Operation: S.T.R.E.N.G.T.H

Some

Trublesome

Reactions

Even

Not

Good

Things

Happening

Over time Kuki got used to the stares and whispers as she passed the hallways with her growing belly. She soon learned to tune out negative comments made by her peers and sometimes teachers. Some ranging from "It's a shame she got pregnant." to "Does she really think she can go to college? She's not going to have time now that she's a wife and going to be a mom." It didn't matter to Kuki. She'll have the last laugh at her reunion with a degree, a job, and a beautiful family. Besides, in a way she was lucky. How many people can say they met there future husband during childhood? Besides, Aside from Wally and her family, Fanny has her back. She has no problem defending Kuki. Infact, she liked a fight or two. She said it was a good stress reliever from applications. It wasn't just Kuki she defended. She helped Wally when he needed it to.

Wally was thriving in AP classes. Something that shocked everyone. After a little tutoring, it was as if everything in his brain just clicked and everything finally made sense! For the first time he didn't feel like that kid who was embarrassed to raise his hand only to hear snickers from the corner of the classroom. Most importantly, he wanted to learn. This newfound confidence gave him such a thirst for knowledge that could not and would not stop. Yes, dyslexia did make it a struggle at times, however he was learning new ways to manage it. Wally even decided to find ways to make a date night out of it. Kuki and him would go to the library and have a "blind book date" where Wally would pick a book for Kuki and Kuki would pick a book for Wally and they would take turns reading out loud at a small restaurant for dinner. When it was Kukis turn to plan date night, she would sometimes chose a museum and a coffee date later. For the most part they would just do dinner and a movie. Regardless, they were closer than ever by bonding on a common love of books.

Unfortunately, even with Kukis endless support he was still treated like that little boy who struggled in school. For as long as he can remember, Valerie was always an overachiever. Well part overachiever, part dictator, part heinous bitch, you take your pick on how you want to describe her. She was always defensive about her role of being a straight A student, and here comes Wally. He just waltzed in her AP classes and by gracing his presence he's the one getting the better grades? Nope. Not on her watch. At first it was little things like rolling her eyes on everything he said and even arguing with him over how her literary analysis was the better option.

It didn't start to get ugly until they were taking a quiz in AP Government. He couldn't find anything to write with and he leaned over and whispered, "Hey Valerie? Can I brow a pencil?" No answer. He brushed it off and ended up getting a spare one from the teacher's desk. As he sat down Valerie whispered, "Unlike the faculty I'm not giving to charity." He could feel his cheeks turn bright read and tried his hardest to ignore everything about her. From her ridiculously poofy blonde curls in tight top knot, to the pink shirt with the white color paired with tight black pencil skirt. It was actually a miracle she could even breath now that he thinks about it.

"I don't know what your talking about…" he whispered quietly.

"They didn't put you in these classes because you're smart. They just felt sorry that a little retarded boy like you knocked up his girlfriend."

"I'm not retarded." He said as he gritted his teeth.

"Keep telling yourself that."

The teacher sensed Wallys distress and made his way over to the two students. With a stern look he gestured them to follow him outside of his classroom. He trailed behind Valorie who's perfect posture gave her the appearance of a victorian school teacher.

"Whats going on?" the teacher said a little aggravated.

"Nothing is wrong." Valorie stated. "I'd like to however express my concern about his qualifications for this class."

"Don't disrespect me because you think you're entitled to good grades." Wally said.

"Don't think you're entitled to classes because you're retarded."

"Stop calling me that!"

"That's enough!" The teacher said as he looked at Valorie. "Detention!"

"What!"

"Three days."

"Why?!"

"There is a zero tolerance policy for using derogatory language."

"Are you kidding me?"

"No, I'm not." He said blankly. In fact you can finish your test tomorrow because for today you are not welcomed in my classroom."

"It's not fair!"

"Nothing is. Wally, please get back to class and finish your test." He said as he walked back in the classroom.

Before Wally can leave Valarie glared at him and said, "You will regret this.

"Are you threatening me?" He said looking back at her.

"I'm educating you." She said with a horifying smile.

He just ignored her. It wasn't long until he was called to the principal's office during lunch. Kuki gave him a concerned look but he kissed her on the cheek to let her know that it probably wasn't a big deal. It wasn't until he walked in with all of his teachers in the room with the principle giving him the sense that he was in trouble.

"Mr Beetles," The principle calmly said. "Please sit down."

Quietly he obeyed.

"Do you know why you're here?"

"No Sir."

"We've received an anonymous tip that you have been cheating on all of your tests this past semester."

"What?!" Wally exclaimed with his heart sinking. "No! I swear I've never cheated in my life!"

"I understand, but you do need to understand that we take cheating very seriously."

"I know that's why I'm not cheating on anything!"

All of his teachers and the principle made eye contact at each other. Wally was beyond humiliated. How could they accuse him of cheating? After all this time of working his but off this is what he gets!? It's not fair!

"Young man first of all I suggest you watch your tone." The principle said sternly. "Second, because we can't rely entirely on an anonymous tip we want you to take a series of pop quizzes from each subject." He explained as he handed Wally a number of sheets of paper and a pencil. "You will notice that each is not the same as the previous questions. Please take your time and show your work."

This was stupid! He didn't cheat and he was stuck in the old dingy office that smelled like soap taking a number of tests that didn't even count for credit! It was probably the most ridiculous thing he's ever had to do in his life and that's saying something! He's had to miss lunch and his last class only to pass all the quizzes with flying colors and have his teachers and principal apologize for a "wrongful accusation". Whatever.

Walking pass Valarie, he wanted to give her a smug look as if he won the battle. But he didn't have the energy to deal with her. He looked away from her not at all daring to make eye contact with her. On the way to the car he saw Kuki waiting outside the car in a green sweater, black maternity pants and combat boots with her belly showing slightly.

"Wally is everything ok?"

He gave her a look suggesting that he can't say it outside, they had to go in the car. Within seconds of getting in, Wally broke down ramming his hands angrily at the steering wheel screaming "Mother Fucking Bitch! STUPID CUNT AS A STICK UP ER ARS-" tears formed and Wally's accent grew thicker and thicker which each word.

Kuki was able to catch enough information that she needed. And she was beyond pissed. She didn't care that she was pregnant, she didn't care that Valerie was heading to her car with everyone from school outside. With pure hatred in her heart and fire in her eyes, she stormed out of the car towards Valerie with her fists clutched.

"You Bitch!" She screamed as everyone turned to look at her while they were getting ready to record with their cell phones in hand.

"I don't know what your talking about." She said with a smug smile.

"Don't lie to me. I know you tried to get Wally in trouble for cheating."

"I did no such thing." She stated. "I just don't believe in giving that little retard a hand out."

"DON'T CALL HIM THAT!"

"You know what they say about you?" Valerie said slowly getting closer to Kuki until she was inches from her face. "They say you're like a used rag and Wally only married you because he felt sorry for you."

"Stop it…"

"Everyone knows that no man wants you. Your father doesn't want you so that's why he dumped you at Wally's place."

"How did you-"

"Everyone knows."

Valerie's words were like bullets. Each one hurt more than the last and Kuki tried hard to hide her angry tears as well as the growing fear that Valerie would get violent and punch her. Wally had enough of Valerie's mess. He wanted to hit her, but he couldn't. He felt almost defenseless thinking that he couldn't help his wife as she was literally inches away from getting hurt. It was as if both their bodies just froze in response.

That didn't mean that Fanny could not help. Fanny knew something was wrong the second Wally was called to the principal's office. After some snooping and a little eavesdropping, she was able to put two and two together. Fanny quickly made her way out of the building to tell Wally and Kuki who did it, and it was a good thing she did. Whoever was watching over them must have sent Fanny over there way because the second Fanny saw Valerie inches away from Kukis face, a stabbing pain hit Kukis lower abdomen.

It was a pain that she had never experienced in her life and was so severe, she let out a horrific scream loud enough to silence the parking lot. She kneeled over in pain as Fanny got a hold of her and Wally bolted out of the car knocking over students out of the way. Valerie fled the sight driving away not wanting to get accused of hurting a pregnant girl.

"Kuki! Are you ok?!" Wally asked.

"I don't know." She said hardly being able to breath.

Wally felt her stomach and could feel the baby moving into position sooner than expected. At 23 weeks, this was not good.

"Wally get the car!" Fanny demanded over Kuki's cries.

He quickly hopped in the car driving close to Kuki so they wouldn't have to walk. Fanny helped Kuki in the back seat as she hopped in letting Kuki squeez her hand as hard as she pleased.

"Who do you want me to call?" Fanny asks.

"Call our moms!" Wally said throwing the phone at Fanny's face driving past red lights, breaking speed limits, and somehow managing not to get arrested. Somehow in Wally's mind, he was convinced the doctors could fix everything. Not Kuki. She knew that the baby was coming, and it was coming today. The car ride to the hospital, she mentally prepared herself for whatever is going to happen to her baby.