This is the point where the story takes a very dark turn.
It was almost time to go home. Nonny told Deema about what Mr. Grumpfish said at lunch.
"That's not fair. This is America. You have the right to kiss your girlfriend!" Deema says.
"I know. And he said we're ruining his lunch. What the heck?" Nonny says.
"Well, I'm going to have a word with him," Deema said confidently as she headed toward Mr. Grumpfish. The guppies all gathered around to see Deema take on Mr. Grumpfish.
"Ey, Grumpfish! I'm getting really sick of your negative attitude! What's wrong with you? Why don't you just lighten up?!" Deema shouted. The guppies were wondering what Mr. Grumpfish was going to do.
Without saying a word, Mr. Grumpfish smacked Deema across the face. The impact was so great that she got knocked off her tailfin. She landed on the floor. The guppies gasped.
"What was that for?" Deema asked, on the brink of tears.
"That's for being annoying," Mr. Grumpfish said harshly. Nonny confronted Mr. Grumpfish.
"Hey, you didn't have to hit her!" Nonny said.
Mr. Grumpfish smacked Nonny too. The impact was so great, it caused a large crack to form down the middle of Nonny's glasses. When he landed on the ground, his glasses flew off his face. Oona started crying.
"Child abuse! Child abuse!" Goby whimpered when he backed against a wall. Gil was too scared and overwhelmed to get help. Molly dashed out of the school to find Mr. Grouper.