We had dodgeball for our physical education. I was never a fan of exercise and sports therefore I never saw the joy in it. Moreover, no one wanted to hit me even when I was the last one standing. Edward was hesitating as well as the others so Samael had to take the initiative to get me out.

Thank the Lord. That was getting awkward.

"Asshole! Why did you hit him?" Edward growled, grabbing Samael's shirt. He couldn't raise the guy because of his body-weight. Samael didn't exactly have the bodybuild of a high schooler.

"Campbell, what did the principal tell you about swearing?!" Our physical education teacher shouted. She was a big woman with the figure of a professional wrestler.

"You are cowering little pussies! This is a game and you all need to stop treating that piece of ass like it's being washed everyday in the holy waters of heaven!" Samael snapped. He didn't have to put it that way; however, I do agree with him. I do not like being placed on a high pedestal to be worshiped. I was just a human.

Edward was about to punch the unfazed Samael but I had to stop him before they caused a disastrous mess.

"No, Edward!" I shouted.

His fist stopped just a mere centimeter against Samael's face. "He--he's right," I stated.

The students broke into a sea of whispers. No doubt that word will spread. One problem in this school was gossiping. Rumors will spread and words will be added to that rumor until it becomes something far from the original story.

Edward released Samael. His gaze softened as he approached me. "What are you saying, Keetan? Are you seriously siding with this guy?"

I swallowed my fear, almost frowning when Samael grinned. I did not want to side with the enemy but I must be humble for the Lord.

"I don't like being treated like I am superior to all of you. I am just a human," I explained to them.

"But you might be Jesus for all we know!" one of the students shouted.

I swayed my head, disappointed from what I heard. I will never be as near as Jesus. He was a man of perfection. He never sinned. "Except, I sin as well," I retorted calmly.

"But you're our faith healer. You can't expect us to treat you normally when you have that power," Edward reasoned out.

I never felt so abnormal in my life. Was I that of a freak?

"Smooth man, smooth," Samael snickered.

"Alright, that's enough talk about magic, class dismissed!"

First I was Jesus and now I was a magician. Can't I feel normal for once? I scowled. Samael was trying to control his snickers.

Some of the students, including me, decided to take a shower to wash the sweat off while others decided to smell like a dead piranha. Honestly, one must take care of their hygiene.

I stripped off my clothes, wrapping a towel around my waist. I tried my hardest not to gape at the developing muscles of my fellow classmates as I walked to the shower stall.

There wasn't any curtain to cover ourselves since our principal said that privacy wasn't needed for straight and tough males of his school; but, I wish we had some because I was still uneasy about showing my nude body.

I started to rub soap all over my body, liking the lather. The shower felt nice to my heated emotions for today. I will be an anger-free teenager after this. I took my time, not minding if I was the only one left alone. Still, I can't help the feeling that I was being watched. I looked behind me, popping out of the stall to see if anyone was left. I shrugged and resumed before Samael howled like an escapee from the mental asylum.

"Ladies and gentlemen, someone is being a perv and his name is Edward! Let's give this 'straight' man a clap!"

"Wha–what?" I stuttered. "Edward?"

"Do--don't believe that piece of shit! I'm taking a shower!" Edward defended. The bathroom was huge with three rows so I couldn't determine where Samael or Edward was.

"As you jack off to the image of Keetan's heart-shaped ass, am I right?" Samael teased. I immediately grabbed my towel, drying myself off and dashing to the changing room.

Oh my Lord, should I believe Samael? I still remember the magazine he had given me and I had to rip them apart and dispose of them.

"Keetan and Edward sitting on a tree-"

"Shut the fuck up! Where the fuck are you, huh? I'm going to kill you!"

"Believe me, many tried but they failed!"

I speedily wore my casual clothes of jeans, a white hoodie and my black rubber shoes. Edward came out dripping wet with a mere towel covering his bottom-half.

"Look, Keetan, Samael is lying okay? I wasn't peeking!" He defended himself although he looked like a deer caught in the headlights. He wasn't a good liar.

"Are you telling the truth Edward? The Lord is watching you and he can hear your words!"

Edward raked his fingers through his wet hair, licking his lips nervously. He turned to his side, groaning with his head facing up. "I--I peeked in your stall to see if you were almost done. I wasn't peeping or admiring your nice ass!"

Samael came up behind Edward. He was fully dressed with a red shirt and ragged jeans. "I better leave you ladies. I have to meet up with some people."

"I bet that's one of your faggot friends!" Edward snapped.

Samael snorted. "Believe me they don't want a piece of your faggot ass either."

How can they argue like this every time they meet?

I left the two bickering boys and went home. I was never this relieved seeing Derek. Ever since Samael arrived, I was more exhausted. The environment in the school was haywire. Samael wasn't afraid to clash against anyone.

"Is mom home?" I asked Derek. I felt the urge to tell my mom and warn her about dad.

"Oh no, she's with her friends," he replied. I guess this wasn't the time for me to tell her. But can I even tell her? I think not. I know she won't believe me anyway. Aside from being in love with money, she was head-over-the-heels with my dad.

"Is something wrong Keetan?"

I leaned my elbow against the window frame and sighed. "Nothing Sir."

The car stopped in my confusion and I turned to Derek. His fatherly gaze was directed to me and the only thing I wanted in the world at that moment was to melt down and whine about my life.

"Look son, I don't understand what you're going through but I want you to know that if you have any problem...any problem at all, you can come to me and I'll listen to you. I know that your parents aren't there for you most of the time so you can treat me as your own father."

I attempted to stop my eyes and nose from excreting the products of my crestfallen emotions. Just from the feeling of being with a man oozing with such paternal warmth and care made me break down my walls and sob. Derek gathered me in his muscular arms, patting my back gently. I was fragile despite praying day and night to him. I should be tougher even with my family like this. I cried softly. I mustn't act so weak in front of people. I must look strong but it felt lonely when I could only rely on myself most of the time.

"Is there someone in school bothering you?" he asked me and I shook my head.

"Did you get dumped by a girl you like?" I winced, shaking my head again.

I enjoyed placing my face against his hard chest. It was very warm and comforting. It was something I couldn't experience from my dad since...he wouldn't even hug me for he was disgusted of embracing another boy or man.

I remembered when my mom was gone and I was left with my dad in our old and shabby house. I was four years old at that time and people have not yet discovered my power. There was a storm creating the loud and frightening sound of lightning, awakening me from my sleep. I went to my parents' room and found my dad snoring. When there was a storm, my mom would usually go to my room and comfort me, something she stopped doing when they started making money from my ability. When I hugged my dad to feel the sense of protection, he woke up, flipped me on my stomach and started slapping my buttocks.

"Get off of me! Are you a faggot boy? Grow some backbone!" His eyes were so scary even in the dark. His hate was intensified from the sound of lightning.

A loud sob escaped from me. I shouldn't let that memory affect me.That was years ago. Derek ruffled my hair. I finally confessed what was troubling me.

"I think...my dad is cheating on my mom. I..I heard a woman's voice in their room when I got home the other day and mom wasn't home right?"

Derek was silent for a while. I listened to his breathing. "Maybe you should talk about this with your dad."

I nodded. "I plan to. I don't want to tell mom since she won't believe me anyway and if by some miracle she does, I'm afraid that she'll divorce dad." I pulled away from Derek's securing arms and cleaned my face with the tissue from the car compartment. "Thank you sir." I was feeling a little bit better. He patted me on the head, proceeding to drive.

"If you have talked to your dad about it, tell me how it goes. You can stay in our house if you feel like being away from your parents. I'm sure my son and wife wouldn't mind."

I gave him a smile. If my conversation with my dad didn't go well, living with people who I think will care for me didn't sound so bad. I could stay just until I feel better.

"I'll like that sir. Thank you for your offer."

Derek got me home safely. I was greeted by the maids. The aura of the house seemed odd.

"Where's dad?"

"Oh, Sir Keetan, he's upstairs, sleeping. He told us to not let anyone disturb him because he was feeling unwell," one maid replied. She refused to make eye contact with me. I puffed out my cheeks in annoyance, climbing the stairs. I stood in front of my parents' bedroom door, gently twisting the doorknob to see if it was open.

Locked...

But I can hear a woman moaning...

If my dad was going to cheat and planned to not be found out, why didn't he go somewhere else with her mistress? He was stupid and careless.

I went to the backyard and looked up at their balcony. It wasn't pretty high so I think I can climb to see for myself.

"Sir Keetan?" A maid rushed to stop me. I placed my index finger against my lips to silence her.

"Could you kindly get me a ladder?" I asked in a hushed tone. She was petrified at first and she was a bit hesitant but when I assured her that I won't tell my dad who helped me, she scurried away to fetch what I was asking for. She helped me set up the metal ladder and held the other side while I climbed. I held the floor of the balcony through the metal bars of the railing.

Holy Virgin Mary...

"Sofia?!" I gasped.