Chapter 5: Unfortunate

"Something is wrong?" Apparently the Madagascan boy inherited his uncle's bad grammar too, but the small smile on Andy's face knew that he was starving for some concern to his problems.

"Yeah…"

"You can tell me, Andy." Good thing Mort was a good listener. Most of the times.

"I'm not exactly looking forward to school." A few kids ran past the two and started shoving a few others into the lockers lining up each side of the hallway. "I think it's dumb to go to school. There's absolutely nothing related to fun over here. I mean, Skippah practically threw me out this morning just so I could get a head start. And if it's anything Kowalski said, it's boring."

"But it is fun! And I can be with you and be your friend!" Mort insisted with the goofy smile back on his face. "And if the teacher thinks you're good you get a star!" Andy shook his head with a small smile and gently guided the boy away from a bunch of taller boys who had a shaking nerd cornered.

"I think I'm too old for stickers, Mort."

"What are stickers?"

"Those things you were talking about?" The boy just stared at him. "The stars?"

"What stars? Are you talking about those twinkle things that live with the Sky Spirits?" Andy let out a sigh and shook his head, turning his attention to the locker that was now his.

"Nevermind." He played with the lock and the door easily sprung open. He was about to reach in and get the needed books when a familiar cry reached his ears. Peeking over his shoulder he was surprised to find Mort cornered, by the very boys they avoided just minutes ago. "They're quick." He closed the door and walked over to the crowd that had already surrounded the four boys.

"So what'd you got for us today, pal?" The one who spoke was admittedly larger than Andy and he had no qualms in taking the little boy's bag.

"My bag!" Mort reached out to grab the bag back, but he was shoved hard into the wall behind him, leaving him slightly dazed. "Ooh."

"Stop!" Everyone turned to the redhead whose green eyes were glowing with fury. "Leave him alone, Kevin!" The bigger boy scoffed and gave the girl a grin.

"And what are you going to do, sweetie?" He turned back to the whimpering Mort and looked through Mort's bag while his two equally huge, varsity posse took hold of each of the girl's arms.

"Hey! Let me go! Let ME go!"

"You really shouldn't be doing that."

Kevin let out a frustrated sigh and shoved the bag into Mort's chest, leaving the small boy slightly out of breath. "What now?" He turned to face the newcomer and his frustration turned into a full out grin. "Well, if it isn't a new victim."

"Yeah, hi to you too."

"Do you know who I am, kid?"

"Not really interested, but I'm all ears." Andy crossed his arms and nodded to the side, urging Mort to move. "However, I don't listen to dumbasses. Most especially those who pick on smaller boys and hurt girls." The Madagascan silently obliged and walked away as Kevin and his cronies glared at Andy.

"What did you just call me, twerp?"

"So you're deaf too?" A few giggles from the crowd and the redhead fueled Kevin's anger.

The boy grabbed Andy's shirt and pulled him forward, at the same time pulling his arm back.

"Alright, smart guy. You asked for it."

"I'm not asking. You're begging."

Kevin was about to swing when Andy ducked. The fist connected with one of the other boys and he held onto his mouth. Kevin blinked and looked on in shock while Andy got out of the other boy's grasp.

"Ow!" The boy who got hit exclaimed and stared at Kevin. "Dude!"

Kevin turned to Andy, who grinned at him. "How did you…nevermind. You're not going to survive this. Hold him down."

"Hey! Get off, you fools!" Andy looked at the two holding his arms before facing Kevin's incoming fist. "Oof!"

"What is wrong with you?" The girl had made her way back to them. "Stop it!"

"Move it!" Kevin roughly pushed her away and turned back to Andy.

"Ow!" Kyle cried out when her foot suddenly missed a step and the girl found herself falling. She reached for her foot and nursed it gently. "My ankle!"

"That's it." Andy easily pushed the two gorillas holding him away and charged at Kevin. The two dropped to the ground and it only took Kevin a second to recover before he aimed another punch at Andy, which the smaller boy dodged before giving his own.

"Boys, wait." Kyle got to her feet, wincing at the pain in her feet. "You have to stop fighting." Her pleas were ignored as Andy was pulled off Kevin and given a punch to the gut. The boy doubled over but managed to dodge another swing from the other boy. That's when Kevin grabbed Andy and kicked him over to Kyle.

"Chump, you're going down."

Andy got to his feet and glowered at him.

"I could say the same."

"Wait," Kyle hobbled between the two of them, arms outstretched, "wait!"

"Out of the way, Millender." Kevin grabbed onto Kyle and the action caused Andy to wrench his hands off the girl.

"Don't you dare touch her."

"I will do what I want with her, baby."

"Back off, gargantuan." Andy stepped before Kyle and pushed Kevin away, making him stumble toward his posse. All three fell to the ground in a heap and Andy turned to Kyle.

"Are you alright?"

"Um, yeah," Kyle moved her eyes to the pile of boys to Andy, "yeah, I'm fine."

"Miss Millender. Mister Andrews." Kyle froze and Andy gulped, both knowing who the gruff voice belong too. They turned around, coming face-to-face with the principal of the school.

Oh no.

Andy put on a smile and tried not to show his fear at the man's overbearing stature. "Principal Spencer. Hi."

"Hi to you too, Mister Andrews." The man then turned to the redhead. "I expected better from you, Miss Millender."

"Principal Spencer, this is just a misunderstanding. You see-"

"And as for you, Mister." The man's gaze seemed to penetrate Andy's soul, and he didn't like it one bit. "Just because you're new doesn't mean you'll be let off like that. This isn't kindergarten, boy." Exactly what Skippah said. But he specifically stressed the word 'boy'.

"But I didn't do-"

"I don't want to hear it."

"But they did that to themselves! You have to-"

"Office, now. Same goes for you, Miss Millender."

"Oh no. Sir, you have to listen, ow." The redhead paused and leaned against the hand holding onto the wall, pulling all her weight on her unhurt foot. Principal Spencer frowned at the girl, and Andy took that as a cue to take her hand and sling it over his shoulder.

"Are you alright, Miss Millender?"

"She sprained her ankle when he pushed her." Andy answered for her, carefully shifting her so that she was leaning on him. "I have to bring her to a clinic."

"Well, in that case, you're clear, Miss Millender. But you, Mister Andrews, I expect to see you in my office. I'm sure your brother would love to hear what happened today."

Andy suppressed a groan and looked down with a nod. "Of course, sir."

"Good." The principal turned back to Kevin and his friends. "You three. Straight to my office."

"But sir, he-"

"Now, Mister Dolando." The three took one look at the man before hurrying away. Andy looked after them before turning down the hallway with the redhead, ignoring the whispers and stares going his way.

"I'm doomed." Andy dropped his head into his hands. "He's going to kill me. And I'm gonna die."

"It's not the end of the world, dweeb." Kevin snarled at the boy, but was silenced by a look from Spencer. His companions, whose names were Michael De Guzman and Dig Bautista, were doing the same.

"I am not proud of what you four have done. And in front of the entire student body."

Kevin pointed at Andy. "It was his fault." Michael and Dig nodded mindlessly.

Andy got to his feet. "Hey, you started it!"

"No, you did!"

"Liar!"

Kevin rose up with fists by his sides. "How about Round 2, twerp?"

"Enough!" Spencer's rough voice boomed around the room, making the two sit down and stare at the carpet. "I-" He was interrupted by sharp knocks on the door. Oh no. He's here. I'm doomed. "Come in." The door opened and a lady walked in, head raised. Andy and the group of bullies stared in awe at the female who looked a bit like Barbie but in a biker chic-like attire.

"Selena," Spencer cleared his throat and raised his chin, "Miss Valentine. What are you doing here?"

"Hold it, Spence. So," Selena looked around with a stern look, "who's Andy?" Kevin, Michael and Dig pointed to Andy who shrunk back into the couch, wishing he was smaller. Possibly microscopic. "You Andy?"

"Yes." Selena eyed the boy for a while before turning to Spencer.

"I vouch for the kid."

"Excuse me?"

"PS," the kids' eyes widened at the nickname, "you can bet your car, house and job that this boy's innocent."

"He retaliated."

"It was in good defense. Are you telling me that fighting BACK is what the students shouldn't do? I thought that defending yourself is supposed to be part of the curriculum."

"Well, yes, but," Selena raised a brow at him, "we have strict rules on discipline, Miss Valentine."

"I didn't say he had to be completely off. I just want you to go easy on him."

"Fine. An hour detention. But if he gets into trouble again, I can't-"

"Don't think that will happen again, PS. Right, Andrews?" Selena looked back at Andy who stared at her before nodding with a huge smile.

"Yes, yes. It won't happen again, sir. I promise."

The principal gave him a nod before turning to the secretary. "Marissa." The lady looked up at the man.

"Yes sir?"

"I want you to cancel that call to Mr. Andrews."

"But, sir, I've already called him."

Andy's smile dropped drastically.

"Oh no no no. I am doomed."

"Hold on, drama boy." Selena raised a hand and frowned at Marissa. "What did you tell him?"

"To come to the school straightaway."

"Is that it?"

"Should there be anything else? I didn't want to give away anything, should he not come."

"Good." Selena put on a smile and placed a hand on Private. "We'll be waiting for him."

Spencer took a step away from them. "I'll just leave you two and deal with the other three." He walked over to the three and a minute later all four were in the office.

"We?" Selena turned to Andy.

"Do you want to get in trouble?"

The boy gestured around. "Already did?"

"With your brother?"

"He'll murder me. I know he will. I'm not supposed to be fighting."

"Good."

Andy stepped away from her in slight horror. "How is that good? I thought you were nice."

"Dude, chill. I didn't mean that. You trust me?"

"Kinda?"

"I'll take that."

Zack jumped out of the van and practically ran to the office. "Andy?" He stopped short when he saw his brother sitting outside, nursing an ice pack to his black eye. Zack marched up to him and demanded. "What is going on here? What happened?" The boy jumped up at the sight of him and looked up at the man. "How'd you get that eye?"

"Normally," the two turned to Selena as she came around the corner with a small smile, "I'd say it came with birth." Zack just stared at the woman, who sighed and crossed her arms, looking defeated. "I'm really sorry."

"For what?" Selena gave him another small smile and gestured to Andy.

"That."

"You did this?"

"It was an accident. I didn't mean it. I mean, I was really in a hurry to get to school and I did not see him coming."

"You were running blind?"

"Something like that." Selena giggled nervously and looked away. "Well, to be honest, I think it's because I really am blind? Well," she gestured to her glasses, "half blind." She giggled again and tucked a strand behind her ear. "I was waving to a friend and I did not see him, and well I'm really sorry."

"It's fine. As long as it wasn't too serious."

"I hope we didn't interrupt you or anything."

"Not really. But I do have to go now. I've got an important meeting coming up." Zack turned to Selena with a hand on Andy. "I can trust you with him, can't I?"

"After what happened?"

"If you're sincere enough to care about him, I think I can do that as payment."

"Well, if you insist."

"I do."

"Sure."

"Thank you." Zack turned to the boy with a smile and rubbed his hair. "See ya, squirt."

"See ya, BZ." Zack frowned at the name and then walked away with a wave.

Selena smiled after him while inching her way to Andy. "He gone?"

"Give it a minute. He's got senses like Superman." When they were sure that he was gone, "Awesome! We so fooled him! Up high!" Andy raised a hand which Selena happily slapped. "You were so awesome and…" His happy demeanor fell when he saw a tall man leaning against the wall with a grin behind Selena. "Uh…"

"Andy?" Selena looked at Andy before turning around. The man pushed himself off and walked up to them.

"Oh don't stop on my account. I was just checking on you."

"Uh…" The man moved from Andy to Selena, who was staring at him with a tilted head.

"Who's your new friend, Andy?"

Selena held out a hand to him with a smile. "Selena." The man took the hand and gave it a solid shake.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Valentine. I'm Edward Jefferson."

Selena blinked at him and let her hand drop to her side. "How did you know my last name?"

"You're my lab assistant. Intern, since you are a college student. You're earning for extra points, aren't you?"

"Yes, but wait, you're the new substitute science teacher?"

"Actually, I am the science teacher. I took a temporary leave for a while. Joseph Lieder, he's the substitute, took over for me while I was gone. How much has Joseph told you about me?"

"A lot?"

"Probably tall tales about me. Pun not intended."

Selena smiled and crossed her arms. "Of course not."

"Don't worry, I'm not harsh with grades."

"I'm sure you're not, Mister Jefferson. Joseph did say that you were a fun person to work with."

"Please, that would only be true if you actually enjoyed working in a stuffy room full of dangerous chemicals. And we're practically the same age, Selena. Call me Edward."

"Oh. Okay."

"I'm also a pretty nice person to be with."

"Yeah, me too, depending on what you mean by that."

A snort brought the attention of the adults to the boy, who had a disgusted look on his face.

"Yuck. You two are flirting."

Selena frowned and gently hit his back. "No we are not. We are having a friendly conversation."

Andy snorted again and rolled his eyes. "Try and convince me. I know what I'm seeing."

"Andy," the two turned to Edward, "do you have something you want to say?"

"I think I've already," Andy paused and looked up at Edward, who raised a brow at him, "yeah, yeah I do! I was gonna say that I am so glad you two are having a friendly conversation. Hey, who wants ice cream? Because I really want one. Ya know, summer and all that…"

"Sorry, but you're due for History," Edward peeked at his watch, "in five minutes."

"Oh man. I hate History."

"What?" Selena looked down at the boy. "How can you say such a thing?"

"Simple. I hate History." He sighed at her raised brow and crossed his arms defiantly. "We have to memorize all these dates and people and it is so long. There's so many of them. Not to mention that the whole thing is boring. Very boring."

"Dude. We wouldn't be here without History."

"I don't care."

"Well, if you need help, you can just come to me."

Andy shook his head and looked up at Selena with a smile.

"Okay, are you serious? This is like the second time already. I think I owe you too much."

"Nope. You saved Kyle."

"She just sprained an ankle. I'm not saying it's not painful or anything, it is. I know. I just-"Selena placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I get it. And I think you get my point too."

"In that case," Andy grabbed her hand and shook it with a huge smile, "thank you!" He then hugged the lady, who blinked in surprise before patting the boy uncomfortably. Andy moved to her ear and whispered. "Because Edward's real bad at teaching me those kinds of things, but he's good at exploding the lab. I think that's why he went on leave. Don't tell him I told you that." Selena bit down on a grin and nodded as the boy stood away with a similar expression.

"Okay, Andy," Edward frowned down at the two, unaware of the secret conversation between them, "we have to go. I don't want you to get in trouble with the hall monitors." Selena nodded and thumbed behind her.

"And I've got to go back. My break's long enough."

"Goodbye, Selena." Edward called before walking away, followed by Andy, who waved after her.

"See ya, Selena! Oh and tell Kyle to take care!" Selena saluted him with two fingers.

"Got it." She turned and walked away.

When they were finally sure that they were out of sight, Edward pulled Andy closer and whispered.

"I won't tell him about the fight if you won't tell him that I wasn't watching you."

"Yeah, could've avoided that if you were there."

"Do we have a deal or not?" The man hissed and Andy nodded.

"I don't think either of us wants to be running around NY fifty times."