Chapter Six
Between A Bad News and A Bad Situation

A few weeks had passed after Claire's party. Nothing much happened, and everything in their lives went smoothly. Lizzie had hoped that it will be like that for the entire freshman year, but little did she know that things were going to change abruptly.

* * * * *


"Hey guys," Daphne said as she put her tray on their usual lunch table. She didn't looked too pleased. "I have got some bad news."

Malcolm and the girls looked at her quizzically, as Gordo and Louis went on to argue about which food chain had better curly fries – McDonald's or Burger King. Twitty served as their referee.

"What's the problem, Daphne?" Malcolm asked sincerely.

Daphne's eyes started to water, and it was very obvious that something was indeed wrong – something very serious. Sensing this, Gordo and Louis stopped their curly fries discussion and in an instant the whole group was quiet, including blabbermouth Twitty.

Lizzie and Kate sat by Daphne's side and comforted her. "Tell us, Daphne. You need to get it out of your system."

After a few sobs, Daphne seemed to calm down. "You guys know Ian, right?"

The group nodded. "Duh," Kate said. "He's your boyfriend and you don't stop talking about him." Lizzie and Tawny gave Kate a glare. "Oh, I didn't mean to be rude. Sorry." Kate said in a little voice.

"Well, I just got a call from my father," Daphne began. "He died in a motorcycle accident… A WEEK AGO! And they didn't bother to tell me." Daphne said, hysterical now. Some of the other students in the canteen looked at her, but a quick eyebrow-raising from Kate all shut them up.

"My God," the usually expression-less Tawny muttered. "I am so sorry. Why would they do that? Why would they keep that a secret from you?"

Daphne was crying even harder now. "They didn't want me to get hurt. Well obviously they've done more damage. And my father says there is no way I'm flying to London to even say goodbye to him."

Lizzie felt big, warm tears forming in her eyes. She felt very sorry for her friend. "That is so sad. Have you tried negotiating with your father?" she asked.

"Not yet." She looked at her friends. "Umm.. I hope it's okay that one of you guys cut class and bring me home. Please," Daphne said, tears still flowing from her eyes. "I need to go home now. I can't wait for a chauffeur."

Malcolm was about to say he'd be willing to cut his next few classes but Gordo beat him to it. "Lizzie and I have study hall for next period. We'll take you home," he volunteered.

"Thanks," was all Daphne could mutter as she gathered her stuff and prepared to leave. The bell had already rung, signifying the end of lunch.

As the group reached the cafeteria exit, they passed by Claire who gave them one of her looks.

"What's the matter, Daphne?" she said icily. "Realized you've been hanging out with big fat losers?"

Kate answered for her. "She's not in the mood for your stupidity, Claire."

"Why? Someone died or something?" Claire said in her most sarcastic voice. If only she knew the truth of that statement, then maybe she wouldn't have said that, because she sure wasn't prepared for what was coming next.

Daphne's eyes still welled up with tears but there was also rage in them. In an instant, her large bag hit Claire in the head. Not giving Claire a chance to recover, she punched her with all her might as her friends and Claire's posse watched.

They were all shocked. No one knew she was that strong. No one knew she was capable. No one thought sweet and fragile Daphne Reynolds could actually burst like that.

Realizing they should stop it before she causes any more trouble, Lizzie and the gang all went to stop Daphne. "Enough, Daphne," Lizzie said as she pulled Daphne off a badly beaten Claire. By this time Daphne had exhausted her strength and wasn't in the condition to disagree with Lizzie.

"You guys go now," Louis said, his voice sounding very urgent. "The Ungermeyer's coming!"

In a flash, Gordo and Lizzie dragged Daphne away from the scene, leaving Louis, Kate, Malcolm, Tawny and Twitty to salvage the situation.

"What happened here?" Miss Ungermeyer said as she arrived at the scene. No one spoke a word. "Jesus Christ!" she said as she looked at Claire, who was beaten so badly, she was starting to bleed. "You pathetic people," she pointed at some spectators, as the event had somewhat become a sport. "Bring Miller to the school nurse… NOW!"

Within seconds five bulky guys brought Claire to the school clinic.

Miss Ungermeyer wasted no time to ask the people left. "Who's responsible for this?"

No one answered, and Kate took the initiative. It can work, Kate thought. They'll totally believe I fought with Claire. Besides, she knew that no person in that cafeteria will dare question her move – even Claire's posse.

She was about to speak when a voice boomed from behind her.

"It was me, Miss Ungermeyer," Malcolm said. "I gave Claire what she was asking for."

==============================

Love it, Hate it? Review! Ü