The next day, Shaze walked into the buzzing classroom and more people were talking about another missing student. He walked over and asked one of the groups about the news when Alpha took him by the hand and dragged him over to her seat.

"So we figured out who was missing." His eyes lit up with concern.

"Some nobodies named Mace and Jelica," Brock answered.

He looked closer at the two pictures. "Oh wait, I know them. Mace Gurth and Jelica Beers"

"From where?"

He scratched his chin before it came to him. "The science club. They were the first people to invite me there." He reminsciented on the first day clubs were being announced, and they offered him a chance to join. He remembered telling them he wasn't planning on joining any clubs but if he changed his mind, he would join. And in his secondary year of high school, now would probably be a good chance to join. Then again Regina quit, but he wondered why.

"In hindsight, maybe I should've joined."

"Why, so you could waste time on that useless junk? Like it'll get us far."

"Hey, hey, we all have our strengths and weaknesses."

Alpha butt in. "So two people from the science club have gone missing. Your friend said she quit the club, did she not? All around the same time as these disappearances started happening."

"It is an odd circumstance, and even though I'm not the one responsible, I do see a connection."

Confused, since the voice didn't come from the three of them, they looked next to each other, where Regina was right between him and Alpha.

"What the?" Shaze was the only one of them not to take a step back.

"Hi Shaze," responding in an upbeat tone before immediately shifting back to her serious persona. "And it's Brock, and um," looking at Alpha and thinking hard. "Beta, right?"

"It's Alpha," the titular girl gritted. "Spying on us so you could get rid of us when we least expect it?"

"No, I didn't know they were science club members. Besides," feeling up all four of their muscles, "I'm clearly the weakest of the four of us here."

"If you aren't, somehow, be careful not to die. Even virgins can be killed."

"Then I'll be fine, if such an arbitrary rule ever actually existed. Wait, you're a virgin?"

"Well, yeah, of course I am. What are you implying?"

"Oh nothing, it wouldn't matter." Then she stared down Shaze before Alpha could yell. "Are you?"

"Yes." Then the other four pairs of eyes were on him. "I am, seriously. Besides, I've never been interested in anyone ro-"

One day, I wouldn't mind if you became my boyfriend.

That memory from years past quickly hit him before he could finish. "Well in a long while anyways. It's not like anyone would ever wanna do that with me anyways."

Alpha, Regina, and Brock then asked if he would if he could.

"I mean, I'm not that interested, but if I did fall for someone and they wanted us to do it, I'd be open."

Regina sighed. "That's a re- well it's good to know." Well at least you two have a strong meat shield to protect you," tapping Brock on the back.

"The heck?"

"You'll put your aggressive behavior and performance anxiety to good use in protecting Shaze right? And Beta," prompting Alpha to correct. "And Alpha," coughing, "I suppose. I'll leave it up to you then."

"Wait," Alpha asked. "They're your friends. You're not going to help find them?"

To his concern, her head lingered and looked away. "Of course I'm concerned, but they wouldn't be happy to see me."

Shaze was legitimately concerned. He had a good feeling she was not responsible, but she wasn't telling them something.

"Hey," reaching out to her hand. "I know it's not you, but I'm just curious about the club now. Whatever happened, you don't have to talk about it, but you're allowed to be worried about anyone, former or current friends."

Regina slowly directed her body at him. "Even you?" He waited for her to look up, and when she did, he nodded.

"I'm here for you, tiger." Brock and Alpha seemed curious, and he subtly pinched them to make sure they would go easy.

"I remember I didn't want to join any clubs when we first started, but then I saw someone who suffers from a lack of interest who wanted to sign up. I hesitated, but thought if they could do it, so could I. But then they didn't join, and I couldn't get any classes with them, so I had the science club to join up, and it was pretty fun for the most part. Up until a certain point."

"So why'd you quit if you liked it so much?" Alpha asked with a harsh tone.

"Certain people joined, certain people left, and then I started feeling there was....tension between us. Jelica was my only friend for a while. Soon the club started becoming less about helping each other out and doing cool things with one another, and then one-upping each other. So I lost the only friend I had, at least," sliding off of Shaze's hand, "the only one that I saw around."

Shaze was mentally kicking himself. They didn't have any classes together during freshman year, and he got so used to being around Brock and Alpha. A bunch of thoughts were going through his head when Alpha asked her what else led her to quit. For now, Shaze just wanted to comfort Regina, but the latter stood firm, even as a tear silently slid off her eyes.

"Besides I have a contest I want to win, and the current state of the club is a mess. If I can get my project to win, then maybe I can..."

"Your project is going to be a joke."

They were interrupted by two teenagers around their age, two light skinned kids, one in black wavy hair and dark blue clothing, with a smug grin on his face. Then, the other one had on glasses, gelled up mossy hair wearing a stylized lab coat with an ironed blazer underneath. Regina sucked her teeth.

"Bel Myers, Mathias Ira. I see you are unable to determine when your voice should not interfere in other's affairs."

Bel spoke on her behalf. "If your wit was as good as your accomplishments and progress, maybe your experiments would actually result in success." Shaze could tell they had bad blood but wanted to know more.

"You're from the science club as well, aren't you? Did you push Regina to leave?"

To his confusion, Bel pointed at himself. "Oh you're talking to me. No, science is all about results, achievements, and the pride in your accomplishments. She left because she lacked all three qualities and blamed everyone but herself."

Regina roared. "I'll take pride when it becomes a success. It's not my fault you turned the science club into Gatekeeping for High GPA Students. And my experiment is going to work. I just," sighing, "I'm getting closer and closer."

"You won't be able to take pride in something that doesn't exist." He snapped his fingers and Mathias crossed their path, Shaze realizing he was heading over to the desk Regina usually sat at while Bel focused back on them. "Judging by your recent interactions with your," scoffing, "friends, I can see you're making such progress. You do know the due date is Friday right? With such a ridiculous concept, I'm surprised you haven't given up yet." Then Bel passed by Brock and Alpha till Shaze could see Bel violated their body space being that close up to their face. "Your lack of talent in science is showing."

Shaze found his hand being held tightly by Regina, who inched closer to his face. He wanted to tell her to just let it go, but she was willing to clap back, and he knew why.

"Don't ever get it twisted. This attitude is why I left. Two of your own members are missing, who still stuck with the club despite you even making the upperclassmen fed up with you, and instead of checking up on them-"

"I don't want to be targeted next. You think you're the only person competing for their project too?"

"More like leaching off any idea you find, taking it for yourself, and presenting them as your own. Stop acting like you're better than everyone else."

"Then why not tell everyone what you're working on then?"

Regina swung her face away. "It's a bit, complicated then." Shaze got the sense she wanted to keep it a secret, and judging by his behavior, Regina was telling the truth. He was about to tell Bel to back off but Regina suddenly yelled over at her desk, where Mathias was above her work, seeming like he was about to smash it. He gestured to Brock to do something, but his more muscular friend just watched the situation upfront. Alpha looked like she didn't want to interfere. No one was going to do anything. Just like he never did.

I've made her cry long enough.

Mathias shrugged at Regina. "If something's failed, no matter how hard you try, might as well throw it out the trash!"

Regina yelled, "don't you dare touch my work!"

Then, Shaze felt a trigger in his brain. Without a second's notice, Shaze grabbed one of Alpha's pom-poms and chucked it at Mathias, dead straight in the face much to the rest of the classmates' shock. Then as Mathias dropped it off and resumed trying to slam down on Regina's work, Shaze caught his hand, his palm shaped like a dragon's mouth as it bit down on Mathias' momentum, and clamped his wrists from continuing.

"She asked you not to touch it. So please leave it alone."

"Why, you wanna start a fight? This doesn't concern you."

"Actually, it does."

"Why, you think you're better than me just cuz you lift with your bros?"

Shaze admittedly knew he wasn't the strongest, but would've normally laughed at this situation. This time, he did not and tightened his grip.

"Okay, sure, exactly what are you better than me at?"

Mathias only giggled, pointing at each other's hand. "My grades are much higher than yours. Given your background, I bet your parents are immensely disappointed in you. If you're that insecure that you wish to fight me physically over someone else's inferior work, maybe you need to focus your academic insecurities in a different matter."

Shaze thought about it for a second before delivering his rebuttal. "If you have to compare yourself to me of all people, maybe you're the one with the insecurities. I'm just a carefree idiot. What's your excuse?"

He could hear everyone else gasping, mostly impressed, as Mathias seemed affected, judging by his adversary's scowl.. Even he was wondering how he wasn't getting punched in the face yet. This was arguably his first fight since elementary school.

"Do you even know what you want to do with your life yet?"

"No, I might not have a dream, but at least I can protect and support the one my friends have, even if it doesn't work out. But if you ever try to disrupt her, my, anyone else's dreams and efforts to reach what they want, well," chuckling. "They called me a dragon when I was younger for a reason," cracking his neck, partly hoping the illusion of bravado would get Mathias to back down, but was dead set on not letting him hurt Regina's work, his voice much more serious with every word. "Care to find out why?"

Mathias wiggled his hand away, backed off and headed behind Bel, and Shaze followed to make sure he wouldn't try anything, preparing just in case Mathias would try something. Thankfully it seemed Bel was going to leave, when he went up in Regina's face one more time.

"Our clubmates absence is notable but you're still just as obnoxious and pathetic as you were when you were formerly a member. And even if they get found, no one would want you back in." Shaze jumped in and flicked Bel's hand away as the latter was getting ready to physically taunt her, protecting her from behind with one arm, his head right top of her head, and shielding her from Bel with the other. Regina held on tightly.

"Leave her alone."

"Or what?" Then Bel stuck his finger right at his forehead and his head slightly stuck from the flicking. He could take the hit. Then as he tried to shake it off, Regina stretched over his head and bit Bel's finger. The arrogant upperclassmen growled in pain, about to punch them when he heard Regina mouth cock like a cannon, watching her spit at Bel and landing straight in the prick's eye. Mathias went over to help his peer as Bel covered his eyes in pain, and the other eye was filled with rage.

"Go to hell, you dirty camel!"

Regina fired back. "I'm not a camel, I'm a tiger. Back off or you'll get the claws." She was pretty cute and vicious at the same time.

Mathias and Bel seemed like they were going to stay, the latter wiping himself off, when Brock finally got up and put himself in front of his friend and Regina.

"You came into our classroom, bothered my friend, and picked a fight for no reason. Get out."

Shaze wondered what the next move the two would take. Brock could probably take them both on but would need some help. Then Bel had looked around the room, and Shaze did the same, seeing all the attention on the six of them.

"If whoever is behind the kidnappings is conveniently targeting members of the science club, we'll have our backs covered. They won't get much if they get you, Query."

They walked out the room and the tension in the room lifted with their exit. Shaze's eyes glanced down, and Regina was still holding onto him fiercely, almost like she was snuggling with him. "You alright?"

She nodded. "I am now. Thanks, dragon boy," though teasy, her earnest face and genuine smile said it all, as he tightened her grip. It was a little awkward but as long as she escaped from that situation, he didn't mind helping out. He almost felt like her boyfriend, and the flame in his heart fostered more than the warmth of her touch. Yet for some reason, he never released that flame, and at that point, he wondered why.

Then, Alpha coughed, "ahem, are you done?" Shaze and Regina looked at each other, then the whole class, and slowly removed their arms from one another. Except Alpha's face seemed more annoyed than focused. Regina turned to her with a smile, upsetting Alpha even further and Brock was also confused. The latter asked the cheerleader if she needed a hug too. Alpha responded yes, but as Brock did so, she replied that she didn't want one from him.

"Besides, I'm not the one they were trying to hurt."

Shaze withered in his thoughts, relieved it was over but upset.

"Would've been nice for you both to help me out earlier," he casually exclaimed, though unintentionally. Unlike before, Brock and Alpha immediately apologized.

"Sorry, we're used to insults, we thought they were just gonna talk shit and leave," Alpha noted as she scrubbed his head. "That was really cute, I mean bold, yeah, bold of you."

Shaze blushed. "Oh it was nothing. Hoping those guys don't come back around."

Alpha sucked her teeth. "Agreed. Arrogance is so not attractive."

Regina also did the same. "Their intelligence is only outmatched by their insensitivity."

Both sucked her teeth. "People like that are the worst." Shaze then snickered when the two girls looked towards each other once they realized they were in sync before turning back from one another with a hefty hmph. They got along great.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing. Nothing at all." He cleared up his thoughts, and wanted to address what he felt about Regina straight up. He just wanted to keep her safe, and took that step forward.

"You wanna come sit with us today at lunch?"

Regina's head lit up. "Wait, really?" He nodded. "Well, I-"

"Shaze, I don't think that's a good idea," Alpha butted in. Brock did the same.

"We're eating with the teams, and they're not exactly, you know, open with others."

He didn't hear about this before. "The heck, why not? They bring their friends over there all the time. They let me sit with them, I can't bring a plus one?" Shaze was legitimately pissed and was waiting for them to give him an answer, but Regina just shook her head.

"It's fine, I'll just head to my locker, then grab and go, there's a new dirt sample I need to collect anyways. I don't wanna cause much trouble for you anyways."

"But," but Regina walked back to her equipment and started packing before he could finish. He wanted to go after her, but chose to respect her wishes. However, Alpha and Brock struck a nerve with him, and he didn't talk with them for the rest of the periods up until lunch, where he reluctantly joined them in the lunchroom after grabbing some from the line.

The three of them sat down, and his calm persona, riddled with tranquil form of fury as his eyes darted to the others joining. The cheerleading side quickly huddled on his and Alpha's side while the football team joined on Brock's side. Although he felt like an outsider, he, Alpha, and Brock would usually talk together and occasionally comment about whatever was going on, talking about the team, working on assignments and helping Brock, or just complaining about life. Every now and then a random member of either team would talk to him, but that was once in a blue moon. Then something struck him, he never gave them a reason to not interact with him, and Brock and Alpha were always on the end of the table, never in the middle or in the center of attention.

They were on a team, they both had key roles, but they felt like they were outcasts in their own group. Maybe that's why they hung out with me. Is that the only reason I'm not alone? Like Regina. Ugh, I'm the worst friend ever, how the hell did I not notice it. Alpha and Brock's eyes were still waiting on him, until he sighed, struggling to get the words out to explain his epiphany.

Then Shaze caught Regina grabbing her lunch, tossing it all into a bowl, and headed out, but as he looked around, he saw Bel and Mathias talking with a bunch of guys. About a minute later, the guys left in the same direction. He put two and two together and knew he had to do something.

"Brock, could you come with me?" Unfortunately the muscle of the trio was preoccupied facing heckles from the other team members, hearing them tease him about how he lost some fight and questioning his skills.

He got up and followed suit, as Alpha called out to him. "You need me?" Shaze saw her teammates pull her back to them. "It's fine. Hang out with your friends. I'll be right back."

He ran in pursuit, not sure if that came out as too harsh towards Alpha, but he could question their friendship later.

When he headed out, he spotted his childhood friend picking up a dirty sample, only to get up, surrounded by the same guys in the lunchroom, their fists too eager for a pounding. She put up a fierce face but he knew the guys at the school weren't willing to show restraint.

Tired of seeing Regina being bullied again and again, Shaze rushed in front of her would-be attackers even though he knew the odds were stacked against him.

"The hell do you want, this the chick you're simping for?"

He tried to play it cool, maintaining his calm nature on the surface while thinking of a solution.

"I don't have squirrels in my pants, but I'm pretty sure you have nuts for brains. Don't you guys have anything better to do with your life? Lemme guess, your names are, Butch, Mitch, Chad, Topher. Cute girls aren't going to hang out with you if you treat them like crap ya know", waving his finger at them and taunting them ever so slightly.

The one he guessed was Mitch spoke up for the group. "We just wanted to show her what it's like having a bunch of guys all up in one body."

"Just watch Ben 10. You guys aren't scary. Just a bunch of vultures who can't prey on a meal on their own." That sounded off." Okay, not a meal, she's a person, but you catch my drift."

One cracked his knuckles. "Keep talking and we'll break you like the balls you think you have."

This time Shaze wasn't quite sure what to do. They didn't look like they were backing down. Then something clicked in him. Brock's hesitation and Regina confirming his personal anxiety got his brain rushing as he remembered the one thing that separated the boys from the men.

"Well if you guys wanna see balls so badly." He unzips his pants, and slowly takes it down.

"Whoa-whoa whoa, hold on, the hell are you doing?"

"I'm just giving you guys what you want. You like balls? Let's compare." He was laughing on the inside but knew it was making them uncomfortable. Once his pants dropped to the floor, he noticed they were starting to back off, but still had their distance. So he slowly slipped off his underwear, hoping with every breath that they would leave. Once he made sure he saw a spot of skin, they quickly run away, shouting homophobic slurs.

"Phew, that was easy." He quickly slides it back on, hopping back around to Regina while grabbing his pants. "Reg, you alright?"

The lower part of her face was brick-red. He apologized.

"Oh yeah, I am so sorry you had to see that."

"You're fine, you don't have to pull it up, um, pull up to help me. Wait no-no-no," constantly shifting her eyes up and down before running up to him for a hug.

"I mean thanks, you really are my dragon knight."

He took in strides.

She deserves the world. I still need to pull up my pants though.

"Oh wait, let me help you with that." She crouched down and grabbed it, raising it up, pausing for a bit before going on all the way.

"You're fine, you're fine."

"No, I mean it. You've got a big everything. Big heart, big brain, big..di, ahem," fumbling before smacking herself in the cheeks and adding, "you're a big, good, smart dragon."

He waved his hands. "I'm not, I just wanted to think smart, like you do."

She sighed. "You are smart, dummy."

He bobbed his head. "Isn't that an oxymoron?"

"Uh, whatever, just take a compliment you dumb dragon." The two had a quick laugh at his expense. But he had a question.

"What were you doing out here anyways? Sample collecting?"

"I wanted to try out more plant subjects for research. The garden here is surprisingly pretty, right?" He looked around at the garden, with some beautiful colors.

"Yeah." He instinctively picked up a daffodil amongst the grown ones, blowing off the dirt and resting it in between her wavy blond hair. "It looks good on you."

Her cheekbones brightened up.

"Shaze, I ,umm, thanks. The way her hands covered her cheeks was shaped like the same smile she had on her face. "I better go back to working on it."

"Don't be too hard on yourself. I know you can win this competition."

"Mhmm. Next time you see me, I'll be done for sure!"

"Bet. I'll be proud of you either way."

Regina gave him a quick hug, ran off, and turned back, giving the double peace sign before heading back inside the school.

I really hope she's not the killer.

Still, at the very least, he wanted to keep her company, so whether she succeeded or not, she could lean on him for support. He headed back inside, thinking she would be back into the same science room.

Before he could look inside the mirror he ended up facing a face he did not expect to see.

"Jelica?" She was panting hard with her light blue hair and glasses shaking but her face looked much worse for wear, and he saw scars and handcuffs around her.

"Shaze? Run and get a teacher!"

"What?" Then he saw why. A masked individual whose mask had a question mark on it, and a red and black executioner-esque costume and rope was charging at the two of them. Shaze frightened up, not sure what to do, and was trying to figure out what to do. Still, he had to do something. He took a step forward and ran in front of Jelica and physically confronted the masked chaser. They punched him hard in the gut and pushed him into the ground. As he fell and slowly got up, the masked attacker was lifting Jelica up by her waist and covering her mouth while exhausting a gas and her screams for help slowly lowered with every attempt. As he got up, the masked person had Jelica up on one hand and approached him with a scalpel.

Am I going to die here, now?

Then Shaze's ears heard a quick gust of wind blow in their direction and the attack painfully grunted after a dodgeball struck them in the head, who loosened his grip. That could only mean one thing.

"Lem, the hell are you doing? One of your peers is getting attacked and you're not doing a damn thing!"

"Coach Daymond? What are you, right, you've been seeing if you could find the missing students."

"Do something or get out of the way." Shaze snapped out of it as the masked person swung their scalpel at him. He backstepped several times, not sure how to fight without getting himself stabbed. The coach quickly dashed towards the three of them and was ready to bash their head in when the masked person grabbed Shaze's hand, pinned it to the locker, and he gulped as he was going to stab him. Shaze closed his eyes in fear.

When he opened them, he only heard Coach Daymond gritting his teeth and the scalpel was in his arm. The coach took the hit for him. Then Daymond backhanded the masked person back a few feet away. However, the masked person dropped a small canister that unveiled a sinister snake green gas. Daymond was going to run after them but Shaze could see his hand was causing him enough pain, and pushed him back so the gas wouldn't hit them. And as that was the entrance to the school, he realized they cut off their only means to follow him until the gas dispersed. He ran to the entrance and opened up the school doors, helping Coach Daymond move as they ran out the school and let the gas disperse with the wind. When they went back inside, both the masked attacker and Jelica were gone, and he had more questions and pressing matters to attend to: getting his Coach some help, lifting his arm up around his head and walking alongside him.

"Shaze, what's the matter with you lately?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"Usually you've just been calm, quiet, and act like nothing's wrong. You're far from the best student, but you don't usually seem stressed. This whole missing student got you on edge, huh."

"It's a bit more complicated than that," scratching his head.

"Well tell me if you have a problem, I'm your teacher too damnit! Ouch!"

"Take it easy coach, I'll get you to the nurse's office soon. But, you may be onto something." Might as well tell him. "I'm just worried now, about everything."

"Spit it out, I'm listening."

Shaze let out a hard breath. Don't bottle it up. "I found out I was basically ignoring someone close to me for a long time and," balling his fists, "she's been suffering so much that I haven't even noticed". "My other friends have been stressed from their clubs, and one almost took out on me, and it feels like they've just been using me to get out their frustration. Now, it just feels so damn one sided." He was getting more angry by the second. "I wasn't strong enough to help someone who needed me. And now I just feel stupid for not noticing. I just, I just don't know what to do at times," hanging his head down. "And I'm the only one who hasn't figure out their next step in life yet. There's so much I need to do, and I don't know how."

Then, silence. Shaze knew it was pointless. He'd just keep quiet and listen, because in the end, he couldn't do anything for himself, or get anyone to listen.

"Lem. Shaze. You're trying too hard to be a people pleaser, aren't you?"

"Huh?"

"Don't deny it. I've seen you in classes. You never stand up to be a leader or anything, but you listen to everyone else and do your part. Is that right?"

Well, that was one way of putting it.

"I just, I don't like causing problems when I don't have to. Or if there isn't a problem. If I can avoid problems, I won't have any. Is-is that a bad thing?"

"Do you expect to run away from all your problems you have to face in life?"

Shaze couldn't answer. He thought the answer was yes, but lately he wasn't sure. "What if I'm not good enough to try."

Coach sighed. "Look, as one generation ends, they watch over the next generation who are going to be the next problem solvers. Sounds to me you're dealing with three things. Someone you care about is fighting their problems but they're doing it alone. The others you care about aren't trusting themselves to do the same with their problems and you feel like they're using you. And you're in the middle trying to figure out your own problems, if you're good enough to help them, and if they're willing to come to you."

"It's a lot to take into. You said it better than I can."

"Exactly. Don't get me confused though. You have a good temperament for your age. You might not be the strongest, flexible, or the smartest, but understanding each other is something I've seen you try to do. In this age, it's an asset. But you know what you also need?"

"Balance?"

"No, assertiveness! Well actually, that works too. Not to assume but it's kinda like Yin and Yang. Logic and Emotion. Order and Chaos. You know that much right?"

He nodded. "I'm just not sure which one I'm lacking."

"Well from what I've seen, we need two things, resolve and the passion to do what you want. There's nothing wrong with your philosophy, Shaze. However, there are some problems you won't be able to just avoid. It's like life and death. They're both inevitable, but it's how you'll approach them that will make your journey through both meaningful."

Shaze wiggled his fingers questioning if he had the strength to do so. "And if I don't solve those problems?"

"Look, not all problems have a solution, but if you're brave enough to prevent conflicts, you might be able to solve them too. Don't be afraid to take that next step forward, especially with your friends, to strengthen those bonds. You don't have to name names, but your friends are coming to you for a reason. If you want them to listen, don't keep it bottled inside. That's what it's like, and what you're doing. And you don't need that kind of stress. Bottles are meant for drinking. If you don't open them, what's the point of buying one?"

Not the best analogy I've heard but it kinda makes sense.

Coach continued. "I didn't know what I wanted to do in life either. But think about the people that mean a lot to you and think about what you can do for them. That should give you an idea. For now, talk to your friends, and family. The most important thing we need is communication, trust, and honesty. Why do you think I work you all so hard in gym class?"

"To torture us for fun so that when we go the college, the pain will keep us fit for a few more years?"

Coach laughed at his joke. "Because it also relies on balance. A sound body works best with a sound mind. Don't be afraid to use them both, alright?"

Shaze thought about it. "So just open up more."

"And put in more effort. You got something to say, say it! I wanna see your full potential, heck, all your potential before you graduate. Got it?" He nodded. "And don't forget, us teachers are here for you too damnit."

"I'll do my best then." They were getting closer to the office at the end of the hall.

"That's all you can do."

"By the way Coach, could I ask two questions?"

"Go for it."

"Why do you think that masked person might be kidnapping random students?"

"Dunno. Some people just enjoy hurting others because they didn't open up their own bottles, so they think smacking other people with theirs makes them feel better. Seriously, what's wrong with some of you students? Can't you all get along without doing this to one another. If I find out who's responsible, I'll make them sweat until they drop."

"Yeah, couldn't agree with you more there."

"What's the second?"

"Well, what if you, I dunno, what if you felt unsure about someone you still cared about, but weren't sure about how much they reciprocated. Would you still tell them how you felt?"

"Of course, that's a problem you'll have a lot with many types of people out there in the world. If they're that close with you, they'll listen to you." Then they reached in front of the entrance.

"I'll take over from here. Look, be careful, I don't want any more kids getting hurt by that masked weirdo. Stay safe, chill with your friends, and keep taking steps forward. You'll be okay."

I hope so. Shaze helped him inside regardless. He talked to the school nurse, and then the principal about what happened. By the time Shaze was done, it was time for the ending advisory, he explained what happened. But he noticed something off. He wanted to get everything off his chest and figured out who kidnapped Mace and Jelica, and tell Alpha, Brock, and especially Regina what he was going through. Then he gasped.

"Wait, where's Regina?"

"Oh," their advisory teacher answered. "She didn't show up. In fact, her teachers said she didn't attend any classes after lunch. Have you heard anything?"

Shaze's brain dropped as he caught onto what happened. The masked person kidnapped Regina as well.