The Next Day


    Early the next morning, after sharing breakfast with his grandfather, Adrian climbed into the waiting car and called his mother.


    "Mom, you promised-you''ll pick me up tonight, right?"


    He only hung up once she gave her word. When the car pulled up to school, Adrian told the driver, "You don''t need toe back for me tonight. My mom will pick me up."


    "Yes, young master."


    After the car drove off, Adrian strode confidently into the school, his navy-blue uniform crisp and spotless. As soon as he stepped into the ssroom, a cluster of ssmates surrounded him, chattering away.


    Before long, the teacher arrived.


    As usual, she singled Adrian out for praise, reminding everyone that he''d scored first inst month''s exams and encouraging the rest of the ss to follow his example, especially with finals just around the corner.


    After a long morning of lessons, it was finally time for PE.


    Adrian was one of those rare kids who excelled both academically and athletically. Naturally, he was the center of a group that gathered to shoot hoops during the break. The game got heated, sweat pouring down their faces, and when Adrian went to wash up at the sink, he caught voices from around the corner.


    "What''s Adrian so smug about, anyway?"


    "Yeah, so what if he gets good grades and ys sports? He''s still just a nobody- dad''s dead, mom doesn''t want him, total loser! What''s he got to brag about?"


    "Like we actually like him. He struts around like he owns the ce."


    "Keep your voice down! What if he hears you?"


    "So what if he does? I''m not scared-ah!"


    A basketball came flying out from the shadows, mming into the wall right by their heads. Adrian stepped into view, face expressionless, eyes cold as he stared at the group-some of whom were usually his friends. His voice was icy: "What did you just say?"


    They all shrank back, no one daring to answer. Atst, the boy in the middle- rubbing his head-stepped forward, ring at Adrian.


    "Did you just throw that at me, Adrian?"


    "I said what I said. It''s the truth, isn''t it? Your dad''s dead-"


    He didn''t even finish. Adrian lunged, kicking him to the ground and pinning him, fists flying. He''d been trained by his grandfather, and none of the other kids could pull him off. In the scuffle, a few of them caught stray punches and ran off, screaming.


    The fight devolved into a wild brawl.


    The other boy-Parker-wasn''t one to back down. He fought back, fists swinging, shouting at Adrian as they struggled.


    "You''re just a reject-nobody wants you! Even if your dad was alive, your parents would''ve left you anyway. My dad says you''re just bad luck, that you''re the reason your dad''s dead-"


    Adrian''s face barely flickered at the words. If anything, his eyes only grew darker as he hammered his fists down, silent and relentless.


    Blood spattered.


    Soon Parker was reduced to a whimpering heap.


    Finally, a teacher burst onto the scene, yanking the boys apart and hauling them to the nurse''s office. When the dust settled, she rounded on them furiously:


    "Parker McKenna! Adrian! You''re both calling your parents-now! This is out of control. Fighting at school? Absolutely not!"


    Parker, nose bloodied and face swollen, howled as the nurse dabbed antiseptic on his wounds. When he heard the teacher''s order, he shrieked, "Fine! I''ll call my dad! Adrian, just you wait-my dad''s gonna make you pay for this, you fatherless-ow, ow, that hurts, be careful!"


    "Parker!"


    The teacher twisted his ear, then quickly separated the two boys, locking them in different rooms.


    She started tofort Adrian, but he cut her off with a cold re. "Please leave," he said quietly. "I want to be alone."


    The teacher hesitated, but finally stepped outside, keeping a wary eye on him through a small window in the door, just in case.


    Inside the quiet room, Adrian sat perfectly still.


    Once he was sure he was alone, he slipped off his smartwatch and dialed Leonard.


    His voice was calm, almost detached: "Leonard, I got into a fight. The teacher wants me to call my


    family, but I don''t want my mom to


    know. Can youe pick me up?"


    Leonard was silent for a moment. "Didn''t your grandfather tell you? He taught you


    those skills to defend yourself-not to pick fights."


    Adrian''s voice was t. "He insulted my parents. He deserved it."


    Anyone who dared bring up his parents in front of him-well, they were lucky to


    still be breathing. This wasn''t over, not by a long shot.


    "Who''d you hit?" Leonard asked, his tone guarded.


    At a school like this, every kid came from an important family. He needed to know the details.


    "Parker," Adrian replied.


    Leonard went quiet. Parker-wasn''t that Randall''s son?


    "What is it, Leonard?" Adrian''s tone sharpened. "Don''t tell me you can''t handle


    this."


    Leonard sighed. "It''s not that I can''t. But Parker''s father is on the board, and he knows your mom. This time, I can''t help you. Good luck, Adrian."


    Adrian froze.


    "What? Leonard, you have to figure something out! Don''t let my mom-Leonard? Hello?" The call cut off, leaving Adrian seething. He hurled the watch at the wall, fists clenched, panic rising in his chest.


    His mother had never said it outright, but Adrian was sharp enough to sense her


    asional distance. He tried so hard to be a good kid.


    If she found out he''d gotten into a fight-


    No way. He couldn''t let that happen. Absolutely not!


    He wrenched open the door, dodged the teacher''s outstretched hand, and barged


    into the next room, grabbing a terrified Parker by the arm.


    "W-what do you want?!"


    "Teacher! Help!"