1Chapter I
A commotion was coming from the hallway where my locker was. It was only the second week and I already thoroughly hated this school with its labyrinthine hallways and judgmental students. I turned into the wide hallways to my right and almost smacked into the backs of a large group of girls and boys. I stood on tiptoe to look over the heads of the gathering group despising how I was vertically challenged. The ones near the front were taunting someone backed against the locker next to mine. The rest were just there as spectators or attracted to the commotion just like me. I gasped and my eyes widened as I took in the boy's state. He was leaning heavily on the locker. His lip was cut and bleeding profusely, his glasses lay shattered on the floor, his right eye was turning purple, and he bore several scratches on his cheeks accompanied with a burning slap mark imprinted on his left cheek. Anger boiled inside me and I gripped my books so hard my knuckles turned white. All I saw was red. I shoved my way through the crowd hating my shortness.
"Stop!" I yelled throwing down my books with a loud bang as soon as I reached the center.
The whole hallway turned silent and out of the corner of my eye I saw Gabriel raise his eyes in surprise, while he slumped further down against the locker to the floor. As he did so, I noticed the back of his head left a smear of blood on the locker. My anger mounted even more, if that was even possible and my hands shook uncontrollably.
"Who made you kings and queens of the school?! Who said you have the right to beat other people up and treat them like trash just because they don't fit in with your established cliques?!" I shouted making the quotation mark gesture around the word "cliques".
"We're all equal! I'm sick of seeing you snobby, high and mighty 'people' with your noses in the air thinking down on everyone else." I paused for breath but before I could continue one of the guys cut in.
"Since when did you start telling us the rules and preaching what we can or can't do… newb!" He spat back arrogantly with a toss of his head.
I drew myself up and tossed my hair back, mimicking him. "Ever since you assumed the role of arrogant stuck up class bully with your disgusting pack of goblins and hags." I yelled back distastefully shoving him backwards with two hands causing him to stagger, trip, and fall backwards onto people's feet and finally landing heavily on the hard floor, earning a few snickers from the crowd and a chorus of "oohs and ahs". He immediately sprang back up, his face red from anger and embarrassment. He leaned in, his breath blowing on my face, "If you were a guy, this would be the last thing you remembered, and I'd shut you up permanently." He continued with another arrogant toss of his head, "and I would prefer going by the name 'handsome'."
"Oh please," I scoffed "spare me the excuses. Just 'cuz I'm a girl you say? Well let's see what damage you can do ON YOUR OWN, without your backup gang of monsters. Oh, and the name's Karla." I said gesturing at the "popular crowd" gathered around Gabriel, "handsome", and I.
He didn't bother answering me; just whispered to the girl hanging onto his arm. I eyed her disgustedly. She wore way too much makeup, reminding me of a wedding cake with icing smoothed over its every feature, her skirt was much shorter than the school's standard limit, and her hair had obviously undergone hours of work. She was pretty… in a fake way. I know, I'm such a hypocrite, I criticized people of being judgmental and then I judge them. She whispered loudly in his ear, "Kick her ass for me" and then they locked lips. I gagged dramatically and earned myself a few snickers and giggles from the crowd.
As anticipated, he swung a punch at my mouth with his right fist. I calmly caught it with my left while it was still a foot away from my face. I made sure to keep my face cool and keep my emotions inside. I hated having to fight someone even if I'd gone through ten intense years of karate training and no matter what the cause of the problem.
The way he fought reminded me of a flapping, headless chicken. I don't mean to brag but every time he threw a punch or a kick, his eyes would glance at his target and enable me to catch or block it before it was even a foot within me.
I was so focused that I didn't hear the crowd cheering, or the principal and teachers staring at me fighting a boy twice my size. I only knew that I had to end this fight without too much damage to him. The way this scuffle was going I wasn't too concerned about myself. He threw a punch to the side of my head and seizing my chance, I grabbed his wrist, pulled his wrist over my head and deftly and neatly flipped him on his back and once again dropped him to the floor with a thud. I smiled sweetly at his startled face, adjusted my glasses, grabbed my books from where I'd dropped them on the floor previously and was about to leave when I suddenly recalled why I'd come in the first place. I spun back quickly and dropped on my right knee at Gabriel's face level.
"Can you get up?" I asked worriedly.
"Not really, I'm too dizzy." He rasped, his eyes remaining closed and holding his head in his hands.
"Here," I offered my free arm, "let's get you out of here" I helped him to his feet while keeping my stack of books in my left. I wasn't too eager to open my locker with everyone watching. I ignored people's stares as they parted a path down the hallway for us. Behind me, I heard Mr. Terriak, the principal, taking control of the situation with the help of the various staff members. I shook my head, wishing they'd taken charge sooner.
Gabriel suddenly lurched forward, jolting me out of my thoughts, and I barely managed to catch him. I adjusted my grip so I was holding him firmly under the arms but before I could proceed my books were gently tugged out of my left arm. Surprised, I glanced up to see a guy, 2 heads taller than I, and who I recognized from several classes, grinning down at me, revealing a set of straight pearly whites. I vaguely remembered his name was Eduardo.
"Thanks," I said smiling back but quickly turning my attention back to Gabriel.
Eduardo just nodded in acknowledgement and fell into step on the other side of Gabriel. He supported Gabriel from the other side, making our short journey a lot easier. As soon as we reached the medical room, we helped Gabriel onto the bed and the nurse proceeded with her job. I sighed in relief and turned to Eduardo who was standing between me and the door to find him studying me intently, or so I thought.
"Thanks again, Eduardo" I said gratefully reaching for my books unsuccessfully.
"C'mon, I'll walk you to your locker so nothing happens." He said motioning towards the door and clearly not willing to return my books yet.
Impatiently I crossed my arms, "What makes you think something's gonna happen? I can carry my own books you know. Just 'cuz you're walking me to my locker doesn't mean you have to carry my stuff too." I frowned, I disliked depending on others and being obligated to them. In my mom's words, I was too proud to accept help.
"Because, it's what a decent guy would and should do and that's clearly not what you've been getting here." He replied, shrugging nonchalantly.
I huffed in defeat and marched out of the room with as much dignity as possible. Once again his long legs fell into step easily with my short ones.
"You know, for a girl, you fight really well." He said admiringly. I chose not to answer. "Not that girls aren't good at self defense" he added quickly, thinking he offended me. I couldn't help but let a small smile slip on my face at his eagerness to please.
"See, you can accept compliments!"
I frowned; feeling my icy façade which I used often, slip back into place, hiding my true feelings and disguising my abilities.
"Oh come on, don't go quiet on me like how you've been treating everyone ever since you got here." He complained. "Fine, I can tolerate the silent treatment. Why do you do that when I'm being nice?"
I sighed and took my glasses off. "You know what, do me a favour and let's change the subject from me. I can't seem to recall which courses we share."
"Band, English, math, and we're in the same gym class.' He listed off rapidly. By this time, we'd reached my locker.
"Wow, you memorized it all?" I asked amazed, holding my hand out for my books while opening my locker. He handed it over reluctantly and smiled sheepishly.
"Yeah, I kinda observe stuff that interests stuff that interests me." He admitted rubbing the back of his neck.
Before I could reply, my name was paged over the intercom. I rolled my eyes. Great, I thought sarcastically, now I have to explain everything and live the moment all over again. I snapped out of my annoyance to find Eduardo looking at me with an amused expression. I raised an eyebrow at him questioningly but he just shook his head smilingly. I slammed my locker shut and stalked back to the office. I was guided into Mr. Terriak's office by a grandmotherly secretary who gave me a sympathetic smile as she let me into the office and returned to her work. As soon as I entered, my eyes met "handsome's" eyes regarding me coldly.
"So it's you again, newb. Now I might be expelled, lose my basketball and football scholarship, all depending on how badly I hurt that good for nothing wimp!" He was on his feet now, using his height to his advantage. He continued leaning over me. "And now I've got a huge bruise on my back to prove that you didn't act in self defense!"
I regarded him indifferently and settled myself as comfortable as possible in a nearby chair.
"All because of you! And you're gonna pay for it, just you wait!"
I shrugged and replied, "You challenged me and when I give you a bruise you complain? Goodness knows I've endured worse injuries from a fight. I gave you fair warning to back off while you could. You didn't listen; you just decided to launch your brawny fists and big feet at me. You had it coming." I reasoned casually glancing through a magazine. I deigned to spare him a glance and I could see it took everything in him not to hit out at me again. Fortunately, before the tension could increase, the Mr. Terriak finally stepped into the room. He calmly advised "handsome", "Young man, I suggest you keep your hands to yourself. No matter how valuable you are to the sports aspect, I will not hesitate in having you expelled. Ms. Sienna just moved here on a hard earned scholarship," I stiffened and flushed, I hated having people talk about my accomplishments. "I suggest you give her a better welcome than the one she got from you earlier."
"Handsome" muttered something incoherent under his breath before he spun on his heel and stomped to the seat farthest from me. After peace had been relatively restored, Mr. Terriak proceeded with the interview. I stifled a yawn, it was only second period; this was going to be one long day…..