"Why should I stop?" Maya aggressively replies to My Dad.
She shoves Marly off her chair, and darts around the table, standing over the girl.
Marly doesn't look like she is defending herself much "See. So aggressive. Why you gotta be that way, Hart?" She smirks. Maya kicks her in the side, winding the girl, who immediately moves her hand to cover where Maya kicked her.
"Maya, please" I call this time. I don't notice most of the class running out of the doors, probably told to by my father.
She kicks the girl again "Don't treat me and Riley that way. Don't call us that... that word." She spits at Marly. Lucas and Zay are rushing to the blonde, trying to pull her away. She shoves them off, but they manage to pull her away, not before she kicks the brunette with enough force that sends her sliding towards the wall. I look away. I hear Farkle and Smackle help the girl up, and Maya screaming "She doesn't deserve the help!"
I run to my father, who looks solemn. Zay and Lucas drag Maya outside, resisting the whole time. "It's okay, Riley" my dad comforts me.
"Will she be in trouble?" Farkle and Smackle walk Marly out of the other door, toward the nurse.
"Sorry, Riley, she will be in a lot of trouble."
The first place I go is the Nurse's Office. Marly is lying on the bed with an ice pack held against her head, and another against her knee. I notice a bruise on her forehead.
"Why are you here, Matthews? I got my fair share of beating up today"
"I'm here to check if you're okay" I say shyly.
"I'm fine" she spits, turning her head away.
"Marly, you know it isn't right to say what you did."
"Go away, Matthews. I don't need your pity. Go check on your girlfriend. If she isn't already expelled."
Fine. I head to the Principal's office, and look through the tiny window. Maya is sitting there silently, in front of the Principal.
I don't open the door, or move, but I hear footsteps behind me. I turn around to see my dad and Katy Hunter walking my way. I move out of the way for them to enter, and my Dad says "Probably best if you come too, Riley." So I follow them into the small room.
"Mrs Hunter, are you aware that your daughter beat up another girl in class?" the principal starts.
Katy looks shocked "Why would my daughter do that?"
I speak up "she was only trying to defend me"
"No, riley, shut up, it was all me. It's not your fault"
"Maya!" I gasp at her.
"shhh" she's more aggressive then usual. It makes me quiet. I don't know why she doesn't want them to know, but I don't want to annoy her more. She crossed the line enough today, I don't know what she'd do.
The nurse walks in with Marly right behind her. She sits in the corner, and the nurse leaves.
"Miss Evans, what do you have to say about the event? Did you in any way initiate it?" The head teacher asks the girl, who is still holding an ice pack to their head.
"Why would I ask for blondie to beat me up?" She asks defensively. Neither of them are mentioning the cause. That Marly called us gay. Why not?
"Not true. Marly told me and Maya that we-"
"Thaaat we should stop. That's all. No, Marly told me to stop and I should have listened." Maya interrupts me.
"Mr Matthews, what do you have to say about this?"
Reluctantly, he doesn't seem to have any choice but to say it was Maya's fault. He doesn't know the cause. Yet.
"Miss Hart begun beating Miss Evans up after she said something... I don't remember what she said, but Maya claimed it was directed negatively towards her and my daughter's friendship."
"Miss Evans, where is your mother?" The head teacher asks softly.
"I dunno, probably off with someone else" she whispers in reply, too soft for the principal to hear.
"Excuse me?"
"I said I don't know." She repeats, louder, leaving the last part out. As if on cue, her phone buzzes. She looks at the screen, seems slightly angry, then up at the head teacher, who allows her to answer it, noticing that it's her mom.
"Hey mom... no I'm fine... NO, I didn't do anything! Why not? Yeah, they got her in trouble... bye mom" she hangs up, looking somewhat embarrassed. "My mom can't make it today." Is her simple statement. The muffled voice on the phone sounded angry.
"Miss Evans, did you in any way initiate Miss Hart's 'attack'"
"Of course not!" She dramaticises. "Why would I say anything hurtful against my dear friend? In fact, Riley and I just made new friends this morning, isn't that right, Riley?"
I hang head and nod. She knows I can't lie. But neither of them want me to tell them what Marly was calling me and Maya.
"Well, I think we can all agree that Maya's record is not as clean as Marly's. But Marly, yours is not completely clean, remember. Miss Evans, it is not routine no ask for a suggestion as to what punishment to give your 'attacker', however it may be appropriate. Although, that's all it is. A suggestion."
"Suspension? Expulsion?" Marly mutters, and Maya and Katy gasp in unison.
"No, sir, my daughter hasn't been bad at all recently." Katy rushes, nervously.
"I only wish to consider Marly's point of view. Nothing that drastic is to be called for. However, I believe it is appropriate for Maya to receive on site suspension for the rest of the week."
"On site?" Katy asks, trembling.
"Yes, Mrs Hunter. It means Maya will have to attend school, however will not be allowed to socialize with friends during lunch hour, and in classes will be held separately. And it will go on her record. If that's all, dismissed."
Today is Tuesday, so Maya will be 'on site suspended' for the rest of today, tomorrow, Thursday and Friday. That shouldn't be so bad... should it?