Disclaimer: This chapter is rated R for violence and language

CHAPTER 2

*Telepathic thoughts are placed in [ ]*

I hate my life. This life of pampering and smothering. Why can't I be free? I sigh. Who am I kidding? As long as my mother and father rule I must stay in this gilded cage and wish for flight. Even my cousin, Jose, who normally sides with me, has abandoned me to my mother's tender mercies. Mama is in a fit. She has been after me for a week now to behave as a lady and I keep falling short of her expectations. Of course everything came to a head today.

Monday's Journal entry

*************** "Sara! Sara! Hurry up! You're going to be late!" Maria hollered upstairs.

"Coming mama!" Sara cried as she rushed back down the stairs, her backpack loaded with books.

Sara stopped to catch her breath and gazed up into her mother's stern eyes. She flinched. She recognized that look.

Maria eyed her daughter critically from head to toe. She pursed her lips in aggravation. Once again Sara's hair was all over the place and her clothes were sloppy. Maria had to swallow a growl. Couldn't her daughter do anything correctly?

Sara cringed at her mother's perusal. She could sense her mother's anger and she wasn't sure what to do about it.

"Can't you do anything right?" Maria snapped at her daughter as she roughly grabbed Sara by the arm and dragged her into the study.

Sara let out a whimper of protest at the rough handling and Maria backhanded her, cutting Sara's lip in the process and leaving an imprint of her hand on Sara's face.

"Stop that childish whining. I'll not be shamed because you are too lazy to dress yourself properly," she snarled. Sara clamped her mouth shut and didn't let another sound escape.

Maria slammed Sara into the seat and grabbed a comb from the table. She jerked out the ponytail holder and attacked Sara's hair, cruelly jerking the comb through the tangles. Sara bit her lip to keep from crying aloud. Her mother was being too rough but Sara didn't dare protest. Finally Sara's hair was fixed to Maria's satisfaction and she turned her attention to Sara's clothes.

She tucked Sara's shirt in and straightened her skirt. Maria looked at Sara and nodded once. "You'll have to do. We have to get you to school," Maria said as she pulled out her keys to the hover car.

"Yes mama," Sara said meekly as she followed her mother out to the car, unshed tears in her eyes.

The drive to school was a quiet one. Sara kept her head down and quietly got out of the car and sprinted for the building. She kept her face down while managing to cheerfully holler out hello to all her friends as she raced for her first class.

* * *

English started out boring as usual but Sara dutifully paid attention. She didn't need her mother upset with her anymore than she already was.

She had started to drift off, lost in thought when a new boy had walked in. Sara had covertly watched him enter and she was impressed by what she saw. She wondered who he was but she was too shy to ask him.

Finally class ended and gathering up her books she headed off to her next class. She made her way to art class and took out her drawing pad. Her mind was too full of thoughts for her to put anything on paper.

She heard the whispers and knew that the new boy had arrived. She watched him pick a seat out of the corner of her eye.

Sara looked at him, longer this time. God he was sexy! She had never seen a guy who looked good in a wife beater like he did. She wanted to speak to him but she didn't want him to see her face. Her friends had already made comments that she had fended off. She didn't realize she was staring openly until she felt a hand on her shoulder. She turned around, looked up and saw Jeremiah. Sara hid her irritation. What did he want now?

"Hello Jeremiah," she said quietly, schooling her features to cool indifference.

As Jesse was sitting there flipping through his sketchbook admiring his work, he could feel a pair of eyes looking over at him. He slowly raised his eyes up to see who it was. It was that girl that he had eyed in English Class earlier. Jesse could feel the warmth coming from those desirable eyes. He also noticed Jeremiah hovering over her as she slowly cooled her look.

Jesse just smiled at her. Knowing how Jeremiah was, he was prepared to get a real rise out him. Jesse slowly sat up from his seat. He began to stretch a little, move his neck from side to side as he flexed his muscles at her and then winked.

Sara had to catch her breath when she saw the new guy flex. He was ripped there was no doubt about it.

Jeremiah noticed too and he scowled. He put an arm around Sara and hugged her close.

Jesse noticed Jeremiah's bulldog attitude. He turned his head to the side and tried to keep from laughing. He then grabbed his sketchbook and got out of his seat. He began to walk towards them.

Sara shrugged out of Jeremiah's hold just as the new guy reached them.

"Hello," she said shyly. She made sure to keep the right side of her face away from his view.

Jesse acknowledged Jeremiah with a nod. But then he focused on the girl. "Hello, my name is Jesse and you are?" he asked as he extended his hand to her.

"My name is Sara," she said and shook his hand.

"You're in my English Class, right?" Jesse asked casually.

"It's a pleasure to meet you," he said pleasantly. "I was wondering if you would like to look at my sketchbook," he added.

Sara started to say yes when Jeremiah pushed her behind him and confronted Jesse.

"Nobody wants you here. You stay away from her. She's my girl. If I catch you looking at her we're going to tango. Understand?" Jeremiah growled angrily.

Other students in the class, sensing an imminent fight turned around in their seats and watched with interest. The holographic teacher was forgotten in light of this new development.

Jesse momentarily looked down and then straight into Jeremiah's eyes.

"Oh really? You don't own her. She can speak to anyone she wants," he stated clearly. "Plus Mr. Santiago you don't own me so don't you dare tell me where I can look," he said solemnly.

Sara was fuming. How dare Jeremiah? She wasn't his anything! God she hated his stupid macho bull. She was about to give Jeremiah a piece of her mind when Jesse surprised her by taking her side. Her eyes widened as she looked at him with renewed interest.

Jeremiah gritted his teeth. "Sara knows how things go. YOU are not a part of things and never will be light skin. So keep away from her and any of our other girls. You got that?"

Jesse chuckled. "Sara has her own mind. I do believe you are not it. Seems to me that you need a reality check, my friend. You wanna piece of me you got it," Jesse stepped forward face to face with Jeremiah.

"Do you really think you wanna tell me what to do?" Jesse asked as he stared deep into Jeremiah's eyes. "Your attitude may say you want to fight, but deep down I know what you are," Jesse stated.

"Yeah? You think you know me man?" Jeremiah said and shoved him.

"Jeremiah no!" Sara cried and went to grab his arm.

"Lay off bitch!" Jeremiah snarled and shoved Sara away from him and went after Jesse.

Sara fell back with a cry and one of her friends, Mary, caught her and steadied her.

"Bad move girlfriend," Mary whispered to Sara.

Jesse parried the push and took a step back. He looked over at Sara. After witnessing the push, his temper flared up and he went after Jeremiah. He raised his arms up and brought a right cross to Jeremiah's chin.

"You will never lay your hands on her ever again you asshole," Jesse screamed.

Jeremiah backed away and rubbed his chin. He tasted blood in his mouth and grinned. "Not bad for an outsider," he growled and punched Jesse in the gut.

Jesse took it in stride as his abs was well developed. He looked at Jeremiah, "Not bad for a piece of trash."

Jesse then retaliated with an uppercut that rocked Jeremiah back. Jesse lurched forward and continued the onslaught. He grabbed for Jeremiah's arm

Sara watched the fight wide-eyed. She was silently cheering on Jesse.

Jeremiah allowed Jesse to grab him before lashing out with a kick to Jesse's leg.

"NO FAIR!" Sara shouted and started forward. She was grabbed by a couple of Jeremiah's goons who held her in place.

"Let me go!" she snapped but Bruno tightened his grip on her wrist until she yelped in pain and ceased struggling.

Jesse managed to recover despite the sharp pain in his shin. He caught Jeremiah with a glancing left jab. He noticed Sara being held in place. "Let her go or you'll be sorry!" Jesse yelled. He turned towards where Sara was being held and focused on the thug holding her.

Jeremiah had blood streaming from his nose as he tackled Jesse.

Jesse wrestled to break free to get to Sara and managed to make the blood flow more with a punch to Jeremiah's face. Jesse got up. "I mean it you punkass let her go now!"

Bruno jerked up on Sara's arm, bringing her off her feet and swung her over to Darian. "Hold her," Bruno growled as he stalked toward Jesse and his fallen leader.

"Alrighty you want it you got it!" Jesse obliged as he swung at the mountain of a man with a haymaker move.

Jesse felt a surge of more adrenaline than usual, coursing through him as he tried to connect his blows.

Darian held on to Sara who had ceased to struggle. Instead she concentrated on Jesse, willing him to win. She felt a tugging sensation as if her body was trying to come apart and then the feeling passed. She felt a tingling in her mind and it frightened her.

[Come on Jesse you can beat him] she thought at the young man who had come to her defense.

As the punch made it's landing, Jesse thought to himself, he feels like a brick wall. His feelings didn't cross his face which held a stony expression as he continued fighting with a swift jab to Bruno's gut.

Bruno just grinned and Jesse looked somewhat shocked. Bruno brought forth a double-sledge maneuver to Jesse's head that took him down to one knee. The dizziness was instant but Jesse pressed on and threw punches at Bruno's left knee.

"No!" Sara cried seeing Jesse go down. She snarled when she saw Jeremiah stalking towards Jesse with a canvas board in his hands.

"Jesse look out!" she cried and looked straight at Jeremiah and visualized the board flying from his hands.

Jesse rolled to the side and managed to keep Bruno and Jeremiah in his sights.

Jeremiah let out a cry as the board was jerked from his hand and went flying. The whole room went silent as everyone stared at him.

Jesse paused for a brief instant and evaded the projectile. Jesse managed to reach his feet and clear out the cobwebs from his head.

"You can't beat me fairly that I can see Jeremiah!" Jesse screamed. "You have to have your stooges break your fall, right?" Jesse taunted.

Jesse dropped his hands to his sides. Leaving him open to whatever Jeremiah had planned next.

Jeremiah grinned. "I don't need no help," he growled and launched himself at Jesse.

Sara had watched the board fly from Jeremiah's hands in shock. Did I do that? She wondered. She watched as Jeremiah leaped at Jesse.

She willed Jesse to win. Win for me, she thought

Jesse rushed forward and careened into Jeremiah with a straight right flush to the face. Followed by a kidney shot. He finished with an elbow to the back of Jeremiah's head. He ignored the fallen Jeremiah and turned to face Bruno.

Jeremiah lay on the floor, curled up in a ball groaning. He had murder in his eyes and he nodded to Darian.

"Let's go," Darian whispered savagely in Sara's ear and dragged her backwards into the crowd.

Sara tried to object but Darian clamped a hand over her mouth and pulled her free of the crowd and out of the classroom.

Bruno cracked his knuckles and sneered at Jesse.

"Come on little man, let's see what you've got," Bruno chuckled.

Jesse's face was slightly damp as he wiped his brow and smirked at the big lummox. All the while his focus was still on getting to Sara and releasing her from Darian's grasp. He stepped forth once more to engage Bruno.

"Oh you'll see what all I have," Jesse replied as he raised his eyebrows and a surge of adrenaline poured through him once more as he launched himself at Bruno. The uppercut he threw landing with accuracy and Bruno staggered.

Jesse's eyes were focused on the task at hand. Determination was in his eyes, rage fueling the fire at an incredible rate. Nothing could stop him, nothing. As he continued the onslaught with a tactful yet swift kick to the right knee of Bruno.

Bruno was taken back by Jesse's ferocity and allowed all of Jesse's blows to land.

* * * Darian had managed to drag Sara out of the room and into the hallway outside. She had resumed her struggles but Jeremiah always picked muscular guys to be on his team. So she changed tactics when she realized she couldn't break Darian's hold.

"Darian please. Don't do this. We've got to stop the fight," she pleaded.

"No chicita. I can't do it. You heard the jefe. You will not go back in there. And you know I will take you down if I must," he said with a growl as he released her.

Sara threw her hands up in defeat and sank to the floor and waited on pins and needles for the outcome.

* * *

Bruno let out an enraged roar and took a swing at Jesse's head.

Jesse attempted to duck the shot but it was too sudden and it rocked him. His head swung to the side and blood gushed in a spurt from his nose and mouth. Jesse backpedaled enough to give Bruno space as he continued fighting. Damn, somebody must have eaten a whole box of Wheaties this morning, he thought to himself,

Bruno grunted when he saw blood and he charged Jesse heedless of anything else.

Jesse sidestepped and caught Bruno with a hard knee shot to the chin and grabbed for his arm in an attempt to take the big guy down.

"Now I'm gonna show you what i'm all about," Jesse whispered as he used Bruno's body weight to flip him up and over. He tugged hard on Bruno's arm as he flung him up and over, trying to dislocate his arm. Jesse let out a feral yell in rage and triumph.

The savagery ran through him as Bruno's bones began to crack and the muscles started ripping and tearing. This brought a delight to Jesse as he listened to the agonizing screams from Bruno. After Bruno lay semi- unconscious, Jesse pushed Bruno away from him and ran out the doors to the hallway.

Sara and Darian both started when they heard the yell and the crash. Sara leapt to her feet. Darian grabbed her arm and jerked her behind him just as Jesse came out into the hallway. Darian assumed a defensive stance, keeping Sara firmly behind him.

"Back off man. Don't want to hurt you," Darian said, eyeing Jesse's bloody face.

Jesse's eyes focused on Darian. He licked absently at the blood around his mouth and tasted it. Jesse looked down to the ground for a moment then spoke with a chuckle.

"You don't want to hurt me, that's a joke. Nothing could ever hurt me," Jesse said as his eyes became enlarged. "Let her go then I won't have to hurt you. And believe me you don't want me to fight you," Jesse stated as he released a deep breath and sighed. "Don't make things harder on yourself than they already are Darian," Jesse continued.

Sara was staring at the blood on Jesse's face and she felt sick to her stomach. What had happened in there? She stepped slowly from behind Darian.

"Jesse," she said cautiously as she took a step forward.

Jesse's eyes moved from Darian to her. "Yes Sara?" Jesse asked.

"Jesse you have blood on your face," she pointed out shakily.

Jesse wiped at his mouth and nose and felt the caked blood on his face from one of Bruno's punches.

"Yes I see, it is of no consequence right now," he said softly. Then focusing on Darian he asked, "Will you do as I have asked, let her go? Why do you even listen to that pig Jeremiah?"

Darian stiffened and growled. He was torn between grabbing Sara and having to fight Jesse to follow Jeremiah's orders.

Sara took another step closer to Jesse, her eyes full of compassion. She reached out a hand to touch him when the sound of a stun gun being powered up stopped her short and she whirled around to see the head administrator and five security guards heading straight for them. She turned around.

"Get out of here Jesse," she hissed and ran down the hall to head the administrator off.

Jesse started to reach for Sara, but her words finally registered and he realized he was in no condition to face anyone. He would be no match for five strong arms and a stun gun. Jesse looked at her once more and ran to the double doors leading upstairs.

Rushing through the doors, panic began to set in as his eyes moved back and forth. Feeling that the troop would be right on his heels, his breathing increased. He hated to leave Sara behind. He wanted to grab her and take her with him.

Jesse circled the stairs until he got to a door leading outside. He stopped momentarily to regain his composure. Looking around making sure no one was about, he leaned against the brick wall to catch his breath. His hands were shaking and he was slowly coming back to reality. Thinking to himself about what had he done. Everything had happened so fast and now that he was reflecting on it he felt remorse. He wondered what was going to happen next.

* * *

Mr. Hardy was in his office contemplating how he was going to steal more money from the school this term. He almost had enough saved up to get off planet.

Suddenly the door to his office crashed open and he looked up as the Chief of Security rushed in. "We have a problem in the downstairs Art class. One of the light skins is at it again sir," he growled.

Hardy sighed and got up. "Let's go see who it is."

Both men left the office and headed down the hallway. On the way they picked up four more security guards.

When they rounded the corner, Hardy spotted two guys and a girl. The light skin boy took off running in the opposite direction and the girl came towards them. Hardy recognized who she was and raised a surprised eyebrow when she reached him.

Sara stopped before the administrator. "Good day Mr. Hardy. Lovely weather don't you think?" she asked, slightly out breath.

"Miss Rodriguez. What is going on here?" Mr. Hardy asked sternly.

Sara gulped. "One of the students was injured. I was helping him to the nurse's office when he saw you. He's new and so he panicked and took off. I'm sure he's alright though," she added in a rush, noticing the hardness in Mr. Hardy's eyes.

Mr. Hardy grunted and then walked past her and up to Darian.

"Darian care to explain?" he demanded.

Sara stood behind Hardy and her eyes begged Darian to lie.

Darian looked at her for a moment and then at Hardy.

"Sir the new guy attacked Jeremiah and Bruno and he tried to hurt Sara," Darian said.

"You liar!" Sara cried and lunged for Darian but Hardy grabbed her by the collar and jerked her back.

Sara let out a startled squeak and struggled for a moment but stopped when Hardy momentarily choked her with the collar of her shirt, cutting off her air and making her eyes water. When she stopped struggling he released her and one the security guards took her arm firmly.

"Put her in my office and call her mother. I'll be back there shortly," Hardy ordered the guard.

The guard nodded and led Sara off.

Hardy went into the classroom and helped Jeremiah to his feet. He dusted him off. "What happened here son?"

"That new boy was harassing Sara. I stepped in and tried to get him to leave her alone and he jumped me. He kicked me when I was down. He jumped Bruno too," Jeremiah said with feeling.

Hardy frowned. He looked at the security chief who nodded and left the room in search of Jesse.

"How is Sara?" Jeremiah asked his mind already plotting of ways to pay Jesse back for humiliating him.

"She's a bit shaken but she'll be alright," Hardy said. "Now back to class all of you," he ordered and left the room and stationed two guards outside the door as he went to his office and his problem child.

* * *

Jesse tried to regain his composure for a moment. He started to go back inside, but he felt a presence surround him and then a hand touched his shoulder. It was surprising but comforting. When he turned to see who it was, he was a little surprised to see Omar. Jesse looked at him with guilt written all over his face. Omar just looked at him intently.

"I saw everything that happened Jesse," he said. "Are you ok?" he asked, squeezing Jesse's shoulder.

Jesse took a deep breath. "I hated to do what I did Omar," Jesse responded. "I just wasn't myself, something came over me."

Omar removed his hand and turned away but continued speaking. "Jesse you did what had to be done. In those moments you were in the right," Omar reassured him. "She's very special you know," he added.

"Yes I realized that from the first moment I saw her," Jesse replied with a smile.

"It was seen by us from above that the two of you will bring an end to this whole ordeal," Omar stated. "This is one of the many trials you will have to face, not even the tip of the iceberg," he added.

Jesse just listened, all the while wondering what was happening to Sara. Would she be blamed? Would they hurt her in any form or fashion?

"Omar I have to go back in and rescue her," Jesse said resolutely.

Omar looked at him and grinned slightly. "I knew from the moment you came to our attention you would be the one," Omar replied. "You know what you have to do and I will be here," he said and faded.

Jesse focused himself and entered back inside cautiously. He scanned back and forth for any sign of the guards. I hope I can get to her in time before anything else can happen, he thought to himself. He entered into the main lobby which was clear. He started forward.

"Halt right there!" a voice ordered.

Jesse turned around slowly and a shiver of fear ran through him before he stifled.

"Yes?" he responded.

"You are Jesse aren't you?" the burly guard asked.

Oh great these blasted guards are going to mess everything up, he thought sourly to himself. Slowly he answered. "Yes...yes I am. Why do you ask?" he questioned.

"Administrator Hardy wants you in his office pronto. You are in trouble for assaulting two of your fellow students and for sexual harassment against another," the guard responded.

Jesse's mouth dropped open. "Assault! What do you mean? I was provoked," he said and then it dawned on him what the guard last said.

"What do you mean sexual harassment!" he exclaimed in surprise.

"I am telling you the charges. You will have time to think of your defense on your way to the administrator's office. Let's go," the guard ordered and reached for Jesse's arm.

Jesse pulled his arm out of the guard's reach. "I'm not going anywhere with you," he stated.

"Look son, I'm not going to tell you again. Let's go," the guard snarled and again reached for Jesse.

As Jesse clenched his fists ready to duke it out with the guard there was a slight gust of wind that hit the guard from behind knocking him to the side.

Jesse heard a voice command, "Now go! I will handle this."

Jesse began to run down the hallway. As he started off he heard a swift punch and then nothing more.

Jesse made his way quickly down the corridors, hoping to not run into any more guards. Looking through windows into the rooms, he tried to see if he could find Sara. He finally stumbled upon the office of Mr. Hardy.

He leaned against the wall and started eavesdropping.

* * * Hardy had gone back to his office and walked in. Sara sat rebelliously in her seat. Hardy sat down and gave her a sad look.

"I'm disappointed in you Miss Rodriguez. I thought you knew better and that you had better choice in friends. What were you thinking?" he asked.

Sara glared mutinously at him and refused to speak.

Hardy sighed. "Well maybe you'll cooperate a little better now that your mother is here," he said glancing up.

Sara stiffened and her eyes widened when her mother walked in and sat down next to her, a scowl on her face.

"Sara," Maria growled.

Sara blushed and looked down. "Mama," she answered quietly.

"Why are you trying to bring shame on our family name?" Maria snapped.

Sara's head came up quickly. "I did not dishonor the family name!" she cried.

Maria's eyes flashed. She reached over and slapped Sara hard across her right cheek.

Sara let out a yelp and jumped up from her chair, intent on getting out of her mother's reach. She took two steps before Hardy caught her by the arm and dragged her over to her mother.

Maria stood and glared down at her daughter. "You dare to run from me?" she asked, her voice full of wrath.

"No mama, I didn't mean to!" Sara cried, fear running through her body at her mother's thunderous look.

"You didn't mean to? You never mean to!" Maria snarled and raised her hand to hit Sara again when the door was flung open and a boy came through.

Jesse heard the commotion and burst in through the door. "What do you think you're doing!" he demanded as he glared at the adults.

"Who are you?" Maria demanded, glaring at Jesse.

"I'm the one you want, leave her out of this," he stated.

He looked at the woman with the permanent scowl on her face. Must be Sara's mother. They look alike, he thought.

Hardy looked at Jesse and smirked. "So you found your way to my office. Good because you and I are going to have a little talk."

Jesse clenched his fists. "Yeah I found my way here." he replied.

Hardy turned to Sara's mother. "Ms. Rodriguez I'll release your daughter to you for the day. Because she hindered our finding him," he said as he pointed at Jesse, "she must be punished. We'll consider this light detention so her record isn't marred," Hardy said, ignoring Jesse.

"Sounds good. Thank you Devon. I'll see that my husband looks at your proposal tonight," she said sweetly. "Let's go brat," Maria snarled and grabbed Sara by her hair and started to drag her from the room.

Sara let out a whimper of pain but grew quiet at her mother's quelling gaze.

Jesse reached out to stop Maria. "Please let her walk out properly," he pleaded. "You're her mother. I won't allow you to torture her this way."

"Jesse," Sara said softly, surprise in her eyes that he cared.

Maria looked at Jesse and smirked. "Bothers you to see her done this way does it?"

"Yes it does, I have been witness too many times like this myself to allow it to continue," he calmly responded. Jesse's demeanor softened to a non- threatening one.

"Do grant me this request madam," Jesse pleaded.

Maria eyed Jesse for one long moment and then looked at Sara who kept her eyes downcast. She grinned. "Sure. Sara please stand up straight and let's go," Maria said pleasantly as she loosened her grip on Sara's hair.

Sara straightened but didn't look at Jesse. She quietly followed her mother out. She made sure to brush a hand against Jesse's arm on her way out.

Jesse looked about cautiously as they left. He was worrying about the repercussions for Sara once she got home. Memories started to flow in Jesse's head of his home life. He quickly dismissed them and focused on the here and now.

Jesse then turns his attention to Hardy. He puts his hands on his hips. "So do you wanna try hearin' the truth for once?" he questioned.

"Now, Mr. Sheridan why don't you have a seat and let me hear your version of events," Hardy said smiling as two guards took up positions at the door.

Jesse slowly looked over his shoulder and noticed the guards prime to pounce at a moment's notice. Jesse looked at Hardy as he took a seat.

"Is this really necessary?" he asked warily.

"You have brutally injured two of your fellow classmates. I am taking precautions. That is all," Hardy said still smiling.

Jesse kept eyeing Hardy. The monotonous grin made him worry.

Jesse told his side of the fight.

"We were sitting in class and I was working on some drawings in my sketchbook. I was minding my own business. I noticed Sara and I thought I would go up to her and introduce myself, you know just being friendly," he said.

"Then all of a sudden I have Jeremiah trying to attack me and his right- hand man Bruno clobbering me," he continued. "I was just trying to defend myself and Sara didn't seem too comfortable being smothered by Jeremiah," he added.

"Indeed," Hardy said as he steepled his fingers and leaned forward as if intently listening to him.

"Yes...indeed, you do believe me don't you?" Jesse warily asked. "I mean everything was such a blur, sir," Jesse said.

"Oh yes I truly believe you," Hardy said and nodded.

One of the guards walked up and clamped a hand around Jesse's arm in a viselike grip. "Come with me son," the guard ordered.

Hardy stood up. "You are going into detention and if I were you, I'd stay away from Sara Rodriguez. Her parents have plans for her that don't include you," Hardy said and gently slapped Jesse's cheek.

"Get him outta here," Hardy ordered.

Jesse growled at Hardy. "Why are you doing this!" he yelled as he tried to break free from the grip.

"Because you need to learn your place boy. And that place is not with Sara Rodriguez. It's for your own good. NOW get him out of my sight!" Hardy snapped.

The guard dragged Jesse from his seat and towards the door. Jesse pulled and tugged to break free from the guard's grip, trying to get to Hardy.

"I won't let you do this!" Jesse screamed.

"That's right. Struggle boy. Make it more fun later," the guard snickered as he opened the door.

Jesse tried to drop to the ground making himself dead weight.

The guard laughed and shifted his grip to a firmer one. He walked out the door dragging Jesse.

Jesse tried to head butt and trip the guard up with his legs. He almost succeeded. The guard holding him barely managed to keep his footing.

The second guard walked up and hit him hard with his baton. "Don't think about trying anything else," he growled.

Jesse froze when he felt the sting of the baton against the back of his neck. The weariness from the fight with Jeremiah and Bruno had taken its toll. He started to feel very tired. He couldn't keep his eyes open. He passed out.