Chapter 2

I can remember the ship rocking and shaking through what I later learned to be a blockade of Imperial Star Destroyers. Mother had always told me the ship was supposed to rock like that…

I saw stars. Bright ones too. Sort of like the ones people always say they see after getting hit in the head (when no one really believes them). I staggered back into what must have been a wall, or a door or someone else with my vision still spinning. All I could see through bleary eyes was a tall figure. Blane, if I guess.What was he doing here? I thought to myself. Luckily for me I didn't have to ponder long. My memory was helped along by a massive fist to the gut.

Right. That.

Crumpling to the floor, I clutched at my stomach and groaned. And, just as I had hoped, Blane was too arrogant to keep an eye on me. He turned away to gain approval from the crowd, filled mostly with his friends and my not so friendly acquaintances. As I climbed to my feet, right hand pressed to tender ribs, a series of low oohs and ahhs whispered through -the crowd. Poor, dimwitted Blane, took a few seconds to compute what was happening.

Swirling around to face me again, I saw a flash of surprise cross his face as he saw I was on my feet, but quickly masked it with a smirk. "Still standing eh?"

He stepped toward me, leer still in place, and shoved both his hands square on my chest. At the same instant, I knocked his push apart and away from me. One of his giant and clumsy paws sailed over each of my shoulders. As his weight and momentum carried him forward, I ducked his outstretched and vulnerable arms and easily stepped out of the way of another blow.

Blane lurched forward a few feet with a bewildered expression and a handful of kids snickered.

"I'd like to think so," I said sarcastically, mimicking his tone rather well, I thought. That did not impress him and he grunted like an enraged bull. Fitting.

Grumbling low in his throat, he turned and charged with his head down, aiming to tackle me or something. Once again, luck seemed to be on my side as his face collided with my knee. But he did have weight on me, so I guess he half succeeded in his goal. As we tumbled on the ground exchanging both well, and poorly aimed blows, we were both stopped when we heard a thundering voice. Seconds later, we were lifted off the ground by our collars

"BOTH OF YOU. OFFICE. NOW!"

Of course. It had to be Mr. J. His biceps had to be as big around as most built guys' thighs. He managed to carry Blane and I clear to the other end of the school to sit in opposing chairs. We glared at each other as our bruises and cuts began to swell and bleed.

"In." The principle said coldly, calculating gaze raking up and down our disheveled appearance.

"Ladies first," I teased as Blane stood. I savored my small victory, watching the anger shake through his arms.

Sitting across from the larger-than-necessary desk and leather chair, Principle A. McCalihan, Phd (as she always made a point of mentioning) continued to watch us. She was an older woman, mid-late forties, and kept her short brown hair immaculately in check, accenting her bony facial structure.

Now, as you can imagine, the following ranting tirade was long, irritable, and, quite frankly, unhelpful. Neither myself nor my counterpart could get a word in edgewise and if we so much as shifted in our seat, we were rewarded with and icy glare, or snide remark.

I wonder if these walls are sound-proof? I thought to myself as my mind began to wander to faraway places. To my favorite places in the woods behind my house, and the hours upon hours exploring. Probably not, I amended when the principal slammed her hand against the desk to accentuate her point.

Eventually, after being given a week out of school suspensions for our conflict, our parents were called. Blane's father was particularly vocal over the phone, and I actually felt bad for the guy. For the barest sliver of a minute.

However, what truly scared me was my mother's soft and even voice, barely audible as I listened in on her conversation with the secretary.

I knew that tone.

I was in for it.