Chapter 4: junior high-school

Alexander POV:

I wake up to the sensation of something spasming and the muffled voice of someone choking beside me.

I look down and notice my arm wrapped around the neck of someone with silver-grey hair and a violet face.

"Oops, I did it again."

I let go of Raphael. He rolls out of bed and falls to the ground, coughing and panting.

-When... will you... finally... stop... DOING THAT!!

I sit on my bed.

-When will you finally understand not to wake me up?

He wipes the saliva that dripped from his mouth and looks up at me.

-I had to if you don't want to be late on our first day of high school!

I look at him, surprised that the summer is already over. I get up and help him back to his feet. The clock shows 7:15 am.

-You would have noticed it before if you weren't so addicted to your training. I didn't see you do anything except that during summer.

"What else could I do? If I want to become strong enough to live a peaceful life and protect the people I care for, I have to be strong."

-And maybe you should have practiced more. I mean, except if you like getting beaten by a sleeping guy.

I snicker and take some clean clothes for after my shower.

-I... I didn't stretch! A... and you took me by surprise!

-So I guess I stretched while I was sleeping, and that's why I beat you?

I smiled at this stupid idea. Raphael deadpanned at me.

-Yes, you do! Once, you were doing pushups when I came to wake you up.

My smile freezes, and I stop moving.

-You can't be serious?

-Dead serious. Another time you were doing pull-ups. You fucking head locked me with your legs when I woke you!

"Did I actually do that? This time he doesn't seem to lie. Am I turning into a training maniac? Nah, no way."

-Then train more! You are slacking too much. I know you prefer to go out and have fun but be a little more consistent.

I walk out of my room, passing by Raphael rolling his eyes.

-Dude, I swear one day you'll come back home walking on your hands with a green tracksuit on, screaming and crying about youth!

I feel a tick mark pop on my head, and I hasten my pace.

-Look, this year, I'll do something else than just training! Happy?

I enter the bathroom and turn around.

-Why are you still here? Do you want to wash my back?

-Sure, if it can help.

He moves forward but is soon stopped by my foot meeting his solar plexus, sending him flying into the wall.

-Piss of perv! It was sarcasm!

I shot the door close and massaged my temple. Raph scream through the door:

-Sorry, I didn't know you could be non-serious for once and hurry up in there! Dad will drop us off today!

"I wonder why dad's going to take us to school today. He usually sleeps late when he is off work."

_____

I walk down the stairs on Raphael and my dad getting ready to leave. The latter gets closer to me and ruffles my hair.

-So big guy, ready for high school?

I move his hand and replace my hair.

-Yeah yeah, I can't wait to go waste time at school for another year.

I roll my eyes and get ready too.

-Don't be too cocky just because you passed with flying colors in all your classes. Now it's a step higher, so keep it like that, champion!

-You should probably talk to the one that is only passing by the thread.

-Why do I get hit by a stray bullet?!

-Because you barely pass elementary school. You have to get serious if you want to realize your dream of being the star of the lacrosse team, and for that, you will at least need to know how to recognize the team's color.

My brothers turn toward our father and show me with both his arm.

-Look, dad! I told you that he talks only about training and study!

Dad makes a sad smile and pats Raphael's shoulder.

-Don't worry about it, big boy. You take more from me than your brother. It's not because you aren't a training maniac that you won't achieve anything in your life. I mean, look at me, I ain't like your brother, but I still went that far.

He finished his little speech with his fist on his hips, bulging chest, and head up like a superhero. Raphael quickly moves beside him and rubs his nose with a proud look.

-Yes, we don't need training to achieve our goals. We are just built different!

With that, they start laughing high and mighty.

I take my backpack and open the door to go to the car. But I can't resist throwing a last jibe at my brother.

-If your goal is to always lose to a sleeping man, then go ahead. I'll wait in the car.

I don't hear his reaction as I close the door, but he isn't laughing anymore. Contrary to our dad, that laughs even louder.

-HE DID IT TO YOU TOO? HAHAHAHA!

-----

The houses pass by slowly as we drive through the neighborhood. They all look pretty much the same. I look at the front row of the car and see my father and brother enthusiastically talk about sports.

-... and then I passed him to the right by jumping, and while in the air, I shot and scored at the last second, making us champions for the third consecutive time!

-Damm, dad! That's so cool! I can't wait to play and do the same thing!

I can almost see the star shining in his eyes. It's not the first time that our dad has told us about his lacrosse memories. However, each time Raphael is super excited about it. Once, I asked him if it was because he liked the sport or if he played it in his previous life: "I had never even heard about it. I don't know why I like it that much but just thinking about playing it makes my blood boils!" That's all he could tell me about it.

I notice that we are following a bus. It was the one we should have taken. "What's the point of dad taking us to school if we don't even arrive in advance?"

I take a good look at him. I didn't notice at home because of their antics, but dad had a fresh haircut and even trimmed his beard, valorizing his jawline and angular face. He even wears decent clothes? He usually stays in bed nearly as much as me and only wears hoodies and jogging.

The more I look at him, the more I'm sure he is up to something. There is only one way to know.

-Dad?

-Yeah, I know it's hard to believe, but Bobby was really...

-Why did you wake up so soon?

-Ahh...

He makes eye contact in the mirror and takes a glance at Raphael. He seems hesitating. "The only times that dad thinks before thinking is when he wants to hide something. Maybe it's about the supernatural world."

Just thinking about it, my heart starts beating harder. I always thought I didn't want to get involved in all of this and live peacefully. However, the stronger I get, the more I want to compare my strength to all those creatures. I am already as strong as my father in hands-to-hands and weapon-wielding combats. Not physically, but with my agility and speed, I can win some spars. Plus, I need to be sure that I'm prepared enough to when he will tell us the truth and bring us into the hunts.

-I umm... I have a meeting with a partner in Beacon hills, and after that, I have a date.

-WITH A GIRL?

"So that's why he woke up this soon. In fact, I'm sure he didn't even sleep with the stress of having his first date in 10 years."

I put my hands on my ears after my brother's shrill cry. Father punches him in the shoulder and chuckles.

-Not a girl, a woman!

-So we are going to have a mom?

Raphael looks at our dad with expecting eyes and a bright smile. I'm sure that even I look at him with expectation. Our dad is great, and I can't say anything wrong about him, except for his brutal beating while we were training, his often over-naiveness, his desire to make us want to be able to disappear in public, his lack of self-esteem, and many more. But, for a single parent, he is doing an excellent job.

Even being present for us as much as he was, it still left a hole that only a feminine presence could fill. "And I kinda miss having a mom."

The memories of my past life flash in my mind, and I try remembering the faces of the people I knew. I can only see some vague shapes and not many details. Since I was born in this place, I have considered it my only life. I believe that keeping this thought in mind is the best way not just to throw it away, thinking that it doesn't matter since it's not my "real" life.

-Wooh, relax here, boy. We are just eating dinner, not getting married.

-As if it won't come! Nobody can resist the Rosé genes!

Dad ruffles Raph's hair laughing heartily.

-We don't want to rush things. Her husband left some years ago, so she wants to take it slowly not to shake up her son too much.

-Does it mean that we will have a brother too? Can I finally replace the useless one I have?

-Hey! I'm not useless! Without me, your life would be colorless and bland.

Along with his reply, he turns toward me and tries to pinch my thighs. I defend myself by locking his hand between my knees and pinching his forearm. He groans and moves his hand back quickly, rubbing his arm where I hurt him.

-See, just like I said.

-Let's see who replaces who.

I ignore his mumbling as the car arrives at the school's parking. My brother and I took our backpacks and left the car.

-Stay safe, boys. And Alex tries to make at least one friend, my parent's heart can't endure that one of his sons doesn't have one yet.

I click my tongue and ignore him as I walk to the school, my bag hanging on one of my shoulders. At my side, Raph chuckles and wraps his shoulder around mine.

-Don't worry, if you don't get any friends, I'll let you stick with me, cause as the BIG brother, I have to take care of you.

I take a side step to escape Raph, but he predicted, and side steps too. Strangely enough, I end up with another arm around my shoulder. I look to the side and recognize Raph's best friend, Brett. "I didn't even notice him coming. I really have to work on my senses."

Just like us, he is tall for his age. The three of us in our class are taller by a head compared to any other students. He has brown hair and blue eyes. His childish face promises his future good-looking face. I sigh. "I guess the first day won't be calm at all."

-Where do you think you are going?

With their free hands, they both did their "secret handshake." I let them drag me to our lockers that were side by side. As they walk, they talk about what they did during summer.

Arriving at the locker, I am finally free of their embrace. I place my stuff in it except the one for my class. We start in English. I let the other two behind as I walk alone to the class. I want to arrive first to take a seat next to the wall so I can lean on it while reading as I wait for the class to begin.

Raphael sits aside from me while Brett sits in front of him. They both turn toward me. Feeling their gazes, I look up at them, and Brett is the first one to talk.

-You will come with us after class and sign up for the lacrosse team, right?

-I already told Raph that I didn't want to be surrounded by loud muscle heads. So ill pass.

-pff, just admit that you are scared that your big bro will be named captain and will tell you what to do.

I kick his chair, making his chin fall on the desk.

-Okay, class, quiet! It's your first day of high school, and as the first teacher you see today, I have some things to say to you.

-----

Raphael POV:

"Ouch, my chin still hurts." I rub where my face hits the desk as Brett and I walk into the cafeteria with our lunches. I spot my cute little brother sitting all alone on a table on the other side of the room and walk toward him. Brett follows me as we start whispering.

-We need to find a way to convince him to play with us. With the 3 of us, I'm sure we can make the team and even be undefeated. I saw both of you spars, and there is no way we can lose.

-So you think you are as good as us?

Sometimes, our dad would train us even when I had friends over, so they saw us spars, but they never participated, so I don't know how Brett would do against me, let alone my training maniac brother. I don't even remember a day that I won against him.

-I don't know if I would win, but I have pretty good physics.

-Then help me find a way to convince him! We could be the super rookie, the undefeated king of the field, the generation of miracles!

-Wouldn't it be a little cringe?

My shoulder drops at that. He chuckles and pats my shoulder. If even he isn't thrilled by this idea, then I have no chance of convincing Alex with those titles. We arrive at the table and sit in front of him.

-Will you keep following me all day long?

-Don't say that. You are hurting my heart.

-That's the point.

I ignore his painful comment and eat while thinking of a way to convince him. Even if he is stubborn, he is quite simple. Maybe I can get him with something he likes... as if swimming, playing piano or reading would help me convince him!!! ahhh, and being in a team means that he will be surrounded by people and receive orders. Two things that he dislikes. I can't even tell him it would be a good addition to his training. Nothing a junior high school sports team can do will rival what he already does by himself. Still, training is my only chance!

I perk my heads up from my food and stare at Alex. "I just got an idea."

-Stop looking at me like that. You are creeping me out.

-You remember earlier when Brett surprised you?

He clicks his tongue, and I know I got him.

-You wouldn't have been caught off guard if you were aware of your surrounding... and what's better than training that by playing a sport where you have to be mindful of the field all the time?

Alex opens his mouth like he wants to object, and I hold my breath. If he says no, I don't know what else could change his mind.

-Actually... it is a good idea. I should try it then.

Brett and I bump our fists under the table to celebrate our victory. "Well, that was easy."

-----

Stephane POV:

After dropping the kids at school, I drive directly to beacon hills, where I have a meeting with a member of Argent Arms International. Usually, I don't travel for it, but they said it was necessary.

I took it as a sign to invite this beautiful woman I met some months ago after a hunt. I can't believe I asked her for her number. After what happened with the mother of my children, I thought I would be done with relationships, but this one seemed unique. I was like in a daze when I made my move. Even more surprising, she gave it to me.

Since then, we kept in contact until I finally asked her for dinner when I knew I would be at beacon hills, where she lives.

And here I am, driving after a long sleepless night due to stress about the meeting and the date. At least it gave me time to think about a lot of stuff, especially Alexander and Raphael.

They will soon turn 12. I should probably tell them soon about our family... business. I am worried about how they would react to it. For me, it was easy. I discovered it by mistake when I was seven, so I basically grew up in all this. And after what their mother did, I think it's better that they stay out of it and never know what they are. I would have to talk about it with Chris next time I see him.

I finally reach Argent Arms International. I walk in and directly go to the meeting room. It's empty. Looking at the clock, I am 45min early, so I sit on a chair, legs on the table, and lean backward.

A door clacking woke me up and nearly made me fall from the chair.

-I see that some people never change, Stephane.

I close my eyes and sigh. I could recognize this voice everywhere. When I open them again, I see a blonde girl half sitting on the table, arm crossed, looking at me with what seems like a happy smile. But her eyes, her eyes were cold. What did I expect with what happened all those years ago?

-Kate.

Author note:

At this rate, I should be able to update 10 chapters a year, haha. for real, I started writing without a plan, and the closer I am to the start of the plot, the more I feel like I need one. So I started making one, and that's why I didn't write that much.

Thank you for still keeping me in your library. I feel like some of you have more faith in me than I do.

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