Ariel nervously tapped the heel of her sandal on the floor. For the fourth time in the last five minutes, she shifted uncomfortably in the plastic chair in the office. She slouched down, hoping if she sank low enough in the chair no one would be able to see her.
It wasn't working.
She felt eyes on her, but she didn't dare look up. She focused her blue eyes on the glitter nail polish on her toenails. Andrina took her to get a pedicure last night in hopes of cheering Ariel up. It didn't help, but at least her physical appearance didn't mirror her hopeless state of mind.
"Ariel." Principal Clayton stepped out of the guidance counselor's office. He motioned for her to come into the office by wagging two fingers.
Keeping her eyes on the floor, she picked up her backpack and walked into Captain Amelia's office.
"Ariel, have a seat," Amelia told her.
Ariel obediently sat as Principal Clayton stood beside the desk.
"Ariel, do you know why Principal Clayton set up this appointment?" Amelia asked. Ariel didn't acknowledge the question. She fixed her gaze on a photo of Amelia in her Navy uniform.
"We're aware of what happened yesterday," Principal Clayton said. "I saw your locker and I know you ditched school yesterday before first period even started."
Amelia cleared her throat and folded her hands on top of her desk. "Ariel, can you explain to us why your classmates would paint the word murderer on your locker?"
Ariel didn't say anything.
"Bullying is not tolerated at this school," Principal Clayton added. "If you know who did this, you need to tell us."
Amelia touched the principal's arm to calm him. "Ariel, I spoke with your father last night. He did not give us any details about your situation. However, he believes you would benefit from weekly meetings with me." Ariel gave the guidance counselor a wary look. "I know that's last thing you want. But whatever it is you're going through must be serious enough for your father to suggest it."
Ariel groaned. Of course this was her dad's idea. She refused to talk to anyone about what happened, so naturally he'd force her to. Why didn't parents understand that forcing their kid to talk about something was not the way to handle things?
"We'll meet on Mondays before school. Does that work for you?" Amelia asked. Ariel didn't reply, but Amelia nodded anyway as if Ariel had just agreed. They both knew Ariel had no choice in that matter.
"Very well," Principal Clayton said. "Go to class, Ariel."
Still clutching the strap of her backpack, Ariel practically ran out of the office. She was halfway to her health class when she suddenly tripped over someone's outstretched leg. She fell hard on her stomach and let out a small moan of pain.
Loud laughter rang through the empty hallway. Ariel got to her knees and looked up at Vanessa and Meg. Vanessa was laughing while Meg looked like she couldn't be less interested in Ariel.
Vanessa crouched down so she was eye level with Ariel. "What did you think of my artwork on your locker?" She lowered her voice and leaned close to Ariel. "I know everything."
XXX
Jasmine glared hard at Sadira from across the tennis court. Why weren't actual daggers flying from her eyes? It would give Jasmine great pleasure to see Sadira lying bloody on the tennis court.
Sadira's tennis partner, Tinkerbell, served. Jasmine's partner, Phoebus, hit the ball back with ease. Tinkerbell dove for it, but missed.
"Nice hit," Jasmine congratulated him.
Tinkerbell tossed the ball over the net to them and Phoebus caught it. "Thanks. Your serve, Jasmine," he said, bouncing the ball towards her.
Jasmine snatched the ball in thin air and took position. Sadira was in front of her, waiting. Without thinking, Jasmine served the ball over head, hitting it as hard as she could. It flew over the net and hit Sadira square in the nose.
Sadira dropped her racket and her hands flew to her face. Tinkerbell rushed to her side, but became pale at the sight of the blood gushing down her face. Phoebus laughed out loud and gave Jasmine a high-five. Jasmine bit her lip to keep from laughing out loud as well, but she couldn't stop a smile from forming.
"Jasmine! Phoebus!" Coach Phil bellowed. "Give me a lap! Both of you!"
Jasmine and Phoebus handed the coach their rackets then jogged across the grass to the track to run the lap.
"Totally worth it," Jasmine told Phoebus.
Phoebus chuckled and shook his head. "I didn't know you had it in you. What did the new girl do to you, anyway?"
"She's Aladdin's ex-girlfriend. Aladdin's still friends with her and he wants me to be friends with her, too."
"Odd situation."
Jasmine snorted. "You're telling me. I hate it. It's only the second day of school and it seems like everything is out of balance."
Phoebus pulled slightly ahead of Jasmine as they rounded the first corner. He waited for her to catch up before saying, "Like Esmeralda."
"You've noticed the change in her, too?"
Phoebus nodded. "I left her at the diner last night after we got into a disagreement about the paparazzi following her around. I told her I didn't like it and she thought I was being unreasonable."
"Fame has a way of changing people."
Phoebus was quiet as they rounded the final turn. Finally he said, "If she doesn't change back, I'm gonna have to end things with her. I don't like who she's become."
"Have you told her that?"
"No. If I tell her, she'll just think I'm giving her an ultimatum. I'm just gonna let things play out."
They finished the lap and came to a stop. "I'm sure she'll come around. Fifteen minutes of fame always come to an end eventually," Jasmine told him.
Phoebus sighed as they walked back towards the tennis courts. "She's talented and deserves to be successful. She just needs to change her behavior."
Jasmine stopped him. "Hey. Do you wanna ditch our significant others tonight and Netflix The Walking Dead together?"
"That sounds great, actually."
Jasmine nodded in agreement. "Great. Come over for dinner and I'll get a pizza. But, leave your phone at home. We're gonna have a completely Esmeralda-and-Aladdin-free night."