The Gang Leader's Impostor

CHAPTER SIX

Finally, it was D-Day. It was my first day at the new school, and I felt like a nervous wreck. I checked myself out in the mirror for what felt like the hundredth time, taking a shaky breath as I tried to calm down. I wanted to make sure I looked perfect. My hair was carefully styled, my uniform was neatly ironed, and my shoes were so polished you could almost see your reflection in them.

But somehow, how I looked still doesn’t look enough. I loosened my tie and undid the topmost button of my shirt, making it appear less tidy. Somehow, it looked a little bit better. Maybe I needed to look less like a nerd. Appearing like an OCD-induced loser might blow my cover. After all, I never saw any cool person at school who looked so clean they actually managed to appear annoying before they could even open their mouths.

When I was finally satisfied with how I looked in the mirror, I slung my bag on one shoulder (keeping in mind that wearing the straps on both shoulders would make me look less cool), and went downstairs for breakfast.

When I got there, Dad was already at the dining table, sipping his coffee and reading the morning paper. He glanced up at me from over his reading glasses and raised an eyebrow. "Why are you up so early? Your class doesn’t start for another hour," he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice.

"I just wanted to get a head start today," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. The truth was, I wanted to arrive early to get a feel of the place and avoid the rush of students, maybe even get some new friends before classes actually started.

Dad gave me a strange look. "By head start, you mean you want to catch their attention?”

I blinked, confused. “What made you think I would want to catch their attention?”

Dad removed his glasses and folded the hinges, setting them down on the table in front of him. “Son, your tie is loose and your hair is a mess. It’s either you’re trying to catch their attention, or you’re posing as a homeless guy. Your call.”

I subconsciously ran a hand through my hair and looked at myself on the shiny surface of the spoon. “Does my hair look weird?”

“A little. Just mess it up a little bit but not too much. There’s a fine line between tousled and crazy, you know?” He took a sip from his coffee. “And if you really want to make a memorable entrance, come in late. I guarantee you, they'll all be turning their heads to look at you," he said with a wink.

Mom, who was setting a plate full of scrambled eggs and sausages on the table, swatted Dad’s arm playfully. "Stop telling your son that. You're setting a bad example," she scolded.

Dad just chuckled. "What's so bad about giving my son advice? When I was his age, I always caught people's attention."

"Yeah, that was because you were a troublemaker back then. Nothing to do with whatever advice you're giving Alex," Mom retorted, shaking her head but smiling.

Dad laughed again, then turned to me. "Anyway, Alex, do you need a ride to your school? You probably don't know the bus route around here yet. It's better if I just drive you."

I thought about it for a moment. The idea of being dropped off by Dad wasn’t appealing—I didn’t want to look like a little kid on my first day. If I was gonna make people believe about this tough guy act, I wasn’t gonna blow my cover by being chauffeured by my own dad.

"Uh ... thanks, but I think I'll take the bus," I said, trying to sound confident. "I need to get used to it anyway."

Dad just nodded at this, slightly relieved he didn’t have to take the long route just to help me get to my school. "Alright, if you’re sure. Just remember, if you need anything, don't hesitate to call."

Mom gave me a quick hug. "Good luck, sweetie. You'll do great," she said, her eyes full of warmth and encouragement and for a brief moment, I almost forgot I wasn’t supposed to be old Alex anymore.

I guess it’s time to fool a bunch of teenagers, then.

I grabbed my backpack and headed out the door, my heart pounding in my chest. The bus stop wasn’t far, and as I walked, I tried to rehearse in my head how I would introduce myself, how I would act cool and confident. I needed to make a good impression and stick to my plan.

The bus ride was uneventful, giving me too much time to think. By the time I got off and walked up to the school gates, my nerves were back in full force. I took another deep breath, straightened my posture, and walked through the gates, trying to exude confidence.

Inside, the hallways buzzed with activity. Students were chatting, laughing, and hurrying to their classes. I felt a surge of anxiety but kept my head high. I needed to look like I belonged here, like I was someone not to be messed with.

On my way to the locker assignment I got along with the pamphlet and campus map, I caught a few stares here and there. I could hear them whispering as I passed by, but I didn’t bother looking at them. I needed to play a part here. And with the way that I was obviously seen, I knew that a part of my plan had already succeeded.

Now, I just have to keep it up.

I found my locker and started organizing my books, trying to blend in. Suddenly, I heard a familiar chuckle. Turning around, I saw Radley leaning against the lockers, a smug smile on his face.

"Looking sharp, Alex. Trying to impress someone?" he teased.

I rolled my eyes, though a small part of me was glad to see a familiar face—even if it was this douche. "Just mind your goddamn business, Riley—"

“It’s Radley,” he interjected, his smirk dropping into a frown.

I just smiled at him and shut the door to my locker. “I don’t care what your name is. Just mind your own business and stay the hell out of mine, got it?”

Radley grinned mirthlessly, the annoyance evident in his eyes. "You can be as mean as you can, but you’re not getting rid of me," he said and nodded toward a group of students who were glancing our way. "There’s a rumor going around. Do you know anything about that?"

Do I know anything about the rumor? What an i***t. Of course, I do. I started it.

I crossed my arms and leaned against my locker, trying to look cool knowing full well that a bunch of students had their eyes trained on our general direction. “What rumor?” I asked, and he narrowed his eyes at me, looking suspicious.

“Do you seriously have no idea about the rumor?”

I shrugged. “Look, if you’re not gonna tell me, quit wasting my time—”

“There’s a rumor going around about a transfer student from New York. You fit the description. Do you know anything about it?”

I rolled my eyes and stood straight, fixing the sling of my bag. “You’re seriously just gonna beat around the bush?” I scoffed and turned to walk away, aware that the whispers had gotten louder now with more and more students listening in on our conversation.

I can’t believe how effective the rumor was. I bet, if I hadn’t done that last night, I wouldn’t get as much of a reaction as I’m doing now.

This is so exciting it’s actually making me giddy.

Radley caught my arm before I could start walking away and forced me to face him. “Let’s talk later when there are no more students around.”

My eyebrows furrowed and I removed his grip with one solid move. “Why don’t we talk now? What’s the matter? Afraid of a little rumor?”

Radley’s gaze darkened and he gritted his teeth, looking around at the students who immediately looked away, pretending to be doing something else.

Which was weird, by the way. They all looked afraid when they saw him change his mood. Earlier they were all just brazenly listening in on our conversation. Who the hell is Radley and what the hell did he do to get that much of a reaction even from the older students?

Radley cleared his throat, catching my attention. “Are you really that gang leader from New York who beat up a guy beyond recognition and was force-transferred here?” he asked, and I felt my brain slowing down to a stop.

“What?” I asked back, confused about what the hell he just said.

Then my mind teleported back to the arcade and the students who were all talking animatedly, not even listening to what the hell I was saying anymore. Is this what they were talking about? I mean, I am from New York. But all I said in the rumor was that I was some tough guy, you know? It was them who added the thing about me being a gang leader.

And what the hell was up with that anyway?

“So ... are you?”

My attention was brought back to Radley and his stupid question. I blinked again.

“Come on, Alexander. What’s it gonna be?”

“Uh ... ” I paused. “ ... I guess?”