Carl walked into the cafeteria out of breath. He had left class as soon as he could to see how Zachary would do with the vest. CJ and his gang were already at their table, messing around with one another.

"Hey, Carol! Where's lunchbox at?"

Carl didn't respond. Just took his seat at a table near the door. Where was Zachary? He hadn't been in Physics and Carl was getting nervous. Much to his surprise and confusion, a girl with long brown hair sat down opposite him and extended her hand.

"Hello, I'm Destiny."

"S-sorry. You startled me. People don't really sit with me. I'm Carl."

"I've noticed that. Nothing like my old school. Oh, nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet..." Carl trailed off as Zachary walked in. He looked...different. Composed and calm. Not the usual lunchtime Zachary.

"Hey, Carl. Who's this?"

Destiny didn't wait for an introduction. "I'm Destiny. Just started here. You are?"

"My name's-"

"Hey, Lunchbox, you're late."

He shook his head and sat down with them. "My name is Zachary."

"You ignoring me, Lunchbox?"

"Not at all, Jim." The relaxed reply silenced the room.

CJ stood up and trodded over to Zachary, who was the only other person still moving. He was just opening his sandwich bag normally. Didn't even look at CJ who was standing behind him.

"Scott. It's lunchtime."

"Yes, I brought a lunch, see?"

"Being smart, Scott?" Carl held his breath while Destiny sat in a hushed state of confusion and awe.

"What gives you that idea?" Zachary turned around on his seat and faced CJ, enjoying a bite of his ham and cheese.

CJ was enraged. Zachary took another bite.

"Scott." CJ stared down at him. "Challenge me."

"Wlon slekund." Zachary's voice was muffled by the food.

"What?"

Zachary swallowed. "I said 'one second'. Anyways, I don't feel like challenging today. You get the day off." He swiveled back around to a wide-eyed Carl and someone snickered at another table.

"Fine, Scott. I've gone too easy on you for too long now. I challenge you. If I lose, I and my gang gotta leave the students alone or whatever. But this time if you lose, you leave the school."

Zachary tilted his head. "Hmm... I don't know if I can accept that challenge. Maybe later if-"

CJ lashed out, sending Zachary flying from the table.

"I didn't ask! If you don't accept, you'll still have to leave!"

"CJ..."

"Fight!" CJ marched towards Zachary who was already on his feet.

"CJ..."

CJ spun around, narrowly missing Zachary with a powerful side kick. He threw his fists and kicked in a flurry of attacks all while continuing to march forward. It was pushing Zachary backwards and he was up against the wall now. A fist was heading towards his face and he instinctively blocked it. Then a kick...another block. Side block, high block, inside block, another side block; Zachary was deflecting them as quick as they came.

But he couldn't keep it up with his back to the wall. He pushed forward with one block, only to be shoved back by the onslaught. It was too much. Something had to give. Zachary saw an opening and took it. Everyone gasped as CJ's shades clattered on the ground and the attack halted.

Zachary had never seen CJ without them. Most of his gang hadn't either. His face was twisted in anger, but his eyes had a gentle calm in them as if he had buried that side of him deep within himself. Zachary was shocked and perplexed at his appearance. But CJ's anger only grew every moment.

"Scott, Scott, Scott." CJ clicked his tongue. "No good, man. Bad move."

Zachary's hand shot up to block, but CJ's hands were already holding him up against the wall by his throat. Zachary could no longer feel the ground beneath his feet, and he began choking and coughing.

"You're not in charge. Stop pretending you are." CJ looked into Zachary's eyes one last time. Then swung him into a nearby table.

Zachary felt something snap. He had his hands out to break his fall, but they didn't do much. Instead, two of his fingers bent back on impact. Too far. And that's where the snap came from. He hit his head too and now he was just trying to stay awake and fight the pain from his hand and head. He looked like a worm out of the ground, struggling on the cold tile floor.

CJ stood over him, observing. Waiting. After half a minute, he spoke.

"It's a shame, Scott. You could've been something here. Now look at you. Even when it mattered most, you couldn't win."

Zachary's eyes were glazing, but he caught a glimpse of Carl with a disappointed and sorrowful look on his face.

He closed his eyes willingly, still conscious enough to feel ashamed.