If Billy Loomer ever thought his amazing ability to beat up people would bring some consecuences, he certainly never entertained the idea that those consecuences could actually be good.
When he entered high school, he happened to cross paths with a really good teacher. The kind of teacher who doesn't wanna hear what other people think – or write in school records - about his students. He wanted all of them to have a fresh start with him. For the first time since kinder garten, a teacher decided that he wouldn't treat Bigby or Seth better than him and that made Billy truly respect PE's Mr. Johnson.
Looking back, that was probably what made him try his best in those classes. The school year had just started and Mr. Johnson had told the boys to practice some football moves. Billy was focused on the class and, surprisingly, he was enjoying it. It seemed to him like a good way to release his energy. Soon, he heard a voice from behind.
"Billy Loomer!", the teacher barked.
He closed his eyes. Apparently, there was no way out. He was the school bully, had always been the school bully, would always be the school bully. There was no point in trying to change it, not even with a good teacher. When he said the words "fresh start", he probably meant "unless your criminal record is the size of War and Peace."
"Yes?", he answered.
"Son, were you listening when I gave the instructions?"
"Yeah," he stared at the floor. "Whatever", he thought.
"So, what happened to the 'athlets over there, people who have never played football seriously, here' thing?", he sounded upset, "you could have injured one of your classmates."
Loomer didn't understand.
"I've never really played football before," he explained.
Mr. Johnson frowned.
"You've never played football? Really?", he was incredulous.
"Erm... well, three or for times at school 'cos I had to... for class. And my dad gave me a ball for my birthday when I was eight, but I kinda lost it two days after. Does that count?"
Billy was having a rough time. For once in his life he had done nothing to get into trouble and he was going to find it anyway, only he didn't really know why.
"I can't believe this," Mr Johnson rambled, visibly frustrated, "what did your previous PE teachers do when they saw you tackle like that?"
Loomer shrugged his shoulders. As if it weren't obvious...
"Send me to detention?"
All the boys who had been with him in middle school stifled a laugh. The teacher, realising they'd all stopped doing their exercises, told them to start running in circles around the gym. Finally, when they were alone, he looked Billy in the eye, and said:
"I'm the football coach in this high-school. The try-outs for the team are next Wednesday. I want you there."