A/N Kind of hooked on this story so you're welcome for the second update today :)
Alex walked on, pointedly ignoring the teenager who was furiously goading him. After his training he was secure in the knowledge that he could best this arrogant fool in a fight, but he wasn't going to stoop that low.
Instead he chose to walk on silently and simply take the abuse being hurled at him relentlessly from all sides. "Get lost druggie" shouted one , "Get out of here you're gonna get us in prison" jeered another.
What had happened with the science block coupled with his long absences made him not only easy prey, but also gave the bullies a real reason to harass him. However Alex had, over time, built up layers of emotional protection. As he walked towards his classroom he reflected on his emotional barriers. It seemed to Alex that every time one of his loved ones somehow died, his emotional barriers had strengthened and now it was like getting past a solid brick wall. All of the jeering and teasing in the world wouldn't have made a dent.
Suddenly a shiver prickled the back of Alex's neck, but as soon as it came, he brushed it off as nothing but a draught.
He eventually got into his classroom and to his joy spotted Tom lounging back on his chair whilst engrossed in his phone, no doubt checking on the football. Oblivious to the whispers of 'look who's finally turned up to school', Alex walked over to Tom and hit him playfully on the head jolting him from his reverie with a quiet, "so how did Chelsea do last night?"
"They won mate I guess I owe you now" Tom replied whilst digging into his pockets and giving Alex his winnings.
"No it's OK mate keep it" Alex said handing them back, "just promise me you won't bet against Chelsea again will you?" Alex teased.
"No way mate, Chelsea suck" Tom replied grinning, but he quickly silences when the teacher walked in.
She was a stern woman and looked about mid forties but acted like well... a rather sadistic Hitler-esque grandmother. Her cold gaze travelled around the room and they appeared to widen as her eyes met Alex's equally cold stare. "So, you decided to show up for once Rider" she said and her mouth turned up in a satisfied sneer as this brought about a ripple of laughter.
"Yes" Alex stated simply not once taking her eyes off the teacher, "Yes I did."
The woman slowly read off the names of the class register, making a point to miss out Alex's name just to irk him, but Alex really didn't care. He had faced worse people and the woman had no power over him to make him act in any way she wanted. His face remained an emotionless mask until she had finished and Tom said, "hey let's get going to our first lesson mate."
Slowly he allowed himself to relax and he followed Tom out of the room to his first lesson which was Spanish. Although he was fluent with Spanish as well as being proficient in a vast number of other languages, he had still chosen to take it as a subject simply because it would add more to his timetable to keep his mind distracted and it would also serve as good practise so he could keep up to speed on his fluency.
The walk to his Spanish classroom was a short one but somehow he still had enough time to get water spilled on him and for someone to barge into him and send him flying into a wall. It took all of Alex's self restraint to not break their necks, but then he calmed himself down by thinking of the few pleasant memories in his life, like his time with Ian Rider and his time on the beach with Sabina. It was only just enough and as he walked into the crowded, noisy Spanish room he only felt marginally better.
He sat down, by himself of course, at his usual place in the back of the room and looked expectantly at the teacher. "Hola clas-" the teacher began, but suddenly the door was flung open and a masked man wearing black padded body armour walked into the room whilst firing a warning shot at the ceiling which only sought to stoke the flames of the pandemonium which ensued. Children screamed whilst some tried to hide under desks.
It was only when the man turned his head up to face the children and roared "SHUT UP ALL OF YOU" that the class quietened down all looking in fear at the man in front of them. "Thank you", he said, more quietly this time, "If you stay silent and co-operate this will be quick and painless."
The teacher at once nodded and bravely attempted to take authority and said "What do you want?" she asked loudly. The armoured man barked an order and three more men walked in forming a prefect line behind the first man. They all shouted "SIR" simultaneously with a slight trace of an eastern European accent.
"We just want one thing, a person to be exact. Give us Alex Rider and no-on gets hurt" he finished menacingly. At this Alex slowly got to his feet and turned to face the man holding a gun - this was not the first time he'd been forced to do this, 'so much for my cover' though Alex as he finally looked at the face of his capturer.
I know it may be a storyline used a lot, but I love it what can I say? Sue me ;) Please review and the next chapter will come flying at you.