Be My Teacher - (Jack)

I'm not the kind of person to sit back and watch somebody else get hurt. I'm also not the kind of person to do that to somebody else, anymore. There comes a certain time in your life, whether it is forced through illness or it is pushed upon you by your age and experience, that you perhaps begin to realise that being a complete twat doesn't get you anywhere.

Recently, Alex and I have probably began to give little regard to acts of violence. He is going to be a father, and that is such a changing experience. You ought to be protecting your wife, or girlfriend. And there's me. I guess I am going through a tough time now, as well.

The look on Matthew's face doesn't pray that he is to be forgiven. It isn't asking for more time on this earth. It is simply telling us both, Alex and I, that he doesn't actually care that he's just hurt another person for absolute no reason. Sure, the other guy, whose name escapes me, maybe had called him a name or two. I wouldn't have went as far as Matthew has. I wouldn't have even put my hand in that jar, because chances are, it will bite Matthew back sooner or later. If he really does have to try and iron this guy out, who by the looks of him doesn't look a day younger than any of us here, then he'll probably have to go about it a better way than throwing a punch at his nose.

I can relate a great deal to that.

That's when I realise why there is a thumping in my heart, and a tense to my veins. It's because that small part of me that fears that stupidly angry part of him, is flaring up like a cobra. This is the side that no longer appears on time inside me. If it had, maybe I would have hit Matthew for this guy. I may have called the calmer side of him my brother, but I sure as hell take that back now, since he's done this. Maybe it is only one punch, and sure - the guy is now getting up, leaning on the wall with the towel in his hand. It doesn't excuse the action.

"I don't like the fact he got dropped on me and has been mouthing off since he first showed up. I don't like the fact that he's here at all after everybody worked hard to get here and all he did was rob people! What's your fucking problem, Alex?" I can tell that Alex wouldn't like to be directly threatened like this. "What, you want to punch me as well?" Alex just snidely says. He doesn't think Matthew would do it. Either that, or he thinks he can take him. He can, and I know that for a fact. Matthew may think he is strong, but Alex is way smarter in that department. He just doesn't know when to start a fight and when not to. This isn't one of those situations, though. "You don't even know him." Alex adds on the end. "Why are you helping him? He's not INNOCENT." Matthew yells out. The word 'innocent' flies out.

I was innocent, too.

That's when I tell him he has issues. I stand by those words. I mean them, every single one of them. He has got issues. Anger issues, and probably a whole load more. I don't think I even want to help him with them, I'm too angry to deal with his bullshit today. I have enough on my plate, and I don't need him fucking things up on my last few weeks. Starting a fight in our dorm, as though he owns it. He can fuck right off. "Great work, criminal. I guess that's how you work." He tells Tom, whose name I have recalled.

"Shut up, Matthew. Get out. I don't wanna put up with this shit any more." I tell him.

Me, of all people.