Unatomic Stacey

Chapter 3: Decisions and Revelations

(Monday Morning)

I entered school carefully. I had just enjoyed my weekend because G911 was miraculously returned along with our ship. Admiral Degill was still angry with us but I didn't give a damn. But now I was returning to school after boxing Michelle in the face and punching her in the stomach last Friday. I knew that she had hit me first, but I still feared the wrath of Penelope and of course her mother, the Principal. I had told my mother everything earlier this morning and she was furious. She wouldn't condone me blemishing my school record, especially after finding out that everything went downhill after I missed another UNESCO

meeting because of being out on a mission. She told me that she'd ground me for LIFE if I got even a detention because of it. I sighed and walked to my locker.

"Hello Stacey," Michelle said icily from behind me and I whirled around, "you're not going to get away with hitting me," she hissed.

"You hit me first," I whispered back angrily, "you're guilty too."

"Which is the only reason why I didn't report you," Michelle told me, "I'm not blemishing my excellent record for trash like you," she spat and stormed off.

My face contorted as I struggled to control my anger.

"Temper, Temper," Principal Kelly said suddenly from behind and I nearly jumped in the air, "remember to come and help with the filing Stacey," she reminded me and walked away.

"Yes Principal Kelly," I said politely while secretly wanting to curse her off.

"You better be grateful that I don't tell my mommy what you and Michelle were talking about," Penelope spoke up and I turned to glare at her, "you better be," she added.

This is going to hurt later. But I'm so SICK and tired of having to see her around me. I'll be better off anyway.

"You know what," I said suddenly, "I am grateful," I lied, "and I'll show you just how grateful I truly am," I said and took off my Sign Language Club Badge, "I quit Sign Language Club," I said simply and dropped the badge in her hand, "does that satisfy you?" I asked her.

"This is your favourite club," Penelope said airily, "well I guess the beautiful ones always win," she said happily, "see you at my club," she teased, "NEVER!" she cried gleefully and skipped away happily.

I hurried to the bathroom after she had disappeared around a corner. I went into a far off stall and started to cry.

Why does my ENTIRE life have to SUCK? Sign Language was my favourite club and I had to quit to both buy Penelope's permanent silence and to just have her bothering me less in order for me to preserve my sanity. I hope my MOTHER is happy. No detention for me. No, actually I do have detention. It's the detention called LIFE! My life is one BIG detention because it seems that NO matter WHAT I'm being punished about or for something. I'd be lying if I said nothing good happened in my life. But all these bad things cloud out the good and make me feel like dirt. Fucking worthless DIRT!

I cried until I couldn't cry anymore then exited the bathroom just to hear the bell. I quickly used magic to make my eyes look like they usually did instead of the puffy reddish look that they had now from me crying. I reached class seconds before my Health Class teacher and sat quietly.

(After School)

I walked off the school compound in a crabby mood. I had to do filing for Principal Kelly for THREE hours. She had me excused from two classes to do it and I decided not to mention it to my mother. I didn't want her angry with ME again. Just as I was about to turn a corner and make myself 'teleport' home my cell phone made a soft beeping noise. I groaned angrily and pulled out my cell from my inner jacket pocket. I saw the 'special' red button flashing and simply changed my physical appearance. Then I disappeared and when I reappeared in Admiral Degill's office I had on my Atomic uniform.

"Atomic Stacey reporting for duty!" I shouted formally and saluted.

"That wont be necessary," Admiral Degill responded to my surprise, "I'm calling you privately to inform you of something," he told me.

"What's that Admiral?" I asked curiously.

"As of February fifth of next year," Admiral Degill started, "Atomic officers will be allowed to decide whether or not they want to stay on the force," he revealed, "but before we can do that," he continued, "we'd like to have some new Atomics paired up with senior Atomic officers for hands on training," he said formally.

"You actually want to pair ME with someone?" I asked in surprise.

"Yes," Admiral Degill responded, "I believe that all new Atomics can gain experience from their senior officers," he told me, "no matter their calibre," he added pointedly.

"Yes Admiral," I said knowing very well what he meant, "I'll do my best to show this new officer what being an Atomic is all about," I told him.

"See that you do," Admiral Degill said seriously, "and I need you to at least be around for the next six or seven missions consecutively," he said suddenly, "after that you can come in as often as possible."

"What does that mean?" I asked in confusion.

"I understand that some officers have problems with going on missions sometimes," Admiral Degill explained to me, "if after the next few mission you find yourself in a big fix about going to the others," he continued, "don't worry yourself about coming," he added kindly.

I felt myself start to have dark feelings. What did he mean by 'don't worry yourself about coming'?

Is he trying to indirectly throw me off my team until I can decide for myself if I want to leave when the ban of quitting the Atomics is lifted? No. He couldn't do such a thing. He wouldn't! What am I kidding myself? This is Admiral Degill. He can't WAIT for me to leave. But how dare he do this! I bet he probably found the best new agent to pair me with. I can't believe he's being so sneaky about it! Jerk!

"I'm certain that I'll come whenever I have a duty to perform," I said firmly, "but thank you for the concern," I added with a smile.

"Is there a problem?" Admiral asked as his face darkened slightly.

"No Admiral," I lied.

"You will meet this new agent tomorrow," Admiral Degill stated, "her name is Tiffany Fruit and she's also from your home planet by rights of birth but lives elsewhere," he said formally.

"Where is that?" I asked.

"Classified," Admiral Degill responded.

"Is there anything else Admiral?" I asked formally.

"No," Admiral Degill told me, "you're dismissed."

"Yes Admiral!" I shouted formally and left his office.

If he thinks that he can just throw me away likeuseless rubbish he better think again.

End Chapter 3

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