Introduction: This is a story of 4 boys who were shunned by society and billed as outcasts. Each with their own hardships and torment, these four teenagers find themselves in the company of each other. Together they try to survive the mean streets of the city and maybe prove that they are more than what people think they are.

Principal James Barbers sat behind his musty old oak desk in his little office on the third floor. His hands were rubbing his forehead, trying to ease a headache. He had been there in Walter High School since the early hours of four in the morning.

James looked at his watch and took in a deep sigh. It was already 4:45 in the afternoon. The sun was going down faster than usual which really didn't please him. It only reminded him of how little time was left before the day ended while there was so much more for him to do.

Beads of sweat showed on his almost completely bald head, no doubt the works of his profession. Only strands of hair remained, strands of bland grayish hair that circled around the middle. He took another deep sigh and let the weight of his body disappear, succumbing to the soft and plushy chair. These were the only few moments of relaxation he could afford; however little time they may be, he still needed every bit of it.

It would be a few more hours before he could call it a day. There was still paperwork to be done, which was the only thing that never seemed to run out apart from the school fights, the constant whining of the faculty and pretty much anything bad that happened in a school.

After that, he'd have to check every single room of the whole school and lock everything up. From the classrooms to the music room to the bathrooms, he'd go through them all. It was a tiresome routine but he did it without complaint. He did it for 20 years of his life knowing that he didn't have to.

Just as he was about to doze off a knock on the door startled him. A grimfaced man entered even before James could respond. He looked like a no-nonsense man with his thick glasses, clean-cut hair and an equally unnerving face. James looked up and found the man standing in an almost stiff-like manner, his steely eyes boring into James'.

"Principal Barbers," the man spoke up, "here are the records of the four boys who had caused the mayhem awhile back."

"Thank you, William." James replied as William set down a folder he had been carrying on to the desk. James put on his reading glasses and took the folder. Inside it were four pieces of paper. He carefully read each one, and then could only show shock after he had finished.

"T-T-These boys just transferred here. They haven't even lasted a week." James spoke out, rereading the papers back and forth.

"Yes, all four had just transferred." William repeated his words, adjusting his specs.

"James read out loud the name of one of the boys. "Marcus Thompson. 18 years old. A senior. He's been kicked out of 7 schools already—well, no wonder. Arrested 12 times including shoplifting, underage drinking, possession of firearms, smoking of marijuana and buying and selling of illegal narcotics."

"He's not what you would call a perfect student." William quipped, again straightening his glasses.

"Right... and who's this?" James read the next one. "Joey Atreides. Another senior. Is he Greek or something?"

"Spanish. He was taken by child welfare from his parents at a young age. He is now currently living with an uncle."

"I doubt he was more than happy with that." James switched to the next one.

"Quite." William continued, "He seems to demonstrate rebellious characteristics, the type who lets his actions do the talking."

"Uh-huh. And this one. Jason Salsberry, another senior. Haven't I heard of that name before?"

"He used to attend school here, six years ago, until the incident. It did seem unusual that he was involved with the other three troublemakers. He was a very passive boy, almost to the point of being a pushover."

"Isn't that always the case," James butted-in, looking back at William, "too much pent-up rage finally bursting out. You know what they say, the quiet ones are always the ones most dangerous."

"I... I suppose." William paused. "Anyway, the last boy is Terrence Matthews—"

"Yeah, the weird kid." James interrupted again. "I saw him on the 2nd floor bathroom the other day, trying to cut himself. When I took the razor away from his hands, he suddenly started mumbling and left like I was never there."

"Yes, his past records show that he was sent to a psychiatrist once who concluded that he was showing signs of psychopathic behavior." William said as-a-matter-of-factly.

"Well, I'll tell you. This boy needs some serious counseling, and I don't mean me. I mean a real counselor. I'm getting tired of talking to these kids with their problems when I don't even know what the hell to do with mine."

He closed the folder and set it down the desk again. His fingers pressed against his eyelids, he took a deep breath.

"Very well, Mr. William. You may send the boys in."

William began to walk towards the door but stopped before reaching the doorknob. He turned around and said, "Are you going to expel them, sir?"

Principal Barbers rubbed his forehead once more, putting down his glasses.

"We'll see."