Ever since he was young, he had a really difficult time dealing with his anger.
He ripped his stuffed teddy bear, pushed his kindergarten teacher to the floor, and raged whenever he played video games.
As a high schooler, many people—besides the baseball team—distanced themselves from him, as they were scared of his dark and grinning expression.
It was near the end of his junior year in high school, and he spent his time playing baseball, carrying a baseball bat around the hallway. His grades weren't that great, and he wasn't planning on going to college, as he aimed to pursue his career by joining the World Baseball League. However, it all happened on this very day.
In the middle of the day, he apparently saw what seemed like one of his teammates bullying a freshman student for being on the varsity team but lacking the experience needed.
"Hey, freshie, what makes you think you belong on this team? You're only here because we don't have a junior varsity team," the teammate said, pushing him into the locker. The teammate then grabbed him by the collar, threatening to give him a knuckle sandwich if he didn't quit the team.
Wanting to defend the youngest teammate, he walked toward them, asking him to put the kid down."Well, if it isn't Scott Smith, one of our best batters on the team," the teammate said, dropping the freshman, who then ran away.
Scott came closer to him."Hey, leave the kid alone. Maybe the coach brought him in because he might have the potential to do better."
"Are you joking? I'm the varsity captain here, and who I want or don't want on the team is none of your business!" the varsity captain raised his voice."You know what, Scott? You're the angriest dickhead I've ever seen in my life, so you should be damn grateful that I accepted you on this team!" the captain said, insulting Scott and his anger issues.
Scott wouldn't let that slide, and his anger caught up to him to the point where he swung his bat at the captain. He hit his head so hard that it slammed him into the locker doors. The students around them ran, as Scott now held a potential weapon that could hurt others.
He kept swinging his bat until someone yelled at him."SCOTT SMITH!" the principal shouted as he saw Scott beating up another student.
Scott was sent to the principal's office, with officers on their way to detain him."Scott, as you know, I saw you hitting another student—and this time, it was with a baseball bat," the principal said with a solemn expression. "You've been beating other students due to your lack of anger management since your first year."
"I didn't mean to, sir. I was just trying to—"
The principal interrupted Scott."Son, for the safety of the students and staff—including myself—I hereby expel you from this institution," the principal said, signing an expulsion letter and handing it to Scott.
At the same time, the police entered the office, handcuffed Scott, and took him to the police station for detainment.
Scott's mother, Sarah Smith, was also notified about Scott's expulsion and his detainment. She came to the police station where Scott was held."Scott, oh sweetie, what happened?" Mrs. Smith said, holding his cell bars.
"Mom, I didn't mean to. I—I just lost control, and the captain was insulting me for my anger," Scott said, tears slowly rolling down his chin. His legs collapsed under him, as he began to wonder whether he was just someone with an angry reputation or simply an outcast.
Mrs. Smith tried to calm Scott down."Don't worry, sweetie. Everything will be all right.""Officer, how long will my son be in detainment?" Mrs. Smith asked the officer.
"Don't worry, ma'am. He'll just be here for a week and will be released then," the officer said, leading Mrs. Smith out of the station.
"Oh, son, please be well," Mrs. Smith cried for her son's safety.
A week passed since Scott had been detained.
"Okay, kid, you're ready to go," the officer said, opening Scott's cell. Scott left the police station, with his mother waiting for him in the car. He got in, and they both left the station.
"Scott, I was worried. Maybe taking you to therapy might be the best option for you," Mrs. Smith said as they neared their house. "Maybe then, you can have a better time managing your anger."
However, when they approached their house, there were people blocking the way.
People were protesting against Scott's actions, not only at school but also in the neighborhood. Many of them threatened the family, threw trash at their car, or spray-painted the Smiths' lawn with messages like "Angry Asshole."
The commotion didn't stop. The whole day since Scott came home, the neighborhood remained in chaos. Protesters demanded they leave, mentioning the people Scott had assaulted—especially the varsity captain, who belonged to one of the richest families in the area. Scott realized he had messed with the wrong person. His anger had turned into sadness, shifting his grinning expression into a depressive one.
A few days passed, and the protests and riots continued outside the Smiths' house. With no other choice, they had to leave the neighborhood, or else their safety might be at risk. Scott and his mother packed their belongings, starting from their rooms and moving through the living room.
Once the riots began to calm down, Scott and his mother loaded the car as quickly as they could, needing to leave the area. When everything was packed, they both got into the car, and Mrs. Smith started the engine.
Although the crowd had settled, the neighbors watched in shame as they drove out of the neighborhood of Des Moines. From that moment, Scott began reconsidering his actions, wondering:How can I become a better person and learn to manage my anger?