Chapter One: My Life

"Time for another day." said a young man as he exited his home and began to walk on the sidewalk.

"Hey there Kenos!" called a voice from afar as the boy named Kenos looked behind him.

"How's it going Ricky!" called Kenos back as Kenos caught up to him.

"What'd you do over the weekend Kenos?" asked Ricky.

"I read books." replied Kenos as Ricky noticed that he was reading a book as they conversated.

"Don't you ever do anything else but read?" asked Ricky.

"Look Ricky," said Kenos as he stopped and turned to him, fixing his glasses as he did so. "You know that I like to read, I might be 17, but that doesn't mean I have to be into my phone like other teens are, besides reading books is interesting, especially mythology."

"So is that what you're reading?" asked Ricky.

"You got it," replied Kenos. "I'm reading Greek mythology, more specifically, I'm reading the story of Perseus and Medusa."

"Well whatever, do you want," said Ricky as he passed his hand through his medium-sized brown hair. "But we've arrived at the school."

"O.k then, ready for a day of learning." said Kenos as he and Ricky entered their school, Avalier High.

"See you around Kenos." said Ricky as he headed to his Chemistry class.

"Yeah see ya." replied Kenos as he headed toward his History class.

Soon, the first period bell rang and a tall, middle aged man, with short brown hair entered Kenos' history class, as he entered, the class greeted him respectfully.

"Good morning Mr. Blanco!" said the class in unison.

"Good morning class," replied Mr. Blanco. "As you know, we'll be doing a speed answer competition, so get into groups of two and we'll go one team at a time."

"This will be easy," whispered Kenos. "The only problem is that people don't usually like to work with me, but I'll try anyway."

"Hey!" called Kenos as everyone in the class turned to him. "Would anyone like to work with me?"

"Hahaha!" laughed a tall student wearing a football varsity jacket. "Like anybody would like to work with the class nerd."

"Yeah, Kevin's right, who would want to work with you." said another student as everyone began to laugh.

"I'll work with him." said a voice as everyone stopped and looked with surprise.

"Ellen, you want to work with him." said Kevin, surprised.

"Of course I do," said Ellen as she walked to Kenos. "Hi, you're Kenos, right?"

"Y-Yes, I'm Kenos Rossiu," stuttered Kenos. "And you're Ellen Doss."

"Yes that's right, I look forward to working with you." said Ellen politely.

"I don't believe it, I'm actually working with Ellen Doss." whispered Kenos.

As he looked at Ellen, he began to fall into a daze admiring the beauty of the medium sized girl, her long blond hair, her light blue eyes, the shy way she spoke, everything about her seemed perfect to Kenos, but soon, he began to regain focus.

"O.k class," said Mr. Blanco. "The first round will be between Kenos and Ellen vs Kevin and Ryder."

As he said this, the two pairs assembled on opposite sides of the teacher, behind two desks, and a buzzer right on the desk.

"Are the two teams ready?" asked Mr. Blanco. "First to answer three questions win."

"Yes, we're ready." said the two teams in unison.

"O.k, the first question is on the American Revolution," said Mr. Blanco. "Which patriot was hanged after being discovered by the British, his last words were, 'I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country'?"

"I know this," said Kenos as he quickly pushed on his buzzers seconds after hearing the question. "Who is Nathan Hale."

"Correct." said Mr. Blanco.

"That was incredible Kenos, you're really smart." said Ellen as she patted Kenos' shoulder.

"R-Really, thanks a lot." said Kenos blushing.

"That was just a lucky try." said Kevin. "We'll get the next one."

"O.k, next question is on presidents." said Mr. Blanco. "Who is the president who also wrote the Declaration of Independence?"

"Easy," said Kevin as he hit his buzzer as fast as he could. "Who is Thomas Jefferson."

"Correct, now the teams are tied." said Mr. Blanco.

"I told I would get this one," said Kevin as he turned to Ellen. "You still sure you want to work with him."

"Of course I'm sure," replied Ellen. "I believe in him."

"Time for the next question, which is one World War One." said Mr. Blanco. "What is the name of the team of British riflemen who fought the Germans at Nimy Bridge at the Battle of Mons?"

"I've got this." said Kenos as he began to go for the buzzer, but stopped as he heard Ellen push her buzzer.

"Who are the Royal Fusiliers." answered Ellen.

"Correct," said Mr. Blanco. "Now the team of Kenos and Ellen are ahead 2-1."

"Nice one Ellen," said Kenos. "It seems you're more than just a pretty face."

"Stop that, you're making me blush." said Ellen quietly as her cheeks grew to a light pink color.

"That's enough!" exclaimed Kevin. "Mr. Blanco, the next question please."

"Yes, time for the next question, based on mythology." said Mr. Blanco.

"Mythology, perfect," said Kenos excitedly as he fixed his glasses. "Ellen, if you don't mind, please let me handle this one."

"O.k then, if you're sure." replied Ellen.

"Ready, here's the question," began Mr. Blanco. "In Norse mythology, what was the name of the dwarf prince that became a dragon after killing his father, the king?"

"Perfect, I know this one," said Kenos as he quickly pushed his buzzer. "Who is Fáfnir."

"Correct," said Mr. Blanco. "With that, the game is over, the team of Kenos and Ellen have won."

"Nice work Kenos, you sure know you're mythology." said Ellen.

"Thanks, you're pretty smart too." said Kenos.

"What's up with you Ryder," said Kevin. "You didn't help at all."

"Sorry there Kevin," replied Ryder. "It's just that I knew that there was no way that we could beat Kenos in a history competition, especially if there's a question on mythology."

"Great work to our two teams," said Mr. Blanco. "Time for the next two pairs."

After the games were completed, the class went back to its normal schedule of work, later during sixth period, Kenos met Ricky at their lunch table, and alone, without anybody else on the table, the two friends began to discuss their day.

"You'll never believe what happened during chemistry," said Ricky as he took a bite of his chicken sandwich. "There was a big argument between one of our classmates and the teacher, it went on for almost the entire class."

"Yeah that's great." mumbled Kenos indifferently.

"Hey are you listening to me." said Ricky as he looked over to Kenos to see him staring at another table.

"Oh, I see what's going on," continued Ricky as he went to Kenos and noogied his short black hair to get his attention. "You're staring at Ellen Doss, aren't you."

"What, I am." said Kenos as his cheeks turned pink.

"Well, I can't blame you," laughed Ricky. "Despite being a junior, she has almost every boy in the school after her, some being even seniors, and one of the boys includes you, I have to be honest, times when you stare at her are the few times I never see you reading a book or something like that."

"I guess you have a point there," said Kenos shyly. "But would I really stand a chance with her."

"Have the two of you spoken to each other?" asked Ricky.

"Well in history class, we worked together in a competition, and she said that I was smart." answered Kenos.

"That's great, at least you know she thinks you're smart." said Ricky.

"But that's just the thing Ricky," said Kenos. "I wish I knew what she thinks of me."

As the were conversing, the table where Ellen was, she and three other of her friends looked over at Ricky and Kenos' table with disappointment.

"Is he still staring at you." said Lori, one of Ellen's friends.

"Yeah, I think he is." replied Ellen as she ate a french fry.

"I think he likes you Ellen." said Mimi, another friend.

"Him and almost every other boy in the school." said Kristi, the third friend.

"His name is Kenos, he's in my algebra class," said Lori. "He's not really that popular."

"Ha!" laughed Kristi. "And I'm guessing he thinks he stands a chance with Ellen, he's not popular or that good looking if you ask me."

"Oh come Kristi," said Ellen. "Don't say that about him, he's really smart, and I think he's kinda...cute."

"I see, there's something going on between you two isn't there." said Mimi.

"What, no there's nothing going on." said Ellen with an embarrassed tone.

Back at Ricky and Kenos' table, a short boy with gray hair approached them, Ricky didn't recognize him, but Kenos knew him.

"You're Ryder, from history class, right?" asked Kenos.

"Yeah that's me," answered Ryder. "I just came to congratulate you know on your win today."

"Thanks, I guess." said Kenos.

"I just wanted to ask," said Ryder. "You seemed pretty sure of yourself when you answered the mythology question, do you know much about."

"Of course I do," said Kenos excitedly. "I've read almost every mythology, it's always been interesting to me, do you read mythology."

"Not much, but I know a few facts about it," said Ryder as he began to walk away. "Well cya around."

"That was weird," said Ricky. "What do you think that was all about?"

"I don't know, but it had to be for some reason." said Kenos.

After the next two periods, Ricky and Kenos met at the front of the school where all the students were being dismissed.

"Hey Ricky, wanna come over to my house?" asked Kenos.

"Sorry man, I got a test in chemistry I have to study for." replied Ricky.

"Ok then, see you tomorrow." said Kenos as he headed to the sidewalk.

"See you." said Ricky as he got into his bus.

"There, get her!" exclaimed Kenos as he continued reading his book about Perseus and Medusa.

"Hey Kenos!" exclaimed a familiar voice as Kenos turned to see Ryder coming to him.

"So what do you need?" asked Kenos as Ryder caught up to him.

"It's not what you can do for me," said Ryder. "It's what I can do for you."

"Excuse me." said Kenos.

"What I'm saying is…" began Ryder. "Kenos Rossiu, your life changes here!"