Max P.O.V.

The day Iris left me, part of me left with her. Along with my confidence, my determination, my inner warrior, and my capability to love. From being Iris's protecter when she was bullied, to being the bully's victim. For some reason as the bullying started I just couldn't find it in me to make it stop. For some reason I thought I deserved everything they were throwing at me.

But the day Iris came back I knew what I all thought was wrong. I didn't deserve what they put me through. I didn't deserve any of it. And Iris showed me that, she showed me I still have my confidence, I still have my determination, I still have my inner warrior, and most of all, I still have the capability to love.

Even then though, with all these new found discoveries, I still have a rough time at school. I guess when you make a habit of teasing someone, it just comes naturally. You can't stop, not that they wanted to anyways.

I waited patiently for all the guys in the change room to leave before I went in myself. The change room was a filthy place, you would need at least three janitors to come in and clean it, if they even came willingly.

I took my gym clothes out of my bag and swiftly went into the closest change room. If you thought the change room smelled bad, then you haven't been in the actual change part of the change room. I swear some guys just probably pee in the corner of this little box thing. Some might ask why not just change in the main area, uh huh, that's just weird, what if someone walked in. I already get called gay for changing in a close door area, I don't even want to think what they'll come up with if I changed in front of them.

And none of it has to do with my body, to be quite honest I was in shape. With slight arm muscles and a six pack, I thought I was doing pretty good, even if most of the football players has eight packs and bulging muscles.

Once I was done changing, I put my other clothes in the bag and stashed it into an empty locker. I mentally cursed myself for forgetting my lock. The last time I had forgotten to bring a lock, I had to chase a guy through the halls for my clothes with only wearing a towel. I trust you, I have never forgotten what he did to me , along with the many other pranks he made. And with all these flaws of a terrible person he can be, why the hell would he ask Iris to be his fake girlfriend for a night. I'm pretty sure he can get any other girl, but nope he just has to ruin my life. Go figures!

I shook my head, in attempt to relive my temper. I didn't always have a temper but with Iris I could calmly admit she can be frustrating. But she's still my best friend and I wouldn't have it any other way.

"What took you so long?" A voice hissed in my ear. When I didn't respond she took the obligation to drag me along to the bench where all of our other classmates were.

I sat down on the bench beside her "Just tired I guess"

I didn't want to tell her it was because I waited for everyone to leave before I went in. If she knew she would probably freak out and get angry with someone. As of the obvious, Iris and I switched the roles that we had as kids. Instead, she was now the protecter while I was the learner.

"Bullshit, with the amount of training you should of been out like a light" she accused, pointing her index finger right in my face. I watched horrified at her finger, hoping she wouldn't come any closer and poke me in the eyeball

I place my hand over hers and slowly pushed down, pushing her hand out of my face. "Well you know I can still be tired from the INTENSE workout you so kindly set up for me"

She rolled her eyes "Don't give me that crap, you're the one that asked me to train you"

I unconsciously ran my hand through my hair "I did ask you to train me, but it still doesn't change the fact that I'm tired"

She huffed out in annoyance, I couldn't exactly tell why but I think I know the reason "You're such a terrible liar Max." She held up her index finger "First, you are running your hand through your hair. You only do that when you're nervous. Second," she proceeded to add her middle finger with her index "You are changing the subject" then finally she held three fingers high up in the air "And third but last, I work with weak chumps who can never lie for their life, I can sniff out a lie from miles away."

Her speech was a little scary if I shall admit. It just made me realize that I can't hide anything from Iris. And that might put me in danger along with others.

"So why were you late for gym?" She asked again, looked around the gym noticing that many teenagers were on their phones texting away. While the jocks were too busy shooting hoops to notice our conversation. So proceeding, gym class looks like it hasn't really started yet. Oh don't forget about the teacher, Mr. Moore who still hasn't graced us with his demeaning presence.

I rubbed my hands together, in attempt to rub away the sweat. "I waited for everyone to leave so I wouldn't have to deal with them" While I told her, it felt like this big weight was just pulled of my chest. Allowing myself to breath. One thing that was for sure, it was definitely hard to keep a secret from the person who knew you the best.

Iris expression was stunned, that was a first. "You're telling me the bullying is still going on?" She gritted out.

Nervously I nodded my head "I mean it isn't as bad as it was before but yeah it's still going on" That was a lie, it was worse much worse, but telling Iris that would be like poking a lion with a fork. Anyways, she seemed to caught up in her anger and self doubt to notice my little lie.

"I'll handle it later" she muttered to herself. I was about to ask her what she would do but just in time Mr. Moore came running in through the gym doors.

"Three laps around the gym" he shouted for all to hear. The texters quickly put their phones away in their bags and the jocks stuffed the balls back in the bin, listening straight to coaches orders.

I turned to Iris about to ask her once more, however, she was already running along with everyone else. With great speed, she passed her fellow peers, not bothering once to look back.

I huffed in defeat when I saw Moore's eyes on me, demanding me to do as he says. With strings of curse, I started my first lap. After triple the amount of laps he originally gave us, he decided we play volleyball. Groans echoed the walls, bouncing off each other until they fell silent from the teacher's sharp stare.

Mr. Moore grabbed a volleyball out of the large bin and told twelve students to get on the court and start the first game. I watched as Iris rolled her eyes as Mr. Moore chose her first to be on the court. Iris is usually okay with being first pick with sports, but today something was off. And I think it has something to do with the fact that she is visiting her uncles house tonight after school.

The game began, with Iris having the first serve, which she immediately scored and got an ace. The other team scrambled to try and receive the serve but it was too deep and fast. A burning fireball of her anger and sadness. I watched in amazement as she continued to score again and again, maybe she should join the volleyball team. But knowing her, she wouldn't want to be anywhere near those peppy volleyball players at all.

"She's hot isn't she" a voice retorted beside me. It sounded like a statement but it also seemed this person was trying to get a certain reaction out of me. I turned to look at the person beside me, about to give him some cheap answer but stopped shortly once I recognized him. My expression wiped right off my face as I stared ahead at the person who bullied me the most, the one at the beginning of the year had beaten me up.

He smirked "Cat got your tongue?"

David Lively was honestly one of the biggest assholes I know of. Besides Ryder Thames of course, no one can beat him. I watched David, who was looking at me with a scary gaze, I knew he wasn't here to have nice small talk, he never was.

I ran my hand through my thick hair- Iris was right, I always do that when I'm nervous. "Can I help you David?" Sure the question might have sounded sassy and rude but coming out of me it was the total opposite. It was filled with fear and unsureness.

He nodded and pointed to Iris, who has just volleyed to the setter. "I'm wondering how much you are paying her."

I gaped at him, wondering what the hell he was talking about. Paying Iris? For what? "I'm not paying her anything" I defended, still wondering what on earth he was trying to get at.

He shook his head, a evil smirk still resting on his lips. "Of course you are" he said "No girl like her would be giving you any booty unless you were paying her" I opened my mouth, trying to explain  that there was nothing going on between Iris and I, and that she is not like that. A kind of girl, where you can buy her for anything like that. However, he still continued. "I mean if you're not paying her then I guess she's just a bigger whore than I expected. Maybe if I just slip a dollar in her back pocket she'll come meet me in the janitors closet"

I was livid. This guy who had beaten me up almost everyday along with other kids was sitting beside me telling the things he would do to Iris if he got the chance. I'd never thought this would happen, but I was shaking with pure anger. As he continued to babble and babble on the subject.

I tried to calm myself down, knowing that he was only saying these things to get a reaction out of me. But it failed, and he got exactly what he wanted.

For the first time ever, I stood up from the bench, swinging my arm back and released. Punching him right in the face. He groaned in pain, looking at me with pure shock, maybe it wasn't the reaction he had attended for.

Leaping off the bench, he glided straight towards me. Landing right on top of me with such a huge force that left me breathless. The fight continued with us punching each other until someone pulled us apart. For some reason, I'd hoped it would be Iris even though I knew if she got into one more fight she would be suspended.

Mr. Moore was the one that pulled us apart, he looked down at us angry. The fact alone that we had ruined his gym class left him screaming in frustration. "Office now!" He shouted, causing me to flinch. I wanted to first protest saying that it was David's fault but with the look Iris was giving me I knew it would make no difference. With my eyes facing the ground, I followed David to office where my punishment would be decided.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N

Omgggggg 1k! Thank you so much!

Question: If you could have any super power what would it be?