Chapter 5: The Worst Possible Start

 The Morning Routine

"Allen. Wake up. It's morning, and you have school."

Allen groaned, burying his face deeper into his pillow to block out his father's voice.

"Stop it, Dad... I don't want to go to hell today. Just let me sleep."

"Don't be lazy, Allen. You're already late," his father replied, crossing his arms. "And

don't forget, you have to meet someone today."

Allen shot up in bed, aggressively scratching his messy hair. "Fine! You're clearly not

going to let me sleep anyway."

"Good boy." His father chuckled and left the room.

Allen slumped his shoulders, staring blankly at the wall. Why has my life become a

complete disaster? First, I have to deal with high school. Now, I'm apparently

someone's servant.

Meanwhile, across town...

"Come on, sweety. It's time for school. Wake up."

Regina blinked open her eyes, still half-asleep. "Oh... okay, Daddy..."

Her father smiled warmly. "You remember what today is, right? I have to introduce

you to someone."

Regina sat up, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, Dad, I know. The bodyguard, right?"

"That's my girl. I'll leave you to get ready."

As the door clicked shut, Regina held her head in her hands and sighed. Ugh. Now I

have to deal with a bodyguard trailing me around.

Getting Ready

Downstairs, Allen was begrudgingly adjusting his uniform.

"Allen, hurry it up," his father called out.

"Yes, yes, I'm almost ready to wear this crap," Allen muttered, tugging violently at his

school tie.

His father stepped forward, looking straight into Allen's eyes with a serious

expression. "Alright, listen. I just sent the address to your phone. You'll be taking the

bike today. The man you're meeting is a very good friend of mine—and a great mafia

boss, just like me. You treat his daughter right, understand?"

Allen rolled his eyes. "Oh, Dad, don't worry. I'm not a bad guy."

"I trust you. Now hurry up and get going."

"Yeah, yeah. Bye."

The Unfortunate Meeting

Back at Regina's house, her father checked his phone as a notification popped up.

"Wait, Regina! My friend just texted me. The boy is almost here, so hold on a

moment."

"Okay, Dad, I'm waiting," Regina replied, adjusting her bag.

Ding-dong.

The front door bell echoed through the house.

"Oh, he's here!" her father said excitedly. "Wait right here, dear."

He hurried to the front door and threw it open. Seeing Allen standing on the porch,

he immediately wrapped him in a brief, welcoming hug.

"Hi, Allen! I've heard your name a lot from Sterling."

"Uh, yeah. Hi, Uncle. How are you?" Allen offered a polite, if slightly awkward, bow.

"Oh, I'm doing great, son. Listen, you know how our business is. Because of what we

do, my daughter is in a lot of danger at her high school. You're strong, and more

importantly, you're trusted."

Allen nodded seriously. "Yes, I know, Uncle. You can trust me completely."

"I do! That's exactly why I chose you, haha!" He clapped Allen on the shoulder. "Oh,

where are my manners? Wait right here."

He walked back into the living room toward Regina. "Regina, come over here. This is

Allen, your new bodyguard."

Regina walked over, took one look at Allen's face, and her expression instantly twisted

into pure disgust.

"You?!" she shrieked.

Allen's eyes widened in matching horror. "You?!"

Regina's father looked back and forth between the two of them, pointing a finger.

"Wait... you two know each other?"

"Yes! Very well!" Regina snapped, her face turning red. "He's my classmate! He's awful,

I can't stand him, and there is no way he is going to be my bodyguard! Gross! No!

Dad, how could you even think of this?!"

"This girl?" Allen barked back, completely losing his polite demeanor. "You little witch!

I literally helped you last night, and now I'm your bodyguard? Look at your own face

in the mirror before you complain!"

"Oh, please! Like I actually want to be anywhere near you!" Regina shot back.

As the two high schoolers started screaming at each other, Regina's father stood in

the middle, his head spinning. "Stop it, both of you!" he yelled, pulling out his phone.

"I'm calling Sterling right now."

He dialed the number and put it on speaker. Sterling picked up immediately. "What is

it, dude? Do you like Allen?"

"I like the kid, bro, but we have a massive problem," Regina's dad said into the phone.

"Our kids are literally mortal enemies."

"What? How?" Sterling asked, sounding completely baffled.

"Yeah! Listen to this—"

Before the fathers could finish negotiating, Allen leaned over the phone. "Dad! I would

literally rather die right here on the spot than be the bodyguard for this little witch!"

"Dad!" Regina chimed in, leaning over her father's shoulder. "I can die too! But he is

never going to be my bodyguard!"

Sterling's booming voice roared through the speaker. "Shut up, Allen! I told you, it's

only for a single month! Handle it!"

Regina's dad nodded firmly. "Yes! Regina, you too!"

"Dad!" Allen protested.

"Daddy!" Regina whined.

"SHUT UP!" both fathers shouted in unison.

The two teenagers slumped, letting out a loud, miserable, "Ugh."

"Now, go to school," Regina's dad commanded.

With angry, defeated, and thoroughly miserable faces, Allen and Regina trudged out

the front door, still aggressively sighing under their breaths.

But the nightmare wasn't over yet.

Outside the gates, Allen kicked his motorcycle to life. He had to pick up his client to

take her to school. And who was that client?

None other than Regina.

Chapter ended.

to be continued..