda."
"isn't that right people?
he yelled and stared around.
"yes"the crowd yelled and laughter could be heard among the students.
"you hear that?
"this is stupid Levi."said Vanessa.
"you know this."
"am in charge around here butch."said Levi.
"when you get home."
"you can play slut."
"but in here."
"I rule."
charlie stood up.
Levi stared at him.
"what you gonna do?
"big guy."
"fight me." Levi smiled.
"we both know that your days of bullying is over."
"since you and your team could never represent this school of ours."
the students began to laugh.
"so."
"what you gonna do?
"huh butch."
"you gonna Fight Me?
"yeah."answered Charlie.
"ohh."Levi covered his mouth with his right hand. he began to laugh.
"in a rugby match."
"tonight."
the students cheered.
He stoped laughing.
"sure." he stared at me.
"I want to see you on the field Santos."
"if both of you pussies can beat me in a rugby match."
"then I'll allow you to date Amanda and you."
"butch."
"I'll allow you to attend the game next month."
"is that a deal?
I stared at charlie.he was still staring at Levi. he had a serious look on his face.
"sure."
"Fine."
"you gat a deal buddy."
Levi smiled and the students began to cheer. banging thier tables.
"that's it boys."
"we have a deal."
he said and began to walk away.
I watched as charlie sat down on his chair.with a confident look on his face. he stared at me and I had this what have you done look on my face as I stared at him.
"I didn't agree to this Charlie."I said.
"well."
"you're in now josh."
he stared at Amanda and I did too.to see her staring at me.
"do you want to let her down?
"this isn't about her."
"it is now josh."
"so better man up and get your shit together."
"we both have something to lose here."
I stared at him. I didnt know what to say.
"damn."I whispered.