Hey guys, sorry it's been a while. I've been really struggling with things after I was abandoned by my girlfriend. Depression and breakups are not a good mix.

So sorry for the short chapter, but I'm glad to be getting something out. I hope you like it.

Violet's POV:

I rolled my eyes for about the fifteenth time as Louis impersonated another one of our friends from one of my made-up stories. Something about all of us going on a canoeing trip and everyone falling out of the boat and into the river and starting a water war when I splashed Louis. The voices he did were annoying but I still smiled as I heard everyone at our lunch table laugh at the paragraph he just read.

Things finally felt back to normal after my hospital visit. My ribs felt the best that they had in a while and I was finally off the pain medication. Only if I did something a little too strenuous did they start to feel sore and I'd usually get a scolding from Clem then. But otherwise, I felt good. And having Louis back to his old self and reading from my journal made everything feel complete.

I leaned back into Clem's lap as I listened to the story and I felt her arms wrap around me. A smile broke out at the contact and I sighed contently at the peace I felt. I traced my fingers over the gold locket around my neck that she bought me and realized how many things I had with significant meaning.

The gold heart-shaped locket that Clem gave me. Jackson's sweat jacket around my arms. Woody who sat in my lap. The purple journal that Louis always read from in his funny voices. My heart swelled at all the things that reminded me of the people that I love. Every one of my friends had their own little symbol of significance and it made me smile to know and remember all of them.

I ran my hand over Woody's ears and fur as I subconsciously listened to Lou's voice in the background. Marlon interrupting for a moment to bring up that the paragraph that Louis had just read had actually happened. I felt Clem rest her chin on my shoulder as her grip on my waist slightly tightened. Her lips met my cheek and I couldn't help the grin that overtook me and I had to suppress a giggle.

"I love you," she whispered to me, drowning out the story for a minute.

I couldn't turn around and mouth it back with me in her lap. But I took her hand and brought it up to my locket and enclosed her hand around it with mine on top. I think she got the message for I felt her kiss me again and even though I couldn't see her face, I knew she was smiling. "That's my girl."

But my moment of happiness was ruined by the sharp ring of the bell, putting an end to lunch. I let out a huff of annoyance and I felt Clem kiss me one last time. "It's okay Flower. We can spend some time together after school."

I nodded and slid off her lap with Woody in my arms.

"I'll grab your books for you," Clem said to me as she claimed my notebook from Louis. "Meet you in Mr. Cruz's class?"

I smiled and nodded before placing a quick kiss to the corner of her lips. Clem grinned at my sign of affection and then I watched her walk away. I'd meet up with her there, but I needed to grab my other notebook before class from my locker.

I walked down the crowded hallway of bustling students grabbing their textbooks and chatting before the next class started. I swear it was like a maze trying to get around as I squeezed past with Woody in my arms.

I came out on the other side of a sea of people into a less crowded clearing. People still milled about but I could finally see my locker a few yards away as the hallways started to clear as people dispersed. But I froze as I caught a glimpse of someone approaching. Her green eyes locked onto me and my heart dropped before racing a mile a minute as they pierced through my soul.

It was Minerva and she didn't look too pleased to see me as she stormed her way to me, pushing her way past people, grabbing her attention.

I went to turn around in order to get away, but the moment I did I crashed into someone. It all happened so fast and I felt Woody leave my arms and I was shoved backward. Someone caught me, but it wasn't in a friendly way as my arms were held back so I couldn't run.

"Going somewhere Violet?" They asked in a snide tone.

I knew that voice and looked back to see Minerva pinning me still. My heart raced and I struggled against her grip but she held on tightly keeping me in place.

"You'll think twice next time you decide to get me in trouble!" She spat harshly into my ear, anger bubbling in her voice. She was referring to being expelled for trying to fight me and Sophie, clearly, her time away had not helped her to cool off.

I heard a laugh at her comment and looked in front of me to see another girl I hated. It was one of Minnie's friends, Becca. Another mean girl that she used to hang out with back when she and Minnie used to date. Becca had caused her a fair share of problems too. Now she was Minerva's right hand to go to when troubled came a calling.

But I looked at her and my heart dropped. Becca had her arm extended and grasped in her hand was Woody. She held him by the scruff of his neck and he kicked feebly at how uncomfortable it was. My heart broke at the sight to see him struggle in her grasp and I could feel tears prick the corner of my eyes. I could see his nose twitch at his rapid breathing and his eyes wide with fear. I desperately wanted someone to come save us as I silently prayed that they didn't hurt him.

"Why the hell are you wearing this old thing?!" Minerva asked disgustedly. She loosened her grip and grabbed my jacket by the hood. She yanked it off my arms easily since it wasn't zipped. I struggled to keep her from taking it, but she still kept a firm grip on my arm. She held Jackson's brown sweat jacket in her other hand where I couldn't reach it.

"Ugh! Why do you wear this piece of garbage? It's old and doesn't even fit." I was terrified that she'd rip it, but she threw it to the side where it landed on the floor out of my reach.

Pinning my arms back again. She whispered in my ear once more. "That was smart getting my sister to turn on me. But you're gonna wish you had never shoved me in the first place."

I heard Becca chuckle once more and I watched horrified as she brought up her arm. She swung and threw Woody to the side. He crashed to the floor and let out a whine in pain as he landed and slid across the tiles.

I had never heard him make that noise before and something snapped inside of me.

Becca approached and raised a fist as she prepared to punch me as Minnie held me back. A wicked smile on her face. But instead of cowering in fear I sent a harsh glare her way. They could hurt me, they could call me names like speechless and a coward, they could punch me and shove me all they wanted. But Nobody, EVER, hurts my rabbit.

This was all just a game to Minnie. So if she wants to hurt me, bring it on. And I did something I thought I'd never do again. "Get off of my back!"

I pushed off the ground with my feet, and with myself braced against Minnie I kicked my legs out and pushed Becca to the ground forcefully. To shocked to do anything, I brought my foot up and kicked back against Minerva's leg, and with the added force, I broke free of her arms.

I whipped around and grabbed her by the collar of her shirt. "You can beat me all you want, but NOBODY, TOUCHES, MY, RABBIT!"

I felt my old self that I had locked away resurface and I reared back my fist just like Minnie had once shown me and I punched her right in the jaw with a strong left hook. I let go of her collar and she dropped to the floor. Both Minnie and Becca lay on the floor with mouths agape, too stunned to say a word.

I had never fought back before. I've always just taken whatever Minnie brought down on me, but this time she had gone too far. It was one thing to hurt me, but to harm an innocent creature who couldn't fight back was cruel and inhumane. How dare she hurt Woody!

I went over and picked Jackson's jacket up from off the dusty floor and shook the dirt from it. Then I went over to where Woody lay and I gently picked him up to check him over. I didn't think anything was broken but I went and wrapped him up in the jacket none the less.

Then I turned towards Minerva who still lay shocked by my actions. I was oblivious to the crowd that had gathered seeing how the most popular and feared girls in school had been taken down by the school's silent nobody.

"If you wanna have another go, I just want to let you know, get off of my back Minnie. This isn't some game. Get out of my way and out of my brain. Either get out of my face or give it your best shot!" I was so tired of Minnie's bullying and this train was coming off the track. "I think it's time you better face the fact, get off of my back!"

Minerva went to stand up and marched up to me. I hugged Woody closer to my chest but didn't back down. She grabbed my collar this time but seemed confused when I didn't flinch. She went to open her mouth to yell at me but was at a loss of words. I'd never stood up for myself before, let alone someone else.

That's when I heard a familiar voice break through the crowd and they pushed through the group of people that had formed. "What's going on here?!"

I saw Lee emerge from the mass of students that had gathered and when he spotted us he didn't look to pleased. I thought I'd be in trouble but I didn't really care at this point.

"Minerva?! Becca?! In the principal's office, now." Lee said firmly with one hand on his hip and the other pointing down the hall.

Becca complied but Minerva looked baffled. "But...but..."

"I said, NOW," Lee demanded. "That's detention."

Minnie gave me a menacing glare before she followed his orders and let go of my shirt. But I kept my nerve and held her gaze. She wasn't going to frighten me anymore.

Then Lee walked up to me. "Are you okay Violet?" He asked gently. I looked up at him and nodded, I was gonna say something but when I tried I realized that I couldn't talk again. I huffed and blew hot air out in annoyance then pointed to the rabbit in my arms. Then I set him down and tried to sign that he'd been hurt.

I wasn't sure if I'd signed it right, or if Lee even understood sign language. Clem had told me that Lee had made an effort to practice with her and even got AJ into it, though I don't know how much he knew. But I think Mr. Everett understood and he nodded. "Don't worry. I'll handle them." Then he stood up straight and stared around at the crowd. "Alright, everyone to class!" And the crowd dispersed as he followed the girls to presumably Carley's office.

That's when someone ran around the corner. "Violet!"

And a second later Woody was squished in a hug between me and my girlfriend. "Brody said she had seen you with Minerva. Are you okay? Did she hurt you?"

I shook my head with a smile on my face. I handed her Woody. "I fought her and won. I told her off." I sighed to her.

"You did?!" I saw Clem's face light up. "Oh my gosh, that's great Vi! I'm so proud of you!"

She hugged me again and then kissed me on the cheek. But I wasn't letting her get away with that. And I leaned in and wrapped one arm around her neck then leaned in the rest of the way and kissed her lips.

I enjoyed the feeling of victory and Clem's lips on mine. Revenge tasted sweet.