The restored calm of the lunch table where Blaze and her friends were eating was once again shattered, but this time by an echidna with purple dreadlocks, a camo top, khaki shorts, teal combat boots, and a sheet of paper with a bright red "D-" scrawled at the top.
She stormed right up to the table and slammed her paper down loudly in front of an empty seat. "Goddammit!" she loudly screamed. "I fucking HATE science!"
Sonic didn't even look up from his lunch, as if these outbursts were a regular, everyday occurrence. "What now, Julie?"
Julie gave an exasperated sigh. "Stupid fucking Finitevus gave me a D- on my last assignment. AGAIN! My dad is gonna kill me."
"Wait, Mr. Rieper?"
"No, the fucking President," snarked Julie sarcastically. "Yes, Mr. Rieper. I call him Finitevus cause he's, ya know, my sister's husband. You've heard me go off on him before. He's a snarky, asshole, piece-of-shit bastard that doesn't deserve to be referred to as Mr. Anything."
"Uh, Julie, you might wanna keep it down a bit," said Sally in a hushed voice.
"Oh? Why should I?" she said. "It's true! He's such a narcissistic prick! I can't believe Lien-Da ever saw anything in . . ."
She trailed off as she saw all of the table's occupants looking up and behind her. She turned her head and jumped back in surprise.
"F . . . Finitevus!" she started. "I, uh . . . "
Mr. Rieper, or "Finitevus," as Julie referred to him, looked quite pissed. "Julie-Su Demitri, I do not appreciate you trash-talking me, especially not to your friends, and especially not while on school property. You are acting like a spoiled twelve-year-old."
Julie gritted her teeth and said nothing, staring at her Doc Martins instead of her brother-in-law.
Mr. Rieper continued. "I was coming to see you to have a quick chat about your grade and some opportunities for extra credit so as not to get on your father's bad side, but honestly, I think your attitude needs work before your science grade."
Blaze and her friends exchanged concerned glances and did their best to act like they didn't notice the conflict occurring mere feet away from them.
"Oh, come on Fi—" She paused as Mr. Rieper gave her a deadly stare. "Mr. Rieper, I really need that extra credit! Please, I'm sorry, I won't do it again!"
Mr. Rieper gave Julie a disappointed look. "I sure hope so, but if you'll pardon my unprofessionalism for a moment, Miss Demitri, I suspect you won't keep that promise."
When Julie didn't respond, he continued. "Your parents and I expect better of you. Just because I married your sister doesn't mean I'm going to give you special treatment on your coursework. I was going to give you opportunities to help give you a hand, but based on how you feel about me, I can tell you don't want it."
He turned to go, but before he did, he looked over his shoulder and delivered a final message. "Oh, and if I catch you using that mouth towards any staff member, not just me, there will be in-school consequences. Got it?"
Julie gave a tight nod, and Mr. Rieper turned and left the cafeteria. After he left, Julie slumped into a seat at the table.
"Goddamn," Sally snickered. "Finitevus really tore into you this time, huh? Want some ice for that burn?"
"Shut the fuck up," Julie replied, irritated and exhausted.
She turned to look at Blaze. "Blaze, you're pretty smart. You wanna help me get my chem grade up?"
"Uh, well, I don't think I'm the best person to ask for help regarding that," she admitted. "History is more of my thing. But, uh, maybe Silver can give you a hand."
"Cool," she said, mellowing out significantly. "I can meet up after school at—"
"Can't, sorry," interrupted Silver. "I have work after school almost every day."
"Ugh," she groaned. "I mean, that's dope dude, but ugh."
"Sorry, Julie," said Amy. "Hey, maybe I could help?"
"Uh, sure? But don't you have cheer practice after school?" Julie asked.
"Oh, I do, but Junior Varsity only meets three times a week instead of four. I can also do weekend study shifts most of the time."
Julie gave a relieved smile. "Thanks Ames." She gave a playful smirk and produced a perfect bubble gum bubble.
"Ugh, stop with the Ames," replied Amy, faking annoyance.
Julie lifted her legs and placed her feet on the table, but out of the corner of her eye saw something that made her almost fall backward in her chair. The entire friend group jumped.
"What, what is it?" asked Blaze, who was startled out of a daydream by the crashing sound of the chair.
"Christ, it's fucking Knuckles and his simpering girlfriend. Why are they so loud?"
"Who?" asked Blaze.
"Oh, that's right, I haven't told you. Knuckles is my cousin. Or one of them, at least. And it looks like he's back together with that bat Rouge." She glanced at Blaze momentarily. "Damn, I told everyone else a while back, we gotta talk more."
The couple's argument reached the table, much to Blaze's interest and Julie's embarrassment.
"Look, Rouge, honey, I'm sorry, okay?" a tall, red echidna decked out in Nike athletic wear from head to toe pleaded. He awkwardly ran his fingers through his dreds.
"Oh, you're sorry, huh? Then why is this the fifth time you've said that?" the bat snapped. Compared to her boyfriend's simple, athletic style, she stood out sharply with a bright, glamorous style contrasting against her dark skin, with a scowl on her face.
"Look, it just slipped out, okay? Come on, babe, you make my day, and I didn't mean that. I would never mean that." When Rouge gave him a stern gaze and said nothing, he clasped her hands in his and looked directly at her. "Please don't leave me, I really do care."
Rouge's gaze softened. "Look, so do I, so just don't do it again, okay?"
Knuckles lit up and hugged her. He took her hand and walked to a vacant table, both of them giggling.
Julie made an exaggerated gagging noise and slammed her head onto the table.
"Why do I have such a stupid fucking family?" she asked to no one in particular.
Alysha: u guys I cant fuckin believe her
Alysha: and tbh I cant believe Shadow either, why would he do that?
Selena shrugged in her mind. She quickly typed out her reply.
Selena: Idk and tbh I dont care
Selena: she still said yes, so this is her fault
Selena felt her jaw tighten as she typed out the message and hit send. Ever since she confronted Blaze at lunch, she hadn't been able to focus since.
Fiona: what r u gonna do about it
Fiona: want my help?
Selena thought for a minute.
Selena: sure girl
Selena: ur a lifesaver
Selena: but uh whatre u gonna do?
She waited eagerly for Fiona's response and perked up when she saw the typing indicator out of the corner of her eye.
Fiona: hey alysha can I get scourge to help? Hes good at helping out wit this sorta thing
Fiona: I think imma get scourge to provoke him
Fiona: ya know to get him in trouble for fighting
Selena grinned to herself.
Selena: great idea girl
Alysha: ya sure, hes prolly gonna skip class anyway, ill text em
Selena: yes omg thank you
Selena: just dont hurt him too much, I just wanna make sure he doesnt go home wit her
Selena: ill stay after school to talk to him when ur done, so don't go anywhere
Alysha: sure
Fiona: ya ok sure
Selena smirked. Finally, she thought. I'll get him to date me this time for sure! I think I have the way to do that, and it'll ensure that Katba won't get to him!