Chapter 3

Dash clung on to Violet's hand, cowering behind her. Usually Dash was an arrogant, cheerful kid but school was the thing he hated most. People who were jealous of his speed usually teased him and on more than one occasion did he have to give up his lunch money to the elder kids. He and Violet were in the same school but they hardly ever saw each other. Violet let go of her brother's hand and walked away, searching for Tony.

Dash looked around, not sure what to do. He was like a new kid, not friends with anyone and totally lost. He lightly stepped into the hall filled with lockers, mostly for the older children. He clutched his bag to him, hoping to see some of his classmates. Maybe his best friend Robbie. His only friend Robbie.

"Why can't I be more like Violet??" he thought out loud. He heard people sniggering. He turned around and saw the notorious gang of terrors. They were the masters of the school, the school bullies.

"Hey Parr!! Pay up!!" Dash nodded numbly, his lunch money ready in his pocket. He pulled out the crisp notes and handed it to John Rydinger, Tony's younger brother. John and his three mates sniggered.

"Where's your brother??" Dash asked curiously. He felt himself being pushed backwards.

"None of your business." Dash growled inwardly. Of course it was none of his business. Nothing was his business. He would never have been in this situation if he wasn't a total loser.

Now Violet, on the other hand, was one of the most popular girls in school. At this moment she was conversing with Janet, the most popular cheerleader ever.

"So, I heard you were going out with Tony Rydinger," she said in her high-pitched squeal. Tony suddenly appeared behind Violet. He slung his arm around her shoulders.

"That's right," he said in his deep voice. Violet giggled and he kissed her cheek. She blushed a deep red. Then she remembered.

"Tony, why did you beat up my brother??" she asked, pushing him away. Tony frowned, confused.

"What do you mean??" he asked, seeming genuinely puzzled.

"Why did you beat up my brother??" she repeated, slowly. Tony shook his head.

"What are you talking about??" he asked. They were now alone in the halls. Everyone else had gone to class.

"After you asked me out my mom called me and told me that you had beaten up my brother along with another few kids. Why did you do it??" she asked. Tony's eyes widened in understanding.

"That wasn't me!! That was probably my brother, John. He's the one who hangs around with that band of stinking bullies, not me!! I went straight back home!! I swear, you can ask my mum!!" he cried waving his arms around. Violet frowned.

"Look Tony, you had better tell John to lay of Dash or we're through!!" she cried, poking him angrily in the chest. Tony raised his hands to defend himself.

"Alright, alright, he won't do it again. I'll ask him about it!! I promise. Look Vi, I don't want to lose you; you're the only girl that I've ever thought so beautiful in my life. You're the only person I want to be with. I don't want to lose you Vi, I promise, he won't do it again," he said, hugging her. Violet felt his skin against hers, and breathed in his scent. She looked into his eyes, studying his dark brown irises.

He is so handsome, she thought dreamily. Then, slowly, very slowly they moved closer. Violet closed her eyes and breathed in. Their lips were so close together. Then-

"Violet??" She jumped in surprise and whirled around. Dash was standing in the middle of the hallway, looking and Tony, then at Violet with a half hurt, half confused expression on his face. Violet sighed angrily. Tony waved goodbye to her, blowing her a kiss.

"What do you want now twerp??" she snapped angrily when Tony was gone. Dash raised his eyebrows.

"Have you got any lunch money to spare??" he asked. Violet rolled her eyes.

"Did you lose it again??" she snarled. Dash nodded. She reached into her bag and took out her wallet. She handed him her spare lunch money, since he had been losing his so often. She glared at him as he shoved the money into his pocket.

"Can I sit with you at lunch??" he asked timidly. She shook her head quickly.

"No way!! What would a ten-year-old kid be doing sitting around with a bunch of fourteen-year-olds?? No way!! Now bug off, I've got to go for class, I'm ten minutes late!!" she said savagely and stomped off. She knew that she had been a little harsh but he had just ruined what would have been the best, most romantic moment of her life. Nosy little brat, she though savagely.

Violet was grumpy for the rest of the day, thinking about the kiss that had never come. Nowadays she was usually moody, one second she was happy and the next she was sullen and grumpy. It was mostly Dash who made her lose her temper.

The day passed slowly until it was finally lunchtime and she put her lunch tray onto an empty table. Dash scampered up behind her and put his tray down next to her. He climbed onto the chair with difficulty and started to pick at his food.

"What do you think you are doing??" she snapped, pushing him off his chair. Dash fell on the ground and glared at her.

"It's a free country!!" he cried angrily and leapt back onto his chair. Violet pushed him down again but he climbed back on.

"Why don't you go and sit with your other friends??" she hissed. He poked at his food glumly.

"Don't have any." Tony set his tray onto the table and glanced at Dash. The other kids followed after him. They were all the popular kids, cheerleaders, jocks and such. They all sat down, talking cheerfully until, one by one they noticed Dash. There was silence.

"What is this little brat doing here??" Janet screeched. Dash blushed a deep red and so did Violet.

"I didn't invite him, he'll be going now," Violet said, shoving Dash off his chair. Dash didn't budge.

"Dash," she hissed under her breath. Dash frowned at her. She motioned for him to leave.

"Well?? Are you going to leave or do we have to make you??" A girl named Sara snarled. Violet glanced at her. Dash mumbled something under his breath. Sara scowled.

"What was that??" she snarled, grabbing him by the scruff of his collar. Dash repeated what he had said.

BANG!! Dash found himself being flung out of the doors of the cafeteria.

"And STAY OUT!!!" Sara screamed, before resuming her lunch. Dash stuck his tongue out at her and instead felt his lunch tray being slammed against his face. He pulled it off, embarrassed. He could hear people laughing at him. He scowled as he picked himself up and stomped away. Suddenly he caught a glimpse of Violet giggling at him and he felt as if someone had dropped an ice cube into his stomach. He whirled around and was about to run off when he bumped into something very hard, and very solid. It was Mr. Jordan, the math teacher.

"Good afternoon Dash, I have here the results of your math and science test, as you didn't come to school yesterday," he said, peering over his glasses. Dash resisted the urge to giggle.

"I must say I am very disappointed with them. Your marks were the lowest in the class. Your grades have been falling ever since you started. A sixty-seven for your first test. A thirty-two on your second test. A twenty-six and a fifteen on your latest test!! Dash, this is getting serious!! I'm afraid that if you don't keep up your grades then you won't be able to move into your next year," he said, handing Dash his test results. Dash took one look at them and groaned. It was his worst test yet. A twelve on math and a five on science. He ignored the teacher's rambling and sped off.