A COWARD'S BELIEF (Ch. 9)

Dennis Dean watches a certain classmate seated at the corner of the class with avid animosity.

"Hey Dennis i heard you got in" one of the vocal department girls commented,

"I did, seems they weren't that interested in the physically challenged" he states making it very clear who the object of his animosity is,h

"What? Luke auditioned? They didn't choose him huh, it seems he's not very good" another student replies

Dennis walks up towards Luke's desk before a deft kick sends his table hurling and Luke tumbling

Without wasting much time Luke is on his feet moving mechanically to fixe his seat back into place, after taking his seat his ears catch several classmates mostly girls talking about the school festival an it's most popular event, 'The slave auction', Luke is pulled from his thoughts momentarily before he acknowledges the feeling of a marker pressed against the back of his blazer, refusing to acknowledge the culprits he remains silent and returns to his thoughts only to be pulled out once again, an attractive blond haired girl with green eyes draws everyone's attention effortlessly as she calls for participants in each available event for the festival, quickly getting to the stage performance there are several hands up but ahe quickly dismisses them stating that she'd be taking the names of the volunteers down the next day. Luke quickly exits the class then the school grounds before making his way towards his grandmothers fast food cart, (grandma you're to old to doing this, just hang in there for a little while longer I'll definitely make it big and get us out of this)

"Huh? Luke? Is That your grand ma?"

Luke turns towards the voice swiftly, unable to hide his distress, his sight lands on Dean and his lackeys

"Oh Luke are these your friends?" his ever smiling grandmother inquires

"Yes ma'am" one of the lackeys interjects with a smile

"Oh oh then come on eat your fill i should thank you for looking after my grandson"

"We'll definitely continue to 'look out' for him ma'am" Dennis replies faking a smile the best he could, (they're eating everything left!, grandma was supposed to sell those, these bastards!)

"That's enough!" Luke shouts towards the trio who stare him down, Luke hesitates before shielding the cart away from then defiantly, Dennis hesitates before leaving the matter be, for now,

"See you in school, 'friend'" Dennis states as the two follow behind him in amusement

The next day comes about and upon stepping into class he sees everyone turn to him, most are snickering unable to hold the disdain in their eyes, others blatantly call him out while the worst go as far as to belittle his family, looking towards the board he spots the board covered in 'food' jokes about himself and his family,

his head is forced downward by his hair as he hears the voice he most detests in the world.

"Why the fuck is this fat ass blocking the door"Dean states from behind him sporting his trademark tinted glasses

"You really hate this guy huh?" Someone calls out

"Why do you hate him so much though?" another inquires

"Well that's simple, he's ugly"

"And that's reason you try to destroy his entire existence?"

"It's reason enough" Dennis replies disinterestedly

"Hey is anyone apart from Dennis and the remaining three going to participate in the festivals vocal performance?" The blonde girl inquires

With a sigh Luke who's head is still held faced down comes to a certain realisation, (I think I've finally realized it now, i wonder why it took so long, no matter how talented i am, because of my physical appearance, i'm going to have to work double the normal person to get anywhere). Luke gently raises his hand high above his head shocking the entire class and causing Dennis to force his head down even harder as if to prevent him from doing so.

Raven walking with a tray of food in hand from the cafe counter with jimmy in tow catches sight of Dennis kicking Luke through the table and chairs as the trays of food in his hand's spill over, unaware that he'd come to a stop Raven watches intently as memories overlap with reality and his eyes gleam with anger

"That's Luke from the vocal department, i had to do that every day too, before meeting you at least" Jimmy states ruefully reminiscent of his sour past, Raven watches a while longer contemplatively as he weighs his next actions, (there's always someone like me, at the bottom of the food chain just because where weak, because we're not rich, or handsome, the only reason I'm not the one in his shoes is because of this body)

{To think with all you've experienced you compare yourself to him, disappointing, as is your zeal for the arts}

Raven ponders a reply before deigning it unnecessary

"Hey Jimmy let's invite him to our table"

Dennis watches in bewilderment as Jimmy walks up towards Luke before shakily helping the boy to his feet while under Dennis's heated glare, the two slowly but surely make their way towards Raven's table while Dennis and the rest watch on bewildered,

(why does he keep the losers around him?)

The comments in that light pour out as the trio eat, some murmurs commending Raven for being kind and protecting the weak, while others if not mist believe him a fool, Dennis grinds his teeth in frustration, unwilling to back off he throws a half filed cup straight into Luke's tray,

"go get me some water and as for you, the new kid why are you hanging out with losers like them? And why are you glaring at me like a fucking dog?"

Just behind Raven, Dennis's eyes catch James's,

(who the fuck is that? and why's he glaring?)

"Go get the water yourself, the fuck is wrong with your hands?" Jay comments from the table to the side

"Seems like i'm going to have to be the next one to kick your ass" Dennis glares while getting slowly to his feet

"I doubt a bat-shit blind psycho like you can do shit" Jay states rising to the challenge while donning a provocative grin,

"Hey sunglasses, pick your cup up" Yanick states escorted by his department mates

"Who the hell do you think your talking to?"

"Seems like your parents forgot how to train their kids" Yanick presses "why don't you take of your googles so you can actually see where and how to behave like a dullard"

Dennis kicks his table sending it towards Yanick who's fist flashes in response almost punch through the metal table spilling the contents atop it. Dennis is pulled by a blonde girl who glares deathly at him,

"Your a dumbass you know!?"

"Shut up Mari"

The two make their way out with their posey following close behind them while Raven looks on aghast, (did he just send a freaking! metal table flying with a casual kick? And he almost punched through a metal table and no one seems to care?)

{Despite having experienced a bit of the possibilities it seems you haven't realized what martial masters are capable of yet, in a sense it's good your not corrupted but what happens when the man that haunts your memories returns?}

(What!…who d....wait you mean....D...Darren..you can read my memories?)

{Affirmative}

(You think he's the reason i don't care for this martial arts stuff?, I'm not interested i just want to enjoy what i have now)

{What you have now is nothing, no money, no power, no influence and most importantly no strength}

(I don't need those things!)

{Really?, Then what happens after this body is gone?, You just go back to being the peace of floor rag looser you where? That you've always been?, you have a literal encyclopedia on the ways of the martial masters, you path to power is as smooth as can be and yet you waste it, what a fucking coward}

Raven shudder's then exhales, unable to reply he maintains silence, he knew deep down, Silver was right, and he. He was a coward, he'd always been.