CHAPTER 1: THE NERD EVERYONE THOUGHT WAS WEAK
Jake Martinez had spent three years perfecting the art of being invisible.
At Lincoln High, that wasn't difficult.
Most students looked at him and saw exactly what he wanted them to see.
Glasses.
Good grades.
Quiet personality.
A kid who never caused trouble.
What they didn't see was the alarm clock ringing at 4:30 every morning.
The miles he ran before sunrise.
The hours spent training at Rodriguez Gym.
The bruises hidden beneath long sleeves.
The state-ranked welterweight fighter nobody knew existed.
Jake preferred it that way.
Boxing taught discipline.
Not attention.
Not popularity.
Certainly not intimidation.
Unfortunately, Tyler Brennan saw things differently.
Tyler was the king of Lincoln High.
Star linebacker.
Six-foot-three.
Scholarship offers from colleges across the state.
The kind of student who had never heard the word "no."
That afternoon, Tyler spotted Jake standing at his locker.
Perfect target.
"Hey, four-eyes!" Tyler shouted.
Jake ignored him.
Usually, that worked.
Usually.
Tyler crossed the hallway and grabbed Jake's shoulder.
"I'm talking to you, nerd."
Jake finally turned around.
"I heard you. I just don't have anything to say."
The hallway immediately grew quieter.
Students slowed down.
Phones appeared.
Everyone sensed something was about to happen.
Tyler grinned.
His friends stepped closer.
"Show him what happens when you disrespect Tyler Brennan."
Without warning, Tyler shoved him.
Hard.
Jake crashed into the lockers.
The impact rattled metal doors up and down the hallway.
His backpack burst open.
Books scattered everywhere.
The crowd instantly formed around them.
Tyler stood over him laughing.
"Stay down where you belong, loser."
Jake looked up from the floor.
And for the first time, something changed in his expression.
Not fear.
Recognition.
Because he'd faced moments like this before.
Different opponent.
Different arena.
Same decision.
Fight.
Or walk away.
Jake slowly reached up and removed his glasses.
Then carefully placed them on the floor beside him.
Tyler's smile widened.
May you like
He thought he'd won.
He had no idea what everyone was about to notice.
