Monday morning was hell. I'd spent the entire weekend grounded, my parents had taken my phone away from me, and as a result, I'd had no opportunity to text or call Athena. After getting dumped Friday night the whole thing just added insult to injury.

I walked into school with my shoved in my pockets, hoping Athena would forgive me if she'd texted over the weekend. I had my hopes up that I'd find her quickly before class started, but I didn't want to go running around looking for her – I didn't really want to run into Emma on accident.

I passed through the hallway and into the cafeteria. I immediately sensed something very strange. It seemed as though every eye was following me through the school. I noticed a few kids whispering and giggling to each other as they stared and one or two people even smirked as I walked by. I looked around for someone I knew. I spotted the guys over at the one of the tables and rushed over, eager to get my mind off all the strange stares.

"Teddy! Sit down, man, haven't heard from you all weekend." It was relieving to find my friends were at least acting normal. "I heard you and Emma broke up. Did she, uh, come down on you pretty hard?"

The guys all snickered and stared at me expectantly. I had no idea what they were talking about. I ignored the jab and turned to Bryan. "Hey man, did you study for the English test today? I'm not sure I can concentrate with Ms. Dunlop's tits staring me in the face."

"Oh, you should be fine as long as she doesn't start using corporal punishment."

They all snickered to themselves again. What the fuck is going on? Just then I saw Red Plaid Skirt talking to a few friends over by the library. I took the opportunity to escape the taunting. Without a word, I grabbed my bag and walked off.

"We're just kidding, man!" Jonathan called, "Will you come back if we give you a black eye?"

The room full of eyes followed me as I got closer and closer to Athena. I tried to ignore them and concentrated on what I wanted to say to her. I needed to apologize, first and foremost. As I got closer she and her friends saw me coming and started giggling.

"Hey, Athena, can I talk to you for a sec?"

"We, uh, have to get to class," one of the girls said (I think her name was Brynlee), "We'll catch you later, Athena." Then with a wink she said "hope you brought your boxing gloves."

I grabbed Athena's arm and led her into the library where I could escape all the stares.

"Hey, I'm sorry I didn't call this weekend. I was grounded and my parents took my phone."

Athena looked at me with discomfort. "No, it's fine, Teddy, I figured that…" Her eyes searched the room.

"Is there something going on today that I don't know about?" I suddenly asked, "I keep thinking everyone is watching me and I can't work out why."

Athena blushed and shyly tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Yeah, um, you might want to talk to Emma about that. I've got to go to class."

She started to leave but I stopped her. "Emma? What the fuck does Emma have to do with this?"

"I can't answer that question for you, Teddy. Just talk to her."

Fuck. What's going on? What did Emma say about me? And what could she have said that was bad enough for Athena to start blowing me off?

The bell rang but I didn't feel like going to class anymore. I headed back through the cafeteria to the door, slamming the breaker bar on my way out. I didn't want to talk to Emma. That was the last thing I wanted to do. But how was I going to find out what was going on?

Just then, Mike came roaring through the parking lot, his tires squealing – late yet again. I jogged over to his vintage Ford Tempo and caught him just as he was getting out of the driver's seat.

"Mike! Dude, what the fuck is going on?"

"I can't talk now, bro, I'm late for class."

"No!" I slammed him up against the car. "Everybody's acting like dickheads today and I have no idea why. Someone told me it has something to do with Emma."

"I just got here; what makes you think I know anything?"

I shrugged with frustration.

"By the way, sorry to hear about Emma. If she's spreading rumors already, it must've been a pretty shitty breakup."

"Whatever, I'm better off without her."

"Damn straight!" Mike slapped me on the shoulder. "Gotta go, man, see you at lunch."

I was at a complete loss. With nowhere else to turn, I headed back inside. I had to find Emma and find out what kind of bullshit she was spreading around about me.

I camped out in front of the Physics lab where I knew Emma was taking a test during first period. The class seemed to go on forever. Much to my disappointment, she was one of the last to leave the class meaning I had to deal with more giggles and stares while the other thirty or so kids poured into the hallway. This chick was completely doing me in. I began contemplating ways to get her back for whatever she said. Tell everyone her boobs are fake? Nah, everyone already knows that. Spread a rumor that she cheated on me? No, too cruel.

At long last, she emerged from class with Soren's arm draped around her neck. As soon as she saw me she rolled her eyes. "I'll see later Soren." He gave her a knowing look and headed down the hall without her.

I looked at Emma expectantly. "So? What the hell are you doing?"

"It was just a stupid joke, Teddy, calm down. It wasn't supposed to be such a big deal."

I grabbed her hand and pulled her into the Physics lab. "What is just a stupid joke? I have no idea what's going on. Everyone's staring and laughing and all I know is it had something to do what something you said. So, spill."

"Jesus, fine. I told everyone that we fought and I slapped you. And then…you got hard." She glanced off at the wall, a shameful attempt to underplay the whole thing.

"YOU DID WHAT?"

I couldn't contain my anger.

"Calm down, Teddy! I was angry okay, you acted like you didn't even want me and it pissed me off. The whole thing got blown out of proportion and now they're calling you…"

She drifted off. Oh no, she wasn't getting of that easy. "What, Emma," I seethed, "What are they calling me?"

She hesitated again.

"EMMA."

"They're calling you Manslave, okay? God, can I go now? Soren is waiting for me."

I covered my face with my hands. I was in utter disbelief. "How in God's name could you do this to me, Emma? I know our breakup wasn't exactly 'nice' but holy shit…"

"They'll get past it, Teddy, you're overeacting."

"Overreacting? You're making me sound like a complete pussy!"

"Don't get mad at me. You're the one who got hot and heavy over a slap in the face, jackass."

She stormed out before I could retaliate any further. I stood stunned, the sound of the bubbling fish tank in the corner echoing in my ear. How could she do this to me? How could I possibly reverse it?

Shit, would Athena ever talk to me again?

I grabbed my backpack and made my way outside to my car, this time without daring a glance at anyone on my way. As far as I was concerned, the day was over. Suddenly being grounded sounded like a blessing from heaven.