"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader." My dad begins, reading off the board. "Know who said that?" He asks, looking around the room.

"John Quincy Adams" Farkle shouts.

"Our old school" I add, smiling.

"But I never went to that school. Neither did half the class" Marly protests, earning nods around the classroom.

"Of course not. Your school is now Abigail Adams. So, what did Abigail Adams say?"

Everyone stares back in confusion.

"Man was made for action. She said that were created to act. To do what we believe best for us. And her son agreed that our actions should be inspirational."

"People change people" Maya adds quietly.

"I never learnt that" Marly chimes in.

"Of course you didn't. You weren't with us." Lucas agrees.

"Even I didn't learn that" Smackle says, and I only realize now that she hasn't learnt with us at all.

"Secret of life." I smile. "Don't worry guys, he has a lot to teach you."

"What significance does this have to our lives, then. This is the way you teach, so go ahead. What does this have to do with us? Or does it only have to do with your daughter?" Marly asks.

My dad pauses, takes a deep breath and says "I care about all my students. I know a lot goes on with all people and between all friendship groups. If I ever seem only involved with my daughter's affairs, you know you can always come to me. But Miss Evans, I think you know what I'm talking about."

She sinks back in her chair. "So this is some sort of punishment?"

"No. This is me getting my message across in a way you will remember it. Your actions should change people for the better. Whoever does what will change you, we know that. And this is not it's about physical actions. It's about what you say. How you treat people."

"I feel like your dad's whole lesson today was aimed at me" Maya looks up from her notebook, sitting across from me in the baywindow.

"It wasn't, Maya. It was everyone. And Marly too. Of course you have some involvement but he does care about you." I try to comfort her.

"I just feel like everybody is talking" I can't say much. I feel the same way.

"Since when has Maya cared what other people say about her?"

"You're right, it seems like something you do." She laughs.

"Cmon, Maya. Let's get this homework done so we can sleep early. I don't want us getting in more trouble tomorrow. And your suspension ends in two days."

"Haha, Riley, you're not the one in trouble." She replies.

"And I don't wanna be!"

I think she's scared to go home. Her mom knows, and surprisingly still allows her to come here. But she isn't talking to anyone much but me. Not her parents, or mine. She's scared, and I think they are too.

When we walk into school on Thursday, it seems like it has been forever, but I am thankful that her "suspension" ends tomorrow. Same as yesterday, we break apart as she meets the assistant, who looks like she really doesn't want to be "babysitting" Maya any longer.

The warm smile on Maya's face fades instantly and is replaced by a scowl, and she turns her face away from mine, walking away.

"Fags" an older boy yells while passing us, and I notice Maya twitch, itching to go hit him, but restricted by her teacher, not wanting to get in trouble again.

"What did you say?" I shout, and the halls go quiet as the tall boy turns around and stares at me.

"What, you didn't understand me, little girl?"

"Oh I understood you." My heart starts beating in my head.

"Are you going to do something about it?" He steps closer to me.

From the corner of my eye, I see Lucas running closer to me, and I feel him reach my side. On the other side, Maya walks away, pushed by the teacher. She is facing me, shaking her head.

I sigh. "It's not worth it Riley. It's not who you are." Lucas whispers in my ear, tugging my arm. I feel as if he's telling me I'm not like Maya, because I can't do what she did.

But I walk away. "You're not worth it" I spit to the boy, repeating the words he didn't hear from Lucas.

"Okay, okay. Let your boyfriend and your girlfriend fight all your battles." He waves sarcastically.

"Don't talk to her like that" Lucas yells at him, and I get dragged away in the other direction. "It's fine, Riley. I trust you, and I will always fight for you."

"You shouldn't have to" I say once we're in our class, away from the public.

"I will. I care about you, Riley, no matter what happens to you. You shouldn't have to fight for something you didn't start."

I can't find Maya. She's supposed to come home with me. I've been looking for ten minutes, in the art room, and the cafeteria. I don't know where else she would go. Then I remember she has therapy, and has to be home soon. Maybe she already left?

I get out my phone and call her. Voicemail. "Hey, I just wanted to know if you left early for therapy, or if I should wait here. If not, I'll go home." Then I hang up.

I stroll around, and pass the different classrooms. While passing the nurse's office, the boy who yelled at me earlier stumbles out, a bruise on his cheek.

"Woah, are you okay?" I ask him. He ignores me, and continues walking. "Are you okay!" I shout louder.

"Stay away from me!" He shouts, turning around. "You're lucky I didn't tell on your girlfriend. I told them it was from football." He growls, then walks away.

"What did you do, peaches...?" I whisper.