This is my first dive into the Alex Rider fandom. It's 493 words (not including the ANs), so longer than a drabble but shorter than a one shot. Just an idea that was floating around in my head, let me know if it's too similar to something someone else has written, or if you want to expand on it, otherwise, enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Alex Rider.

"Alex, can you read the words on the board please?" asked Alex's new English teacher, Mr Doyle. Mr Doyle was one of Alex's favourite teachers. Not because he thought he was a particularly nice or good teacher, but because he rarely commented on Alex's disappearances. Whenever he arrived back after one of his many absences Mr Doyle would give him a smile and a quiet 'Welcome back, Alex,' but other than that he didn't bring any attention to them. He was one of the only teachers who accepted the sick excuses MI6 came up with, and didn't pry. For that Alex was thankful.

Alex glanced at the board, mentally groaning, and unwillingly read the words aloud to the class.

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori," the words rolled easily off his tongue as he thought how ironic it was that this had to be the poem they were studying.

"Very good, now could you tell everyone what they mean?" the teacher again asked, and Alex wanted to roll his eyes at his luck, but the wise part of his mind made him refrain from doing so.

"Well, er, basically what it means is that it is sweet and right to die for your country," answered Alex quickly, hoping Mr Doyle wouldn't ask him to elaborate.

"Excellent, now can anyone tell me why Wilfred Owen chose to use these words in his poem?" the teacher asked the class as a whole, moving on with the lesson. Alex relaxed into his seat, only now realising he'd been tensing his muscles. The poem may have been about soldiers during the First World War but the idea behind it was a bit too close to his own life for comfort.

The remainder of the lesson was spent with the class discussing their opinions on the words and whether they agreed with the author of the poem and thought it to be a lie.

Alex wondered about his own opinion on the words. If he had died on a mission, would it have been sweet and right? He would have been protecting his country, saving millions, but that wasn't really why he did it was it? He did it because he had very little choice. What sort of person did that make him? Alex wondered, oblivious to the rest of the class' discussion. Lost in his thoughts, he jumped when the bell rang, signalling the start of lunch.

"C'mon, Alex," Tom said hurriedly, "let's claim one of the goals before everyone else gets there!" Alex smiled and rushed to pack up his things following his best friend out the door.

"Did you remember your ball today Tom?"

"'Course I did, can't play football without one can we? Now hurry up! I don't want to have to play on the basketball court again-I've still got scabs from last time!" complained Tom loudly. With that the two boys hurried out, all thoughts from the classroom banished from their heads.

Please review! I'd love to hear your thoughts!