"So, Jackson? How's your first day of school going?" Melissa sat across from me at the lunch table.

"It was good, ma'am."

"That's cool. You make any new friends?"

"No, ma'am."

"Oh. Well, maybe I could-"

"No!" It was Taylor. She was arguing with her boyfriend. "I'm sitting with them, today."

"You can't sit with those losers." Her boyfriend Rusty pointed toward me.

"They're not losers. They're my friends. And I'm sitting with them." Taylor came toward us, taking a seat next to me. "How you doing, Jackson?"

"I'm good, ma'am."

"Cool. You like school?"

"Yes, ma'am."

She looked at me strangely. "Really?"

"Yes, ma'am."

"Weird."

"Sorry, ma'am."

She sighed. "I didn't mean that."

"It's okay, ma'am."

She gave me a tight squeeze and a smile.

I pulled some books out of my locker, then closed the door.

"Hey, b****." It was Rusty.

"Hello, sir."

He knocked the books from my hand. "Pick them up."

"Yes, sir." I did as I was told.

"Carry these for me."

"Yes, sir."

He lifted a large stack of heavy books into the air above the books in my hand, then let go.

I accidentally dropped them with their weight. I hurriedly got onto my knees and began picking them up. "I'm so sorry, sir. I'm sorry."

"Get up."

"Yes, sir." I stood, preparing myself for a blow.

He noticed this, smirking. "I so own you."

I walked next to Rusty, carrying his books.

Rusty was my new master now.

He piled books and papers on top of the others in my arms. "I got one-hundred algebra problems for math, a twelve-page paper in English, a lab report in chemistry, a history project, and a Spanish paper due tomorrow. I want at least a 'B' on all of them. Got that?"

"Yes, master."

"Good." He stuck out his foot, tripping me.

"I'm so sorry, master." I hurried to pick up the books and papers from the floor.

"You're such a klutz."

"I'm sorry."

"Can't you do anything right?"

"I'm sorry, master. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

"Not too good at walking, are you?"

I was never good enough.

Tears fell from my eyes as I scrambled to pick up the last few books. "No, master. I'm sorry, master."

Rusty laughed at my tears. "Crybaby."

"I'm sorry, master." I wiped them away.

Taylor walked past us, ignoring her ex-boyfriend. "Hey, Jackson."

"Hello, ma'am."

She turned a corner and headed to her locker.

All of a sudden, Rusty shoved me to the floor.

"I'm sorry, master." I hurried to pick up the books, then fell over as Rusty kicked my side. I yelped. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

He grabbed my shirt, then threw me up against the lockers, his fist pushing against my chest. His voice was threatening, his teeth clenched. "Don't you ever talk to Taylor again. You understand me?"

My eyes were filled with fear. I nodded quickly. "Yes, master. Sorry, master."

I sat on the Wu's couch, a small piece of a tissue in my bleeding nostril. My eyes were black, my lips busted. A large bruise covered my left cheek.

"You doing better?" Mr. Wu took a seat next to me.

"Yes, sir."

He put a hand on my shoulder. "Why did Rusty do this to you?"

"I wasn't being a good dog, sir."

"You're not a dog, Cody."

"Thank you, sir."

"Cody?"

"Yes, sir?"

"I'm afraid we're gonna have to take you out of school."

I hung my head. "Yes, sir."

It was almost midnight.

Even though I wasn't going to school tomorrow, I had to finish Rusty's homework. Maybe Melissa would give it to him for me.

I had no idea how to speak Spanish and I didn't remember much about how to do this kind of math and chemistry. I hadn't started on the history project. But I was halfway done writing the English report on Charles Dickens' Great Expectations. It'd taken me a couple of hours to make it to the thirtieth chapter.

I yawned and stretched, then popped my stiff fingers. When that was done, I picked up the pen and continued writing.

"Cody, what are you doing up? It's three in the morning."

"Homework, sir."

Mr. Wu came to stand next to me. "Cody, we talked about this. You're not going to school anymore. You don't need to do your homework."

"It's not mine, sir." I'd never stopped scribbling, my droopy eyes glued to the paper.

Mr. Wu picked up one of the many papers that were thrown around the desk. "Why are you doing Rusty's homework?"

"He told me to, sir. He's my new master."

Mr. Wu snatched all of the papers from my desk, even the one I was writing on.

"Sir, I need-"

"To go to bed. It's late."

"But, sir, I have to-"

"Go to bed, Cody."

"But-"

"Cody?" he said, gently, yet firmly.

"Yes, sir?"

"What did I say?"

"To go to bed, sir."

"So what are you gonna do?"

"I'm gonna go to bed, sir."

"Right. Go on."

I stood as a teardrop fell from my bloodshot eyes. "Yes, sir." I got under the covers, then sniffled.

Mr. Wu heard this. "What's wrong, Cody?"

"Nothing, sir."

He sat next to me on the bed. "Don't lie to me."

"I'm scared, sir."

"Of what?"

"Rusty. Sir, he told me to do his homework. 'Or else.' I don't want him to hurt me, sir." I was crying now.

"Cody…" Mr. Wu bent down and hugged me. "I'm not gonna let anybody hurt you. Okay? No one's gonna hurt you anymore."

"Thank you, sir."

"No problem." He kissed my forehead. "Now get some sleep."

"Yes, sir."

"Goodnight."

"Goodnight, sir." I pulled the cover over my chest as I turned onto my side. "I love you, sir."

"I love you, too, Cody."