I woke up to a heavy weight on my chest.
Groaning,I opened my eyes and saw Jason laying on top of me.I smiled at how adorable he looked.He had his lips slightly parted,his arms were around me,and had his head placed on my chest.Slowly,I pushed a bit a hair out of his face.

Reaching towards my desk,I grabbed my phone and took a picture of him.

Placing my phone down,I ran my hand through his blond hair.He smiled a bit before opening his tired eyes.

"Morning."
"Morning."I said while my hand kept caressing his hair."Wanna see something?"
"Sure."

I grabbed my phone off the desk and showed him my lock screen.

"Why?"he groaned,embarrassed.
"You looked cute."I giggled."Plus it's not fair if you have me as yours."I pointed out.
"Hey that's different,you're my fighter."
"And you're my trainer."
"Delete it."
"No."
"Alex."
"Jason."
"Jesus.."he groaned."Fine keep it."
"Thank you teddy."I said smiling.
"You have to stop calling me that."he said while placing his head back down.
"Why?You're like my big fluffy teddy bear!"
"There's times where I seriously hate you."
"Hey,you still love me."
"Of course I do."he smiled.
"Ok now get up,I need to get ready."
"It's sucks that you still have to go to school."
"Hey I'm only 17!"
"And,I'm 23 and I dropped out at 16."he shrugged.
"Dude shut up and get off."
"No,I wanna stay here and cuddle with my little sister."he got comfortable again before closing his eyes.
"Get off."
"Nope."

Sighing I placed both my hands on his chest and pushed him off.He stumbled on the side of the bed and fell off.

"Oh my god!"I laughed."sorry!"
"I'm sure you are. "he said getting up.
"I'm sorry. "I said with a straight face but ended up laughing once more.
"You're mean."he pouted.
"Come here."I said opening my arms.

He moved towards me.Standing in front of me, I hugged him. Almost immediately he hugged me back.
"I'm sorry."I said smiling.
"It's okay but you have to make it up to me."he said and I felt him smile in the crook of my neck.
"I promise."I said looking at him.
"Ok,well I have to get to work,I'll see you later"he said kissing my cheek and leaving.

Walking to my mirror I grabbed one of my baggy pants,slightly over sized shirts,and my fake braces.

Wearing clothes like this help me draw less attention.Its better to go unnoticed than having every eye on you.
I love attention but that's only in the ring.School is a different story.People now a days judge you on how you look,not by how you are as a person.

It's just the way the world is today.People showing their bodies off for money,others selling themselves to provide food,and many selling drugs just for the fun.

My mom for example,sold drugs.She thought by doing this she'll help us earn money.But,it was the other way around.My mom soon got addicted to using the drugs instead of selling them for money.Many nights me and Xavier would starve.This became a huge problem when she was never able to pay her boss back.I was forced to take a job at 14.Working at lest five-seven hours a day,I was still never able to give her the money she needed.Theres times she'd come home drunk or bring company with her.My dad had filed a divorce against her but she ended up getting everything,the house,money,cars,me.I love my dad,I still do but my mom is beyond broken.

There was a time I had cut my arm making food for me and Xavier.The cut was very deep but my mom wasn't around to do anything.The only thing I was able to do is wrap a cloth around it and hope it didn't get infected.Growing up was hard and I just wish I could've helped my mom more.I feel like if I had done something sooner,she wouldn't be the way she is now.

Shaking those thoughts,I grabbed my fake glasses and headed out the door.

While walking,I saw a few girls on the other side of the road talking.One of them pointed towards me and the girls erupted in giggles.Curiously,I listened in to what they were talking about.

"Oh my god,does she get dressed in the dark?"

Rolling my eyes,I continued to walk to school.Once I had reached there I made it towards my locker to grab my books.
Out of no where,two hands covered my eyes.I went into panic mode and grabbed the persons hand and twisted it.I heard a loud groan behind me and turned around.

"Jason?"I gasped"What the hell is wrong with you!"
"Jesus Alex,I tried surprising you and you almost break my hand."He said rubbing his hand.
"Well,I'm still jumpy from seeing those hunters last night.Cant let my guard down that easily."
"You're gonna draw attention."
"I'm trying not to."

The sound of the bell rang throughout the halls.

"Listen I have to go I'll see you later."I said hugging him.
"Wait, here."he handed me a brown bag.
"What's this."I said slightly tilting my head.
"I know you don't eat here,so I made you a sandwich."
"Jason,that's sweet you didn't have to."
"I wanted too."he said and his eyes went to the guy the passed by us.
"Did you really chose to bring me this or did you wanna stare at that guys ass all day?"
"Shut up."he said giving me a hug once more and left.

Closing my locker, I felt someone staring at me.Grabbing my bag off the floor,I made my way to class.

Once I made it,students began flooding the open seats.I prefer to sit in the back where no one can see me,but my plans changed when I saw the whole back row was taken by the so called 'popular kids'.One person in their group looked at me and laughed.

''Hey nerdy Alex,I know you smell like trash but do you always have to dress like you live in it?"A girl said.

That girl is Macey Brown.She used to be my bestfriend until highschool came and she ditched me during our freshman year.

''Why do you still wear make-up when you'll still look like a whore?''I told her and she froze.
''Youre just jealous that no guy has ever wanted you.''Another girl said.

Ahh,Kendall Waters.This girl was also one of my friends in middle school,but I soon left her when I found her making out with my ex-boyfriend.For a couple days she came to me,begging me to forgive her.But I never did.She completely broke my trust for her.As for my ex,he's the well known Hayes Rodriguez.He's the schools 'golden boy',but I've known him as the player who broke me.I was with him for 2 years.When I found him and Kendall,he told me he didn't regret a thing.That he never felt anything towards me,he only used me to get with Kendall.As to this day,they're still together.

School is a place where kids are supposed to feel safe.For me, that's never the case.Being involved with The Grand Canal can be very dangerous.Since I'm one of the many fighters that don't show their true identities,Im a very valuable prize for most.People who watch my fights place bets on the person they think will win.Usually when I go to fight people always bet on the other person because they believe I can't beat my opponent.So when I end up bating my opponent,all the money goes to Jason since he's my trainer.

''Ms.Hernandez are you gonna stand there all day or are you going to have a seat?''Mrs.Evens asked me.
''Sorry.''I mumbled sitting in the middle of the class.

As the class proceeded,the class door was suddenly opened.The principle Mrs.Stevens walked in with a tall brown haired boy following her.Mrs.Evens stopped teaching and let the principle speak.

''Class, today you will have a new student joining you.Please introduce yourself to the class.''she said as the boy looked up at all of us.
''Hey,my name is Caleb Randon.I moved all the way from Florida to here due to my parents switching jobs.''

Calebs eyes wandered around the class before they settled on mine.He sent me a small smile which I returned as he looked back at Mrs.Stevens.

''Welcome to Riverbend High Caleb,I hope you'll enjoy it here."Mrs.Stevens said and left the class.
"Welcome Caleb would you please have a seat next to Alexandrea? I'm sure she'll be happy to help you around."she said and I groaned.

I swear Mrs.Evens is secretly planning my funeral.Since when did the words 'yeah sure I'll help this new kid around the school while you continue to be the bitch you are.',come out of my mouth?

"Alexandrea please raise your hand."she said sternly.
Lifting my hand,Caleb makes his way to the seat next to me.

''Hey.''He said plainly.

I just gave him a small head nod and continued to listen to the lecture.

''Um, if it doesn't bother you that much can I please borrow your notes?''he shyly asked.

''Sure I wont mind.''I said pushing my glasses back a bit.

I moved a bit closer to him so he can see what I wrote down.Throughout the end of the lesson I offered him help if he needed it.He seems like a nice kid,but I don't want him to get mixed up in my life.

*skip to the end of third hour*

Finally,only three hours left in this hell hole!

I started walking towards my locker when Kendall and Macey stopped me.

''May I help you?''I asked lowly.

Instead of answering they dragged me to an empty classroom.Kendall held my collar while Macey came into view.She looked mad.

Suddenly, it clicked.I forgot her geometry homework..

SHIT,SHIT,SHIT

I knew I shouldn't have stayed up late and watch Vampire Diaries,but come on!Who can say no to Stephen or Damien?I know Elena couldn't...if you know what I mean *wink*

''Wheres my homework Alex?''

''I'm s-sorry I forgot it.''

''I told you to have it by today didn't I?''She asked and I slowly nodded.''Then I guess I have to show you what happens when you don't listen to me.''My eyes widen.

Now before you judge me on this,yes I'm scared.More like I'm trying not to shit my pants.I know I supposed to seem fearless towards them but..Im not.When I'm fighting its a whole diferent story.In the ring no one knows who I am,but here,Im just some scared little nerd.This isn't new for me either.If I ever end up making her mad, I pay the consequences.Every time I go through this I feel weak.Thats one reason I fight, so I don't show weakness. I'm just too scared of her that I freeze up and deal with the pain.

While I was deep in thought Macey brought back her fist and hit me in the jaw. I stumbled back a bit and held my chin.She then drove her foot into my stomach making me fall.

''Are you gonna bring it tomorrow?''She questioned while pulling my hair.

I tried speaking but Kendal pulled me up and slapped me.''Answer her!''

''I'll bring it tomorrow I swear!''

''You better, this was just a small preview of what will happen if I don't have it.''

And with that, they both left me alone on the floor.I curled up into a small ball.The pain was manageable. I get hit a lot worse when I'm fighting, this was nothing.Standing up I made my way back to my locker.Thank god everyone was in the lunch room.I don't think I'll handle anyone else hitting me.

Opening my locker, I pulled out the lunch bag Jason had made me.I then shut my locker and made my way outside and sat on one of the benches.While eating Jason had texted me saying he wont be able to pick me up. He has to deal with setting up my next fight.

''Is this seat taken?''I heard someone ask.

Turning around I saw Caleb standing next to the table under a tree where Macey's group sat.They all just looked at him before laughing.

''Honey, just cause you're new here doesn't mean you can sit with us.''Kendall snickered.

''Why don't you go find a place by the trash can? You know what they say, siblings have to stick together.'' Hayes said.

Caleb just shook his head before one of the guys stood up and bumped into him on purpose, causing him to spill him lunch on the floor. Everyone at the table erupted in laughter while Caleb just stood there with his head down.

''Watch where you're going punk.'' Ashton said.

I got angry just looking at how they treat people. Its one thing to mess with me but when messing with innocent people, I'll just leave you to imagine the rest.

Standing up, I started walking toward Caleb.I slowly placed my hand on his back as he looked at me.

''Hey, come on, they're not worth it.''I said sending him a smile with my light green braces.

He nodded before going after the tray he dropped.

''Leave it, I'll give you something.''I said stopping him.

''Aww look guys, nerdy Alex found a soulmate.'' Tyler cooed.

''Trash belongs together.'' Macey said.

''Ignore them.''

''Slut! Already going for the new kid.'' Hayes yelled.

As anger built up inside me, Caleb grabbed my arm and pulled me away.We both sat at the bench where I originally sat. I heard him sigh as I pulled the sandwich from the bag. Looking at it, I handed it to Caleb. He looked confused for a second before realizing what I was doing.

''No I cant take it from you, its yours.''

''Please I feel bad for what they did to your lunch. Take it, I insist.''I said handing it to him once more.

''What are you gonna eat?''He questioned, feeling guilty.

''I have another sandwich in here I'll be fine.''

He slowly opened the wrapper and began eating the sandwich.I on the other hand, I was too busy worrying about how im gonna get home.

Walking home after school alone is not something I prefer.Its a very dangerous area from my house to the school.Usually I wouldnt have this problem but since Jason cant come and get me, I'll have to walk home.I don't always feel safe going home, I feel like if i walk into something at the wrong time, I'm going to get jumped.I did get jumped once but that was only because my opponent got butt hurt.He ended up leaving with a broken arm and nose.I came out clean for once.

''Hey you ok?''I heard Caleb say next to me.

''I'm fine thanks, just thinking.''

''Hey, thanks for being nice to me, I really appreciate it.'' I looked at him as he smiled down at me.

''Its fine, I know what its like to be the new kid trust me.''

He was about to say something else before the bell rang, indicting lunch was over.We both got up and started walking to our next calsses.Well, I had to show Caleb where to go first.

*skip to the end of school*

I really think none of these teachers here like me.My history teacher Mr.Gomez yelled at me for sleeping in his class!I wasn't even sleeping!I just simply closed my eyes for the whole class and he got mad about it.Plus I don't get why he had to only call ME out,there were like five other kids in the class sleeping.But nooo,when I sleep it becomes a freaking crime.

I reallt don't understand why he dosen't like me.Do you think maybe it because on my first day here I walked into him and spilled his coffee all over him?Nahhhh,poor guy had it coming the minute he opened the door.

Picking up my bag from the floor, I decided I might go to the park near here and wait for Jason. I had already texted him saying I was going to wait there, it's one of the safest place I can think of where I won't draw much attention.On my way there I saw a couple of guys playing football at the other end of the grass field.I really didn't want to sit some place where I can get hit will a flying ball.But I really had no choice because there was a really nice spot under a tree.

Groaning,I finally made my way to the tree and sat down.Inhaling the fresh air I started looking through my bag for something to do. After a couple minutes of searching, I finally decided on reading the book I had, 'A Lesson Before Dying' by Ernest J. Gaines.(btw this is a really good book, I recommend it to all my fellow book lovers!)I then opened to the first pages and began reading.

''I was not there, yet I was there. No, I did not go to the trial, I did not hear the verdict, because I knew all the time what it would be. Still, I was there. I was there as much as anyone else was there. Either I sat behind my aunt and his godmother or I sat beside them. Both are large women, but his godmother is larger. She is average height, five four, five five, but weights nearly two hundred pounds. Once she and my aunt had found their places-two rows behin the table where he sat with his court-appointed attorny-his godmother became as immobile as a great stone or as one of our oak or cypress stumps. She never got up once to get water or go to the bathroom down in the basement. She just sat there staring at the boy's clean cropped head where he sat at the front table with his lawyer.''

I sighed in content. Reading was always something I enjoyed. Reading here I the park with my book is only something normal for me in my life. And I hoped nothing can change that.