Good news! I'm going to Philadelphia for a week. I may not be able to type or update than, but my family is driving and it takes close to ten hours to get there. So, that means that I have about twenty hours to do three things. Sleep, read, and type. I will more likely be typing because O have a lot of ideas for Perfect and my new Star Wars commandos series. If you guys want me to update the Star Wars one I will, but I won't update it as often as the others. Anyways enjoy!

Chapter 2: First Day, First Impressions

Humphrey's POV

I walked into the school as quick as I could. "Wow!" I exclaimed as I looked up at the ceiling. It was huge compared to my old high school. I wonder what else is new or different here. My thoughts were interrupted by when a girl walked up to me. "Hi, my names Julie and I'm here to give you a tour of our amazing school." It sounded like it was rehearsed but who could blame her she probably had to do this. "Hi, my names…" "Humphrey, isn't it?" I nodded in disbelief at how she could know my name. "At least that's what it says on the paper. I chuckled to myself at my stupidity. "Shall we go and explore your new school?" She asked and I replied. "After you my lady." She just smiled and said. "Only if you insist." And then she started to show me the school all the while telling me information that I hoped I didn't need to remember.

"And are final destination is the science labs." Julie said as I let out a sigh of relief that this "tour" was over. "I didn't really remember any of it." I told her quite embarrassed by myself. "Didn't expect you to considering it's your first day here. But.." Before she could finish her sentence she turned to rummage through her bag that was on her shoulder. Then she pulled out a piece of paper and proceeded to hand it to me. "This map should help you for today and on." I looked down at it. It had a key, it was color coded and everything. "Cool." I proclaimed, but when I turned my attention back to her she was already ten meters away. "Sorry!" She yelled walking away at a brisk pace. I shook my head in disbelief. 'Now.' I thought. 'Where is my homeroom.' I stared at the map heading to my destination, every now and again glancing up so as to not hit anybody.

When I arrived at a doorway I looked at the door to check the name. "Mr. Thompson" It read. This is my homeroom, the first class of the day. I walked in and braced myself for whatever is going to happen next. When I entered it smelled like oranges and felt like an ice box. I ambled over to the teachers desk. He didn't seem to notice me so I coughed. He looked up at me and lowered his glasses. "Welcome son." He said to me standing up, although it sounded like a yell. "Your seat is right over there, by Kate Davis." I cleared my throat and asked. "Pardon?" Instead of telling me he walked right over next to Kate. No more needed to be said after that. I shuffled across the room up to Kate and sat down next to her. "Good then." Mr. Thompson said clapping his hands together. "Now back to work, all of you." No one seemed to be paying attention to him so they continued on talking or catching up on homework. I turned around to see Kate smiling at me.

"Yes." I asked her. She seemed to have been in thought about something. Kate blinked a couple of times. "Did you say something?" I gazed at her with my signature goofy grin and replied. "Yes." She waited for me to continue on, but she did ask if I said something. "What did you say a second ago?" I simply replied yes again. She frowned at me and knit her eyebrows. "No before that." "Yes." She just facepalmed and looked up. "Whatcha doin?" I requested looking up at the ceiling with her. "I-I-I don't really know." God she is so hot when so does that. "Anyway, what did you want?" I quizzed her. "I wanted to say it's a small world…" Then right after she said 'it's a small world' I heard someone say 'after all.' Kate got angry and turned around. "Shut up Jerry." I picked up some giggling after that. "Continue." I said motioning her on. "Like I said, I wanted to say it's a small world that we would be sat next to each other." I nodded, but what she didn't know was that this was the only time I was going to sit next to her. I was kinda disappointed that we probably wouldn't see each other any other time during the day. "This also means that we have just about the same classes together." I perked up when she said that. "Really, how would you know that?" "Ok 1, I've been to this school before. 2, I am kinda guessing. And 3, Mr. Thompson only sets people together if they have the most amount of classed with each other." "Huh, who would've thought."

The rest of homeroom went by fast with Kate and I talking. Soon it was time to move on to my next class, Canadian history. Also, Kate was right we did have most of our classes together. All the classes were boring and uneventful, that is until Kate and I got to trig. The trig teacher, Mrs. Harris, gave us a review packet of Algebra 1 stuff because she was feeling under the weather. We were allowed to work with partners but only at our table. Kate and I didn't really jump at the chance to work with each other. Since it both seemed we wanted to get this done as quickly as possible. We were both cruising along fine (since it is Algebra 1) until Kate dropped her pencil and put her head in her hands. "What's wrong, do you need any help?" I asked, but I was really serious I was only joking. She took her head out of her hands and turned to face me. "Would you, that would be a big help." "What the heck." I scooted my chair closer to hers but not too close, to examine the problem. The problem read (3x+5)(8x-7). I looked up to her with a smug grin. "You don't know how to do a foil?" I asked chuckling to myself. "Is it bad?" She asked back. "I'm no doctor, but yes."

I soon explained to her how to do the problem. "Ohhhh, so you just distribute the whole thing." I smiled at her, she does catch on fast. "Yes, congrats you passed Algebra 1." "Yay!" She yelled but not too loudly. "What do I win?" "Me." I scared even myself there. I hope that she would get that it's just a joke. "That's an amazing reward." She said seductively. Good, she understood it was a joke. We continued on the rest of class helping one another. We got it done with seconds to spare because as we just finished turning it in the bell rang for next class. "What is next class?" I questioned to Kate as we both were walking back to grab our stuff. She answered plainly. "Lunch."

Skip to Humphrey just finding a spot to sit down with his meal.

Here seems like a nice and quiet spot to sit and eat. Once I was comfortable in my seat I took in the room. The cafeteria was huge, probably bigger than my house. While I was taking in the room I couldn't help to notice Kate sitting, back towards me talking to her friends. You know the best part about these chairs are that they are see through. It gave me a perfect view of her ass. She she looks stupendous in that outfit. Next Kate stood up to pick something up and she bent over. I almost fell backwards out of my chair. "Holly mother of god." I whispered. She needs to be more careful with that thing. That could kill a man. Soon my moment was interrupted when I saw my brother, Harold, come over to sit next to me. Wait, what was I just doing? The last 30-35 seconds or so were completely blank. The only thing I could remember was that it was one of the best times of my life.

"Hey Humphrey." Harold said. "I didn't think to see you in today." I told him wiping my mouth of pizza sauce. "What you think I would miss out on the first day of school on a place like this?" He stated, cherishing the size of the cafeteria as he behold the room. "I kinda did." "Well I didn't so get over it." We continued to banter for a while. Until we can't to a topic that my brother wanted to get a deliberate answer. "Humphrey." Harold asked me. "Can I ask you a serious question?" He was smiling before, now it was replaced by a discontent face. I couldn't help but do the exact same thing. "Sure, what's on your mind?" "I wanted to get your opinion on on whether or not I should join the football and wrestling teams." I knew why he would ask me this and I wanted to contemplate my options. "Can I get back to you on that? I questioned with a raised eyebrow. "Of course." We bother turned to our placid faces and continued to banter. Both Harold and I "kept the ball rolling" ,so to say. Just before the bell rang for us to leave lunch and proceed on with school, both of us said our respective goodbyes and went our separate ways.

While I was at my locker getting my stuff for my next classes, someone came up and slammed the locker in my face. I was stunned for a second of the sudden change of events. When I came to my composer I saw a large figure looming over me. "Who are you?" I asked, a hint of fear detectable in my voice. The figure simply answered. "Kate's boyfriend." "What?!" I yelled shocked to hear this news. 'Damn I'm losing it again.' I thought to myself. 'Why did I care so much anyway?' "Kate's boyfriend." The stranger said but this time a bit louder. "Look I'm going to warn you, stay away from Kate." The character said putting a strong grip on my right shoulder. "Or what?" I stupidly questioned, I mentally slapped myself. "Or you aren't going to like me." He replied applying more pressure on my shoulder so it hurt a little. "And if I don't like you already?" I didn't. "I'm getting tired of this conversation." "Good I hated this meeting between us." I said walking away, but just before, he grabbed me again by the shoulder. Except now he had an iron grip. "Wrong answer." He stated letting go of my shoulder and squaring up for a fight. For the first time today I hadn't noticed the crowd gathering around us. I heard some of the crowd yell my assailants name.

"Go Garth. Beat his ass Garth" Some cheered. 'His name was Garth than. It doesn't matter what his name is.' I told myself. 'Don't fight this bully.' Like I almost always did, I listened to my better side. When I started to back away from the fight Garth and some of the crowd weren't so happy about this. They started to yell insults at me. "Pussy. Stand and fight like a man." They all said. 'More like fight like a child.' They pressed on their verbal assault, but it was as if I was immune to it. Except when they found the one thing that could faze me enough to stop. "Did your dad not teach you to fight?" They mocked. I took a deep breath and ignored them, but just before I could leave they made the situation worse. "I guess your dad did teach you something." Garth told his friends, a devilish grin appear on his face. "And what was that?" I heard another quiz. All of them were talking awfully loud. "His dad must have been a pussy to." Garth yelled really booming. I could feel my blood boil and when I turned around to go face Garth and… I didn't really care about his friends now. "Want to run that by me again?" "Yeah. Your dad is a pussy just like you. He must have also been a homosexual." 'How does that even relate. Oh it doesn't matter. I wanted to punch him that smug face of his, but I knew that he was wanting me to do so. So, I didn't give him the satisfaction.

I couldn't say the same about my brother though. Right when I was about to hike out of here to my next class I saw a blur smack Garth against his locker. 'O no!' I practically yelled in my head. "Piece. Of. Shit." Harold said between punches. "You're going to regret ever even thinking it!" My brother screamed, hitting his midsection in the process. Garth was big and strong, but my brother was bigger and definitely stronger. I ran over to try and break up the fight. While I was pulling my brother off Garth I observed the assistant principal, running his way over to us. "What is going on here!" She shouted. She was small but she was scary, and my brother realized this. Harold had ended his attack early. "You see…" Harold tried to explain. The assistant put her hand up to stop him and said. "No need. Both of you in my office, now!" She bellowed pointing to Garth and Harold. Neither of them argued and hung their heads as they hurried to follow the assistant. Although I did see that Garth was clenching his stomach. 'He must of got him good.' I thought back to my brother pummeling Garth. I shook off the thought and headed towards class.

When I arrived at Mrs. Kay's classroom everyone was whispering back and forth. Even though there was plenty of times til the bell chimed signaling class to start. I walked over to my respective seat next to Kate. "Man I missed her." "What?" Kate asked turning to face me. "Did I say something?" She just nodded while I cursed at my incompetence. "Any way." I coughed nervously. "What's up?" She looked at her desk looking worried. "Garth got beat up just now." "Wow. News travels fast" I stated. "What happened? Were you there? How is he?" She had so many questions. All of which I didn't want to answer. But, like earlier, my better side won and I gave in. I soon told her what she wanted to hear, almost perfectly how, when, where, and why it all happened. Kate listened through the whole story, she never interrupted, except for her gasp at the part where I described my brother kicking Garth's ass. When I finished Kate put her head on her desk and whispered. "This is all my fault." I wondered at what she meant. "How is it your fault?" She raised her head back up to reveal some tears. "I was the one who told him about you." "So." I replied, how was this her fault. "You didn't lead him on to suspicion." She laughed at that but refused eye contact, she was hiding something. But I wasn't going to find out now, because the bell had rung and Mrs. Kay started what I would soon find out, her "routine."

Skip to end of day, seconds before the final bell rings.

I was counting down the seconds left in my head. 'Three, two, one.' Dingggg. I jumped out of my seat and headed for my locker, hopefully there wouldn't be an unexpected visitor. I was wrong. When I got close enough to see, I saw someone standing at my locker, back turned towards me. I got worried that it was Garth or one of his buddies, but was relieved to find my brother standing there waiting for me. "Harold?" I asked, I was confused why he would be here. "Yo, what's up?" He countered with a question. "What's up is you. Why are you at my locker?" 'He better not' "To talk to you." 'Dang, he did.' "Get to the point." I finally said. I didn't want to play any games now. Surprisingly he got straight to the point. "Mom picking us up." "Thanks for telling me." "Ok, I have to go get my stuff now." He said hustling off while waving to me. I turned my attention to my locker, inserted the combination (33-01-27), opened it and grabbed my things I needed for home. After I was satisfied that I grabbed everything I needed, I marched straight to the double doors, and left the building. My next objective would be to find my mom's car. I scanned the parking lot until I rested my eyes on a 2003 Honda CRV. It was an old car but it had decent pick up and was quieter than a forest after a gunshot was fired. I ran over to the car, looked in the window, and then knocked on the door. My mom unlocked the door and I got in the passenger side of the vehicle.

"So how was your first day sweetheart." Mom asked in a sweet and caring voice. Her voice was always soothing. "It was different." I replied simply. "How so?" She quizzed. I smiled and looked at her responding with. "You may want to wait for Harold to get here." Her face turned into concern and then flat out sad. "Damn." I heard her whisper quietly, probably hoping that I didn't hear her. We waited a little in silence until Harold arrived which gave me time to think to my self. 'I acted different today and felt different than I normally do. I wonder why I've been different?' My self conversation ended as Harold opened the door and sat down on the back seat. Mom and I exchanged a glance as we both turned around to stare at Harold. "What?" He asked uncomfortably. "You know why." I told him, winking. He got the 'oh god' face as he prepared to get scolded. My mother and Harold talked for a bit about the events today. I didn't want to hear it a second time so, I settled in for a nap.

Home

I felt someone gently nudge me. "Humphrey honey, wake up we're home." I sat up straight, yawned, and stretched. I looked over to see my mom in the driver's seat of her car. "I'm up now." I said through a yawn. Mom rubbed my arm and then opened her door and left to head inside. I decided to follow suit. I exited the car and walked inside my house. It was nothing special to look at, but it was my new home. A new home that I greatly enjoyed, mostly because of location. I headed upstairs to my room to properly examine and set up. Even though we moved into the house three days ago, I haven't arranged my furniture and decorations. Every step I took going up the stairs made a creak. 'Great.' I thought 'Annoying stairs.' When I got to the landing at the top I immediately faced right and walked straight into my room. My room is right next to the stairs. I don't think that's too safe, but as long as I'm careful.

As I entered my room I smelled pine wood and a hint of motor oil. I also remembered something, "An empty room is a new opportunity." I started to lay out what my room should look like in my head. And as I did I noticed the boxes and wrapped furniture in the corner of the room. "Let's get started." I said cracking my fingers.

A couple of hours later.

I sat on my bed and admired my work. My room was now complete. The keyboard set up against my right wall facing the door, my bed was up against the wall opposite the door, above it was a window. I had various decorations hanging and sitting throughout the room. All of which showed my hobbies. There are inspirational posters as well as athletic posters. Assorted trophies and other rift rad lay about the room. I soon lay in my bed wondering what to do for the day. A solution soon presented itself. "Boys." Mom called from downstairs. "Come down here please. I need to talk to both of you." 'That doesn't sound good.' I thought. I ran out of my room, scurried down the stairs, and sat on the sofa in the living room. I didn't want to be late. Harold soon followed, hurrying at the exact same way I did. We both sat on the sofa wondering why we were both called. Mom soon came into the room and sat down opposite us. She crossed her legs mimicking a therapist. An awkward silence fell upon us, as both Harold and I sat, waiting for our mother to do or say something.

My brother soon broke the silence. "Are we in trouble?" I face palmed myself and shook my head whispering to Harold. "Never ask that question to her." Harold just turned to me with an 'sorry' face. But, miraculously she said something entirely different. "I wanted to inform you that we are going to the Davis's for dinner tomorrow and I wanted to know if you'd be ok with it." "Hell yeah." I yelled, unable to contain my excitement. "I'm in too." My brother so boringly said. "I'm glad at least one of you is excited about this." Mom commented, walking into the kitchen. "Do you want anything?" "No thanks, I'm fine." I wasn't really hungry and Harold already ran back upstairs. I looked at my wrist watch. I said 7:43. It wasn't late but I found myself getting tired by the minute. So, I shambled back up the stairs and into my room to sleep.

"Humphrey." I woke up hearing someone call my name. "Humphrey it was louder more apparent. I sat up in bed straining to listen. "Humphrey, get up." The voice yelled. "But I am up." I responded, sliding to get out of bed. "Who are you?" I asked once I was standing beside my bed. "Ask me who I was." The voice stated. "Ok. Who were you?" A shiver went up my spine as a ghostly shadow appeared in my door way. "I was you. Or, rather who you were. I'm sure you have many questions. Of which I have answers. Before you say anything, take my hand and I will show you." I was reluctant to take his hand, but I soon gave in to my curiosity. I approached him slowly and took his outstretched hand. Once I made contact the world started to spin violently. I awoke in a room that was filled with gray. However, it wasn't just that objects were gray, the sun shining through the window was gray.

I scanned my surroundings. The place looked oddly familiar, but a distant memory. "This is a distant memory." I turned and saw the spirit hovering to my right. "And yes I can read your mind." Great, a magic man can read my mind, wonderful. "You were wondering what this is, or rather was. This." He said beholding the room. "This is the moment in your life where I was born." He indicated himself when he said 'I.' "Who are you?" I asked once again. He motioned for me to follow him, and I did. We walked into a room where two young ones were playing with their parents idly chatting while observing their young. Without context I would have been baffled by this. With context however, I understood perfectly. The two young-ins were me and my brother, the parents were our parents. I looked over to the spirit who just pointed forward and watch. I did as he instructed. I saw the twins playing with each other, rolling around, jumping, playing my dad had to go take a call, so he left the room. Mom just went into kitchen to prepare. I stared at my younger brother and I having a good time. I couldn't believe how much I had grown. When mom left though and no adult was in the room to watch us. We started to get rough. My brother accidentally kicked me in the head. I didn't react like a normal child at my age would. Instead I retaliated. I hit him square in the jaw. Soon we started to fight and the memories were coming back to me now. I hadn't felt any guilt for hitting my brother, I kinda enjoyed it.

The scene faded away into nothing and the spirit walked, or floated, in front of me surrounded by a sea of black. I gazed back through my memories, seems like it was only yesterday. I was interrupted when the spirit started to speak. "Do you know who I was?" I nodded I knew all too well who this was. But I banished him from me a long time ago. When my father had died I promised to never do wrong in a physical fight again. I swore, but why would he come back now. To show, to teach, or to influence me. It didn't matter whatever the reason I couldn't let him take control of my life again. "Who was I?" He asked once again, the same undertone apparent in his voice. I reluctantly raised my eyes to answer him. I said one simple word, one word that had changed me into something else. "Violence." He smiled and nodded.

Hope you enjoyed it. The next chapter should be up shortly. Live, laugh, and learn a little more each day. Jade out.