Disclaimer: I am using a reference to Even Stevens in this chapter. I don't own this show or the reference.

An Old Friend

Chapter 9—Protecting One's Pride

The weekend went smoothly. Mrs. Diffy took Kris shopping for clothes and new sneakers. Mrs. Diffy also bought her some ear plugs which Kris insisted she needed.

Kris would be undergoing mascot boot camp everyday after school next week. Don would be attending it as well since he was backup mascot. The two of them would have to train with the cheerleaders and learn different routines. All this would lead up to the big basketball game on Friday. She needed to be prepared.

Pim continued to avoid Kris as much as possible during the day and didn't speak to her at night. Kris tried to talk things over with her and find out what her deal was, but she got nothing out of her. Phil couldn't get anything out of her either.

Monday came and Kris' popularity had made her the talk of the school. The teachers were able to keep people from coming up to her and drowning her in questions but Kris still felt like she needed her own secret service.

Boot camp was hard work. Kris and Don had to stay in their lion costumes for an hour and a half in the hot gym working their way through an obstacle course set up by the school gym teacher. They had to do cheers with the cheerleaders and work on their trick shots. It was this way every day. When Kris tried out for mascot, she had no idea what she was getting into.

Everyday at lunch, Kris would watch the girls Pim called "the fashion zombies" pick on Pim and think up new ways to make her life miserable. By the end of the week, Kris could not stand it anymore. If Pim wasn't going to do anything, then Kris would have to do it for her.

Kris walked right up to "the fashion zombies'" table and spoke her mind. "I am sick and tired of you fashion zombies picking on my cousin!"

"The leader of the group looked at Pim and said, "I can't believe you're getting the mascot to fight your battles for you. The whole group chuckled.

Pim started to tell Kris to stay out of her business but Kris didn't seem to hear her.

"I mean it," she said to the leader. "I want you and your posse to be nice to my cousin or else I will be forced to make you."

"And how will you do that?"

"I'm glad you asked." Kris pulled back her hair revealing a scar which ran from her temple to just behind her right ear. Kris closed her eyes and touched her finger behind her ear. Upon opening her eyes, "the fashion zombies" looked on in horror.

One of the girls screamed and shouted, "Let's get out of here! She's possessed!" They then ran from the table leaving their food behind. Kris then closed her eyes and once again touched behind her ear. She turned to Pim and opened her eyes.

Pim stared at her in amazement. "How did you do that? I've been trying for months to get them off my back."

"I was just protecting my pride, Pim"

"Oh, so this was all about you, then. Figures."

"Pim! That's not what I meant. I—.You misinterpretedwhat I said."

Pim wouldn't listen. She stormed out of the lunchroom away from Kris.