Chapter Twenty

My brother Azeus Moraitis was in front of me and I was at a loss for words. He didn't look at me even for a split second but instead, continued speaking to the Principal. It seemed like it didn't matter to him that the person beside him was someone he had left on her own two years ago, in a place he knew was hell. It was like he hadn't realized what it must have been like for a 15 year old to lose her brothers -the family she ever knew about-just an year apart from one another. He was dressed in a sharp black suit just like he always did whenever he had come to bail me out of something. I tried to focus on what they were speaking but I couldn't. My mind was racing with questions that I wanted to ask Azeus that I couldn't think of anything else.

I felt something on my hand and looked down at it to see Azeus squeezing it. Snapping out of my thoughts, I shook my head and looking at the Principal, said, "I beg your pardon!" His expression changed from the poker face that he had managed to keep till then to one of shock. He looked at Azeus and back at me.

Leaning forwards and resting his hands on the table, he said, "Look Miss Moraitis, you didn't just hurt those boys. They have been seriously injured which shows that you are not someone of low physical strength. Instead you seem to be someone who knows how to channel your strength to deliver blows that won't allow them to hit you again. This clearly shows that you have a history with physical violence though I don't know since how long. So, the least disciplinary action I could come up with is for you to enroll in the community Anger Management Group and present a weekly update every Monday. You're getting this privilege because your brother has explained why you became so sensitive with this case of bullying. I hope my message is clear to you. You may leave now. Take the day off and spend some time with Mr. Wilson. He's pretty shaken up and seems to be comfortable around you only." "Sure sir", I replied before standing up. I saw Azeus shake his hand before stepping backwards. I smiled and walked towards the door taking my bag from the chair I left it in.

I got out of the room to see Tevoris and Jake leaning against the door. I looked at both of them one after the other, but neither said a word. "Maxie?", I heard Aze calling from behind me. I turned around to see him kneeling on the ground with folded hands and looking at me. It hurt my heart to see him do this, yet I couldn't forgive him. "Yes Azeus? Is there anything specific you want to speak to me about other than the community group? Don't worry about that. I'm already a member. That was a gift I earned since you left me to fend for myself in that shithole. Thank you very much. Thanks for bailing me out though." Saying that much, I threw my bag at Azeus' feet, I turned on my heels and ran. I ran out of the school gates and kept on running not knowing where I was headed. I tried to clear my head of all thoughts but it wasn't happening. I ran through the winding streets and beyond.

I stopped to catch my breath after what felt like ages. I looked around and realized that I had left all familiar roads way behind and noticed  that I had reached some shabby part  of town that I had never been to earlier. I searched my pockets for my phone and the realization dawned upon me that I had left my phone and wallet in my bag which I had thrown away at school. Trying hard not to panic, I walked ahead slowly and saw  a half broken down shack which had a board stating "INTRUDERS KEEP OUT. TRESPASSERS WILL BE PROSECUTED."

Usually I would have been eager to check out a mysterious shack as such but for some reason , this was not the day. I slowly walked ahead and sat outside the dilapidated building in front of me resting my back against its wall. I closed my eyes and slowly the events of the past few weeks started playing in my head over and over again.