Enjoy

"Alright, Elizabeth, we can go ahead and put you in the system. You can start tomorrow. Remember to get each person you tutor to fill in the sign in sheet ok."

"Does it usually work this fast?"

The librarian smiles, "Yes, your grades and three teacher recommendations are really all we need to determine if you are suitable enough to tutor."

"Ah, well thank you."

I do a miniscule curtsey and exit out of the library. Glancing at the clock in the hallway, I quicken my pace to my locker in an attempt to use the last fifteen minutes of lunch to actually eat something.

I round the corner and an audible gasp escapes me. Quickly I slip back behind the wall before they could notice.

"Really, Jewel it's not that bad."

"NOT THAT BAD! I LOOK LIKE A BOY!"

"It's cute."

"Yeah, the whole short pixie cut thing is really in with all the celebrities."

"Just shut up!"

I cover my mouth as I take in the sight before me. Jewel's hair was in a severe short pixie cut with gelled spikes jutting out in different angles.

"I think it gives you a punk rocker feel."

"I said shut it."

The locker they were at finally pops open and a satisfied smile spreads across Jewel's face.

"Porsha, give me the wires and platform."

I watch silently as Jewel begins to rig the inside of the locker.

"I don't understand what this will accomplish, Jewel."

Jewel steps back to admire her handy work and then release the trigger by opening the locker door. A small catapult like platform jumps up at her face and she laughs.

"That flaming bitch wants to look like a girl so much, fine, well do him one better. Lexis, give me the bucket."

Jewel clicks the catapult back in place as the brunette scrunches her face in disgust as she hand Jewel a heavy narrow pail.

"My god, this smells horrible."

"Well what else is menstrual blood supposed to smell like."

Lexis and Porcha gasp as they step back.

"Oh, my god, Jewel. No."

"How did you even get that?"

"I have my ways." She steps back and smiles, "Bitch boy goes to open his locker and splat. He gets his first period."

I step away from the wall horrified at what I saw and unable to process what to do. I hear Jakotsu's locker door shut gently and Jewel's laughter as she and her little minions head down the hall. "By the end of day, today, no one will be talking about my hair."

I look around the empty hallway trying to gather my thoughts. "I must warn Jakotsu." I may not like the man all that much, but what Jewel has planned for him is a fate far worse than death.

I push my way through the crowd of students exiting the lunchroom and scan the emptying room.

"Hey, where were you?"

"I do not have time to talk, Iggy. Have you seen Jakotsu? It is of dire consequence that I find him before he gets to his locker."

"Uh, I don't think he or Bankotsu were in here today. They may have snuck out the back and went somewhere else to eat?"

"Somewhere else? You mean we actually have a choice on were we get lunch?"

"No, but they do it anyway."

"Right, I take it that is the back exit they used?"

I ask pointing to the exit on the far end of the room.

"Yep, go through there, make a right at the field, and you should hit the parking lot."

"Thank you, cover me in class please."

"Sure."

I stop once I reach the parking lot and try to catch my breath as I scan for any signs of the two miscreants. My eyes finally spot Bankotsu as he shut the door to a car I am fairly certain belongs to my science teacher.

To my dismay, he was alone.

"Bankotsu!"

He looks up as I approach, still winded.

"Hey, what's up with you?"

"I…I…I need you…."

"Well, this is a bit sudden, but I'll be happy to-"

I swat his hand away from my cheek.

"No…no you idiot….I need you… to tell me where Jakotsu is!"

" Why?"

"Jewel…she rigged his locker. You need to tell me where he is BEFORE he opens it!"

"I can call him if you want."

"Yes, fine whatever, JUST HURRY!"

Bankotsu pulls out his phone, but stops.

"W-what, what are you doing?!"

"How badly do you want me to do this?"

"Pardon?!"

"Like….say 'going on a second date with me' badly or…"

"…..You can't be serious."

He shrugs.

"Bankotsu….the fate of YOUR friend is in the balance here."

He continues to stare at me.

"BANKOTSU! If jakotsu opens that locker, fluids…FLUIDS of unimaginable disgust will befall him. Fluids NO MAN should ever come into contact with if he can help it!"

"Sooooo…..is that a yes?"

"BANKOTSU!"

"I mean it sounds pretty urgent….."

"Yes!"

"Do I have your word?"

"Banktosu!"

"I just don't want you to back out once I make this call."

"Damnit, Man! Yes! I will go on a bloody second date, just call HIM!"

Bankotsu presses a single number and the phone begins to ring.

"Hey, Jakotsu where are you?...Yeah, ok so don't open it….because according to Elizabeth, Jewel did something to your locker and if you open it-"

"unimaginable fluids."

"Unimaginable fluids will-"

"befall him."

"…befall you…..yeah…..yeah, she said befall…..yep…..well she looks pretty winded so I'd take her word for it….yeah…..serious enough for her to agree on a second date with me…yep….alright, later."

He hangs up and gives me a smirk.

"Crisis averted."

"…So…he will not open it?"

"Nope, in fact he's going to make Jewel open it when he finds her."

"Good."

"And here I am thinking you didn't like him."

"I don't…..but I don't hate him either."

We were silent for a minute, and I exhale loudly.

"Well….then….I should be going back…..to class…"

He grabs my arm as I turn away and pulls me close to him turning me around in the process.

"Why?"

"So I won't be late."

"Technically, you're already late."

"Yes, well I don't want to be later."

He makes no indication of letting me go.

"This means that you must release me."

"Not without getting a proper thank you."

"For what!? It was your friend I saved! Not mine."

"I know."

"Then what on earth-"

His lips connect with mine and I inhale sharply.

To describe the wave of emotions that course through me would be an insurmountable task, but I can say for certain that Joy, fear, and a little bit of guilt were present.