Crazy Love

Assembly

Alex’s POV

As soon as I left the house, I went straight to start my scooter, since it was faster to get to school on it than walking, I kept having the feeling that I was forgetting something, but I couldn't figure out what it was.

Anyway, today looks like it will be a great day and Dad made my favorite dish of baked mushroom risotto for breakfast. It was so good that I wanted a second helping, but knowing the old guy, it would be better to crawl up the peak of the Himalayan mountains than ask for more, even if he has plenty, he hates it when I eat too much and had been drumming it into my head to be more cultured and eat less, but I can't help myself, especially when the food is delicious. Instead of listening to all his morning lecture about missing school for the day and whatnot, which I pretended to be paying attention to by the way. I was actually thinking about when I would get to finish the leftovers, away from his prying eyes. He will most definitely have a fit and criticize me till I choke if I took a little too much now. fortunately, he made plenty. I don't understand why he would make so much food and still berate me for eating plenty.

I don't know why he always sits with me every morning to watch me eat while trying to make small talk. I am too big for that but he wouldn't listen. Sometimes it's okay to talk about stuff, but most times, I prefer to eat alone and in silence. I doubt he'd ever let me do that, ever. I wonder if other people's dads are like that though. He says he was trying to protect me, but protect me from what? I don't think I could get attacked by my food because I keep thinking what could possibly go wrong from eating alone? He just confuses me most of the time and I begin to wonder if he was truly my dad. The weird thing, however, is, I don't even hate him for all his shenanigans. It is one of the things that I loved about him, because if he stopped being the way he is, then I would undoubtedly know something is wrong somewhere. He is all I have got as family and although I see him as being overly protective, I love him nonetheless. I wish he would tell me why I needed all that protection or what I was supposedly hiding from. This way I could prepare better and hide well. But he said he wanted me to have a normal childhood and I can't have that if I am always looking over my shoulder. Ironically, I always kind of stood out in a crowd, because no matter how inconspicuous I like to be, I am always singled out. Weird.

I got to school early, like I always do, since it only takes fifteen minutes on the scooter. Other kids were arriving too, so I wasn't too early either, and because I don't have any friends, I tend to keep to myself most of the time. I don't associate with anyone in school because, although I like to think of myself as a friendly and nice person, people sort of keep their distance. It always bothered me before, but not anymore. I like my own company better. Besides, my old man would never approve of anyone I chose to be friends with. Plugging in my headphones, I went straight to my locker to get the books I'd need for the day and went to Mr. Rogers' Science class to prepare for the day. I was the first to arrive in class but I chose the back seat close to the window. I liked sitting in the back. Here, I could watch the others arriving. Other students came thronging in afterward. Looking out of the windows, I couldn't wait for the day to be over to meet up with Edgar again. He is my first and only friend and although I had no idea how my dad knew of my friendship with him, he wanted me to stay away from his likes, but I didn't listen and kept being his friend anyway.

To everyone, I'm just a regular weird guy who's more of a nerd, which, by the way, made me kind of stand out and created conflicts among other kids that would find creative ways to get me into trouble or get into fights with me. The first few weeks when we moved here were especially difficult because I didn't know the basics of self-defense, so I got beaten up pretty badly. I was able to hide most of my scars from Dad's hawk-like eyes and by the time he got suspicious, I was already healed and good as new. It was a miracle, but it worked for me, so I didn't question it.

Edgar is a year ahead of me in school and will be graduating this year. It sounded a little cheeky, but I am missing him already. And we haven't even been friends for more than two weeks. I am not sure how old he is, but he can't be older than I am. Our paths had never crossed before until one day, I noticed he was watching me get bullied without putting up much of an effort to defend myself. He had this weird expression on, but at the time, I just thought he was disgusted with me like the rest of them. It was after we became friends that I came to understand what the look meant. At first, I thought he was part of my tormentors, but didn't want to get involved and only enjoyed watching others get beaten up, but he surprised me when he put himself in front to shield me and told the bullies to back off or face his wrath. I hadn't expected that and when the guys rushed him, he acted so fast and the next thing I knew, they were all in a groaning pile with broken appendages. And then he was gone. The next day, the principal called for an assembly. Nobody knows why, we only get called for assembly when there is an important announcement or something big is about to happen. I was excited because then I would get to meet my benefactor and properly thank him for standing up for me, but it was difficult. Apparently, the parents of my bullies came to school to complain about their kids getting bullied. It was okay for their kids to beat others up, but when they get the same treatment it becomes a problem. Edgar wasn't the least bit worried when he was called out. Maybe it was my imagination, but I think the principal felt a little uneasy when Edgar stepped out and walked towards the podium. One particular parent insisted on having him expelled and another said they would settle for suspension.

A girl I only knew as Amanda, came rushing to me, telling me to step out and absolve all blame, since it was all my fault. And I was going to do just that if Edgar's clear voice didn't stop me.

"I did what I did because it was necessary. If anyone should be expelled, I think it is them," he had said.

"You are still acting haughty", one of the parents scoffed.

"Mrs Johnson, let's all calm down" the principal said nervously.

"I am not done talking, like I said, there is no room for anyone who misbehaves in our school, isn't that right Mike?" Edgar said, addressing the principal by his first name. Everyone was in awe of what was happening at that moment and I only felt myself feel more and more attracted to this young man. No wonder he has so many friends swarming around him. His charisma is on a different level.

"If you don't like how your kids were treated, I suggest you train them not to bully others anymore and if that is not to your liking, you could always change schools?" he finished, scanning the room until our eyes met before he gave me a wink. Even if I had no intention of being friends with him before, I definitely want to be one now.

"How can a high schooler be this arrogant?" said one of the parents, even though the confidence they had before was slowly ebbing away in their voices.

"Maybe because my family owns the school?" he said in a friendly tone, "If there is nothing more, then" he said, jumping off the podium and walking off. The looks on the parents' faces were best described as horror than shocked. Everyone watched him go and the principal dismissed the assembly.

I thought about all this with a smile on my face as class began. It all felt as if it only happened yesterday.

I'll ozli,