"Hey, Benji" Ben's older sister Serena walks into his room "whatcha doing?"

"I got partnered with this weird kid for a project at school today and he wants me to go over his house to work on it, but he's kind of sketchy so I don't know if I should."


"Invite him here then"

"No, I don't want him knowing where I live." "That bad?"

"Yeah he barely speaks and people think he's dirty"


"What do you think?" Ben shrugs "stop being judgmental then, you don't even know him" "It's not me saying it, it's what I've heard."

"Ok and you're feeding into it without giving him a chance, this is for your grade right so suck it up


and get it done." "But-"

"No buts Ben go work on your project" "Fine. Can I borrow your car?"

"Yes."

Driving to Mackie's house Ben parks on the street getting the perfect view of the boy, dirty tank top outside his garage working on his bike "ugh" Ben sighs.

Getting out of his car he grabs his bag and takes a breath, crossing the street he walks over standing there till Mackie sees him "he showed" Mackie continues working.

"We're partners so..."

"Are we partners?" Mackie turns to him wiping his hands, he watches as Ben looks around scared "no one's going to kill you here."

"Mackenzie can we just get started?"

"Ok" he drops everything walking away and Ben follows "and its Mackie by the way, my friends call me Mackie."

"We're not friends" they walk into his house.

"Do you want anything? Can I get you a beer?" Ben shakes his head "Where are your parents?"

"Work"

"Your dad owns the auto shop, right? Denver Auto" "That's my mom, my dad owns the skeet shooting place."

"So your mom works on cars and your dad hands guns to people... fitting"

"What do your parents do?"

"My dad's a stockbroker and my mom's a defense attorney"

"So your dad steals money and your mom lies for criminals" Mackie chuckles "not so fun being judged is it?"

"Can we get started?" Ben tries to move on

They reside to Mackie's couch and as uncomfortable as Ben is he tries to make the best of his situation, but before anyone could start someone bursts in the front door "yo Mack we need you!"

"What?" Mackie stands up "what's going on?"

"Those fuckers from East Shore are down the block trying to jump Sammy come on!"

"Shit ok!" Mackie panics turning to Ben "stay here" him and his friend run out of the house. "No, he did not just leave me here to go fight," Ben says in disbelief. He sits there in the empty

house contemplating on staying but decides to leave, getting his things he walks to his car calling his sister. "Next time keep your opinions to yourself"

"What happened?" She asks as he starts the car

"Mackie just abandoned me in his house to go fight!" He pulls away "I'm getting a new partner because I can't deal with him"

"To go fight are you sure?"

"Yes Serena I'm-" as he drives he sees a group of guys with Mackie in the center "holy shit" he watches them brawl on the street in broad daylight.

"What? What's happening?"

"It- it's him he's kicking these guys asses" Ben is engaged watching Mackie and his friends beat up a bunch of guys. "Serena he's crazy"

"Ben get out of there!" She barks while he watches, but it was too late because he was out of the car standing there watching the creep he barely knew fight, he's never seen anything like this before. Ben doesn't know whether to be scared or impressed, but one thing's for sure he was frozen.

Looking over Mackie sees him standing there watching while other people come closer to watch, making his way out Mackie rushes to him

"what are you doing I told you to stay inside!" "You..." Ben looks at his face "you're bleeding" "I'm fine Ben you have to get out of here"

"What no" he looks at them fighting "you have to stop this, they're going to kill each other."

"Ben! This isn't your scene all right get in your car and go home!" Mackie forces but Ben doesn't move "hey!" He tries to get the boy to focus on him

"Come with me" Ben asks scared for Mackie's life

"No this is my world not yours, please go." Finally listening Ben gets in his car and Mackie watches him pull away.

—

Freaked out about what he saw yesterday Ben walks in school doing his best to avoid Mackie the gangster willing to fight anyone, people just think he's a quiet creep but no one's witnessed what Ben did and that was after knowing him for one day.

Going to science class Ben waits for Mackie to show up but he doesn't, would you after a fight like that?

School ends and Ben's in the parking lot near Jeremy's car waiting for him. As he's waiting, Ben sees Mackie walking towards him holding his helmet "no" he starts to panic "stay away from me!"

"Wait please I can explain"

"No, you're crazy!" Ben barks as Mackie tries to get closer

"Ben I'm not going to hurt you I just want to talk, come with me" he tries to hand Ben his helmet Ben laughs "what I'm not getting on your bike you psycho"

"Then walk with me," Mackie asks "please."

Everyone in the parking lot stares at them and Ben knows if Jeremy shows up things will not end well "fine" so he agrees.

They walk side by side and Ben has his guards up afraid of the boy next to him "I'm not a violent person" Mackie starts

"Tell that to your bruised fists and the guys faces you were smashing yesterday"

"Those guys deserved it they've been terrorizing me and my friends for months, and no one fucks with us."

"You know what" Ben stops "I honestly don't care, I don't need to know this." "Yeah you do if we're gonna be partners"