10:45 AM Beverly Hills High

It was chemistry class and Jason was sitting in the front row on the right side of the class

"Okay everybody it is time to pair up for the next class project." The teacher announced.

Jason just sat and waited for instructions on the assignment.

Pair up?

Internally he was unprepared and terrified, in contrast to his trained martial artist self.

While everyone went with a partner, Jason seemed to be the only one without one, at least so he thought. Since one student was out sick that day there was only one person left, he was left to partner with.

"Okay who doesn't have a partner?"

Jason didn't want to raise his hand, so he just tightened his arms and held his hand down.

The teacher looked at the class and then saw Jason.

"Jason, do you have a partner?"

Jason then shook his head.

"No sir"

The room turned silent as if the many knew something Jason didn't and were concerned by it.

"Then Jason, you will be pairing with Sam"

Jason's face tightened with alarm, and everyone gasped, some murmured. They stared at him and Sam, and she was almost as surprised as he was.

Jason avoided eye contact as he stared at his desk.

He felt nervous, most times people, let alone girls, would not want to work with him even back at his old school given his reputation as a fighter. People saw him as a bit dumb and dangerous when he was far from it. And given how well-loved Sam was among her friends and the school, he was concerned for her and almost felt guilty for having her get involved with him even if it was just an assignment.

Sam however looked to her right briefly at him searching his expression.

Jason simply clasped his hands.

He had his hood on in class which acted as his own personal shield, next to his hair to hide a nasty scar he got when fighting a gang member trying to hurt his mom, but he felt the anxiety kick in to where people's stares were like fiery darts pointed at him. Even Sam's look felt icy hot to him. He reluctantly looked to his left side at her for half a second before changing the sight back to his fingers.

However, Sam just looked at him not with the icy hot stare Jason pictured, but carefully and perplexed, she recognized subtle but noticeable signs from him that were different than the guy she saw taking down those bullies and rescuing a kid trapped in a locker. Anxious signs.

Is he okay?

Jason had no idea that Sam met and fought dangerous and more sinister guys than him, so she wasn't too troubled by him.

After hearing the murmurs, and was almost guilty for what happened, and out of a desire to protect Sam, Jason got up unintentionally banging his hands on the table,

"THAT'S ENOUGH!"

Jason looked down embarrassed at what happened, Letting out a controlled yet quiet huff he just walked to the front

"I need to step out," He told Mr. Roberts asking for a hall pass.

Mr. Roberts just gave it to him.

Jason then darted to the one place where people would not expect bad boys to go, the Vice-Principal's office.

"I sure hope he's right there"

10:48 AM

Jason sat down and took a seat, to see a short potbellied man, Vice-Principal Connors, come in.

"Jason?"

"Hello sir"

"What brings you here?"

"Can we talk?"

"Sure"

Jason then went to the assistant principal's office to talk with Mr. Connors about what's happened in class.

"And it was horrific, almost as if I was…"

"In front of a live audience playing piano and forgetting all the notes?"

That was one way to put it. He thought

"Yeah. And what's worse is that Sam got involved too."

"Jason, you are new. It takes time to adjust, I know things are rough. But just be sure not to give up. I was suspicious of you, but after you saved me not once but twice: with that Heimlich maneuver a few days ago and another at the grocery store against those two thugs, I knew there was something different about you."

Jason went almost silent.

"Really?"

"I know. That kid you freed, and a few other students didn't plead your case for nothing."

Jason gave a small but hopeful smile.

"Also, I was a bit of a bad boy myself back in the day." He said in an overtly masculine voice, hiking his pants.

Jason gave a subtle but puzzled look

"You were?"

"Yup. BEHOLD"

And the assistant principal showed a picture of himself at an office party wearing dressing up in a 50s style outfit with a pompadour and, high water jeans, white socks, and black dress shoes while wearing a leather jacket-wearing nothing underneath, showing off his bare chest and belly.

Jason doubled over at the sight chuckling. Showing off a genuinely warm and friendly smile that most people never saw coming.

The assistant principal noticed then quipped with a sly grin, "You're not looking too much like a bad boy now, are you?"

"I guess not" Jason giggled as he wiped a tear from his eye.

The assistant principal relaxed his smile a bit.

"Now Jason, you think you are ready? I think your teacher might be a bit worried."

"Oh yes, sorry. Thanks for being there, sir."

"Remember, Jason. If anything is bothering you, please come visit. I'm glad you stopped by and I'll be looking forward to seeing you"

Jason looking back moved almost to tears by his kindness responds with a short smile, followed by a nod and wave at him before leaving the cubicle.

"Yes sir."

With one deep breath, Jason made it back to class and finished the assignment.

10:49 AM

He noticed some students and Mr. Roberts looking at him.

Jason just had one focus to get the assignment done.

He grabbed his lab coat and put it back on.

"I'm sorry, I left fast" He said to Mr. Robberts

"Just take your seat."

Jason nodded.

11:15 AM

"So how was it over there?" Alex asked

"It wasn't too bad." Sam responded.

"Spill the deets, Sam." Clover demanded

"He wasn't bad, but he was a bit too quiet. Must be shy"

"He sounds like the strong silent type."

"He does give me that vibe"