I fell off my Blackbird, but I reached my arm out in an attempt to save my life (or, that's what it felt like I was doing). Barely grabbing the bike's tail end, I pulled myself up with one hand, my flight or fight response powering me. The Blackbird also hovered below me as if it knew I was struggling to return to the saddle.

At that point, I should have just retreated and gone to the bench, and maybe I would have heard the whistles blowing, but all I could see was red. I leaned the bike back towards Houston and socked him in the face, and then he punched me in the gut, and we started exchanging blows mid-air while still flying way above 60 miles an hour.

Spatial awareness had taken a backseat for both of us. Punches were thrown and traded at a blistering pace, the sharp sting of each blow drowned out by the adrenaline thundering through my veins. In the heart of this brawl, we spun around like kids on a merry-go-round.

The rest of the world had become a blur. The shrill sound of whistles and the distant shout of the announcer was drowned out by our own battle. None of it mattered, though - we were too far gone, locked into our own world, determined to keep swinging until the other gave in.

I swore I wasn't gonna be the first one on the ground. But Houston, the stubborn jerk, kept throwing punches, each one chipping away at my energy just a bit more.

Then I experienced one of the most painful sensations of my life. I flew through a wall on my side, but so did Houston.

With a jarring impact, we smashed into the spectator stands below, creating a gaping hole in the structure that drew a collective gasp from the audience. Catapulted from our dragon bikes, we hurtled through the air with terrifying speed.

I collided with some form of scaffold, the structure splintering under my weight, and I continued to plunge downwards. The only sound piercing the chaos was Houston's fading scream, his voice echoing in my ears. Then, as swiftly as it all began, darkness swallowed me whole.

The next thing I knew, I woke up in a bed inside the medical hall. My entire body had some light soreness, but I was okay for the most part. Still, I was in that darn medical hall again, lying in bed, and it was the last place I wanted to be. It took me a moment to recall how I got there, but I couldn't remember what happened.

I knew I was in trouble. My heart sank, and I thought I was in a nightmare. Pinching my skin didn't help. This was real, this was actually happening.

Time to face the music, I guess.

"Hello? Is anyone there?" I said.

The door to my room slowly opened, and it was Principal Pine tip-toeing inside.

"Principal Pine, how are you? What's going on?" I uttered.

"Rollie, I'm very sorry, but I have some severely unfortunate news," Principal Pine said. He followed it up with a heavy sigh.

"Yes? What is it? What even happened? I can't remember how I got here."

He held up his finger. "And before I deliver the news, I just wanted to say, I'm so sorry you have spent so much time in the medical hall. Please know it's an anomaly for a student to be in here in a bed. In fact, students will graduate having never gone inside the medical hall. But here you are, and you've been here a few times in just 2 years. It is worrisome."

"I guess I lead a life of danger." I shrugged and smirked, but Principal Pine still had a grave look in his eyes.

"Unfortunately for you, Rollie, this last incident on the Dragonstryke field will result in severe punishment. You and Houston are both in trouble, but what's even worse is that Houston... lost his arm in the incident."

Then it hit me all at once.

Houston and I crashed into the wall underneath the audience, and that's when everything blacked out for me. But then I thought about Houston losing his arm. As much as I couldn't stand the guy, I didn't want him to be seriously hurt or to have his whole life changed. Thinking about it all made my eyes brim with tears.

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"Rollie, this incident is unlike anything that has ever happened on campus between two students. I mean, I know we've had acts of terrorism, but this brutal fight happened on campus in front of the whole world to see and resulted in a boy losing his arm for good. Ms. Susan's magic cannot regrow a limb or any part of the body. Even with her potions, there are limitations, and there isn't one that exists of being able to recover limbs. And the spell to land safely only works on the field, not under the audience section of the stadium." Principal Pine shook his head.

"Oh man," I groaned.

Principal Pine gazed out the window. "I know that on rare occasions, students will fight on campus. They're young, and they don't know how to deal with disagreements or squabbles. It's never something that deserves life-altering punishment. Yes, disciplinary measures must happen, but you're still young. Although today This was much more serious. I don't care how well you can fly a dragon bike, you can't fight another person like that. We tried to get the referees to break you two up, blow the whistle, and holler over the loudspeaker, but it fell on deaf ears."

My voice was thick and syrupy, but I managed to say, "I'm really sorry, Principal Pine."

"Rollie, I know deep down. You're a good kid. I know if you could take it back, you would. But I'm afraid questions and conversations are happening now about your ability to return to school next year. We are not sure if that's a good option for us as a school but for you as an individual." Principal Pine had the deepest frown I had ever seen.

"What are you saying?" I said.

Principal Pine took a breath. "I just feel like we are not suiting your needs at this moment. I'm very grateful that this incident happened at the end of the year, as the final exams are already done. And I'm glad you made it through the year getting your education because I think over the summer, you can focus on something else that deserves your attention and focus."

"What's that?"

"Managing your anger through therapy."

"But wait, wasn't it Houston's fault for starting the whole fight?"

"Rollie, I didn't say that Houston wasn't in trouble. But you didn't have to retaliate in that manner. Neither of you made the right choice."

"But that's not fair!" I pounded the mattress. "I mean, near the beginning of the match, they had three people cheap-shot me with their dragon bikes! But I handled that maturely. At some point, the bully keeps going until you reach a breaking point, and I guess I reached it today!"

Principal Pine shook his head. "Rollie, I don't think it's a good idea to try and place blame. Many wrong decisions are made, and those students will be dealt with accordingly, but that still doesn't change the fact that because of your actions, Houston lost his arm. Now, you're not solely to blame for this. Houston also responded poorly, but it's still best for you to attend therapy for your anger over the summer. I think it will help you tremendously in your development as a mage and as a Dragonstryke player if you wish to pursue it."

"Okay." I narrowed my eyes at him. "So what happens after therapy?"

Principal Pine shifted in his seat. "It will depend on the conversations the staff and I will have, but I can say at the moment, I don't know if you will be attending school here in the fall."

My whole body had this sinking feeling. I didn't know what it was, but I felt defeated and depressed. "So then, what would I do for schooling?"

"I'm not sure at the moment. It all depends on a variety of factors. Expulsion is extremely rare, and I don't want you to think of it as getting expelled, but there are other ways for a mage to receive an education."

"Okay." A heavy silence hung in the air. "Can you apologize to Houston for me? I'm feeling really horrible about that."

"When I have a chance to talk with him again, I will. At the moment, he is currently resting. We will be back in touch again, Rollie. At the moment, I would gather your belongings and get ready for move-out day. I'll also give you resources on therapy before you go. I know your grandpa lives in Eurozia, assuming you will stay with him, I'll make sure that therapy is accessible from there. Any questions at all?"

"No. I guess not."

"Oh, and congratulations are in order, I suppose. After the incident, the game continued, and the Fyrons won the championship."

I thought I'd be more ecstatic to hear the news of my team winning it all, But all it made me do was cry.

"I know everything may seem bleak right now, but it will be okay, Rollie. We will get you the help you need for success in this world. If you need anything else, talk to Ms. Susan or any of her staff. I'm going to fetch for your grandfather. We will be in contact again soon." Principal Pine stood up and left the room.

Oh no, what was my grandpa going to think of me? Having that thought only made me cry harder until I was sobbing. A few minutes after Principal Pine had left, my grandpa came in through the door, wearing a heavy frown. He saw the tears pour down my cheeks and came by my bedside and hugged me.

"I'm just glad you're okay, Rollie. I'm just glad you're okay," he said.

"They're kicking me out of the school," I muttered. I was surprised my grandpa could hear me with how emotionally distorted my voice was.

"That's okay, Rollie. Everything will work out as it should. Don't worry. I'm here, and I will take care of you, I promise."

His calm and reassuring voice helped settle my nerves. I was so thankful to have him by my side.

"I love you, Grandpa," I uttered.

"I love you too, grandson."