Alak had had lesser time for school and homework because of the whole Artemis - Aunt Lina issue. You know keeping that big a secret is not an easy job.

Before Artemis discovered he was Zeus’ son Alak actually had sometime for himself but, now he was more or less their dad.

"Turn in your homework assignment," Mr. Winter had said earlier that morning . No need to ask. . . Alak didn't do his, however he had a 32 classmate line to his advantage.

Prior to his time to submit (not like they went accordingly), he quickly underlined and scribbled the answers in desperation. If course none of the answers were right and he got an F.

But the strangest thing happened (did I say strange. . . . . . Amidst all this drama? Heck no!)

Alak, in full confidence of what he had written said (in his mind) you'd better be giving me an A+. Because he thought all his answers were right or at least maybe most of ’em

I mean who wouldn't think their answers are correct when you photocopy the pattern of the answers from the most intelligent girl in your class.

In his case he copied from Chloe Caribbean. Though he didn't really acknowledge her intelligence but desperate times call for desperate measures.

However she was actually very intelligent come to think of it.

When he got his paper back he was quite impressed when he saw a bold A+ on it.

What confused him was the red ink scribbling down roughly like as though it wasn't under control. And then at the corner he read ‘Pls see me!’

Alak couldn't apprehend what he saw. See me for what now?

He looked into Gabriel's paper and noticed that all of the answers were different and. . . Well, terribly wrong.

"Alak Mondego!" Mr. Winter called, residing he had made a mistake in his scores.

When Alak reached his table he handed him his script which he demanded with an outstretched palm. He picked out one of the questions and asked him.

"What is the law of conversation of mass, Alak?" Mr. Winter said. His question was actually directed to Alak but after Alak said, Ugh! Why can't you just ask someone who knows it like... Chloe Caribbean in his mind.

"Um. . . Sorry. Caribbean, that's for you. Alak, back to your seat please," Mr. Winter said.

"Say what now?" He muttered on his way back to his seat

"Uh, ok, it states that matter is neither created not destroyed during chemical reaction, but changes from one form to another," Chloe said as the rest of the class have her an applause.

"No, no, no, no, no, no, no, I'm sorry that question was for you. . ." He was saying to Alak before the bell rang, marching them all out of the class.

Mr. Winter then called Alak back and said, "I don't understand what's wrong with me. I'm guessing I'm not feeling so well cos I don't know why I have an A+ when clearly you got a minus F minus."

Alak said nothing, as he himself was confused as to why he was given an A+ when he clearly got no answers right.

"You're retaking the test and this time, I'll be endorsing you with a keen eye. . . So you had better know what you're doing," Mr. Winter said finally.

"Yes sir! That's super!" Alak remarked as he left the classroom. He'd been trying his level best to ignore Johnny the whole semester but the idiot obviously had trouble thinking straight.

I mean, a normal and sensibly thinking human being would know that the taunting and reading was enough but it was as though he was a machine with infinite battery life.

Sometimes, when he annoyed Alak, Alak warned him to back off, but other times, he let him be.

Perhaps its those few let it slides that made him continue.

Just wondering what Alak'll do when he finds Johnny harassing Artemis. . .

The joy in Alak's heart was beyond measurable when he didn't see Johnny throughout the first quarter of the day. He had to be at one of dem soccer games.

He was gonna seize the opportunity to do his home work at the library, because postponing it would just mean he wouldn't do it, cos the issue of Zeus' son hadn't been taken care of.

And besides, this was the only opportunity he had before Johnny got back so he was going to utilise it to the fullest.

As he walked down the hallway, he adjusted his leather jacket and kept to himself. Quite unlike him, but he couldn't take the risk of it being confiscated.

Teachers didn't like him wearing it however, he wore it.

"Alak. . . , Psst hey, over here," a boy who was probably in middle school said.

Alak then halted and said, "Can I help you?"

"Course you can. I need two tickets, for me and my girlfriend to see Billie Eilish on Sunday. Remember she's having a meet and greet. . ."

"Sure," he said and paused as though he was thinking. Ok yeah he was obviously thinking.

"Meet me at my locker ASAP." "Ok, right behind you. "

Although Alak was feeling the pull to go forward  he went back all the to his locker anyway. When he got to the locker, he took off his jacket and opened the locker. Then he searched desperately for a ticket.

Everything there was all different. There were some for Olivia Rodriguez 's concert, for Megan Thee Stallion and others, but he didn't see the one for Billie Eilish.

"I can't seem to find it... Oh, there it is," Alak said. "Thank goodness, cos all the other places are sold out," the boy said.

"Yeah, and that was the last one," Alak said stretching out his palm as to receive his payment. The boy then handed him a $100 bill.

Alak did not have a job, but he sure did have a source of income. He got a lotta special event tickets and turned the school into a black market where he sold them at higher prices.

Don't even think that his brothers get anything out of his profits. In his defense, they have their own allowance money.

As Alak continued his journey to the library, he heard from a distance. . .

. . . "Well, well, well, if it isn't Alak's brother... Eletri- cken," Johnny said. "Its Artemis, jerk."

"And it's Johnny, punk. I wanna see your bro defend you now,"
"You know what, talk all you want I wanna see you in action"

Alak could already notice that that was Artemis’ voice and he couldn't miss the other's voice in the whole world.

"The hell Johnny, come pick on someone your own size. . ." Alak said from a distance, as he approached Johnny slowly.

Johnny’s big mouth was all he had. He used it as a form of defense from fights, and besides nobody really fought him because. . . Duh! He's the one of the best on the team.

Showing off was just the starting point. I think I'm gonna take Alak’s side on this one. . . I mean, everyone can play soccer.

Another reason only few people made him reveal his bad side was because his entourage were majorly the big guys.

"Well, well, well, looks like Electro-ken called his stupid wimp of a brother to defend him. That's so cute," Johnny mocked. Most of the students had assembled in the hallway , thinking a fight was going to ensue.

"So what are you going to do, but guy," Johnny said, which was making matters worse. To top it all off, he started pushing Artemis against the locker door.

"Hey watch it!" Artemis yelled.

Alak stated at Artemis long and hard. This could only mean that he was trying to tell his brother to get it together and not do anything he'll regret.

At the moment, Artemis was already feeling his electricity at disposal.

Students were already ready to get on the winner of the fight. But, obviously lazy Johnny was going to do absolutely. . . Nothing but rant about. . . Nothing.

In Alak’s mind he knew that fighting wasn't going to do any good rather it could get him in trouble, and besides, if he gave the first blow he'd just be regarded as a fool.

He balled his fists and sniffed gently but angrily.

"Lay another finger on that kid and you'll be sorry," Alak dared. . .

_________________ 

No sooner had the argument started that the news went around the school. However, it didn't reach the ears of the teachers. Not even the snitchiest of snitches said a word.

"And that's how you deactivate an advanced virus. . ." Aeo's computer teacher said.

"Um, Mr. Scott, can I be excused?" Roxanna said, giving Aeo an eye that clearly meant: something's up.

"Alright, go but. . . " Mr Scott was saying before Aeo asked to be excused as well. "Is something wrong?"

"No!" They chorused. "Ok then," Mr Scott mumbled.

In the hallway close to the cafeteria, Aeo asked Roxanna, "What was so urgent we had to miss computer class?"

"Check this out. . ." She said, showing him a live stream of what was going on with his brothers and of course, Johnny.

"This is not really happening," Aeo said.

Swing in your thoughts folks. . . I'm a little impatient for the climax, but as they say, Slow and steady wins the race.

So sit tight (or read tight, whichever) cos we're so close already.