Short chapter...sorry. =/

The bell rang as soon as I walked into class. Everyone was already sitting down and looked up as I shut the door. A few people did a double check, eyes going wide at my appearance. Never had I felt like just disappearing...today was an exception.

"You're late," Mr. Henry declared, his back to me. If you weren't in your chair by the time the bell rang, you were considered late. Instead of signing the book like I normally would...I sat. Today, I really didn't care if Mr. Henry considered me tardy.

Hearing my chair rattle, Mr. Henry turned to face the class. "Forster I said you were...holy fish sticks!"

The class giggled and normally I would too. It wasn't every day your teacher claims fish sticks to be holy.

Mr. Henry cleared his throat and everyone quieted down, only a few people left snickering. He stared at me along with the rest of the class; I started to feel a little self conscious.

"Um...do you mind?" I asked trying not to sound menacing. I glanced over at Chrystal and she quickly looked back towards the front of the classroom, the back of her neck turning a little red.

Again, Mr. Henry cleared his throat and turned back to his chalk board. "Alright, everyone eyes up front. Today we are talking about Microsoft Word..."

I channeled Mr. Henry out...he was wasting his time anyway. Everyone in this school--except for maybe Darrel--knew how to use Word. Practically every paper written was done on Word--unless you had one of those insufferable teachers who wanted everything hand written...gag.

But instead of spinning around in my chair like I normally would, I found myself thinking hard. Not about school of course. But of the last 24 hours. It was amazing that just yesterday I was sitting in this same class worrying about Rachel and her minions. All of it seemed so petty now in comparison.

It just goes to show you how much can change...in such little time.

x-x-x-x

Yawning, I walked to my next class. Mr. Henry tried to stop me on my way out but I pretended not to hear him. If I were to talk to any teacher after class...well lets just say he is not my first pick.

"Samantha Forster please report to the principal's office...Samantha Forster." The intercom system buzzed and I groaned. Maybe Rachel actually tattled.

Turning around I headed in the opposite direction, towards the principals office. Which was the last place I wanted to be. Dragging my feet I pushed through the crowded halls, people glared in my direction as I pushed through their little inner circles. The neon bright lights along with all the noise giving me a headache...I just really wanted to go home a sleep--forever. By the time I finally reached the principals office the halls had cleared. Begrudgingly I pushed opened the door to the office and stepped in. Keys prattled as workers typed away, the buzzing sound of a copier came from the back and it smelled like a mixture of about four different perfumes and Lysol.

"Can I help you dear?" An elderly lady looked up from behind the main desk a hint of surprise upon her face.

"I'm Samantha Forster...I believe I've been summoned?" I bit my thumbnail trying to look as uninterested as possible.

She smiled sweetly, not catching onto my annoyance. "Oh yes. Go ahead on back. Mr. Donn is waiting for you," she nodded towards the principal's office and went back to staring at the computer screen.

The principal's door was already opened so I stepped inside and sat down in front of his desk. Mr. Donn glanced in my direction and took a double take. I guess my face really did look awful...great.

"Ms. Forster," Mr. Donn sighed turning his chair towards the front and leaning forward resting his elbows on his desk.

"Mr. Donn," I mimicked him but instead of leaning forward leaned back, slouching in my chair.

"How are you?" He asked hesitantly, if not awkwardly.

"Fantastical." I suppressed another yawn and gazed steadily back at him.

He tapped his fingers against the desk, clearly lost for words.

I raised an eyebrow inquiringly. "Let's get this over with. I'm sorry...detention for a week...apology for Rachel...," I stopped at the confused look on Mr. Donn's face. "Or not?"

He shook his head. "I'm not sure what you're talking about."

Well...oops.

"Actually Ms. Forster I called you hear because your teachers are quite concerned," he sat up and I got an uneasy feeling in my stomach. It was too early in the year for me to be failing...right?

"Sorry, I had to finish with another student."

I turned to see my guidance counselor, Mrs. Meyers, walk in. This could not be good...

She sat down next to me and smiled. Her smile always came easily, as if there was never a reason not to smile.

"Ms. Forster how's everything going?" She asked still smiling at me.

"Super duper." I smiled painfully back at her.

Mr. Donn began to fidget like he'd rather be somewhere else...I could agree with him on that.

"Um...am I in trouble?" I asked starting to feel a little nervous.

If possible, Mrs. Meyers smile got bigger. "Of course not!"

"Then can I go?" I asked rather frank. Mr. Donn glanced at Mrs. Meyers but she kept her attention on me.

"Samantha," she addressed me by my first name, sounding sincere and serious. "We are just concerned about your well being. With that said it is up to me to check and make sure all is well. How's your home life?"

I stared at her dumbly. What was this lady smoking? She was my guidance counselor...not my physiatrist! Why did she care about my home life? She's only supposed to tell me where I should be going to college...

"I'm sorry?" I sat up a little straighter in my chair.

"Is there any sort of abuse in your life?" She asked totally serious.

I couldn't help but laugh. Her smile faded and for the first time she looked confused. Mr. Donn just looked awkward...he was much better in the punishment department.

"Excuse me? You're joking right?" I asked still laughing.

Mrs. Meyers look slightly offended. "Abuse is no joking matter Ms. Forster..."

I cut her off. "Please...just stop. Seriously? I had an accident, it's not that abnormal. Besides, who are you to poke around in my business? You have no right, and to make such an assumption...you don't know anything." I stood up and grabbed my bag. "Now if you'll please excuse me...I'd like to get back to class."

Angrily, I stomped out of the office, leaving Mrs. Meyers in a confused and flabbergasted state. I was pretty sure her jaw had hit the floor. Still, she had been rather rude. Life happens; things happen...why do people always have to come up with the worst possible situation? Idiot.

I pushed opened the door to the main office and stormed into the empty hall, crashing into someone. Jake grunted and steadied me. I looked up flustered and pushed him away.

"Why are you here?" I asked a little loudly.

Jake looked at me confused. "I'm sorry?" He seemed amused and worried at the same time.

I huffed and started towards my class room, Jake pulled me to a stop.

"Just a minute Brat. What's up?" His brows furrowed and his amusement was gone. It was always weird seeing Jake in school because he wasn't aloud to wear his hat. His expressions were a little easier to read but most of the time he is still impossible.

The office door opened and Jake shoved me into the guy's bathroom just as Mrs. Meyers came out.

"What are you doing?" I hissed peeking around the corner to make sure there weren't any guys in there.

"Spill," he said simply, stepping back and leaning against the opposite wall.

"There's nothing to 'spill'," I rolled my eyes and reached for the door. Jake grabbed my arms and trapped me against the wall.

His gaze made my skin prickle; he wasn't going to put up with my stubbornness.

"Jake, I swear...I will knee a man where the sun don't shine," I warned trying to wiggle away from him, now I was highly agitated. I really didn't need to be twenty minutes late for my class.

"I'm not above giving you a swirly Brat...now what's wrong?" He shot back, still trapping me against the wall.

"Why do you care? Can't you people just leave me alone?" I snapped. I just wanted people to go back to ignoring me like they usually did. All this attention was starting to drive me insane.

"Well considering you look like you are about to go on a killing rampage I really wouldn't be a good friend if I left you alone," he said matter-of-fact. "Or just a good person in general."

I gave an aggravated sigh. "Yes, and we all just know you are a wonderful person," I shot back sarcastically. He just smirked and I closed my eyes taking a deep breath. "Look, it really isn't a big deal. Mr. Donn and Mrs. Meyers just brought me in the office to question me...and she just really pissed me off," I shrugged awkwardly since I was still pinned between Jake and the wall.

He snorted and shook his head. The bathroom door behind him opened and we both stiffened. A boy I recognized from gym class blinked at us in surprise.

"Uh...sorry," he muttered still staring and I shoved Jake away forcefully.

"Don't be. It was nothing," I said shoving past him and darting out the door, making a run for my class hoping I wouldn't be caught.

x-x-x-x

By the time I walked into the cafeteria I really thought my head was going to explode. Never in my life had I been so angry. People were just starting to get on my last nerve, with their stares, whispers, and in some of Rachel's robots case...giggles. I had already devised a whole plan on shaving all of the fem-bots hair and donating it to Locks of Love...see I wasn't totally evil...it's all for a good cause.

I paid for my chocolate milk and sat down heavily next to Darrel. He glanced over at me startled then smiled.

"Darlin'!" His smile slowly faded as I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye. He cracked his knuckles. "Who am I knocking out today?" He asked glancing around the lunch room.

"Everyone," I mumbled the straw to my milk still in my mouth.

He grimaced. "Bad day huh?"

Was he honestly that stupid or did he just like to state the obvious?

"What makes you say that?" I said shooting a glare over my shoulder at the boy from my gym class. He had been staring at me since I sat down. A nagging thought poked at the back of my brain, wondering if he told anyone about catching Jake and I in the men's bathroom.

"Your aura is dark, oh so dark," he shuddered and I couldn't help but choke on some of my milk.

"So you can read peoples auras now?" I asked, smirking.

"Baby, I can read yo mind," he said smiling. "So there's no need to say it, I already know your intense lust and need for me," he winked and I snorted causing some milk to come out my nose.

"Darrel please don't ever use the word lust while sitting next to Sam," Jake said sitting down across from us.

Darrel draped his arm over my shoulder. "Don't be jealous Jake...it is not becoming of you." He said haughtily.

Jake just glared at him and he smiled. Slowly, I realized Darrel hadn't mentioned anything about my face or even asked what happened. I glanced at him confused and back at Jake who was still glaring at him. In a way I was happy that finally somebody was treating me like normal, but I was still curious as to why he didn't say anything.

"So Darrel...what do you think of my battle scars? I asked wiggling my brows.

He frowned. "I know that I totally kicked your butt in paintball...but I didn't think it was that bad," he said seriously and I stared at him dumbfounded. He laughed and shook his head. "I'm joking. Do you really think I'm that stupid?"

"Do you really want me to answer that?" I asked and he put his hand over his heart like I had just shot him.

"Sam, baby...I'm hurt," he pretended to wipe away a tear then looked back at me. "Seriously though I know what's up," he shrugged as if it weren't a big deal.

"Wha-how?" I asked surprised.

"I told you I read minds," he winked again.

Jake sighed. "He was at your house last night with me."

"Oh...," that's embarrassing.

"And here I thought my presence was always known...," Darrel muttered shaking his head.

I smiled and nudged him with my shoulder. "Only because I was injured."

He nodded. "You did hit your head...," he muttered again more to himself.

Jake just shook his head and I smiled feeling a little less annoyed.

Which was a miracle since I was sitting with Darrel.