Sorry this took so long to get up. Here's what happened. I did start the chapter but then my computer crashed. I got a new laptop so I'm back on track. I hope like it. I do!

Chapter 7

Joseph Cooper, the school's principal sat alone in his office as he massaged his sender fingers over his forehead, lost in thought. He was processing the information that Mr. Clark gave to him a few moments ago. I never thought that anyone, especially a student, would bring a gun into this school. This town is just so quiet and pious. Aiden's family has had it rough, though. After Molly was attacked, she became so stressed and traumatized that she had to be put in a mental hospital. Kyle uses cheap beer to dull the pain and Aiden became very shy and withdrawn. Molly was a good mother, very loving and encouraging. The chances of her recovering are very slim. I feel so sorry for Aiden and Kyle.

His office phone rang, interrupting his train of thought. He picked up the receiver after the second ring.

"Hello?" he answered.

" Hi, Joe." It was Sharon, his secretary. "I called transportation services and the buses will be here in half an hour. She paused for a second than said, "How could this have happened?"

" I was just wondering the same the thing."

" What possessed him to do something so horrific?"

" He's been hassled around by some of the other students. I didn't know it had such an effect on him."

"Hopefully this will end quickly and without anymore bloodshed."

" I hope so too. Well, I should make an announcement about this mess."

" Okay, bye, Joe.

" Bye, Sharon."

He hung up the phone, then pondered for a moment about how he should address the rest of the school. When he knew what he wanted to say, he reached over his desk and turned on the intercom.

" This is Principal Cooper with an important and serious announcement. I was just given word that Mrs. Stone was shot and killed in her 5th period class by one of her students. The shooter is now holding the rest of Mrs. Stone's class hostage. The authorities have been notified and there will be buses coming to pick up the rest of the school in thirty minutes. Everyone should remain in their current classrooms until then. I urge all of you to remain clam and cooperative during this time. School will be closed tomorrow as well. Any further information or instructions will be announced as needed. That is all.

The intercom made a soft crackling noise as it was turned off. Mr. Cooper stood up and stretched until he heard the bones in his back pop. He sighed heavily and rubbed his eyes. I need to get out of this room. He made his way to the door and walked out, unsure of where he was headed.

In Mrs. Stone's class, Aiden stood up and began to stroll along the aisle of the student's desks while spinning the gun around his fingers.

" I have never seen a room full of teenagers so silent" Aiden said, as he walked by Spencer's desk. Spencer watched the swirling pistol with a horrified gaze. He stopped walking when he saw her reaction to the gun. He began to spin it faster and she gripped Ashley's hand tightly. She's holding on for dear life, Ashley thought. She feels so tense. Now I know why she's so afraid of the guy. He's a creep.

" Aiden, stop it!" Ashley exclaimed. "You're scaring her!"

"Stop what?" Aiden asked with mocked innocence, making the gun twirl even faster.

" Stop playing with the gun! You're scaring Spencer!"

" You're no fun."

" I said stop it!"

" Why should I listen you?"

Ashley let go of Spencer's hand, stood up and gave him a swift punch to the gut, causing him to double over in pain and drop the gun. Ashley was very small but she was also very strong.

"That's why," Ashley said, with a small smirk.

" You bitch!" Aiden cried out in anguish, clutching his stomach. " That was my bad side!"

" Sorry, no wait scratch that. I'm not sorry. You deserve it for being an evil psycho."

" Cool it, Ashley," Spencer said cautiously, "he has a gun."

" Listen to your friend, Ashley," Aiden said as he put the gun back in his belt loop. "Relax and calm down. Don't push it. I'm already over the edge."

"You still deserved it, you sicko," Ashley muttered under her breath.

" What was that?" Aiden asked.

" Nothing," Ashley replied, sitting back down.

" Good. Now back to other matters. Since no one wants to talk, I've come up with this idea. I'll let everyone go if each popular person reveals a secret about himself or herself. This way we'll learn that no one is perfect, no matter how hard we try to hide our flaws."

A shuffling noise was heard in the hallway outside the room.

" Who's that?" Aiden wondered, turning toward the door and opening it. He poked his head out the door and saw Mr. Cooper walking past the room. "COOPER!"

Mr. Cooper immediately turned around and saw Aiden's furious face sticking out the door. How did I end up there? Mr. Cooper thought. I really wasn't going anywhere; I was just trying to clear my head.

Aiden walked into the hallway and stood right in Mr. Cooper's face.

" Aiden," Mr. Cooper said softly, "why are you doing this?"

" You know damn well why I am doing this!' Aiden yelled. "It's because of the bullshit that the popular kids have been piling on me. I told you about it. I told you all about it, but nothing happened. It kept getting worse each day, and no one did anything about it. You didn't care. No one cared, so now I'm taking care it of it myself."

Mr. Cooper looked solemnly at Aiden. " This isn't the right way, son. You've got it all wrong. I do care, just try to listen to me."

" You didn't listen me."

Aiden took out the gun and pointed it at Mr. Cooper.

"This is for all the kids that were ignored by you."

" Aiden, don't shoot, please. I'm sorry, please put down the gun. Aiden…"

BANG! Mr. Cooper called out in pain as a bullet hit his chest. He crumpled on the floor in front Aiden. Aiden looked down as blood began pour out of Mr. Cooper's chest. He twirled the gun around his finger once with an evil grin, walked back in the classroom and shut the door.

Aiden creeps me out more and more each update. Don't you love protective Ashley? I sure do. Reviews equals faster updates.