7 days later

The first day of the following week had been a complete disaster. The first two classes had been fine, Chell had absolutely no problem with a double hour of math, much to the disagreement of her fellow classmates. It was the hours afterwards that everything went wrong.

They had a test of Spanish. Chell had studied, that wasn't the problem. She just didn't see the need for learning different languages as she barely managed to make correct English words. The test would've been fine, she would've gotten a good grade if they just had to write it on paper. But no, it had be an oral test.

Chell sat quietly, trying to come up with a solution to get herself out of this mess. But much to her discomfort, it had been her turn quickly. All students turned around on their seats, looking at the awfully quiet Chell in the back who refused to say a word. Everyone had been staring at her, whispers getting distributed from person to person. It didn't take long for the teacher to decide to sent her out.

She had ignored all of it and let herself out the door. And so she spent the rest of that hour in the hall, staring through the window and watching as the others passed their test just fine. Maybe it had gone differently if Wheatley had been there, but he didn't follow the same classes as her. They had met later that day, but Chell didn't tell him about what happened. She was embarrassed and didn't want her friend to think weird of her. Though Wheatley would never come up with any thoughts like that. She knew, but she still didn't want to tell him. Instead she let him talk to her all day, listening intrigued, most of the time, to what he had to say.

What made her worry though was that he fell awfully silent when he found out they had PE next. Chell had tried to comfort him, telling him it would be alright as long as she was there with him. She felt horrible for not being able to keep her word.

Chell herself was quite the athletic. She jumped and run around without getting tired fast. She loved sports as it was a hobby where she didn't need to talk. Her determination and great condition causing her to always score and win almost every game they played, much to the satisfaction of the teacher and the teams she got selected in.

Wheatley, on the other hand, was the complete opposite of her. He was always the spare player who never had to swap. The one who always got chosen last as the teams were made. But he was lucky, for once, that he had Chell. She somehow managed to convince her teammates to get him in their team, how she did it without words he'll never know, but he was more than happy with it. He was verily useless though, having no idea what to do and how to play. Chell was a person who hated losing and was always going for the best options to make sure they won, but she tossed the ball over to Wheatley some times, giving him a change as well. He hated it how he screwed up all of them.

He wanted to show her he could do it. That he was useful and anything but a moron. He was determined so.

But why had to be his last chance to prove it be with climbing ropes?

Wheatley watched as it was Chell's turn. She walked up to the thick rope that hang from the ceiling, she climbed up without fear or wobbly legs or shaking arms what would cause her to fall. She made it to the top without much trouble, touching the ceiling with her fingertips to prove so. A few people clapped and cheered for her as the student carefully climbed down again.

Wheatley snorted. He could do it, he had to. He had to prove he was strong too and not a weak moron like everyone saw him as. He took a deep breath, puffing his chest up like a penguin. He could do it. Everyone could. It's not that hard. He could do it!

He stepped forward. Looking up, the rope suddenly seemed much longer. But he swallowed away his fear and grabbed a hold on the rope. He pulled himself up, feet clamping around it. But no matter how hard he tried he just couldn't get himself higher. He lost his balance and fell on his butt on the floor. A few people chuckled, whispering mockingly to each other which made a few of them hold their breaths trying not to laugh.

Wheatley looked up at Chell. She was talking, or rather just listening, to a few other girls. She didn't even see him. He looked back up again. If he could just do it, if only he could just make it up to the top, maybe then she would notice him. Everybody would, they would see he wasn't a moron and maybe they wouldn't bully him anymore. Wheatley frowned in determination and stood up again.

He grabbed the rope, swinging his feet around it and pulled himself up. Feet, pull, feet, pull, feet, pull. He was doing it! He was actually doing it! He was closer to the ceiling now! He was almost there! But when he looked down to see if Chell was watching him, everything failed. The ground was suddenly really, really far down. Wheatley felt his grip weaken and before he knew what was happening he lied on his back, a dizzy feeling in his head.

A few people gasped before starting to giggle. Chell looked up and noticed Wheatley lying on the floor. Shocked, she rushed towards him.

''Ow.'' He groaned painfully. She stared at the rope, luckily he hadn't gotten higher than just 9 feet before he had fallen to the ground. Chell reached out her hand to help him up.

Wheatley rubbed the sore spot on the back of his head and stared at the gesture. He then noticed the looks he was receiving from the others. ''I can stand up myself.'' He huffed and pushed himself up, though his legs were shaking. He ignored it and pushed through the crowd of people towards the dressing rooms.

Chell watched him leave. She was slightly confused as to why he reacted like that, it was unlike him. It didn't take long before she entered the room with a wetted towel in her hands to see Wheatley sitting on a bench. He looked up at her as she threw the soaked cloth into his face.

''Thanks…'' He murmured as he pressed it against his head. Chell took a seat next to him. They were quiet for the longest time before she pulled his bag from somewhere on the floor and pulled out a small notebook and a pen.

She scribbled on it and handed it over to him. What happened?

He looked away from her. ''Nothing… Nothing bad. Just hurt myself. A little injury. That happens a lot right, people getting injured with sports? It, it's normal. Nothing to be concerned about.''

She shoved another piece of ripped off paper into his hand. Friends don't lie.

Wheatley sighed. Friends really were honest with each other all the time, weren't they? At least they were supposed to do so, otherwise they weren't real friends. And he and Chell were real friends so he should tell her the truth too. ''I just… I just wanted to prove it. Prove that I could do all those things you did too. I saw you do all of that without a problem, no fear, nothing! I guess I-I just wanted to be like you, with climbing the rope. Not that great of an idea, I realize that now. But I just wanted to-to show you that I could do it. That there was something I was good at.''

You're good at drawing.

He looked up at her in surprise. ''You think so?''

Chell nodded. ''Yes.''

Wheatley's smile came back, his eyes twinkling with pride. He didn't think anyone had ever said something like that to him. She even thought he was good at it! She had said it! ''Thank you.'' He finally answered, slightly blushing.

At the end of the day, after seven tiring hours, Chell decided to spent a little longer with her new friends. Morality and Curiosity were walking with her through the hall's, explaining everything they knew about the school. The quiet student didn't care so much, as she didn't think there was anything special about a school, but it was nice to go for a little walk with the two.

The three of them eventually sat down somewhere near the lockers. They were just talking about some random things while Chell searched around in her bag. She eventually handed Morality a small note.

I forgot my history books. Be right back.

The girls, who were all but used to Chell's silence by now, just nodded and waited for her return. Chell passed a few empty classrooms before she found the right one. Luckily the door hadn't been locked yet and her books were lying neatly on a table. Someone must have left them there for her. She quickly stuffed them somewhere between her other books and rushed back to her friends.

She nearly bumped into someone when she rounded the corner. Chell looked up, only to lock gazes with two glowing eyes that almost looked yellow. She took a small step back from the woman. She looked young, somewhere in her early twenties. She had short, white hair that seemed to be perfectly brushed and styled. Not one hair was out of place. Her golden eyes were stern and stared into Chell's very soul. It fitted perfectly with her posture; tall, elegant and intimidating.

''S-sorry.'' Chell quickly apologized.

The woman rolled her eyes in annoyance and walked past the student. Chell watched as she walked down the hall. Shaking off the shivers that were creeping through her, she made her way back to her friends. The girls, who had seen everything happen, gave her a somewhat worried look.

''Are you alright?'' Morality asked a little worried.

Chell just shrugged. Why were they so dramatic about this? She pulled her notebook from her bag and started to write. Who was that woman?

''That's Gladys. The school's principal.''

''She's really mean.'' Curiosity added with the most innocent tone like a little child.

Morality nodded in agreement. ''It's a wonder she didn't let you stay after school for the next month for just looking at her like that. Seriously, you don't want to get in trouble and get send to her office.''

Don't get in trouble with the principal. She should probably try to remember that. Even though Chell usually didn't care and did whatever she wanted despite the rules anyways, but this woman didn't seem like your average stern principal either. It was better to just avoid any problems for now. The school bell sounded once more and the hallways started to fill up with the unlucky people who had classes until the eight hour. Time seemed to go faster than they'd thought.

''We should probably go… um home.'' Morality announced. Chell agreed and followed the two towards the school's exit. They stopped though when they passed a hallway with a small group of boys at the end.

They were the same guys from last time. Chell frowned, she swore if they were bullying Wheatley again she would-

''Poor guy.'' Morality said, shaking her head in disbelief. ''He always gets teased by those idiots. But it we probably shouldn't interrupt before they- hey Chell where are you going?'' She asked as Chell walked up to the group.

Wheatley was pressed against the wall by an older guy, his eyes were swollen with tears and his shaking body gave away his fear. He looked up with slight relief when Chell came into view though. The older boy followed his gaze and noticed the student behind them.

''What are you looking at.'' He growled irritated. When Chell didn't move he fully turned around, walking up to her. ''Well what do you want? Are you coming to save your little boyfriend again?''

The people around them chuckled. The older boy walked closer, trying to be intimidating and pushed her so she had do a step back as not to lose her balance. Chell didn't say anything and just stared back at him.

''Why ain't you talking little girl? Are you mute?'' He gave her another push against her shoulders what caused her to have to take another step backwards. ''If I were you I would just mind my own business and leave before-''

She slapped him. The boy chuckled a little, a grimace forming onto his features. ''Listen mute. I usually don't like hitting girls, but I can make an exception for you. You can still turn around, or do you think a little mute like you could do something about it?''

''She's not a mute!'' Wheatley protested. Though the little stutter in his voice made it hard for him to prove his point.

''Shut up, moron.'' The older boy snapped.

That was enough insulting for now. Chell pushed him against the wall, much like he had done with Wheatley. But he wasn't that easily defeated. He grabbed a hand full of her hair, forced her to turn around and pulled her against his chest. He grabbed her wrists and crossed her arms, keeping her in a lock.

''What you gonna do little mute?'' Chell ignored him and stomped on his foot. He gave a yelp and she quickly got out of his grip. But before she could turn around to give him another slap across the face, he hit her legs from behind, sending her tumbling to the floor. Chell's head hit the ground and she felt her teeth biting in her lower lip. Metal tasting liquid dripped onto her tongue and nausea started to wash over her from where she'd hit the ground.

The bystanders formed a circle around the two and they began to scream excitedly. ''Fight! Fight! Fight!''

The guy jumped on top of her and held her arms against the ground. Chell struggled and fought, but her legs couldn't reach him and her arms were firmly pinned to the ground. He leaned a little closer to her and she immediately took advance of it by giving him a head-butt.

He reached for the sore spot on his face, giving Chell just enough time to kick him of her and jump onto his chest instead, burying her knees into his ribs so he couldn't get out of her grip. Now it was her turn. She slapped him in the face, and again, and again, and again. His nose started to bleed but she ignored it and kept hitting him.

''She's going to kill him!'' Someone screamed.

*Slap* for bullying Wheatley. *Slap* for calling her a mute. *Slap* for hitting her and *slap* for-

''What is going on here?'' A calm voice asked and everybody fell silent. The cheering died down as the crowd moved aside to make place for the principal. Gladys. She looked at Chell, then at the boy and back at her again.

''Oh, it's you again.'' She sounded mildly amused. Chell met her gaze and didn't look away again, even though those eyes were now glaring at her. ''Get up you lunatic. I think we need to have a little talk in my office.''

But Chell didn't move and shot a stubborn look back at her. Gladys frowned, how dared that little human to deny her demands. She grabbed the student by her arm, who was a little shocked by her sudden movement, and pulled her of the floor.

''I said walk.'' Gladys hissed. She started to walk towards her office, dragging Chell along with her. The girl didn't try to fight her. She looked behind them instead, smiling triumphantly when she saw the guy she had just fought slowly standing up, a hand in front of his bleeding nose. Chell noticed her friends, including Wheatley, standing further away and her smile disappeared. They looked worried. Was she really in that much trouble?

Chell stumbled clumsily behind the white-haired woman. She was walking in a constant pace, tightly holding onto the misbehaving student. Her arm was going to be bruised at the end of the day with that strong grip that dragged her along firmly. A few people stared after them when they walked past, whispering confused to their classmates why Chell was getting pulled along by the principal like a stubborn puppy that tried to run away every five seconds.

Gladys' office was at the back of the school and they had almost passed every, single classroom window for everyone to see what was happening before they finally came there. She pushed Chell inside, immediately closing the door behind them.

''Sit down.'' She said sternly. Chell decided it was better to do as instructed and sat down on an uncomfortable chair. The windows were covered by curtains, hulling the office in darkness. The only source of light came from a computer screen on the desk. Chell watched silently as the principal took a seat on the opposite side of the desk, folding her hands together in a professional manner. They stared at each other, neither of them breaking eye contact any time soon. It was like they were trying to read each other, figuring out what the other was thinking. Gladys was actually really pretty, Chell noticed. Everything about her just looked perfect. Chell would've actually cared if those golden eyes weren't trying to stare into her soul.

Eventually Gladys looked away, focusing her attention on the computer beside her. Chell shuffled about nervously, carefully liking the blood away that was still dripping out of her lips. Gladys looked at the student again, noticing her broken lip and slowly pushed a small box of tissues towards her. Chell carefully took one from it and held it against the open wound, trying to stop the bleeding. She watched as Gladys went back to her computer, typing something on the keyboard. After she found what she'd been looking for, she leaned against the back of the chair.

''One week.'' Gladys sighed. ''You've only be assigned to this school for one week and you're already making murder attempts on the others. It's not like I couldn't have seen that coming.'' Chell arched an eyebrow. What the hell did she mean with that? ''It says it right here in your file. Got kicked off five schools because of aggressive behavior.''

A smirk touched her face which Chell found very uncomfortable. ''Hm, I like that in a person.'' Gladys mumbled. She glanced at the awfully quiet student for a moment, hoping to see some sort of reaction.

There was none.

''So what was it? What caused your little primate brain to lose control like that? Hunger? Fear? Or Self defense? Were you getting bullied?'' Her voice sounded fakely sweet, like she was some kind of therapist who was trying to ask something from a three year old. Chell nibbled at her lower lip, opening the wound again and tasting the blood that dripped into her mouth. ''Problems at home? Depression? Some mixture of emotions? Or are you just really a cruel monster trying to murder people?''

Chell frowned, shaking her head rapidly. What was she on about? Gladys leaned on the desk, her head resting in the palm of her hand. She stared at her again, studying her in almost a dreamily way. ''You really are a mystery, aren't you? You dangerous, mute, pathetic, murderous little lunatic.''

Chell swallowed, trying to find her voice. ''I'mmm n-n-not a mu-mute.''

''Oh look at that, it can talk. I was almost worrying you were suffering from brain damage. You're full of surprises.'' She sat up right, finally dropping the game of sarcasm. ''Now that we know that, I expect an explanation for your behavior.''

Of course, Chell could've told her the truth. She could've explained that she was just protecting her friend, that it was indeed self defense, in a way. But why would she? It wasn't like it would make a difference. In all those years and five different school's Chell had been through, no one had tried to help. Especially not the principals. And it didn't look like Gladys would be any different, probably even worse. Definitely worse, she had been insulting the girl a few moments ago! She was not going to be any help for Wheatley and Chell was not going to trust her either.

So she just stubbornly shrugged in response. Gladys didn't seem one bit pleased with that.

''Very well then. I suppose I'll have to speak to your parents about this instead.'' She wasn't particularly happy with that. She highly disliked talking to parents. ''I expect both you and one of your parents at my office tomorrow at four pm. Now leave, I have more important business to deal with.''

Chell's eyes winded. Caroline was going to be furious. ''You can't be serious.'' She suddenly spoke up in protest. ''I was just-''

But Gladys held up a finger, shutting her up. ''Hush, you lunatic. I don't care what you have to say, you're too late. Now get out.''

The student pursued her lips. No, she couldn't just- she was- why? She abruptly stood up, giving the chair a kick from behind so she could squirm from between it and the table. ''Don't slam the door behind you.'' Gladys called after her as she left the room.

Chell slammed the door shut as hard as she could.

I'm sorry it takes so long for me to update guys. It's just so I can save extra time for when I'm going to need it. Anyways, besides all this upoading, writers block and other stuff every writer understands, this is one of my favourite chapters. Idk why, maybe I'm the llunatic here who enjoys agressive behaviours by characters. Maybe because GLaDOS (or Gladys whatever you prefer in this story) is in this one. I just love her role in this story. Also Wheatley building up courage to imperss Chell and failing is soooo fun to write... I'm a horrible person. I'm aware, thank you.