94The next day Moira tried to avoid Gracie and Josh as much as she could. She knew a conversation with Gracie would be a repeat of their telephone conversation, and Josh would beg her to help him prepare for the prom. And she didn't want to put up with either of their whining.
Maybe this week had changed her in some way. Maybe she wasn't as bad as she thought herself to be. If Randy was putting her in her place (not that she would ever admit it), then that proved that her whole aspect about herself wasn't true at all.
Since Randy wouldn't be out of the hospital until later that afternoon, she was forced with the two options she was faced with the previous day. Stay with the only two friends she had, or be alone. Either way wasn't very appealing.
She had surprised her mother that morning when she was awake before even her father, and had even cooked a vegetarian omelet for breakfast. She had arrived to her school earlier then usual and used the time to her advantage. Gracie and Josh wouldn't expect her to be inside of the building until the very last possible moment, so she went to the very last place they would look for her.
The library.
Surprisingly, there were quite a few people in the library. Mostly kids who were looking for a book on a paper or assignment they were supposed to do, and forgot to get until the last minute. And there was the occasional person who just came to the library to grab a book and read.
Reading had never really fallen into her list of things to do. But then again, maybe she should try it. Add it to the many things that was currently changing about her.
Moira strolled around the shelves, glancing at the titles but not really paying attention. This was, after all, a hideout. But she supposed she could make it look convincing. She grabbed the closest book and sat down next to a girl in braids who was so interested in the book she was reading that her eyes were practically bulging out of her sockets.
Moira fought the urge to laugh as she attempted to make conversation. "So do you think this is any good?" she asked, holding out what she had just grabbed. It happened to have what looked like a wizard in a blue wizard hat standing next to a pink unicorn who was shooting light out of its horn.
The girl didn't even bother to look at the title. "It's alright. Not really my taste though," she said bossily.
Moira decided to try again. "I found that book to be thoroughly entertaining," she said and tapped her book a little. But the girl hadn't been expecting it which caused it to hit her nose slightly.
"What the hell? You think it's okay to go around throwing books at other people?" she exploded, standing up and looking accusingly at Moira.
"I didn't mean for it to…"
"Yeah sure. People like you never mean anything. Just get the hell out of the library!" the girl snapped and went to sit on a lime green couch in between a boy who was reading a comic upside down and a boy who seemed to be thinking very extensively.
"Dear, why don't you go before any more trouble is started," an old woman with gray hair said politely to Moira, causing her to jump a little.
Hiding her anger, she left the library, and bumped into Gracie and Josh.
"Moira, there you are! We've been looking all over for you! Where the fuck were you?" Gracie asked as she grabbed her arm and dragged her across the building.
"I wasn't anywhere," Moira lied bitterly.
"Were you in the library? What were you doing, picking out a cheesy romance thing to read to precious Randy while he's sick?" Josh sneered.
Moira broke free of Gracie's grip and punched him rather hard on this upper arm. "You don't know anything about me or Randy! Mind your own business!" she burst out.
It seemed she had reached her end. "Why can't you two just be happy for me? I've finally made another friend, and automatically you think I'm somebody's girlfriend or something! I'm always happy for you guys when you've found someone or something that makes you happy, but when I've found somebody you think I've gone off and abandoned you! It's not like I've left you!" Moira yelled, which earned her several teachers' heads popping out of their classrooms and demanding that she go to the office.
The last thing she saw before she turned around was Gracie and Josh's stunned faces at what she had just said.
"So Moira. Not even in your first class of the day, and already you've ended up in my office for two separate reasons. May I ask why?" the principal, whom Moira had never seen before, asked as he stood up. He was probably in his late fifties. He had a mustache but no hair and had a beer belly. His gray eyes looked warm enough, but right now as they stared into her eyes, they were cold and unwelcoming.
"You can ask. But I doubt you need me to tell you the reasons," Moira told him defiantly. She resisted the urge to kick her booted feet up on his desk.
The principal (Mr. Fischer) chuckled. "Well, let's see then. First you manage to get yourself kicked out of the library for assaulting a freshman, and then you cause mayhem inside the building. You care to explain?"
"I didn't assault that girl! I just tapped her book, and she made it hit her nose! And I didn't cause mayhem either! I just had my voice raised inside that's all!" Moira exclaimed, outraged.
"A likely story. In the meantime you will receive two hours detention. You'll serve them right in here today after school. And be lucky I don't take away your right to go to the prom!" Mr. Fischer said calmly to her.
"Just for raising my voice? You'd take away prom from me just for that?" she asked incredulously.
Mr. Fischer became dangerous. "Yes, Miss Hendrix, as my job as principal of this school I can do whatever I deem necessary to punish my students. Any more argument and I WILL take away your prom rights, now leave!" he snapped at her and pointed furiously to his door.
Moira stood up and stormed out of the office, too angry to speak. Gracie and Josh were waiting for her outside. "Two hours detention?" Gracie asked skeptically.
"Just for pushing a book into some freshman's nose," Moira muttered.
Both of them burst out laughing. "You did that? I didn't think you had it in you!" Gracie said.
"Yeah seriously! Usually I'm the one getting in trouble for that kind of stuff!" Josh added.
Moira managed a smile. "I think I got kicked out of the library for the rest of the year," she burst out.
This caused more laughter. "That's no punishment. That's the reward of a lifetime!" Josh exclaimed.
"Yeah Moira. Welcome back," Gracie said, and to Moira's shock, hugged her.
A/N: I am SO SORRY I didn't update sooner! But no excuses this time. And I'm sorry that it was shorter. I kind of have writer's block.
Next chapter will announce the theme of the prom. The only problem is that I have no idea what it should be. Include in your reviews your ideas for prom, and I'll consider them all! I appreciate all the ideas you guys give me!
Lindserly: You'll like the chapters to come then! Thanks a lot!
paintedluv: Thanks a lot! Yeah, she is acting like a prick, but everything's happening really fast for her.
FrozenWaterFaerie: I don't know…hadn't really thought about it, but I'll consider it. Thanks for your review!
queen-lala: Thanks!
Larki: Eh, it's just Gracie's personality. She's going to lighten up soon though! Hope you liked this chapter!
Dazed: Josh made an appearance! I'll put more of him in, there's going to play a bigger role soon! And as for the Moira/Randy thing, you'll have to wait and find out! Thanks for your review!
Shyin: Thanks! He'll be back next chapter!
randomaznperson: Hmm…that's the question, isn't it? Who said he was even going to dance? You'll find out at prom!
Sydney: They'll work on it, don't worry!
Fiction Fanatic: I'm glad you think that! You just made my day! Thanks a lot, hope you liked this chapter!
Garnet-earth-princess: I like your pen name. But is it the perfect match…you'll have to wait and see! And yes, Randy's aunt is nice to Moira, but for completely different reasons, as you will find out!
Prancu: Thanks!
Thank you all for reviewing!