"How rude! Didn't your parents teach you how to behave when you see elders?" Mrs Jenkins' voice cut through the room like a whip.
My voice turned icy. "Don't you ever, in your miserable life, talk about my parents again. They are resting. Never… bother them again."
She froze, feeling the weight of my words. For a moment, the room felt like it could explode.
"I… I'm sorry," she said, her tone softening, "if I scratched some old wounds. I just meant… greet your elders properly."
I chuckled bitterly. "You think you're some sage just because you have wrinkles and white hair? Well, newsflash, Grandma: I've seen the bald heads of your entire lineage before you were even born."
Her eyes flared. "How dare you!"
I leaned closer, voice low and deadly. "Never raise your voice at me again."
We glared at each other for a long beat fire and ice clashing. Then, slowly, the tension broke.
"Fine," she muttered, shaking her head.
"I'm Mrs Jenkins," she said finally, extending a hand.
"I'm Andre," I said simply.
She eyed me carefully. "Rules of the house: Respect the space, study hard, prepare for your exams tomorrow and no girls."
"I don't do girls."
Airport
2:28 PM
The sun beat down mercilessly, throwing sharp shadows across the tarmac. Maxim and his best friend Pacho leaned against the sleek black car, eyes scanning the arrivals. They were both on edge, waiting for someone, though they tried to hide it behind casual gestures.
And then she appeared. Blonde hair catching the sunlight, curves that made heads turn, her face delicate but framed by a sharp intelligence. She walked confidently, almost unaware of the attention she drew.
"Rihanna!" Maxim shouted, sprinting toward her. He wrapped her in a hug so tight it was as if he never wanted to let go.
Pacho jumped in immediately, pulling her close. "Hey, don't forget me!"
Rihanna laughed, a warm sound that made the tension melt. She looked at Maxim with wide eyes. "Wow… you've grown into a man! Look at you! All thick and solid!"
Maxim grinned like a wolf. "Speaking of thick, you're the whole package."
Pacho pretended to scoff, mock offense dripping from his voice. "Hey! Am I being forgotten here? Don't tell me you didn't notice me!"
Rihanna turned, her smile teasing. "Of course not, Pacho. You're just not hard to notice. Still as slim as a broomstick."
Maxim's burst into laughter "Ouch…"
Pacho shook his fists in mock rage and took off chasing her, the three of them laughing and darting around like a hurricane.
Maxim's eyes darkened, almost obsessive. He muttered under his breath, "I will make you mine I swear…"
The Gonzalez Residence
"Damn, your face is all swollen!" Maria said, grabbing her brother's arm.
Misheal pressed an ice pack to his head harshly.
"You're so mean!"
Marco groaned "You're so mean like I just got beaten up by a gang!"
Misheal smirked. "How did you survive? The only thing you're good at is women."
Maria added, "And the biker gang… they're dangerous!"
Marco leaned back, smirking despite his bruises. "I had… help," he said, drawing their attention.
"We'll start from the beginning," he said dramatically. "Picture this: three massive bikers, Dezerol's gang. They corner me. I have zero weapons, no backup. I'm on the ground, punches raining on my face, chest, stomach, groin. I can barely breathe. I'm seeing stars
Skaters Club
6:23 PM
"Hey! Cutie! Hold up!"
I ran after her, panting heavily. The girl had long brown hair that danced as she moved, her steps precise but fast. I finally caught up.
"You walk really fast," I said, trying to sound casual.
"Excuse me," she replied, not slowing down.
I grinned, ignoring the fact my chest was heaving. "I'm Marco. Nice to meet you."
"I don't give my name to strangers," she said, defensive.
"Wow, I like that," I said, leaning in with a playful smirk. "When I saw you at the skaters club… you caught my attention. I thought… I want to make you my Bambi."
She laughed, shaking her head. "I have a boyfriend."
"Why not double it?" I said, voice dripping mischief.
"Double it? And why would I do that?"
I grinned wider. "Because… you have double holes."
She burst into laughter, covering her mouth. "You're insane!"
"I know," I said proudly, winking.
"I'm Ariana," she said cautiously. "But stay away. A boy from the bikers gang… one of them is after me. If they see you with me, you'll be dead."
I stepped closer, trying to look fearless. "Ha ha! I laugh in the face of danger."
She looked at me, her eyes wide. "Is that… from The Lion King? I thought I was the only one obsessed with cartoons here!"
Another voice shouted behind us: "Arianna!"
Her eyes went pale. She grabbed my arm. "Run… please, run!"
I stood my ground. "I'm not running."
And then I saw them. Dezerol's gang, massive and menacing, blocking the streets like predators. My heart sank, I turned back and my newly found princess had disappeared.
One of them stepped forward, cigarette dangling from his mouth. "You messed up trying to talk to her, maggot."
I tried to laugh. "She was just asking me for directions!"
He blew smoke in my face. "You're lying. Her house is just across the street. Empty your wallet. Give me your phone."
(I handed my phone and wallet over to Misheal to take home.)
"I'm not with them!" I stammered.
"What?" he sneered. "Then we have ourselves a punching bag!"
Three of them lunged at me simultaneously. Punches rained down on my face, chest, stomach, and groin. I fell to the ground, barely breathing, blacking out for a moment. Kicks hit my ribs. One of them grabbed a rock, ready to finish me off.
I thought… this was it.
Then… a shadow moved.
Tall. Slim. But not too slim . He didn't speak. He just moved.
"Let him go," a calm voice said.
Dezerol stepped forward. "Or else what?"
"I'll beat you into a pulp,"
"you" Dezerol replied casually as he burst into laughter.
One of Dezerol's boys charged. The figure caught the punch, spun him into the ground with a roundhouse kick, and stomped his head like it was nothing. Another came at him he blocked, punched the guy hard in the gut, followed with a knee to the jaw.
Dezerol, now furious, drew a dagger.
"Come here, I'll make a hole through you!"
He lunged. Twice. Both missed. The figure grabbed his hands mid-stab, twisted dezerol's hand took the knife and stabbed his hand, then delivered a devastating knee to the jaw and a kick to the skull.
Misheal gasped. "How big is this guy?"
"Like my size? No… smaller. And he beat all three of them, like they were nothing," I said, trembling but impressed.
Maria, still holding back laughter, asked, "You didn't ask his name?"
"I did," I said. "But he said weaklings don't get to know his name. He called me a maggot and said I'll get killed if I don't get stronger."
Misheal and Maria collapsed into laughter. "Maggot? Seriously?"
Mrs. Bially Gonzalez opened the door.
"Mom's back! Let's pretend we're reading."
She entered.
"wow I'm pleased to see you're reading."
"Yes, Mom," Misheal said.
"We'll make you proud," Maria added.
"We won't fail you," I said, still catching my breath.
Mrs. Bially noticed my battered face. "Marco… why aren't you looking at me?"
"Mom, I'm busy reading," I muttered.
Maria smirked.
"Let me see your face!"
"No! Mom!"
She grabbed me anyway. "Oh my goodness! What the hell happened?"
Misheal jumped in, giggling. "He got beaten to crap … and a badass saved him… and called him a maggot Marais added."
Maria and misheal burst into laughter.
Marco glared at Misheal."snitch."
Mrs bially smiled "Oh, I see… you all went out to have fun. No TV or pocket money for a week!"
Groans echoed through the room.
Mommmmmm."