Me Against the World
A debut novel by 14-year-old author Kylen Fleurmond
Before You Read
Every story has a beginning — even before the first chapter.
Here, you’ll find the Prologue that launches Deza’s journey, a heartfelt Foreword from Kylen’s dad, and an intimate Author’s Note that shares Kylen’s inspiration and purpose.
Start here to feel the heartbeat of the story before you step onto the field with Deza.
Prologue
Instead of being in Hillsborough—the town I live in—I’m over 50 miles away in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, attending a house party. The party’s over, so I’m leaving with my cousins Ruben, Amandine, and Marv to head back to Hillsborough—or at least make it to the New York/New Jersey state line.
As we crossed the George Washington Bridge, Amandine struck up small talk.
“So, Luckner,” she asked, “how’ve you been?”
“Alright,” I replied indifferently.
“Bro,” Ruben jumped in, “you are a real menace, L.”
I laughed. “I know.”
Marvens kept his eyes on the road, focused on driving, while Ruben probably daydreamed about his next romance.
“You sure you good?” Amandine asked. “Lately, you’ve been kind of short-fused.”
“Well, it’s what the world sees me as. I tried to be different, but things don’t really change, do they? People don’t really change, do they?”
I turned my head and caught one last glimpse of New York City through the window, then faced forward, ruffling my black curly hair.
Amandine gently patted my shoulder. “Well, I’m going to get some rest. Wake me up when we get to Hillsborough.”
I nodded.
What I didn’t know then was that the East Flatbush party would change my life forever. At the time, I was letting Ruben—and especially Marvens—have too much influence over me. My recent behavior had gotten so out of control that there was a real chance I’d get expelled from high school. And that couldn’t happen.
Looking back, that party was like a butterfly effect. It set things in motion. It helped me refocus. That focus would eventually lead to critical acclaim—and maybe even power. But like Peter Parker’s uncle said: with great power comes great responsibility.
But what happens when that responsibility gets to your head—and you start adding responsibilities on top of responsibilities?
Foreword
There are moments in life that catch you completely off guard—moments that make you stop and realize something bigger is unfolding right before your eyes. This book is one of those moments for me.
My son is only fourteen years old, yet here I am, writing the foreword to his first novel. That alone says something. He has always had a mind that worked a little differently—sharper, deeper, and faster than most. I still remember when he was just four, sitting down and reading an entire card from his Pre-K teacher… before the school year had even started. He had taught himself to read before anyone had the chance to teach him.
Writing became his natural extension. It was not something we pushed—it just was. Stories poured out of him the way music flows through a piano. And speaking of pianos, he plays that too. It is just who he is: a storyteller, a thinker, an artist. His passions—writing, music, and soccer—have filled our home with creativity, energy, and a deep sense of purpose. Since sixth grade, he has been homeschooled, and I have had the privilege of watching his imagination stretch without limits.
This novel, Me Against the World, is far more than a story about football or fame. It explores pressure, identity, culture, and resilience. It reflects a young man’s mind wrestling with what it means to rise, stumble, and search for meaning through it all. The characters feel alive, the stakes feel real, and the voice—unmistakably his—is bold, raw, and honest.
To anyone reading this: know that this book came from the heart of a 14-year-old who sees the world through a lens of creativity and depth that humbles me every single day. I am proud beyond words—not just of the pages he’s written, but of the person he is becoming.
Son, never stop writing. The world needs your voice.
With all my heart,
Robetson Fleurmond
Author’s Note
Me Against the World is a fictional journey about football, fame, and finding one’s purpose. While the story is imagined, many moments are drawn from real emotions, struggles, and dreams I have experienced or witnessed. This novel is for anyone chasing something bigger than themselves—even when the world seems against them.
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