FIRST COUNTER PART ONE

  The academy was as busy as ever. All the students were engrossed in studying, playing, or chatting with their friends. The campus consisted of three modern buildings surrounded by trees and green fields. The playing ground was on the left side of the pathway leading to the administrative building and was clearly visible. The gallery wrapped around the other side of the playing ground, encircling the field. Liam ran toward the fencing that marked the boundary to watch the boys play. He smiled to himself and then turned to walk along the pathway to enter the administrative building.

  Once inside, he noticed all the students were focused on their own activities. He stopped a guy walking past and asked,

  "Hey, can you please tell me where the principal’s office is? This is my first time here."

  “It’s okay. Just go right, and then look to your left. You’ll see ‘Principal’s Office’ written on the board,” the guy replied politely before continuing on his way. Liam thanked him and headed in the direction he had indicated.

  “Thank you, friend,” he said.

  A man who appeared to be in his fifties was sitting and reading a newspaper. Across the table, Liam was seated, glancing around the room. The word "Principal" was engraved on a wooden plaque on the table. The room featured two wooden armoires displaying trophies, and a few photos of students holding trophies and medals adorned the walls. The Principal finished reading his paper and looked up with a sigh. Liam, noticing, stopped his wandering gaze and sat up straight, trying to appear polite.

  “So, Mr. Liam, were there any inconveniences during your trip? I hope you didn't encounter any trouble finding this academy,”

  he inquired.

  Liam smiled and responded politely while still keeping his bag on his back.

  “No, Sir, not at all. The people from the towns are very friendly and helped me get here easily.”

  “That's great to hear. I've known your grandpa Sam for a long time. When he called me the other day, I was surprised! Usually, we don’t take enrollments this time of year, but you are a special case,”

  The Principal explained.

  “Thank you for accepting me into the academy, Sir. Grandpa sent his regards,”

  Liam replied while lowering his head slightly.

  "The Principal commented while smiling warmly, “He is a very generous person, your grandpa.”

  Liam smiled in response but said nothing, doing his best to sit as politely as possible. The principal continued,

  “So let me welcome to Maplewood High School. Our soccer team will be thrilled to have such a strong young talent like you.”

  He flashed a smile. Liam however looked confused.

  “But sir, I applied for Arts and History. I left soccer years ago when I was in middle school.”

  The principal appeared taken aback.

  “Ahem. But with that impressive physique of yours, I’m sure you could take on a guy or two easily.”

  “No sir. Grandpa strictly prohibited me from fighting. That was the only condition he agreed to let me study here.”

  The principal seemed to reconsider and sighed,

  “I was so excited about your arrival that I didn’t even check your enrollment form. But you needn’t worry about your grandpa while I’m here. Follow your heart.”

  “But sir, I am genuinely here to study Arts and History.”

  Liam insisted politely. The principal removed his glasses and said,

  “Alright then, Mr. Liam. You can start tomorrow. Please collect your schedule from the administrative office.”

  Liam stood up and lowered his head slightly once more.

  “Thank you again, sir, for accepting me.”

  “Enjoy your time here, Mr. Liam,”

  The principal replied, holding his glasses in his hand. Liam nodded and left the room.

  As soon as he was out of the room, Liam appeared very uncomfortable. He closed the door, began to shake, and pressed his hand against his lower stomach. He muttered to himself,

  “Damn. I need to find a bathroom. Where is it?”

  The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

  He looked around while pressing his lower stomach. Spotting the previous guy ahead of him, he dashed toward them while still holding his lower stomach in an inclined manner. He asked,

  “Hey, hey, you again. Could you please tell me where the bathroom is?”

  The guy looked at Liam's face and replied politely,

  “Oh, it’s you again. Did you find the principal's room?”

  Liam appeared desperate but managed to respond,

  “Yes, but thanks. Now, please tell me where the bathroom is. I really can’t hold it anymore.”

  “Go straight to this direction and turn left. You will see Man’s locker room. Bathroom is there”

  Liam didn’t let him finish his sentence as he ran towards the bathroom. He didn’t look back. The guy seemed little surprised but he didn’t stood there.

  Liam entered and locker room. He went straight to the bathroom and Looked so relaxed. He was looking up ward to the ceiling while he sound voice

  “Click!!!”

  Liam didn’t pay attention until a few seconds later when he heard a girl’s voice. He finished his job and approached the door, only to discover it was locked from the outside. He tried to open it but was unsuccessful. Then, he heard a boy's voice. Placing his ear against the door while holding the lock with one hand, he listened intently.

  Outside the bathroom, in the locker room, Margaret and Tyler were locked in each other’s gaze. Tyler leaned against the wall, while Margaret’s face was just a step away from his.

  Here’s a revised version of the line without altering the content:

  “Margaret smiled and said,

  “You’re bold, Tyler."Taking me to the boys’ locker room.”

  Tyler took a deep breath while gazing at Margaret’s face.

  “I thought you wanted us to be alone. You were watching me the whole time I was playing.”

  Margaret remained expressionless as she pushed Tyler’s arm with her bare hand, causing his back to hit the wall of the room. Concerned, Tyler didn’t smile or show any expression.

  “What if somebody catches us? I would be ashamed.”

  She grabbed Tyler’s arm and pushed him further, leaving him no space to step back. Tyler appeared anxious and began to breathe heavily, with Margaret’s face only inches from his.

  “I asked everyone not to come to this room. And everyone listens to me. So nobody will know.”

  Tyler's voice shook heavily. Margaret glanced at his face and said,

  “Is that so, Tyler? So now everyone knows we are here alone. Trying to be brave and cool, huh?”

  Tyler appeared even more terrified as Margaret stepped closer to him. Margaret's face was so close to Tyler's that she could feel his breathing. She examined his face closely while keeping her hand on his arm, maintaining a few inches of distance to ensure her body wouldn't touch Tyler.

  “I I IIII ammm sorry……………..”

  Margaret interrupted while looking straight at Tyler’s face.

  "Shiiii. Shut up. Even if we didn’t do anything bad here, people will still think of me as s**t.

  What are you gonna do about it, Tyler?"

  Tyler began to sweat, rendered speechless. Meanwhile, Liam listened to their conversation while scanning for an escape route. Suddenly, his eyes were drawn to a large hole in the ceiling. A smile crossed his face as he muttered,

  "Look like there's a way out. I could break the door, but that would attract too much attention."

  Liam closed his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose.

  “The scent of the trees is coming from that direction. I should be able to sneak out.”

  Liam wasted no time; he placed his feet on the door lock and jumped upward to reach the hole. With little space to maneuver, he could barely lean against the ceiling. Liam began to move forward, using his hands like a snake. Tyler was sweating and terrified; he couldn’t grasp what was happening in that moment.

  Margaret moved closer to Tyler and said,

  “Since people will think of me badly, I might as well do it too. Remove your t-shirt, Tyler.”

  Margaret smiled, leaving Tyler in shock. He responded,

  “What?”

  “I said remove your t-shirt.”

  “But you said …”

  Tyler felt a mix of fear and confusion. Margaret ignored his hesitation and simply continued to look at him.

  “Aren’t you a hot shot these days? Isn’t that why you brought me here?”

  Liam started to move slowly, like a snake, without making a sound. He could hear their voices clearly.

  “You wanted to show me how impressive you are. So show me, Tyler, what you’ve got.”

  Margaret appeared more annoyed than angry, looking at Tyler's face as if mocking him. Tyler seemed traumatized, not realizing how close Margaret’s lips were to his. He was breathing heavily, and Margaret could feel it too.

  Liam moved swiftly, remaining silent as he crossed halfway across the room. Suddenly, he heard a cracking sound and glanced at the ceiling.

  Margaret’s eyes taunted Tyler, making him feel like nothing more than an insect to her. While she stared at him, she heard a noise.

  “Dhoomm!!!”

  "She released Tyler’s arm and looked around. Liam fell from the ceiling onto the floor. Debris from the ceiling was scattered around him as he checked his body while lying on the ground. Liam shouted,

  “My back!!!”

  Margaret and Tyler rushed to Liam, both surprised. He was still on the ground with a painful expression.

  “Hi, guys!!!”

  Liam said with a smile.