one day i took him by the arm.

"hello." he said, clear surprise in his voice but still smiling. and the hurt in his eyes. so many emotions on one person.

"hello." i replied, smiling slightly too. i have to admit, it made me a bit sad to see all that violence in his eyes. all the rage. all the sadness.

"can i help you?" he asked, still smiling but now his voice had gone from confusion to caution. the will in that boy.

"you're the class president of 3-C, aren't you? please come with me."

and i tugged his arm and he followed like a dog on a leash. so sad. so very sad. i was expecting a little bit of resistance, but i got it eventually.

"i'm sorry, but where are you taking me?" he said when we were in the courtyard. the school was built like a fortress, a cube without a floor or a ceiling. the courtyard was the only green for miles around. not that anyone cared.

i turned then and smiled at him. i really did. and i looked at him. right in the eyes and i smiled.

and i walked away, knowing he was watching my every step.