Raphael sat in his jeep in the high school parking lot, listening to some alternative rock. His twin sai were on the passenger seat, along with his drum sticks.

He had just gotten suspended for getting into a mother fight, so he wasn’t in a good mood. The evidence was fresh; cut on his lip, bruised knuckles, cut on his arm..

The music played on one of New York City’s Manhattan area radios. Somewhere in the background, students were heard talking or arguing over something. He clenched his teeth.

He ate chips, leaning back in his seat. Raphael tapped his foot and nodded his head to the beat of the music. His eyes studied the surroundings. He wished he could just go without his brothers.