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CHP 12: Angry Tara

*At the Principal office*

Ron and Tara arrive at Mr. Barkin's office, waiting to deal with the aftermath that took place during lunch. Tara does her best to calm her boyfriend down, who still is a little shaken up about his actions and now has the negative thought of Mr. Barkin's punishment for him on his mind. Thankfully they don't have to wait for long as the couple sees the door open up with Mr. Barkin calling them to come inside.

Tara reluctantly let's go of Ron's hand for the time being as they enter the room and takes a seat, ready to be addressed by their principal. "Stoppable. Ms. Knight, I assume you both know why you are here in my office?"

Ron is the one to answer in hopes to take as much heat off of his girlfriend as possible. "Because of the confrontation between Brick and me?"

Mr. Barkin nods in agreement. "Correct Stoppable. From the information that I receive from a few other students, whose stories were close to Ms. Knight's version of the incident, Brick and his cronies now face suspension for a week with Brick being off the football team for the rest of this semester. Now regarding you two since you, Ronald is the other student part of the fight I have to punish you as well. You are aware that we do not tolerate fights or any type violence in this school and as much as I am proud of you for finally showing some backbone I'm afraid I can't look the other way since you did fight Brick back. Tara, while I understand that you didn't get into the brawl, you did physically grab on to Brick, and therefore, I have to punish you too."

"We understand Mr. Barkin," Tara speaks this time not regretting her part in trying to protect Ron. At the same time, Ron lowers his head as he braces what Mr. Barkin has in store for him and wonders how would he explain to his parents if they find out."

"Therefore, you two will serve after school detention for a week, meaning no cheerleading practice until next week. I have to set some example, so your peers don't see me as being soft, and not that I should expect it, but if you two get into this type of trouble again, then the suspension action will play a factor next time. Understand?" Mr. Barkin explains effectively.

Both Ron and Tara couldn't help to feel bum about missing cheer practice; however, they rather deal with the alternative than to not be able to cheer at all. "Yes, sir." The couple answer at the same time in a somewhat sad tone.

"Good. You both dismiss and can get an excuse on the way out." Mr. Barkin watches as Ron is the first to stand up with Tara having a particular expression on her face, which he has a feeling where this is going.

"Ron, can you wait for me outside I need to ask Mr. Barkin something privately," Tara asks in a calm tone, keeping her focus on her principal.

Ron looks at Tara and Mr. Barkin and was going to ask why but the look on his girlfriend's face said to him to do what she requests as he walks out of the room leaving the two alone.

Mr. Barkin sighs before speaking again. "I know what you are going to ask, is Rockwaller also facing the consequences due to her involvement with Brick?"

Tara shakes her head yes, for she is curious about what her principal decided to do about her involvement at lunch. However, she has a funny feeling that the result won't be a satisfying one.

"Trust me when I say I'm no fool that Brick had some motivation for to getting into an altercation with Stoppable and I know I express that she will receive ramifications over this. The problem lies of the feedback from the students I question about the commotion. Even though you truthfully told me your side, I can't personally punish her without solid evidence that states she got Flagg to go after Stoppable from someone other than you or Bonnie personally." Mr. Barkin explains regretfully only for Tara to become furious as to what she just heard.

Tara tries not to shout as she argues saying, "Are you freaking kidding me?! She told me her intentions before Brick was about to attack Ron. Plus, you and I both know Bonnie goes out of her way to pick on Ron, and anytime Brick would harass Ron it has never gotten this far until conveniently after the incident on the bus where I gave her some truth that now all of the sudden Brick physically hurt decides to hurt Ron?"

Part of Tara's frustration is the fact that she already feels guilty about not defending Ron in the past so the one time she finally can and stand up to her, Bonnie manages to get off clean and not learn her lesson on being a bully.

"Afraid not Tara. Bonnie, unfortunately, has a strong influence on the school where some of your classmates wouldn't give her name up, not even Brick was bold enough when I offer to shorten his vacation time to confess. All the reports I gain have said she left the cafeteria before the fight occurred." Mr. Barkin states being a little shock by Tara's outburst.

"That's not even fair for Ron, I'm not saying this because of our new relationship, but you know that Ron has had it rough, and yet again Bonnie escape with a slap on the wrist." Tara expresses hoping that Mr. Barkin will see reason.

The truth is Mr. Barkin wants to go after Bonnie for the old and new, but if he did, it could lead to a lawsuit which is something he couldn't afford to deal with now. "Unless Bonnie confesses or someone brings me proof of her involvement, my hands are tied."

Tara growls in anger and is about to walk out until Mr. Barkin stops her to give some last words, "One last thing Ms. Knight and this doesn't leave this room for; obviously, I will deny it. Stoppable made think I'm hard on him when the reality is I wouldn't go out of my way to push him the way I do if I didn't care and believe me that going forward I will be more aware when it comes to bully towards him while being partial. With that said, be there for him the best you can."

Tara glance back at him with a confident smile. "Already plan on it, sir." She then exits the office and takes a deep breath in an attempt not to consume her mind.

"Everything alright?" Thankfully the voice of boyfriend becomes a nice needed distraction for she turns and brings out a soft smile.

"I made not have gained the results I wanted, but things will be better with one day at a time," Tara answers truthfully without saying too much so Ron wouldn't ask what she had discussed with Mr. Barkin.

"It does suck we have to deal with after-school detention and miss out on cheer practice, but that's way better than being on suspension." Ron groans in disappointment but understands that it could have been worse.

"Well on the bright side, that's just mean more time for us together," Tara states to cheer him and herself up. She gently takes one of his hand in hers, causing a smirk to form on his face.

"If that's the case, The Ron-man has no complaints." Tara takes the opportunity to make no one is around before bringing Ron towards her to kiss him. Of course, Ron's hormones slowly get the best of him as he starts to get deep with the make-out session only for Tara to lean back with a smirk stopping him.

"Alright Mad Dog no spoiling your appetite, we still have classes to attend," Tara orders playfully.

"Aww, man." Ron does a pouty face that gets Tara to giggle before leading him to their next class for the day. The next set of classes went by as they usually would despite Ron and Tara not being in the exact ones together. Soon school came to an end, which means after school activities like football and cheer practice will take place.

Kim tells Ron that she will meet up with him and Tara after practice is over to talk about the events that took place at lunch. Heading to detention, he notices some of the looks he receives with most of them dare not joke or say anything mean about him which discourages Ron for he doesn't want people to fear him even though it was nice for once to not be the made fun of for the time being.

Tara, on the other head, left her class to head to detention where unfortunately she runs into the last person she wants to see coming out of the bathroom.

"Tara, can we talk?" Bonnie asks in shy like matter with Tara not having any of that.

"Save it Rockwaller, and there's nothing that we need to talk about, so if you excuse me." Tara begins to walk past her former best friend, only to feel her hand touch her shoulder to stop her from going further.

"T don't be like that. It wasn't my attention to see you get hurt." Bonnie claims sadly.

Hearing Bonnie use her old nickname sets Tara off as she quickly removes Bonnie's hand off of her. "Oh like you give a crap about me. Last I check you said I was nothing without you, so why don't you stop with the acting. Not like anyone is around."

Just as Tara suspects, Bonnie faces go from a sad one to a more sinister smile and start to slow clap. "Well done Tara, it seems you do know me better than most. Shame, you could have avoided all of this if you haven't betrayed me for that loser."

Tara takes a step towards her and points with anger. "You will not talk about my boyfriend that way around me, and if anything you turn your back on me to follow the stupid rules of the so-called food chain that only exist in your head. You knew I liked Ron a long time now, and I had enough of letting you talk me into not taking the chance with him."

"So shy little Tara thinks she tough now without me?" Bonnie taunts, but Tara stands her ground going face to face with her.

"It's not about being tough; it's about standing up for yourself against bullies like you. Don't think I'm not fully aware of how you got away with what you did..."

Bonnie brings out a fake gasp noise and pretends to be innocent. "I have no idea what are you talking about Tara."

Tara scoffs at the fact that Bonnie is good at keeping the wannabe good girl charade up. "Whatever, bull crap can only last so long Bonnie remember that."

Tara, at this point, walks away to meet Ron but stops and give Bonnie a warning. "Keep your distance from my Ron. He's mine to protect, and I won't ask the second time nicely." As Tara leaves Bonnie's presence, she misses out on the priceless expression on the cheerleader's face due to not knowing of this different side to Tara.

TBC

AN: So it has been a while since I updated this so with updating my Fearless Ferret story I figure why not give this story an update. The idea of this chapter is to start developing that mean streak side to Tara, who is going to back up her words to be there for Ron, which means giving her the confidence to so. I couldn't make that easy for Bonnie to get in trouble, but now she will think twice before causing drama now that she has a new rival in Tara. Meanwhile, Ron will eventually have to choose his mmp abilities due to his fear of losing control of them.