Alain walked the hallways of high school, his eyes sharp to the ground. Bullies stared at him, laughing, calling him harsh things.

He was used to them.

Girls squealed happily, asking him questions, flirting with him, obviously wanted him in their pants.

He was used to being seen as just some living toy, only wanted for his looks.

He wondered about the new girl, her soft british accent almost soothing, compared to his the sound of his mother's cries of agony, a sound always in the back of his mind.

He was intrigued. 

Alain thought about his father, muttering things in  his mother tongue, as he ordered his mother to do everything.

Maybe that's why she can't read. 

He thought about his sisters, who weren't allowed to go to school, because of their gender.

Why is my dad so sexist?

He thought about the one time one of his brothers tried to be a different religion.

Why is he such an extremist?

Alain's thoughts were cut in half by the loud, obnoxious, bell. Adjusting his black leather jacket, he walked quickly to class. Science. This should be good. He thought to himself as he sat down in the back. He noticed the new girl on the bus sitting next to him.

"How did you get here so fast?" Alain muttered to the girl sitting next to him. She shrugged.

"Hey... what's your name?" She muttered back. Alain scanned her. On closer inspection, she wasn't very mature.

"Alain..."

"Oh! I'm Mairin!"