10:30 AM Beverly Hills High
It was chemistry class and Liam was sitting in the front row on the right side of the class
"Okay everybody it is time to pair up for this next science experiment." The teacher announced.
Liam just sat and waited for instructions on the assignment.
While everyone went with a partner, Liam seemed to be the only one without one, at least he thought. Since one student was out sick that day, only one person was left for him.
"Okay, who doesn't have a partner?"
Liam didn't want to raise his hand at first because he didn't want to draw so much attention to himself, instead he just crossed his arms, but the students looked at him.
Mr. Roberts looked at him.
"Liam, do you have a partner?"
"No sir"
"Okay, you will pair with Samantha"
Everyone gasped and Liam's eyes widened in subtle alarm because of being paired with a girl. Liam wasn't a mean person, but he wasn't exactly the most open person, especially around girls.
The students stared at him and Sam, and Sam was almost as surprised as he was.
Clover and Alex were just as shocked.
Liam looked briefly at Sam and nodded to himself.
However, Liam, wanting to honor the teacher and put in an outstanding effort for him and her just consented to the outcome.
Still, an assignment is an assignment.
Letting out a controlled yet quiet huff, Liam slowly got up.
Alright, let's go.
Liam then took off his hoodie and got on his lab coat, goggles, and rubber gloves.
And Sam did too.
Liam walked over.
"Hi there," Liam said almost monotonously.
"Oh hi".
"Shall we get started on the assignment?"
"Sure"
Liam then pulled a chair for her and later himself.
"Thanks"
"No problem"
Sam then got the chemicals, while Liam prepared the petri dish and the microscope.
"Hand me the Boron Oxide," Sam asked
"Sure" Liam handing it to her
Almost everyone looked at the sight amazed, including Clover and Alex.
"Class, focus on your assignments." Mr. Roberts stated.
11:15 AM
"Have a nice day, Sam" Liam said
"Sure, thanks"
Liam nodded and smiled shyly, waved, and left.
"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, although he was a bit quiet."
"At least he helped get the work done right?"
"Pretty much," Sam added
"Ooh, He sounds like the strong silent type," Clover said while moving her eyebrows
Sam was annoyed by Clover's pick-up antics.
1:30 PM Beverly Hills High School
The instructor blew the whistle.
"All right class lineup!"
It was time for gym class. This was another class that Liam had with Sam, Alex, and Clover.
The class started out with warm-ups, jumping jacks, sit-ups, and running. But what got interesting were the following: rope climbing, shot put, and a few laps around the track.
The class was set up and each of the classmates had to go to ropes.
The coach looked at Alex and Liam.
"Alex, Fresh meat, you're up"
"Okay," Alex said.
"Yes sir" Liam nodded.
The coach had no idea what he was in for.
"Ready, set, go".
Liam immediately shot up the rope climb. His hands stacked on one another carefully yet vigorously as he pulled himself up and smacked the ceiling with his palm. Only to see Alex shoot up to his height in less than a second. Liam looked at her work.
Alex smiled awkwardly.
But Liam was amazed.
Wow, she's good.
Liam gave a small nod and shy smile.
And they descended to their peers with 15 seconds to spare.
The students murmured in amazement.
"The kid's not too bad," Some students said.
The coach looked on and asked, "Who's next".
Next, they did shot put drills.
Everyone was going up; the moment Liam came up things were a bit interesting.
"Your turn, fresh meat." The coach urged.
Liam got the shotput ready.
"Throw" The coach yelled
Liam threw the shotput in one swift and explosive motion; the shot put landed 3 inches away from most of his fellow students.
The coach's jaw dropped.
Minutes later they went to the track.
"Ready, set, go"
The class was off, but what made it interesting was that among many of the runners, Liam was the one leading. Liam ran with the endurance and vigor of a stallion. Which for many, caught them off guard as he caught up past many of the school's top athletes even coming neck to neck with an acclaimed athlete and school heartthrob named David.
Liam arrived at the end of the run a bit drained but still standing.
His face was arrayed with beads of sweat, he was somewhat hunched over, and his hands were plumped on his thighs.
"Hey good job out there," David said to Liam while holding his hand out for a handshake.
Liam was a bit taken aback by someone initiating contact with him, but he responded in turn.
"Thanks, you too," Liam responded in turn.
They both shook hands.
Liam looked back to see over half of the students immediately following, some coming later.
The Phys Ed instructor and the students looked in genuine amazement.
After class exercises and group stretching, Liam immediately got up before the coach pulled him aside, congratulating him.
"Hey kid, you sure made quite the entrance. Have you played any sports?"
Liam shrugged "Not really."
"You seem like you have with the way you move, you almost could be drafted in the army"
"My dad was in the Air Force. When he was off duty, he likes to train with me, and my uncle was a trained boxer a while ago."
The coach looked on with interest,
"That explains a lot. You even run like someone from the military. Which squadron was your pops a part of?"
Liam gave a slight smile.
"320th Special Tactics Squadron as a Combat Rescue Officer in 1985."
The coach chuckled.
"Well, I used to be an airman back in the day too."
"Oh?"
"Yes, 1st Helicopter Squadron. I knew how to ride a mean helicopter back in the 90s", The coach sighed with a hint of nostalgia.
Liam couldn't help but smile at that statement, for he felt like someone understood him somehow.
"Well excuse me, sir, thank you so much for your service", Liam smiled.
The coach chuckled. "Don't mention it."
"Your name?" The coach then asked.
"Liam Barrows."
"Nice to meet you, Liam".
"Thank you, coach" Liam unwittingly saluted.
"Hey, at ease soldier" The gym instructor chuckled. "Dismissed"
"Yes sir" Liam nodded, and went to the locker room, to change back into his clothes.
"Wow, the coach rarely calls people by their first name" Clover stated to Alex and Sam, while observing the whole thing.
In the boy's locker room…
As he finished changing some students were commenting about him saying:
"This guy isn't too bad"
"Man, what would I give to have this guy on my zombie apocalypse team."
"Hmph, gym teacher's pet"
Liam kind of tuned out the noise a bit when some guys were trying to towel fighting each other for fun, but when they got to Liam, he knew immediately what was coming. With one swift motion, he immediately got one of his spare towels.
SMACK, SMACK, SMACK. Knocking many of their towels from their hands.
And when a guy behind him tried to get him, Liam got the guy from behind his shoulder, whipping the towel and tilting his head too as he did it.
Everyone's jaw dropped in shock and amazement.
Liam then turned around, finished changing, and left the locker room.