Chapter 1

"Hello, students how are you all doing today. well, an another year gone, another batch of little kids grown up and ready to tackle the world. Oh, i can't tell you how proud i'm feeling today. I still remember the day when i was your age. Back in our age, we didn't have this much diversity you know. Back in those days....."

And that's my cue to block him out. You might be wondering whose graduation it is right? It's no graduation, it is my last day of middle school. Yep, you heard it right- middle school! the person who is drawling on and on is no one else but our lovely principal, Mr Atwell. He is an old man, around 60s, who enjoys reminiscing his good old days. He still believes we live in the 19th century and takes it upon himself to "educate children of the sinners and sins", ready to capture us as soon as we become teenagers. You all probably know what he actually means right! I do sometimes wonder who even made him the principal.

Anyway, by the time grandpa rejoice his old days, let me introduce myself to you all. I'm Phoenix, 13 years old and ready to begin high school. Though right now i'm looking forward to the summer vacation more. I'm a bit short around 5', half asian owning to tan sun-kissed skin, black waist-length natural curls and hazel eyes. i love to box and read. The boxing is my passion while reading is my liberation. Apart from this, I do enjoy mother nature and taking strolls in her heart.

One thing you all should know about me is i'm adopted. Not exactly adopted, but a fostered. One of the rules of adoption is that a child either has to be less than 7 years of age to get adopted without their permission or once they reach 14 years of age, can give their consent for adoption. The ones in the range of 8-13 can either be fostered or stay at the potential adoptive parents' house. Also, once the time is up and had the child not returned to their previous adoption centre within a month of turning 14, if not, then it is considered kidnapping. Apparently, the government had put those rules in to cut down the abuse on orphans and to ensure their well being. Since, i was adopted on my 8th birthday specifically, i had to be fostered.

The family I'm living with is nor extremely rich or abusive or anything. We are just a family of three, a single dad and his two kids, me and my brother. My dad's name is Cedric Skylar Wood, He is an architect and transformer at one of London's top-notch construction firms "The Vibes". Yea, I know what an odd name, but hey catchier the name, more the fame, right? No, okay fine. Jesus I'm not going to be right all the time! So ya that's my dad. And then there is my brother, who is in 2nd year of high school, almost 3 years older than me, his name is Orion Zev Wood. my dad is around....

" ...my dear students, I understand it is a day of celebration for you all, to celebrate one more stepping stool in the life. And i'm sure all of you would like to celebrate it with your family. Thus, without any further ado, I cease my words, once again wishing you all the very best for the future, and hoping and praying that you all would keep my thoughts in your mind and always stay true innocent god's little angels you all are born to be. Happy holidays. Happy summer. May god be with you all." and with this, father principal finished his an hour and a half long "words of wisdom". Every one of us scrambled out towards the door, fearing that if we are even a minute late he would start again.

Once out of the hel..., I mean school I took in a deep refreshing breath and began my short walk towards Orion aka Rock's school. His high school is about 5-7 minutes walk from mine. my school is an average middle school in london. It had always been good at teaching until last year when they collaborated with a local church and a new, highly catholic principal was appointed. I mean no shade to any religion, but i don't think it is good to imply your thoughts on us in the name of Jesus Christ. I can't even explain how wrongly these kinds of "religious beliefs" ticks me off. Just my past experience with them has been nasty.

I'm still in a sour mood when I reach our meeting place. Guess my fowl mood was kind of evident from my face or maybe he knows how to read me better than anyone, as Rock asked "Who killed your puppy?" , right after bidding his friends goodbye after spoting me. "Father Principal did," I replied with clenched teeth, still angry. "Care to elaborate," he asked as we both proceeded to walk towards the home. "You know how today was the last day at school and the Father decided to greet us with his 'words of wisdom' to accost us in our adolescent years. Well, do you even know what he said? He basically shunned all those who doesn't fit the norms of so-called society. I mean, according to him all the other people be it gender, ethnicity, religion, belief, sexuality, who doesn't follow Christianity blindly are sinners. I mean ya I believe a supreme power is governing all of us and ya Jesus might be one of the forms of that power or even their messenger, but to use them to employ your thoughts on people is too low right?! And he is employing those beliefs on 13 year olds. Could you imagine us! And then people say the school has bullies spiking up, young people are being homophobic or anti-religion or some stuff. It's people like him who sow the seeds and create all the havoc. They only want to carry on their stupid orthodox non-christian beliefs and that too in name of jesus not without dwelling too much inthe consequences it moght have towards the Society. I swear even hitler would have been more open-minded." I grumbled the last bit, taking a deep breath after finishing off the rant. By the time I had finished, we had already reached home and Rock had handed me a glass of water. He waited a few seconds to see if I'm done, and when he got that I'm done, he started to talk. "Feeling better?" he enquired, and after a conformational nod from me, continued again. "First of all, what they say doesn't define who you are. It's you who does. Letting him get to you would be their success over you. I'm agitated Angel, ya, but anger is not the solution to anything." He explained in a soothing tone. "Moreover, you all didn't have the right to call his beliefs stupid, you know. If he doesn't have the right to employ his beliefs on you, what makes you think you are an exception!" sudden voice of dad startled both of us, making me drop a bit of water on myself. "Bloody crap oldie, how long have you been standing there?" Rock inquired after composing himself. "Long enough to listen to the better part of your rant and know what you both talking about. Now champ, what your Principal said might not be true and would most likely be falsified information, and I agree with you that he shouldn't have said all of these to young minds, but no matter what, you don't have the right to call someone stupid just because of their beliefs. Beliefs are a fundamental part of a person's life, most of their life, values, morals, upbringing are centred around them. Respect others' if you wanted yours to be respected too. And if they contradict, you can try to make them see from your viewpoint, but if they are not willing, let it go. You can't shake someone's roots. Okay?" dad asserted in his deep gravelly voice, the one that never failed to calm me down.

"Now you better come here and give me a proper greeting," he said with a big grin on his face. I just smiled big, letting go of all the stress, and gave him a hug and a kiss on the forehead, our typical greet, followed by Rock giving him a"man-hug". "Now, that's settled, what is for the snack? I'm starving," Rock exclaimed as he made his way towards the kitchen. "By the way, what are doing home early dad? It's still early afternoon and you are not usually back before dinner time?" I enquired whilst Rock was complaining of nothing to eat and was preparing mac n cheeses for all. ot exactly a snack, but who cares. "I got the afternoon off," he mumbled. "Just like that?" rocks questioning tone was heard loud and clear from the kitchen. "No, its, umm, well you know, umm.., how do i say it.. okay, well.." he stuttered, and dad only does that when he is too nervous or anxious. "Dad, relax," Rock said whilst i simultaneously asked him to "Just spit it out".

" i got promoted" he blurted, rendering both of us frozen, in our place.