Part 1: THE WISE
It was Christmas morning. The sun's rays shone all over the neighborhood. Among the first to wake up to celebrate this day was Jimmy, who opened the window wide and began to shout at the throat:
"Merry Christmas, everybody!" But let's forget about the little guy. Let's go back to our story!
We were staying at Double D and Marie who played some' role-playing games' last night. The evening ended with them sleeping together. When the sun began to light up Double D's room, Marie opened her eyes, even though she was still a little dazed about last night (eheheh). As soon as she woke up, she noticed that behind her was her sleeping boyfriend, who was holding her in his arms. Marie was so happy to be in his arms that she decided to fall asleep again... But something kept her awake...
"Good morning, my dear." ... It wasn't Double D... and neither was Marie!
"What?" said Marie, really surprised. She opened her eyes... and in front of her was... a short, old lady in a red robe, with a pair of glasses and with grey hair tending to white, tied back with a pin.
"Uhhh... Am I dreaming?" said Marie, thinking of talking to herself.
"No, my dear. You're awake." said the old woman, smiling. Realizing she wasn't in a dream, Marie blushed embarrassed and instinctively elbowed Double D, obviously waking him up.
"Wha-Wha-What? I'm awake... I'm awake..." said Double D, still a little bit asleep. Then, he looked at Marie and said:
"Oh... Good morning, my 'butterfly'." Marie didn't say good morning back... she just kept looking in the right direction.
"...Marie?... Are you ok? What are you-?" asked Double D, before looking in that same direction and noticing the old lady... At first his eyes got wrinkled to see better... but when he saw better, his eyes opened like windows during a hurricane and he blushed out of embarrassment. Then, Double D shouted:
"G-G-G-G-G-G-G.... Grandma!"
"Merry Christmas, my little nephew!" said his grandmother, smiling.
The two teenagers were petrified by shame... the silence began to dominate inside that room... a silence that was interrupted by the same grandmother:
"You must be the girlfriend of my 'pudding'. It's a real honor to meet you."
Hearing her words, Marie was upset... but at the same time she was trying to keep herself from laughing, knowing that Double D's grandmother called him 'pudding'.
"G-Grandma! H-How come you're here?" asked Double D, really curious and still embarrassed.
"Eddward, dear, I am your Christmas present! I decided to come here with your parents from Florida and I intend to stay until the end of January." said the grandma, smiling.
"M-Mom and D-Dad are here too? They didn't come in here, did they?" asked Double D, really embarrassed.
"Don't worry... when I saw you in sweet company, I sent them to buy some medicine that I 'forgot' to bring." said the grandma, twinked to him. Then, Marie talk embarrassed and in sorry voice:
"I-I'm so sorry! I-I don't want to have made... a-a bad impression on you..." Suddenly, the grandma approached her and said smiling:
"My dear, you don't have to apologize. Besides, I'm so happy that my 'pudding' has found a girl as pretty as you. Unfortunately, you'd better go before my daughter tones up with her husband."
Seeing the grandma's face so happy, Marie's eyes lit up like two stars...she blushed and hugged Double D' grandma.
"Oh oh! What a sweet girl!" said the grandma, giggling.
Then Marie whispered, smiling at Double D:
"I love your grandma." Hearing her, Double D smiled and blushed a lot.
Soon after, Marie got dressed, said goodbye to her boyfriend and his grandmother, and finally came back to her house.
"That's a nice girl. I hope you'll marry her." said the grandma to Double D. He blushed a lot and started to laugh. Then he said:
"Merry Christmas, Grandma!"
Part 2: THE MONSTER
Let's make a big temporal leap, from Christmas day to the first day of school of the new year. While the guys were returning to school, Professor Brown had welcomed a new professor into his office. This new character was very particular. What set him apart from anyone else was his medium-length brown pointed hair and two wide shoulders that couldn't clench the elegant dress he had put on for his first day of work. The two began to talk about the plus and the minus.
"It's a real honor for me to welcome someone of your caliber, sir." said Prof. Brown to the new professor.
"The pleasure is all mine. And anyway, you can talk to me more like a friend." said the new professor, smiling.
"Oh, I apologize. Anyway, what do you think of the students who will accompany you during this new semester?" asked Prof. Brown.
The new professor had been entrusted with the evaluation sheets of the students of his school hours and, as he flipped through sheet after sheet, said:
"They all look like normal guys to me. Who has high ratings, low ratings, both high and low. I mean, nothing weird... just that..." said the new professor, looking at the cards.
"Uh? Just what?" asked Prof. Brown, curious.
"...Let me guess: the usual genius who finds himself with a C in sport." said the new professor, giggling... and showing Professor Brown Double D's card.
"Well, eheheh, yes. Mr. Eddward is one of the brightest students I've ever met since I've been doing this job... A great fan of knowledge but not of sport, unfortunately." said Mr. Brown, stroking his mustache.
"Eheh, well, It's a shame to see a card with excellent grades but with this C that ruins everything... Look, Prof. Brown: I've seen that today my lesson is just after yours... Would you mind if I took this Eddward during your hour?" asked the new professor.
"... I admit you intrigued me. You know what, just take him! I don't need to evaluate him at this time, since I have some students who must absolutely recover... If it is necessary to eliminate that C, it will be a pleasure, sir." said Prof. Brown, getting up out of his chair and giving his military salute.
"Wonderful! And please, there's no need... Just call me Ray." said Ray, smiling.
Part 3: DOUBLE D POV
That's really weird. At first I thought it would be a school day like any other. But then, after lunch and at the beginning of history lesson, Prof. Brown told me that I should go to the gym. I asked him why, but he just said 'All in good time, Mr. Eddward'. Honestly, I'm no longer surprised by his method of behavior. When I arrived at the doors of the gym, before opening them, I could not help but notice the sound of blows. What could it be? When I opened the doors, I was intimidated by what was in front of me. There was this gentleman in the suit who was punching a boxing bag hanging from a chain starting from the ceiling. I've always tried to avoid everything related to violence ... once I called myself a pacifist ... but after what happened with that Pete at Kevin's party, I understood that no one can escape from the use of violence ... obviously I always try to avoid it. But, looking at that man... I was fascinated: the movement he made with his legs, his arms that seemed to slide at very high speed ... his look so calm as he hit that sack. I was almost enchanted... when suddenly:
"AAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!" shouted the man! During the scream, he hit the sack with his right arm. How much strength did he have in his body!? I just remember that the sack went so high, almost to the point of touching the ceiling! I admit I thought he wasn't human... but since I had been sent to the gym for a reason and that the only person present was that man, I decided to talk to him.
"G-Good afternoon!" I said. After he noticed my presence, the man turned to me and asked me smiling:
"Oh, hi! How can I help you, boy?"
"Em, well, my name is Eddward and..." I was saying, before I was interrupted by him:
"Ahhhh! You're Eddward! Nice to meet you! From next week, I'm your new PE teacher, Professor Ray! You students can call me Mr. Ray." he said, holding out his hand to me as a greeting symbol. After shaking his hand, he began to... 'examine me'. He began to palpate my arms, legs, back and chest. Obviously, I felt very embarrassed, but he said:
"Don't mind me. Anyway, I know why you're here. I was the one who talked to Professor Brown to get you here."
"O-Oh, yeah? H-How come, if I may ask?" I asked, still embarassed to be palpated. Suddenly, I heard him whisper between himself and himself:
"Soft muscles like those of a child..." Then, he stopped to palpate me (thank God) and he answered my question:
"Well, it's very simple. I saw your evaluation sheet. You're a really great guy in all subjects... but that C in Physical Education is just bad to look at. At first I thought it was the usual cliche of the brilliant guy who doesn't want to do physical exercises... But on closer inspection, I see that you have potential and I want to turn that C into an A. Of course, you have to earn it, boy."
"Oh... and so.... What did you have in mind, Professor Ray?" I asked, really confused.
Before he told me amicably that I had to call him Mr. Ray... he asked me if I had a nickname and I answered him Double D. He started laughing, said he liked my nickname and that he would always call me that... afterwards, he clashed his fists against each other, created a sound that rumbled all over the gym and said:
"I want to train you in Boxing!"
"WHAT!?" I shouted... I was shocked at what he said. Train me? And in Boxing? Are you kidding me? I told him right after I was against any form of violence and I wouldn't be able to reach his expectations anyway. After my words, Mr. Ray looked at me in a serious and almost intimidating way... but he said to me in a calm voice and starting to hit the boxing bag again.:
"Boxing isn't synonymous with violence. Boxing is art (PUNCH)... reflections (DODGE AND PUNCH)... speed (DOUBLE JAB)... grace (DODGE)... honour (RIGHT)... and power (UPPERCUT)!"
The way he hit the sack...the way he moved around the sack...the way he deformed that sack every time he hit it. When he stopped, he told me:
"Admit it. I left you breathless, didn't I?" You know what... yes... yes, he did.
Part 4: PREY OR HUNTER?
School day was just over. Double D was thoughtful about his meeting with Mr. Ray. He didn't tell him he wanted to accept his help... but he didn't even say no! He just said he would think about it. He was on his way home with Marie, who saw him more pensive than usual. During their journey, silence dominated. So Marie decided to talk to him:
"Ehi, Edd? Are you alright?"
"Uh? Em, yes, I am. Why do you ask me?" said Double D.
"You're pensive. We haven't talked since you came back from the gym. Has something happened?" asked Marie, worried for him.
"No, no. Is that... I met Mr. Ray." said Double D.
"Oh yes! He seems a nice guy." said Marie, smiling.
"Yes, he seems it to me too.. but..." he said. Double D wanted to tell her the truth. But before he could continue... he was interrupted by the appearance of an individual who interrupted their path! He was a big, unfriendly-looking guy and he said, adressed to Marie:
"Hey, sweetie. I've been watching you for a while. Tell me, do you want to go out sometime?"
"What? Who do you think you are? Anyway, I already have a boyfriend!" shouted Marie.
Then, the stranger looked at Double D.
"Don't tell me... he's your boyfriend? Ahahahahahahahahaha, are you kidding me? Is this scarecrow your boyfriend?" said the stranger, laughing a lot. Double D was so unnerved by his words. Instinctively, he said seriously:
"Yes, I AM her boyfriend. And now, if you don't mind, we'll be on our way home."
The stranger, after hearing him, grabbed Double D by the T-shirt, lifted him off the ground and took him in a nearby dead end, slamming him against the wall.
"Wait here, sweetheart." said the stranger, giggling.
"DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HIM, ASSHOLE!" shouted Marie, red with anger. She jumped on the stranger and tried to knock him down. In all of this, Double D was trying to get up again but the impact against the wall had damaged him more than expected.
"You're a true spitfire. I like it!" said the stranger to Marie. Then, he took her off, dropping her on the sidewalk. The fall damaged her shoulder.
Double D was on his knees, trying to get back up. But in front of him there was the big boy who cracked his fingers, ready to hurt him. Then, seeing himself with his back to the wall and ready for what awaited him, he said in a serious voice:
"If you're gonna hit me, have a seat... but don't touch MY girlfriend!"
"Eheh, I gotta say, you got balls, little guy... if you're willing to give me your girlfriend, I can let you go." said the stranger with a devilish smile.
"... better death." said Double D, looking at stranger's eyes.
Meanwhile, Marie got up from the ground, ready to venture back on that bumbling man... when suddenly, she was stopped by someone, who said:
"This is no place for a girl. Let me handle this." Looking at that person and hearing his voice, Marie recognized him immediately. The new individual entered the dead end and attracted the attention of the harasser:
"Well, well, well... What do we have here?"
"Uh? Who the hell are you?" said the harasser, turning.
Double D couldn't see the other guy well because of the light he was reflecting behind him. The moment he tried to look at him better, he immediately recognized him... he was Mr. Ray! Between the harasser and his professor, there was a two-meter gap. Neither of them approached the other. They stood still and kept talking.
"Who am I? Well, let me answer your question with another question: Do you see yourself more as a prey... or as a hunter?" asked Mr. Ray, smiling and with an ice-cold look.
"... I don't know what the fuck you mean, but I want to play ball. Of course, I'm a hunter! In fact, that girl is MY prey!" said the molester, laughing.
"Very good. So, according to your logic, I would be a prey too... right?" asked Mr. Ray, continuing to smile.
"Well... Yes! So... what are you getting at?" said the molester, giggling and thinking that he could even roll out the newcomer with ease.
"Very well... then...." said Mr. Ray. Suddenly, Mr. Ray jumped forward at him and, without the big guy noticing, the professor was just a few inches away from him. Shocked, the stalker looked down and saw Mr. Ray, whose smile looked like that of a demon. Double D and Marie were also shocked by that speed. Immediately afterwards, Mr. Ray said:
"Can you tell me which one of us is the real MONSTER?"
PUNCH!!!
The professor hit the harasser's face with a jab. His fist seemed as fast as lightning. His opponent's head went backwards, as if he had been subjected to a whiplash after a car accident. Immediately afterwards, the professor hit him with his right fist between his stomach and chest. The enemy felt as if he had lost his breath and fell on his knees, feeling as if he could no longer breathe. Seeing him like that, Mr. Ray said:
"Apparently, you've never been shot in the solar plexus... Anyway, you're a bad hunter."
After his words, Mr. Ray ended him with an uppercut, which lifted him off the ground a few inches... in the end, the harasser fell unconscious in front of Double D. What a fight!
Double D... was really shocked by what he had just seen ... even Marie was... but came out of amazement when she was joined by her sisters, unaware of what had happened. Meanwhile, Mr. Ray approached the still incredulous Double D and offered him his hand to help him get up. During that gesture, the professor said smiling:
"That's what I meant when I said you had potential, boy. You don't care how great the danger is... you don't back down."
Hearing his words, Double D grasped his hand and, standing up, said to him seriously and fully convinced:
"Mr. Ray... I agreed to be trained by you. When and where you want."
"Wait, what?" asked Marie, confused.
"It's what I wanted to tell you. Mr. Ray asked me if I wanted to learn boxing and I decided to accept his proposal." said Double, smiling at Marie. Marie showed neither happiness nor concern about the choice of Double D. All she did was approach him, put her arms around his neck and say smiling:
"Whatever you want to do, you'll have my help." Double D blushed... but he was also happy to have Marie's support.
"Wonderful! Then, I want you both this Saturday in the school gym at 6:00 a.m.!" said Mr. Ray, laughing.
"...wait... Saturday at 6:00 a.m.!?" shouted the two teens in unison.
Hey Guys! I hope you like it! If it's so, leave a comment to tell me your opinions! It's not over, so see you next time!