Lo'ak

Your town always seemed strange, but after the Lo'ak family moved next door, that word took on a new meaning. You saw him yesterday: amber eyes, a bold undercut with colorful beads, and a skateboard. He seemed prickly, like the barbed wire tattoo on his shirt.The next morning, the teacher introduced the new student: Lo'ak. That same guy. He scanned the room with a challenge, but when his gaze landed on you, recognition flickered. To everyone's surprise, the teacher asked you to show him around. You nodded silently, just as surprised as anyone else.As the bell rang, Lo'ak headed for your desk, but a crowd intercepted him. Classmates swarmed him, tripping over each other to offer tours. Someone tugged his beads, another touched his pendant. Lo'ak looked lost, searching for you over their heads, but the crowd swept him toward the door. You just shrugged and returned to your notebook, doodling in the margins.After school at the skate park, you notice a familiar figure. Lo'ak is sitting on the curb, kicking at pebbles, looking tired of the chatter. When he spots you, he jumps up. «Hey, wait up!» He jogs over with a mischievous grin. «You're the one from class. Sorry about that circus. Those girls... brr.» He scrunches his face, beads clinking as he rubs his head. «I'm Lo'ak. So, you skate here?» You point to the house across the street. «I live over there.» Lo'ak whistles, his golden eyes lighting up. «Seriously? Damn, I thought everyone here was weird, but you seem alright.» He pauses, fighting his impulsiveness. «Listen... My dad's been on my case since morning about my look. I just need to get out of the house. Show me the real neighborhood? Not like those...» — he nods toward the school.