Teen Alpha

  The morning weather was foggy with a gentle breeze that howled into Lucas' window. He was already running late for school when he heard his father yell his name.

“Lucas! Lucas!” yelled Detective White. “Get your ass down here boy, you're already late for school!”

Detective White is one of the top Detectives in the New Orleans Police Department. He lost his wife early last year. According to the post-mortem examination presented to him, this states that Mrs. White was killed by a wild bear. Her car broke down in the middle of a wooded area. She called Detective White to come and pick her up or send help; he did send help but by the time help could get to Mrs. White to toll her car, she was already lying in the pool of her blood with a bestial bite mark on her neck. Her blood was drained and this bothered Detective White to eventually find out the type of wild bear that did this.

“Sorry dad, I was…”

Detective White couldn't let Lucas finish what he has to say. He glared at him. “Save it, boy, I'm running late. Get your ass to the car right now!”

Lucas was an easy-going teen who would turn 17 in a week. He was every girl's type of boy with a pointed nose, thin lips, and a pointy chin. When he smiled, he displayed his shinny gap teeth, and his dimples were always visible. Most importantly, he always had good grades which made girls come around him to help them solve complex mathematics problems. The loss of his mother hadn't been easy for him. He visited his mother's grave with flowers every weekend.

Detective White isn't home always because of his demanding work as a cop. However, as often as he is around, he never hesitates to take Lucas to school. He pulled over at Orleans High “Always stay out of trouble.”

Without saying a word to his father, he opened the door and then shuts it. Hastily, Detective White slides down the windscreen. “I mean it, stay out of trouble!” he yelled.

One major problem Lucas faces in school is getting his ass kicked by bullies. He is in his senior class and less than a year he will be out of High School to proceed to College with his dream course but he always look over his shoulders for bullies.

Lucas makes his way to his locker to get some of the notes needed for today's class. As he slowly puts the combination of his locker, one of the bullies grabbed him from behind and held him against his locker.

“Hey punk!" said Jack with a broad fake smile written on his face. “I hope you did my goddamned homework or it's gonna be your ass?" Jack tightened his hands on Lucas' collar so that Lucas could barely breathe.

Jack Styles has been Lucas' nightmare in Orleans High School. Lucas is always watching his back for Jack and his two friends. Occasionally, Jack has forced Lucas into doing his homework for him. Jack might be a bully but he's a famous senior at Orleans High School. He has a prominent nose, thick lips, a square jaw, and straight teeth.

Lucas swallowed a lump in his throat and spoke in a quivering voice. “I am tired of doing your homework for you.”

“Wrong answer!” Jack’s nostrils flared.

As Jack raised his hand to punch Lucas, from behind Mr. Walter held him and asked him to unhand Lucas. He narrowed his gaze at Jack. He didn’t like the report he has been hearing about Jack but each time he calls him to question him, Jack will cook up lies to defend himself. Today luck has run out of him. Mr. Walter has caught him in the act. “I believe your words to be true but there are always lies.” Mr. Walter cast a fierce burning gaze at Jack.

“He stole my book!" Jack cried out.

“That's a lie, Mr. Walter!" Lucas spoke up in his defense.

“If he says I'm lying, open his backpack!”

“Lucas, would you be kind enough to open your backpack please?" Mr. Walter narrowed a gentle gaze on Lucas in expectation for him to comply with his calm request.

Mr. Walter has been voted for straight three years as the best teacher in Orleans High School. He is the geography teacher. For the past ten years of working in Orleans High School. He is always early before the students and always the last to go home after school.

“He's lying, I didn't steal his book!" Lucas spoke up again in his defense.

“Then you can prove that by opening your backpack." Mr. Walter focuses his gaze on Lucas. He wants to see to the end of this. He doesn't know whom to believe but perhaps proof can help solve the differences between the two.

As Lucas was stalling in opening his backpack, Jack took it off his hands and forcefully opens it revealing his Mathematics assignment booklet with his name boldly written on the book cover.

***

      Mr. Walter was disappointed in Lucas as he furrows his brows in an expression of displeasure toward Luca's action and for lying. He couldn't let Lucas say a word to explain how Jack's book got to his backpack. He brought his face closer to Lucas', “Detention won't solve this. You know the punishment for stealing is in the rules and regulations of this noble school?”

“But sir…”

“Quiet Lucas! Quiet!" Mr. Walter yelled. "You are a disgrace to your father's badge!”

Other students were already staring as they watched Lucas being disgraced. From the look on Jack's face, he's enjoying every bit of the embarrassment given to Lucas. “Sir, I demand he should be punished for stealing my book," said Jack.

Mr. Walter swirled as he focuses his gaze on Jack. “Don't tell me how to do my job.”

“I know but with my mathematics book stolen by him, I didn't do my homework.”

Mr. Walter walks up to Jack. He fixed his eyes direct on Jack's eyes. “Is that why you raised your hand to strike him? You know that's suspension, right?”

“I am sorry sir but…”

Mr. Walter cut in on Jack, pushing back his words. “I don't want to hear a word from you. I will handle Lucas after I speak to the Principal.” After he has said this, he turned to the rest of the students staring and ordered them to their classes. “Lucas White,” Mr. Walter calls out as he switched his gaze at Lucas and continued, “You have detention after school, but first I will speak to the principal about your act.”

LUNCHTIME

Lucas was ashamed to sit in the canteen for Lunch because everyone thought he stole from Jack except for one person, Alicia Myles. He was seated in the class alone with his head on the desk. Alicia approaches him from behind tickling him playfully.

Alicia Myles was Jack's girlfriend. She was aware of how her boyfriend behaved because she had encountered him bullying fellow students. She still stuck around with him thinking he would change but each day he kept on getting worse.

Alicia's stunning beauty wouldn't let Jack allow Alicia to break up with him. Jack had been threatened with a breakup severally but he continues with his empty promises of turning a new leaf. Alicia had ruby red hair, a dainty nose, and velvety eyelashes. When she smiles she often displays her halo-white teeth.

Jack has described her lips to taste like a strawberry. Her joyous personality made her fellow peers always want to be around her, especially the boys. However, Jack has displayed he is jealous of seeing her around boys and he's ready to give the person a beat down for coming around Alicia.

“Hey Lucas, cheer up!” When Alicia spoke, she did so in a soothing voice. She just turned 16 a week ago. “Don't be too hard on yourself.”

Alicia slowly sat beside Lucas trying to make him feel happy again. She's the only one that believes Lucas didn't steal from Jack. She knew how Jack does behave. She gently picked Lucas' palm and placed it on her palm. Slowly she caresses it.

The gloominess of Lucas' facial expression got Alicia more worried about what might be going on in his mind.

“Come on talk to me.” Alicia continued caressing Lucas' palm as she continued in her soothing voice, “Please don't be upset with me.”

“Come on, don't be this way." She paused for a while and emits a soft-deep audible breath. She gently held Lucas' jaw trying to get him to look at her. "Look at me please," she mutters in a soft voice. "I have an idea,” she added.

For the first time, she got Lucas’ attention. “What idea?" Lucas inquired.

“Can you trust me on this and let me clear your name?”

“What do you intend to do?”

“Don't worry; I will be right back, just cheer up.”

Although Alicia was Jack's girlfriend, she had kept a good friendship with Lucas. She was one of the peers who often came to Lucas for help when she failed to understand a math problem.

As she was walking out of the classroom, Mr. Walter walked in. “Lucas White, you are needed at the Principal's office, right now!”

Lucas reluctantly followed Mr. Walter. He has no idea of what Alicia wanted to do nor did he know what would be his fate when he walks out of the Principal's office. All he could sense was trouble and there was no way he wants his father to learn of this situation. His father warned him to stay out of trouble but looks like trouble has already found its way to Lucas.

Lucas' expectations were cut off and his heart raced faster than a racing car when he walked into the Principal's office and saw his father seated with the Principal. It's now clear to him that the school authority has placed a call to his father without delay.

Detective White narrowed down his gaze on his son. He's disappointed that after warning Lucas to stay out of trouble, he still got himself into trouble. He ignored the presence of his son and switched his attention to the Principal. “I am sorry if this turns out to be true but we shouldn't just conclude on this matter just like that. My son has never stolen before.”

The Principal adjusted in his ergonomic chair. He leans forward and opens his mouth to speak. “We can't be too sure of that. You are a detective and you know I can't just dismiss a case like this based on assumption.”

“That's right but we can't conclude a case like this without proving he's guilty.”

Mr. Walter cleared his throat. He was standing by the door. He takes a few steps forward with his eyes on Detective White. “Forgive me Detective but I saw the proof myself,” he said.

Detective White cast a burning gaze on Mr. Walter. “What proof are you talking about?" he asked sternly.

“The stolen book was brought out from his backpack.” Mr. Walter speaks of what he saw but not what he knows. He might have seen the stolen book in Lucas’ backpack but that doesn't mean Lucas is guilty as hell.

“Can we at least allow my son to speak?” Detective White is certain that his son isn't a troublesome type nor is he a thief. However, as a Detective, he knew that the words of a suspect can't be taken just like that without any evidence to back it up.

As Lucas adjusted on the office sofa of the Principal, before he could open his mouth to speak, a gentle knock was heard twice. They all switched their attention toward the door after the Principal invited the person in.

To the Principal's surprise, it was her daughter Alicia. He didn't expect her to be in his office by now but to be getting ready for her next class. She's the youngest daughter of Principal Myles. Principal Myles has three daughters and Alicia is the third. “Are you not supposed to be getting ready for the next class?” asked Principal Myles with his eyes fixed on his daughter.

“I'm sorry to interrupt your session with Detective White but I believe Lucas to be innocent of the accusations levied against him.”

Principal Myles rose from his chair and walks up to his daughter. He believes her judgment is clouded by her friendship with Lucas. “Alicia, this is not the time for this. Please get ready for the next class you have,” he said.

“I'm telling you, dad, Lucas is innocent!”

Detective White switched her gaze on Alicia and finally opens up to speak with her. “Do you have proof?”

“You all have to listen to this!”Alicia pulled out her cell phone and slowly lowered it on the desk playing a voice record.

       Mr. Walter became spellbound that he couldn't say any word after listening to Jack's conversation with Alicia. Alicia confronted Jack and in the process, Jack revealed he accused Lucas of stealing his mathematics booklet after Lucas said he didn't do the assignment he forced him to do.

Mr. Walter's face turned pale as he slowly lowered his head in shame. He feels bad for every word he has said to Lucas and the embarrassment he made him go through. At this time, Principal Myles asked Lucas and Alicia to go back to their class because the next class will begin in five minutes.

“My son isn't going anywhere until the school authority apologizes to him.” Detective White rose to his feet folding his arms as he tightened his face. From the look on his face, one can easily tell he could just punch Mr. Walter in the face. He isn't happy with how his son was accused. He has seen some falsely accused victims end up in jail for years before the truth comes out. If this happens to be a major case, his son would have ended up being one of the innocent victims in jail.

Mr. Walter turned and faces Lucas. He squeezed out words in a tiny little voice filled with sorrow. “I'm sorry." His tone wasn't bright. He is ashamed of himself for not listening to Lucas and going far to haul insult at him saying: 'He is a disgrace to his father's badge.’

“You disgraced him in public; you will tender an apology to him in public lest I will sue all of your asses!” Detective White is a man of justice. He was passionate about getting justice for people. His son wouldn't be left out, he too needed justice and the school must see to it.

Cases of bully can't be tolerated and if a bully has lied against the son of a cop, he wants to teach that bully a lesson but he can't just go around punching a teenager even though that's what he desires to do but as a cop and a good citizen of the United States, it's against the law to do that. Detective White then cautioned the Principal to do his job in seeing to the end of bullying in his school.

Detective White left the school feeling unhappy after Mr. Walter apologized to Lucas in public. He isn't happy that his son for the past three years since he was transferred to New Orleans as a Detective and his son enrolled in Orleans High School; has been bullied by Jack who often forces Lucas to do his homework for him. He isn't happy that Lucas didn't tell him and has been taken a beat down by the same Jack. The School authority of Orleans High School Promised to handle this and to make sure they suspend Jack.

TWO HOURS LATER

Lucas was standing by the bus stop waiting for a bus to take him home when Jack approaches him with two of his friends. Lucas at first wanted to run but he decided to stay and see what he would do since he heard of Jack's one-week suspension.

“Hey, you got me suspended!”Jack frowned at Lucas. He was cautioned by Mr. Walter to respect his age since he was older than Lucas. Jack was 18 and used his age against the people he bullied.

When Lucas saw him, he looked away acting as if he didn't see him. He was patiently waiting for the bus since his dad will be working late and can't pick him up from school. He started whistling and walking down to avoid eye contact with Jack.

Lucas' action provoked Jack. Jack grabbed Lucas by the shoulder and pulled him back. He held Lucas against the bus stop sign. “You dare walk out on me whistling, huh?” Jack glared.

“Get your hands off me!" Lucas cried out as he struggled against Jack's grip on him.

“Or what?”

“Hey buddy, Mr. Walter, is driving out," said Philip, one of Jack's buddies.

“Today is your lucky day!” Jack releases Lucas from his grip and lets him slump to the ground. “One more thing, stay away from Alicia,” said Jack as he spat on Lucas.

Before Mr. Walter could drive to Lucas’ spot, they were already gone. He saw Lucas dragging himself to his feet. Some students saw what happened but didn’t want to get involved because Jack would come after them once his suspension is lifted in one week. They turned a blind eye to the incident as they avoided having eye contact with Lucas.

Mr. Walter came to a stop near Lucas. He slides down his windscreen. “What happened?” he asked in a soothing voice.

“Nothing sir, I’m fine!” Lucas picked up his backpack turning away from Mr. Walter.

“Let me drop you home!” Mr. Walter offered to help. He was trying to make up for the embarrassment he has caused in the morning. Deep down him, he knew no amount of apology could take it away.

Lucas refused but Mr. Walter's persuasion was much on him that he reluctantly hoop into his car.

“I know you are not comfortable riding with me but that’s the least I could do.”

“Thanks, I appreciate it,” Lucas spoke with a tiny fading voice without even looking at his Geography teacher.

TEN MINUTES LATER:

It was a ten minutes drive as Mr. Walter pulled over in front of Lucas’ apartment. Before Lucas walked out of the car, Mr. Walter apologized to him again and promised him he will make sure Jack never bothers him again when his suspension is lifted.

“I would appreciate it if you do that,” Lucas replied as he stepped out of the car. Slowly he shut the door and walked straight to the front door of his house without looking back. As he was about to step on the porch he saw a white envelope lying on the floor. He picked it up wondering why a letter would be delivered to them in such a way without using the mailbox.

He narrowed his eyes trying to figure out who the letter was meant for. There was no address on the white envelope but his name: 'Lucas White' was boldly written on the white envelope. With curiosity, he couldn’t waste any time; he tore open the white envelope to reveal the content. Out of the white envelope fell a plain sheet of thick paper. He flipped the sheet open to reveal five words: ‘YOU ARE THE NEXT ALPHA.’