Chapter 2

<Leclue Residents>

"YOU DID WHAT!!" Shouted Brian pissed off with the news his dad brought down on him.

"Think of it son, she is the best fighter in that dojo. She has at least three styles of fighting she has learned imagine how much the two of you can learn from each other."

"But still Dad out of all the people in that dojo you just had to partner me up with the only person I have issues with!" He spat back. His father stood up from his seat.

"I have made my decision Brian, question me any further about the matter and you will regret it." His father said even though he was shorter than him his words made him feel as if he was the bigger man.

Brian just walked away still feeling pissed off, banging the door to his room. His dad was about to go after him but was stopped by his wife. "Let him blow off some steam, remember he has your temper." His wife cooed.

"I know, it just feels like no matter what I do that boy doesn't respect me." He said sitting down.

He flicked his finger changing the channel on their flat screen.

"You just need to be patient with him. He will see what we do for him is beneficial." She said opening her phone.

"Hello." She answered.

"For who, oh, so he needs me for his trial? How much is he willing to pay?" I'll be down there right now then.

She said switching off her phone.

"I just got a call from work, you can order dinner since I could be out for a while." She said kissing her husband goodbye.

Natalie Leclue mother of Brian and Wife of Brendan Leclue. Currently owns her own Law firm and is also a black belt in Karate and practitioner of Judo. With blonde hair and piercing blue eyes

she is known as the most intimidating woman in Newark.

Brendan Leclue Father of Brian and husband of Natalie. The former Royal knight of Newark a position that classified him as the strongest warrior in Newark's entirety. Currently instructing Rosemary's combat team and has mastered many disciplines in martial art but is mostly known for his boxing and Jujutsu. He had ashy black hair and dark brown eyes. His body was rather bulky but he failed in maintaining his six pack as it was now reduced to a pot belly. (One of his many regrets)

______________

<Friday >

Chris Macklemore, a student who had also been scouted by Rosemary High, was a young prodigy. Although he was only 14 he ranked no.1 in all of his academics which is why he skipped a couple of grades. His physique wasn't anything worth attention as he was fairly skinny. His brown eyes were magnified by the giant circle glasses he wore, and his brown puffy hair always made it look like he had a bad case of bed head. This resulted in him falling under the radar of Rosemary high's new students.

"Good Morning class I bet you know what today is." Chris looked curiously at the teacher putting down his book.

"Freshman Orientation Day. A day where each of you will be assigned a freshmen to look after, but since we have new learners in our class they will get to co-mentor a single freshman with my chosen partner in this class." Chatter began to go around as the learners were excited about mentoring their very own freshman. Chris buried his face in his book getting anxious of the idea that he will now be forced to partner up with someone. It did make it easier for him to grow relations with his chosen partner but what if he messed up and then his partner started hating him. His mind began moving a million miles a minute as thoughts of how he should play it safe clouded his Brain.

"Mohammed, you shall be partnered up with Daphne there in the back." The teacher announced.

[Oh crap, is he picking the partners now?!] Chris thought as he wasn't given enough time to think it through. He internally panicked as his mind played out simulations of how his partnership would go with each of his classmates.

"Chris your partner is Maze." The teacher announced. Chris was snapped out of his thoughts and looked at his teacher.

Hold on isn't that. He looked to his right and his eyes met with the girl sitting next to him. She flashed him a smile and it instantly got Chris flustered up. He buried his face in his book to hide the obvious blush forming on his cheeks.

Mazekien Shmidt. The well-known Head girl of Rosemary high. She was undoubtedly the prettiest girl in the class and most probably the smartest too. She has shown off how smart she is on many occasions in the Medic club. She had beautiful black silky hair that stretched to her lower back, her skin was a fair pale color and her eyes a dark shade of grey. She was smart, pretty and independent. The personification of a perfect Head girl.

The bell rang and Chris began to pack his stuff. He caught a glimpse of someone standing in front of his desk. It was her. Chris's eyes grew wide when their eyes met. She had a soft smile on her face and stood with her hands behind her back.

"Hello Chris, I do not think we have formally introduced ourselves. I'm Mazekien but you can call me Maze."

"Uhm H-hello Maze, I-I-I'm Chris, but you can call me uhm ya just call me Chris. hehe." Chris laughed awkwardly.

"You are not used to talking to people are you? That's okay, you should sit with us during lunch so I can introduce you to the rest of my friends, kay." She said as she turned to go to her next class.

She even sounds like an angle. Chris thought as she walked out of the class.

______________

<Rosemary hall>

One of the biggest structures in Rosemary high is Rosemary hall as it was built to accommodate over 1000 people with room to spare.It had a stage used for plays and singing competitions. Behind the stage was a room where all the band equipment was and a soundproof room for practice.

The seniors sat on stage facing the rest of the school. Chris sat nervously as he knew that he was soon to be paired with Maze. The fact that she invited him to eat with not just her but her friends as well. Then on top of that there was the freshman that he had to mentor. Even though he was excited that he would be able to talk to someone his age for once he was still nervous because of the possibility that him and his freshman might never see eye to eye.

The principal of the School Mr. Vander stepped up onto the podium.

"Good morning my hatchlings. As you know today marks the annual Freshman Orientation Day where the Seniors who are the pride of our school get to mentor the newest members of our astounding phoenix family. That however isn't the only special occasion. After 43 years of success Rosemary high reached out with an open hand to adopt some new talents amongst our seniors. I would like to formally welcome these three students who came from different backgrounds into our school:

A prodigy from the south Mohammed Binyam. (Mohammed stepped forward.)

A Genius from out-of-town Chris Macklemore. (Chris nervously stepped forward.)

And lastly Blacksilver herself Nami. (Nami stepped forward with an annoyed look on her face)

The crowd clapped hands for the three students before them. They returned to their seats once the clapping subsided. Chris shook violently in his seat as he felt he nearly fainted on the spot.

His heart raced a million times a minute and his palms were getting moist from sweating.

[I hope I don't get called up again or else I might faint.] He thought.

The principal stepped down from the podium and let Maze step up to deliver her speech. Chris Marveled how confident she was speaking in front of all those people staring at her. She even slid a few jokes that got the crowd laughing. Her speech was so lighthearted and fluent Chris couldn't stop wondering how she was able to do it.

"And now to announce the mentorship pairings for this year. Can Cindy Inoue come to the stage." A girl from the front came to the stage. She had dark hair that was tied in a ponytail and light brown eyes with freckles on her cheeks. When she was approaching the center she tripped in front of Chris and by instinct Chris jumped in to stop her falling.

"Are you okay?" Chris asked while helping her up.

"It seems fate has a weird way of playing it's cards, Chris Macklemore will be working along side me to be this young girls mentor." The crowd was taken aback but clapped in approval. Chris face flustered up when he realized that she was still resting on his chest.

"Chris leave the stage with her and wait outside for the rest of the seniors." Maze said to Chris with her usual warm smile.

________________//____________//________

<Rosemary hall><Outside >

Chris stood outside awkwardly waiting for the assembly to finish. He didn't know what to say to the girl, so he just stood there looking at anything that grabbed his attention. For example, the butterfly that stood on the brick wall of the hall, the cloud that looked like a flower or the chip packet that flew in the light breeze.

"I'm sorry If I caused you any trouble. I wasn't wearing my glasses when I was walking on the stage." Cindy apologized. Chris looked at her, surprised she was the first one to speak between them.

"Oh no you didn't at all I'm sorry I held you like that for so long I might have given other people the wrong idea." Chris apologized as he didn't want her to feel guilty.

"No don't I actually liked it." Cindy whispered out the last part.

"What?" Chris asked despite knowing exactly what she said.

"Nothing, ignore me please." She said getting flustered she looked down to avoid his gaze not knowing that he was doing the same thing.

"So why did you take of your glasses?" Chris asked trying to change the subject.

"Well, I think I look less like a dork when I do that and I was trying to make a good first impression." She said twiddling her fingers. Chris couldn't help but laugh at her.

"Hey it's not funny!" She said getting a little embarrassed.

"No, I'm sorry it's just that I used to do the same when I was still in junior high just so I can fit in with my classmates." Cindy giggled at the thought.

"If you want my advise I'd say start investing on contact lenses. I have a pair at home but I've grown to like my glasses."

"Really? Why?" She asked innocently.

"After some time, I began to accept it as a part of my identity and stopped feeling insecure about it." Chris said proudly.

"I wish I could feel less insecure. I was bullied for my entire middle school career so...."Almost reflexively Chris wrapped his arms around her capturing her in a warm embrace. Her eyes grew wide at the sudden embrace as her ear rested on chest.

"I may not be the strongest guy in this school, but I'll make sure you never feel bullied ever again." Chris said with the most determined voice he has ever made.

"It looks like you two are getting along well." Maze said as she approached the two. In their little moment they hadn't noticed all the other seniors were finished with their pairings and were making their way to the cafeteria. Chris slowly pulled away from the hug and turned away from her muttering "I'm sorry." Repetitively.

____________//_____________//___________

<Rosemary Cafeteria>

Chris sat with Maze in the cafeteria waiting on the rest of her friends to join her. Chris felt bad about parting with Cindy. Unfortunately for him he was shamed by the other seniors for trying to take a Junior in their Cafeteria. He felt he embarrassed Cindy as well which made him feel worse.

"Don't worry about it Chris. How were you supposed to know that seniors and Juniors eat in different cafeteria?" Maze said trying to comfort him.

"Now she probably hates me for making her look like a fool." Chris moped.

"You're being dramatic." Maze giggled at his little exaggeration.

"Tiffany over here!" Maze waved to catch her friends attention. Chris got a good look at the girl who was approaching them. She was a dark-skinned girl with beautiful blue eyes. Her braids were black near the root but faded to a bright pink. The school's jersey was wrapped around her waist which highlighted her small waist. The most notable feature she had though was her huge chest. It was big enough to make Maze look flat in comparison.

"Hey guys." The girl named Tiffany greeted as she sat opposite Maze.

"So, Tiff, this is Chris, but by now you should already know and Chris this is my best friend, Tiffany." Tiffany extended her arm to give Chris a handshake. Her hands were so soft it got Chris by surprise.

"Tiff, do you know where Brian and Duncan are?" Maze asked.

"They said that they needed to discuss something, so they won't be eating with us." Maze said taking a bite from her burger.

"So Maze, did you invite him yet?" Asked Tiffany with her mouth partially stuffed with food.

Chris looked at Maze who looked awkwardly away.

"Maze don't tell me you forgot?" She said swallowing the food in her mouth

"I was very busy okay, so it kinda slipped my mind." Maze lied.

"Argh your hopeless without me. So Chris what do you say?" Tiffany asked shifting her focus to Chris.

"Oh, uhm what, sorry I wasn't listening?" He lied.

"There is this party that Maze is hosting at her place, wanna come?" Tiffany asked getting a bit too close for Chris's liking.

"Uhm, yea, sure, I'll have to ask my parents though and I'm not sure if they will allow me." He said trying to find an excuse of why he can't go to the party.

"Then take me a long with you. I'm sure your parents would allow you if they knew you had someone to look after you." Tiffany said flashing Chris a girly smile.

"Oh no you don't have to do that. I don't want to give my parents the wrong idea." Chris said imagining his parents reaction if he brought someone like Tiffany to his place.

"Oh sorry to go off topic here but I gotta tell you this. Tiffany here is a proud member of the school's anti-bullying committee and she is the Vice president of the student council." Maze said sounding rather proud.

"Shut up Maze, you're embarrassing me." Tiffany said looking down to hide her blush.

"That's a relief to hear. I used to get bullied a lot in all my other schools. Usually because I was so small compared to all the other guys. Hearing you have such a committee puts me at ease."

"Oh you poor little thing..." Tiffany went around to go sit next to Chris and pulled him in for a hug.

"I promise, nothing like that will ever happen as long as I'm by your side." She said squeezing the poor boy in her bust.

"Tiff, you're suffocating him!" Maze called out laughing.

Tiffany let go of Chris who had a more than satisfied smile on him.

__________________________

<Macklemore Residents>

The freshman Orientation party was to start from 16:00 and end at 19:00, but right after that party is over the seniors were to migrate to Maze's place where the real party will begin. So Chris made up a little lie that will allow him to spend more time out of the house. With the lie he told his parents he will be out of the house until before Midnight. Even though he was reluctant to go, it was his first ever Highschool party. He was never invited for any of those in his previous school. That and Tiffany did a great deal in convincing him on his way home.

He didn't have much in terms of style in his clothing as most of his attire was chosen by his parents. The best he could do was a white shirt and pair of denim jeans. He borrowed his father's spray and sprayed his entire body with it.

He fixed his curly bangs so they hung just above his eyes and lastly he removed his glasses a put on his contact lenses. Feeling rather weird without his glasses

He came down the stairs and his parents awaited him at the door. They both gasped at how handsome their son looked.

"Look at you Chris! You look so Handsome. Now listen to me boy I may be 58 years old but I'm way too young to be a grandmother." Chris's face turned beat red at the statement.

"Mom I'm too young for that okay!" Chris reprimanded.

"Kids these days grow up way too quickly. You can't blame me for feeling a tiny bit worried."

"Oh, come on now sweetie you can't cloud his thoughts with that nonsense. The boy's balls haven't dropped yet." His father's statement made him feel worse.

"Okay everybody I'm leaving. I'll be back before Midnight okay!" Chris said bolting through the door.

________________________

<Rosemary hall>

The freshman Orientation party was an amazing event where the first-year junior high students bonded with the third-year senior students. Lots of games and team building activities were played and the Dj kept the dance floor active. Food and drinks were sold so no one went hungry.

The activities were especially fun for Chris who was basically with Cindy for the entire 3 hours. Maze was busy setting up the party, so Chris had to look after her the whole time. Not that he found it annoying he actually enjoyed the time he spent with her, she was a klutz half of the time but most of the time she was really entertaining to play with. Her curiosity and bright-eyed innocence were the best part. Chris didn't know why but she felt like a nice breath of fresh air.

Either way he loved her company. The Orientation came to an end and all the freshmen had to go home. Chris waited with Cindy until her big sis came to fetch her.

"Y'know, Chris you a lot more fun than anyone else your age. I thought you were the serious broody type at first but it seems I was worried for nothing." Cindy said.

"How old do you think I am?" Chris asked scratching his head.

"Well you are a senior so you should be 17 or 18 right?"

Chris shook his head.

"Sorry to burst your bubble but I'm still 14. That's actually the first time someone has said that I look older." Chris chuckled.

"Really!?" She asked excitedly as smile spread across her face and a light blush painted itself on her cheeks. A car pulled up in front of them.

"Oh that's my sister. I guess I'll see you next week." She fidgeted with her finger before she wrapped her arms around Chris's neck and pulled him in for a hug. Chris's hands froze at his side as he didn't know what to do with them.

Before he could return the gesture Cindy pulled away and quickly got inside the car. The car drove off with Chris still frozen on the spot.

"Bye Chris!" Cindy shouted through the open window of the car. Chris smiled ear to ear and his blush turned his face beat red. He hugged himself and looked up at the night sky.

It's so cold but I feel so warm. She was so soft and she smelt so sweet.

[THIS IS THE BEST!] He thought.

His phone rang in his pocket and when he picked it up he saw a few Messages from Maze

They read:

"Thanks for filling in for me."

"How was the party??"

"Come over quickly before it's too full."

"Address Newark North Maple Street 20022"

____________________________