A/N: So, here we are at chapter 12. I actually have no idea how many chapters this story will end up having, but regardless, I'm hoping to finish it before school starts up again. Don't worry, though, I promise I won't rush the process of the story. If I am still working on this when summer is over, I'll make sure to work on this as much as possible over my (very short, it seems) weekends. But let's not worry about that now. On with the story. :
"Ms. Pataki, this school does not tolerate violence of any sort. We've been through this numerous times. What will it take for you to learn?" The lady sitting in front of her wasn't quite yelling. When she was angry, she had more of a calm tone to her voice, but it was always obvious that she was furious from the look in her eyes. She wasn't the type of principal that you would look at and scream, knowing that she was going to yell at you, but when a student did something bad, regardless of how tough they might seem, or how much they might lie about it, there was always a sinking feeling in their stomach.
"I don't know," Helga stated carelessly, studying her fingernails as an excuse for not looking the principal in the eyes, "maybe teach everyone else to mind their own business and not mess with me?"
"Look at me, young lady," Helga's eyes raised up a bit, only barely meeting her gaze, "this is the third time since you've been at this school that I've had to talk to you about this. And each time, I let you go with just a few days of detention. Obviously that isn't working for you."
Helga stretched out her legs, placing them on the desk that was only a couple of inches away from her, and yawned. This was exactly what she hard every time, to the point where she started to believe that the principal was all talk. "I guess so."
"Ms. Pataki, if you're not going to show respect for other students in this school, you're definitely going to show respect for me. Take your feet off of my desk, stop looking at your nails, sit up straight, and listen."
Rolling her eyes, Helga did just that. "One question. I socked Rhonda for a reason. She was messing with me, not letting up, and she gets by with a slap on the wrist? Where's the justice here?"
"I did not see Rhonda even talking to you, therefore I cannot punish her. You, however, I can. And will."
"Woo-hoo, more detention." She twirled her finger in the air, then sighing. "You demand that everyone respects each other at this school, but you have no idea. You don't know how many people are lied to, are victims in stupid little pranks, gossiped about. Why does it seem like I'm the only one who ever gets into trouble?"
"While all of those things aren't necessarily right, you should know they're not something that people get into trouble for—"
"But it's not respect!" Helga shouted, clearly furious. "So stop asking for it, because you're never going to get it!"
"Enough!" The principal yelled, which, as everyone knew, was extremely rare. "Since detention never teaches you a lesson, you have 2 days of suspension starting tomorrow. I will be notifying your parents."
Helga scoffed, and rolled her eyes once again. "Like they would ever care."
"Get to class, and make sure you get the assignments that you're going to miss."
"Yeah, yeah." The blonde girl stood up, taking the late pass out of the principal's hand. She walked out of the office, closing the door behind her. "Notifying my parents, oh, that's such a threat."
"Suspended!" A loud voice shouted, "First it was detention three times this year, now you're suspended? It's not acceptable, Olga!"
"It's Helga, Bob."
"Yeah, whatever. This never would have happened to your sister. She was a straight-A student, never saw the principal's office unless it was to receive an award. Why can't you be more like her?"
"Sorry I can't be like Miss Mary Sunshine." Helga called from her place on the couch, with a novel in her hands.
"You should be. You're giving the Pataki's a bad name."
"Like I care."
"Well, you should! I work my ass off for you, to give you food, a good home—"
"Oh, save it! I eat freakin' cereal for dinner sometimes, Bob. I'm practically invisible in this house. Don't you ever say you work for me, because all you work for is yourself and your precious Olga." Helga snapped back at him, a mocking tone to her voice when she said her sister's name.
"Well maybe if you worked harder to be more like Olga, we wouldn't have this problem, now would we?"
"So what? Just because I'm not perfect I deserve to be treated like crap every day of my life?"
"I think you get treated pretty damn well, Olga."
"It's Helga! H-E-L-G-A!" She screamed, walking out of the house and slamming the door behind her. Any place was better than this.
A/N: I have to admit, when I was planning this story, I didn't think I'd add in Helga getting suspended for punching Rhonda, or having a huge fight with her Dad. But I suppose extra stuff is always good. I hope everyone enjoyed this. Chapter 13 will be posted as soon as possible. :