NEW BEGINNING

Living with my dad in America, everything had always been routine—school, sports, hanging out with friends. It was all predictable, nothing too exciting. But when Dad told me we were going to Mombasa to visit my grandmother, I wasn't sure what to think. I'd heard stories, of course. Stories about the food, the culture, the people. But hearing about a place and actually being there? Two completely different things.

Dad had always talked about how Mombasa was where our family's roots were, how rich the culture was, how deep the history ran. Now, it was my turn to experience it for myself. I wasn't sure if I was ready.

When we landed at the airport, the heat hit me first. It was like stepping into a furnace, way different from what I was used to. The air was heavy, and the bustling energy of the place was overwhelming. I adjusted my backpack, trying not to look as clueless as I felt, and took in the scene. People were everywhere, talking, laughing, moving with purpose. The city was alive in a way I hadn't seen before.

As we drove to my grandmother's house, I couldn't stop staring out the window. The skyline was... different. A mix of old, weathered buildings and newer ones that looked out of place. It was strange but kind of beautiful at the same time. I was still trying to take it all in when we pulled up to the house.

Grandma was waiting for us at the door. She had this smile—warm, inviting, like she'd been waiting her whole life just to see me. It made me feel... I don't know, like I belonged here. At least a little. She pulled me into a tight hug, and even though I felt awkward at first, I hugged her back. Her voice was soft but firm as she said, "Welcome home, Jayden."

The first few days were... weird. The food was different—spicier than what I was used to. Delicious, but it took some getting used to. The accents threw me off at first too. Everyone spoke so fast, and I had to concentrate just to keep up. And then there was the neighborhood. It felt like everyone knew each other. People called out greetings to each other from across the street, kids ran around playing games I didn't recognize, and there was this constant buzz of life.

For someone like me, used to quiet suburban streets, it was overwhelming. I felt like an outsider, like everyone could tell I didn't belong here. But Grandma? She made everything a little easier. She was patient, kind, and always had a way of making me feel like I was exactly where I was supposed to be.

Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was out of place. Like I was trying to fit into a puzzle where I didn't belong. But I told myself I'd give it time. After all, this was just the beginning. And maybe, just maybe, I'd figure out where I fit in this crazy, unfamiliar world.

---

I woke up with a jolt, the light from my phone glaring into my eyes. My grandma was knocking on my door, her voice frantic.

"Jayden! You're late! Get up!"

My heart raced. I glanced at the time. 7:30 AM. School started at 8:00. I'd forgotten that today was my first day. I had been up all night, lost in my games. Not a good start.

I scrambled out of bed, threw on my uniform, and rushed to the bathroom. My mind was all over the place, and I barely had time to think. "I'm gonna be late. I can't believe I'm gonna be late!" I muttered under my breath.

I barely had time to grab my backpack before I rushed out of the door. My grandma had warned me about adjusting to the time difference, but I just couldn't focus. Now I was running late on the first day of school. Great.

The walk to school wasn't far, but I had to move fast. The heat of Mombasa's air hit me as I made my way down the street, the city alive around me. I pushed through the crowd, trying not to let my nerves get the best of me.

Then I saw it. A group of boys, surrounding someone on the ground. The boy was taking hits, and something about it made my stomach twist. The guy on the ground had the same school uniform as me.

Without thinking, I ran toward them, shouting. "Hey! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

The group of boys turned, caught off guard. They hadn't expected someone to challenge them, especially not someone in the same uniform.

I didn't give them a chance to say anything. My first move was quick—my fist launched into the face of the nearest guy, a solid punch that sent him stumbling back. His nose exploded with a satisfying crunch, blood spurting from it as he fell to the ground, clutching his face.

The others froze for a second, unsure whether to fight back or run. I wasn't about to wait for them to make up their minds.

I spun to my left, ducking just as another boy swung a wild punch at me. I sidestepped and grabbed his arm, twisting it behind his back with a sharp, fluid motion. He yelped, his knees buckling as I shoved him face-first into the sand, using his own momentum against him.

One of the others tried to grab me from behind, but I was quicker. I dropped low, throwing my elbow back and catching him right in the gut. The air whooshed out of him, and he stumbled backward, gasping for breath.

I didn't stop to look at the damage I was causing. The adrenaline coursed through me, and it felt like the world slowed down. I didn't care how many of them there were. I wasn't going to let them hurt anyone else.

I turned my attention to the last guy, who was now the only one standing. He was bigger than the others, a real bully type, with a twisted grin on his face. He swung a wide right hook at me, hoping to land a lucky punch.

I ducked under the swing and rolled toward him, coming up right behind him. Before he could react, I locked my arm around his neck in a chokehold. He flailed, trying to break free, but my grip was firm. His face turned red, and he kicked his legs in a panic, but it was too late. I held him there for a few more seconds until his struggles slowed down. I eased off, and he collapsed to the ground, gasping for air.

The other boys were on the ground, writhing in pain, too dazed to get back up. I took a deep breath, letting the adrenaline start to wear off.

The boy on the ground, the one I'd saved, looked up at me, his eyes wide. He was in shock.

"You... you saved me?" he asked, voice shaky, still processing what had just happened.

I nodded, still catching my breath. "You shouldn't let people walk all over you. You had it in you to fight back."

He blinked, looking at the downed boys and then back at me. "I didn't think I could... I've never had anyone... stand up for me before."

I stepped back, running my fingers through my hair. "Well, now you've got someone. Just don't forget what I told you. Don't let people treat you like that. You can handle it, you just need to believe it."

He stared at me for a long moment, as if trying to process everything. The fight. The way I had helped him. It must have been overwhelming.

"Thanks, man..." he whispered, and I could hear the relief in his voice. "I... I won't forget."

I nodded, giving him a small smile. "Good. And remember, don't ever just let people beat you up again. You're better than that."

I turned to walk away, feeling the weight of the moment. It felt strange—almost like something inside me had shifted. I had never been the one to stand up for anyone before. And yet, today, I had done it without even thinking. The feeling of protecting someone was different. It was more than just doing the right thing; it felt... powerful.

As I made my way to school, I didn't know what was ahead. But one thing was for sure: I wouldn't be the same. Something inside me had changed, and I wasn't about to forget it.

END OF CHAPTER.