Trouble Finds Me

Everyone said she was a bit aggressive. Devon Lee, a fifteen-year-old student, was considered the kind of person you wouldn't want to mess with.

Max, of course, didn't care about that. He wasn't the type to need ordinary friends anyway.

"I just want to look out for my classmates, that's all." When Brucks saw Max sitting next to Devon, he thought that a half-blind boy would be an easy target to mock and then brag about to his friends.

"He's an idiot who will probably waste all the opportunities he has as a young man. Don't pay attention to him—he'll get tired eventually." Devon advised Max not to worry about Brucks' threats, though Max certainly wasn't concerned.

At the moment, Max was more worried about the safety of those trying to harm him than about his own. It was no surprise, given he had a tendency to go overboard in fights.

When it came to physical altercations, Max often failed to control his strength, and things usually ended very badly.

As class went on, Max spent most of the time looking around, trying to figure out if what he was doing was normal. From what he could see, the students were a diverse bunch, and the teacher didn't seem to mind.

"Well, I guess class is over." Max immediately began using his cell phone as soon as the class ended.

Devon, on the other hand, sighed in relief. All she wanted now was to leave the classroom and find something to eat. 'Thank goodness we don't have to work with others on group projects.'

"What's someone like you doing in this class?" Max asked Devon as she packed her things to head to her next class.

"None of them, really. A lot of us share classes, but we don't spend much time together. If you want to make friends, it's in the clubs. By the way, since you'll be joining the debate club, at least tell me you have some idea about it, right?" Devon questioned Max, who didn't seem particularly interested in his academic future.

Max nodded slightly and said, "I know about it, and I like the idea."

Max didn't care whether he joined a soccer or debate club. As long as he could participate in extracurricular activities and learn to socialize, he could achieve what his sensei Chozen called "a sense of belonging."

A group of students, led by a girl named Alicia, was about to leave as well. But when they saw Devon walking past, they instinctively stopped to let her through.

"Wow, that was exhausting, huh? The one-eyed guy?" Alicia stood in front of Max.

"Do you need me to confirm that for you?"

Although Devon was already outside the classroom, waiting for Max, she furrowed her brow when she heard the conversation.

"Are you heading to the cafeteria? Want to come with me?"

Alicia was the only one showing interest in the new guy, who seemed to have a dominant air about him.

"Um… I'm not interested. I think your friends are waiting for you." Max pointed at the two girls standing outside, watching Alicia.

"Ah, ha, ha, ha, but you can still come along anyway." Alicia continued, thinking she could turn Max into her lapdog with a little effort.

"Thanks, but I'll pass."

"Hm… fine." Alicia nodded before running off to her friends. 'Stupid mutt, not even flies will go near you…'

After Alicia left, Max walked toward the exit, planning to head to the cafeteria himself when an arm wrapped around his shoulders.

"I'm hungry. Let's grab something to eat. I'll invite, and you pay." Brucks laughed amiably.

Devon was about to intervene, but Max raised a hand, stopping her from a distance.

"Wait here. I'll grab something."

"Ha, ha, ha, fine, fine!" Brucks laughed, expecting Max to buy him something as ordered.

Devon walked alongside Max and asked, "When are you going to get that idiot to stop bothering you?"

"I'll deal with it later." Max waited in line, playing with his phone, then bought snacks and his lunch.

"I don't doubt it." Devon was beginning to understand Max. He seemed like someone who couldn't even hit a punching bag but turned out to be a decent fighter.

Although she was against fights at school, she wasn't opposed to putting jerks in their place when they bullied others just for fun.

A part of Max didn't want conflicts, but another part of him couldn't wait for classes to end so he could deal with the guy harassing him.

"I try to be nice, but these guys aren't making it easy for me…"