This is an example of my wonky posting. I have no idea when I will post next. I have the third chapter written, but I don't want to post it until I have the fourth and fifth written. I would love reviews, whether constructive criticism or just your opinions or how you liked or disliked the story. I really want to hear. Read on and enjoy.

Chapter 2

The next few days were awful. Her dad wouldn't leave her alone, always coddling her and checking up on her. He left for work for a few hours everyday, and those hours were a wonderful break.

The only person from school who had her number was Julian, and he did text every once in a while, but most of the time was busy with school and school projects.

But, tomorrow she could go back to school. She was simultaneously excited to escape her dad's coddling and worried about all the attention she would surely get. One could always hope though.

She was also worried about how well she would be able to function with her broken arm and the bulky cast. She was already allowed to have her backpack in class, so the main issues would be getting stuff out of her locker and into the pack.

Luckily, her right, dominant, hand had been the one holding on to the jersey, so she could still write. Though nowadays, typing was what you did the most, and Cress had already tried and failed to type on a keyboard. She would probably get better with time.

The next morning was stressful. If she thought her father's coddling was bad before, it was nothing like now. The whole time she was getting ready for school, aside from when she was changing, he pestered her about things.

Are you sure you're ready? Do I need to do anything? Should I call the school?

It went on and on. When she stepped out of his car she slammed the door in the middle of another of his questions.

She hurried into the school ignoring the few looks cast her way. So far it was better than she had expected.

At her locker she opened it with ease, but then struggled with fitting some of her stuff in. She eventually got it and realized she had been overthinking things before.

She was walking toward her first period when Julian stopped her. She smiled up at him, grateful he was the first person she talked to.

"Hey, Cress! Glad to see you back in school. Good luck, and I'll see you later." He departed down the hallway with his friends.

Ms. Gosnell welcomed her and asked her if she would need anything. She declined any offers of help, only asking if she could take paper notes for the time being. Ms. Gosnell had no qualms with it.

She sat at her usual seat and pulled a book out of her bag and started reading. It was harder than normal to lose herself in the pages. Over her break from school she had read a lot, and her brain was wanting something else to do now.

The chair next to her screeched and she looked up reflexively. It was Thorne. She didn't know why he had sat here, most of the time he sat in the back. She scowled at him from behind her book and went back to reading.

"Hey! I saw that." His wounded voice was over dramatic. "Why would you look at me like that? Do you not like me, Crescent Moon?"

"It's Cress. No, I don't like you that much."

"Why? What have I done to you? For the record, I'm not the one who broke your arm."

"You're arrogant."

"I am not!" He puffed up his chest and looked at her incredulously.

She raised her eyebrow and went back to reading. It was silent for a few precious moments.

"You know, you seemed really shy, and I know most people think you are. But you're really snarky." His voice was condescending, as if speaking to a small child.

She shrank back into her chair, fighting with herself. The lesson began just then, saving her from more of the tortuous conversation. At the end of the class she rushed from the classroom avoiding everyone, but most of all Thorne.

At lunch she got into the line irritated by how long it was. When she got her food she sat down at one of the smaller tables in the corner.

Thorne and his big gaggle of friends sat a few tables away and she was careful to look somewhere else.

Anthony and Chien passed by her table. To her horror, Anthony looked at her and began to address her, "I can't believe you started to cry. You really need to toughen up."

Cress bit back her retort, trying to think about what to do. She wanted to punch him but didn't want to get in trouble.

"Hey! Give her a break. You broke her arm, Anthony." Thorne had stood up from his table and yelled at Anthony.

"Yeah sure I did. At least I'm not stupid enough to lock my elbow."

"That was truly a tragic comeback. Not one of your best. Now seriously, shut up." Thorne cracked his knuckles.

'Like heck I will. I'm leaving, this is stupid. I also forgot to grab my computer this morning. I think I'll borrow her's." ANthony grabbed my laptop off the table and shut it.

Chien took an uneasy step back and whispered, "No, don't do that, we should leave."

Cress stood up and made a swipe for her computer. Anthony easily doged, but fortunately Thorne was on his other side and grabbed the computer. He handed it to one of his friends, a girl with a messy brown ponytail.

"I want you to apologize. Now." Thorne pointed at Cress and Anthony laughed at him.

When nothing more was said, Thorne unexpectedly punched Anthony. Chien cringed and back pedaled away fast, as did most people in the area.

Cress on the other hand, packed up all of her stuff and left the room without a glance behind her.

"Hey! Wait up. I have your laptop."
Cress turned around to see Thorne's friend with the ponytail and another guy with blonde hair following.

"I'm Cinder. Sorry." She offered the laptop and Cress took it.

"Those jerks aren't going to leave you alone now. It's my opinion that they've already done enough damage." He glanced at her arm and back at her face. "If you feel unsafe on your own you can ask me to, well, basically shadow you."

"Jacin, you're acting like one, she can't handle it herself, and two, like you're a bodyguard for hire." Cinder rolled her eyes at him.

"I kind of am? I mean, I did it for Winter. Also, no disrespect intended," He glanced at her, "but I don't think you can handle it yourself. Anthony is huge and you are not so much. Also, I bet Thorne would gladly protect you," he rolled his eyes, "but you saw how tactless he was. Now do you want my help?"

"I'll consider your offer and get back to you in five business days." Cress layered her voice with sarcasm.

Both he and Cinder grinned, they obviously had a taste for sarcasm. Jacin spoke in a solemn tone disregarding his grin, "I'm serious. Those guys can be trouble. Just look at Winter. If you want, I can protect you. Though, bewarned that means hanging out with Winter and I a lot."

"Fine. Sure, I'll take your offer." She shrank back into herself and ducked her hide, hiding away back into her shy self.

He left in the direction of the office. Cinder grinned and hooked her arm through Cress's unbroken one.

"Come one. I need to stop by my locker before the next class. What about you?"

"No. Are you protecting me too?" Cress blinked.

"Ha. Nope, I'm just staying with you until he gets back from changing his schedule. He's such a goody two shoes that the lady will let him do whatever, so he's changing his schedule to the same as yours. He's also done this before and they know that, so they'll change it. Also, I think the lady has a bit of a crush on him. Besides, I can throw a mean punch. I could protect you." Her voice was jovial.

Cress glanced down at Cinder's hands. One of them was a 3d-printed prosthetic. Cinder saw her looking and laughed, "Not with that one. Though I wonder if the plastic would make it hurt worse."

"What happened?" Cress was careful with her words, not wanting to pry.

"I was born without a left hand and left foot. Doesn't really matter much though. I used to feel super insecure about it. But then, I met Thorne. He offered to shake my hand and didn't even blink when he saw. He was the first person to ever treat me normally. Kai was the second, though sometimes I can tell he wants to offer me help, or something. The rest of them don't treat me any different either, though I think it's the example of Thorne and Kai." Her jovial tone bled into other deeper emotions. Not sad, but amazingly happy, wondering. Cress smiled for this person's joy.