Bloodstock Island

Chapter 2

They basically deserted the hall when Max got in. Everyone was already in their classes, except for the three boys chatting in the lockers. He could not help but grunt. It was Josh and his buddies Ray and Eric.

Max walks as fast as he could to avoid the group’s gaze as they laugh and whispered at each other.

“What’s the hurry, Max?” Josh calls out as he passed by.

Max ignored them and continued his stride. It was not until the three were in front of him he had to stop.

“I said hold up!” Josh had that annoying grin as he pushed him.

Max balled his fist, trying to control his anger. It was only his first month at St. Michael, and yet these three numskulls have been hounding him.

He just couldn’t understand why he was so out of place. Since junior high started. He became the odd one out, having different hobbies, interests and being the only one who actually enjoyed rough physical games. The other kids seemed to have their own world, enjoying those weak menial stuff of theirs. If there was ever a chance that he’d be in a group, it was always due to pity, a requirement for a class, or worst.

Max was obviously more built and taller among all of them. He was a force to be reckoned with, being the son of an ex-soldier, who basically trains him daily. Plus the fact that he once beat the daylights out of the three other boys before. So it was a total mystery for him why the three guys who were just a mere four inches smaller than him still had the guts to confront him.

That’s why he felt dumbfounded at the three. It was like they weren’t thinking about all of their actions.

“I don’t have time for this Josh,” he nudges the boy’s hand off of him.

He promised his dad to be good, and so he held on to what little patience he had. In one swift move, he tries to get past them, only to be blocked again.

“What the hell is your problem.” Max hisses.

The sounds of laughter echoed through the hallway as the three moved closer, pinning max down.

“The question should be, why are you late again?.” Josh grins, looking at him from head to toe.

It caused shivers in his spine and goosebumps all over his skin. There were still two minutes before class and the bell hadn’t even rung yet.

“Yeah Max, it’s as if you’re doing it on purpose,” Eric laughs out loud and the two others followed.

That took out the lid on Max’s temper. He grabbed Josh’s shirt and began strangling the senior student.

“You’re the one doing this on purpose.” He spat out as he leaned on him, making sure they understood him.

Yet Josh’s grin became even wider as the boy met his sharp gaze with no fear.

“Max, remember what mister Jefferson said last time. If you cause any more trouble, he is going to call your dad.” Ray butts in, reminding the gravity of his actions.

Max’s blood boiled, his hand shaking, yet he did not let go. Again he was battling with his rage as he tries to subdue his anger.

Sweat showed on Josh’s forehead from the pain, yet did not struggle. Being fully aware of the current situation they were in.

“Yeah Max, this will already be your third offense, if you go on with it,” Eric adds, placing a hand on his shoulder as if trying to calm him down.

Yet it just made him even angrier being touched by these bullies.

“Where just implementing the school policy. It’s not our fault we caught you loitering around during class hours,” Ray states as a matter of fact.

“Why don’t you just be a good boy and come with us.” Josh finally holds his hand, forcing it to let go. “We promise, we won’t include this on your record if you cooperate.”

“f**k you!” Max hisses again.

The three just held their laughter as they began escorting him.

Nothing has changed since he began school at St. Michael. He always seems to get into trouble, and it always results in him being at fault, no matter how hard he tried to follow the rules. At first, he thought it was just a coincidence, but when he finally understood the reason behind it. That was when he started hating the place.

The smell of a mix of lemon and watermelon assaulted his nose as they entered the guidance room. The thirty-square-meter room seems to suffocate him when the door closed. It screamed prison, doom, and aggravation.

Flowery wallpapers did not help. Nor did the calm-looking old man, who was behind the huge wooden table, comfortably sitting on the leather chair with both hands clasp together.

The desk had a big nameplate with the sign ‘Mitchell Jefferson,’ and under it showed ‘Guidance Counselor.’

Max made his fist into a ball. He hid his gritting teeth as they moved forward. He was cornered, helpless at the hands of the so-called authority.

“Mister Dullahan, what brings you here so early in the morning?” the old man greet, fixing the round glasses as if he was not being seen clearly enough.

Max did not answer, he just kept his head down as not to meet the steady look on him.

“He was thirty minutes late again, sir,” Josh said after a few moments of silence.

Lies was all he could say. Though still in a fit of rage, all he could do was stay quiet to not cause any more trouble.

“Is this true?” As if aghast, mister Jefferson immediately stood up and walk towards them.

Max uttered all his patience to control his emotions. Agitated, irritated, but most of all frightened. The feeling of helplessness was a thing he hated so much.

”Mister Dullahan,” you know we don’t tolerate tardiness. What will happen to our school’s reputation if ever other people find out we are allowing our students to come in late, with no proper punishment. This is already your sixth time, yet you still do not seem to follow our warning. I think we will need to give you a proper beating. A week’s suspension ought to be enough for this defiance, but I’m worried about what your dear father would say about this if he finds out that his beloved son hasn’t been following school protocols. I feel bad for him. He works hard for you, you know, just to make sure you learn, and yet here you are, again. He will probably be very disappointed and worried.” Mister Jefferson preached.

Though the old man had a soft voice and calm demeanor, it was like poison to him. Max knew the vile atrocity behind the man’s words. The caring-like manner the counselor used to wrap an arm around his shoulders was like the afternoon sun in his skin. It burned, yet he could not avoid nor ignore it.

“Please, don’t tell my dad,” that was all he could say in a low and heavy voice.

Mister Jefferson moved in front of him, looking at him with that puppy dog-like eyes. “I don’t think we can still let this slip, mister Dullahan,” he said apologetically.

Max’s inside felt like it was turning upside down, yet he knew he had no choice, seeing as how busy, troubled, and stressed his father was as of late. He knew he had to handle this on his own.

“I’d like to discuss this after class. Mrs. Vavenski is probably looking for me. Since we have a quiz today,” he said with a straight face. This time, he held his head high, looking directly into the old man’s eyes. Might as well do this with pride and a brave face, Max thought to himself.

Mister Jefferson nodded. “Then, I’ll prepare your letter immediately, so that you can give it to your father.”

“No, you won’t,” he says.

If he was going to be doing this kind of thing for the rest of his days. Might as well do it with a smile on his face and pride in his heart. Though he hated it so much, he just remembers the saying that his father would tell him. If life gives you lemon, give them freaking lemonade.

“I’m sorry?” Mister Jefferson’s forehead creased in disbelief. 

Surprise caught the man that he could not help but get confused from receiving such an abrupt answer from him.

Even the three seniors behind him just looked at each other dumbfounded, suddenly fearful of his sudden change of demeanor.

“I have judo practice after class,” Max adds.

The old man could not hold on to the malicious smile when he said that. Josh, Eric, and Ray could not stop themselves from giving high fives to one another.

“Very well then.” mister Jefferson states, patting his shoulder in agreement.

Max takes that as his cue to leave the place. He immediately turns around and passes the three other students, not caring to shove them away as he moved out of that place.

Outside, he kicks the trash bin with full strength to release his frustration. He hated this place to the very core. But he couldn’t bring himself to tell his dad in fear of what would happen.