Content
The following is a T rated drama suitable for ages 13, depicting vulgar language and slurs, and moderate physical violence and bleeding.
The familiar, blaring ringing of the school bell brought about mixed feelings for the students of Roseville High. Often times, it was a signal that the students were late and had to suffer the teacher's scoldings or tallied up tardies, or having to transition from a not so bad period to an actual boring one. Or worse, an already very boring one to nothing but Snoozeville. This sentiment was shared by much of the school, but this time it was a great big relief since it was almost 3 P.M, when school was letting out. After completing the mountains of homework sheets, essays, and group projects they'd get, or doing all their parents chores, or even working, they'd have any remaining time of the day free. Either that, or they could go home and slack off playing video games or skateboarding, waiting till after they finished dinner at nine to even start, racing against the clock to rush through homework and get the online assignments done before 11:59, and if they could only get those done, they'd have to wake up early or just show up empty handed. Normally, the time made no difference to the white and cream colored known as Camilla, who cheerfully and optimistically marched out of English IV carrying her binders in her hands, her smile and excitement growing so wide it might as well have matched the width of the pink tail bow she sported.
'Is it weird that I want so badly to go home and do my homework?' she thought. who would never consider the goofing off till she got all her assignments done as quickly and efficiently as possible, a trait she learned from her mother. If only she could convince Marco and Kyle to do the same. Not that her friends didn't get their work done, but they'd enjoy skateboarding much more if they didn't have to trush to get it done that night. 'Oh well, to each their own.' she thought again. 'Every day, every blaring ring of the bell, every assignment done, and every good grade to pair with it was a step closer to graduation!' She was excited, though she knew others weren't as much. Her classmates complained about the burdening responsibility, having to grow up, search for jobs, find scholarships. Mostly as a result of being grilled by their parents who ranged from helpful and well-meaning, to strict, and even harsh. Luckily Camilla's only influences were a mix of the former two, mostly leaning towards the first. With her head going to graduation, another thought hit her.
'Speaking of graduation, it really sucks that Jeremiah isn't here. He did not deserve what he got.'. Despite being fairly close to the student council, the school still had a long way to go before it was more open and welcoming. She had a lot of great friends, but there were also the crowds who treated her and her closest friends differently. Their attractions, their likes, their sexualities. It's not like they chose to be how they were, though it wasn't just that. There was always something different about her, something that she couldn't quite take her mind off of.
A fellow student and male cat walked up behind her, geeking out about how unique George Orwell's 1984 was. Camilla was lost in a train of thought. She couldn't quite put her finger on what made her and her friends so different. 'Am I overthinking this? I know we're adopted but like, we look so much like our parents.'. Every time she brought up the subject to her moms, they would just dismiss it as coincidence, admiring her curiosity and intrigue. But could she really settle for-
"Camilla?" said the raised voice.
She turned her attention to Seiki, who had a bright smile on his face when her's turned into a frown. "Is everything okay?" he said, his expression and voice taking a tone of concern.
"Oh, yeah everything is fine." she replied. It wasn't completely true, sure her life was great but aspects of it were shrouded in mystery, she couldn't shake the gut feeling that they were in desperate need of clarity.
"Well, I just gotta tell ya how wacky it was that Wintson and Julia were basically having sex for months before getting caught. And what's the deal with all the rats? Plus it's crazy that they're like the only animals left, except for pigs. I don't know what the hell pig iron is. Like is it made from pigs? Ya know?" he says pausing, before continuing. "Sorry, I hope I'm not talking too much. It's just so interesting."
Camilla chuckled. "Hehe yeah, don't worry, it's quite alright. Also, interesting? I see you dose off every three chapters. Even the teacher stopped walking you up.". Seiki frowns with guilt.
"Oh, yeah but, you sure find it interesting and that's good enough for me." he says with his face beaming.
Camilla reciprocated the expression. She felt a bit ashamed that a part of her found Seiki annoying, his intrigue often great, but still admired it. He was at least trying to take an interest in something he wasn't fond of just to talk to her.
"Yeah, though technically that's just what it's called after it's smelted. It's a metal, no pig in it." she replied. "It's supposed to be a symbol of the INGSOC Party's propogandic control, but the main characters still defy it. It's too bad it's all for noth-" she stops.
"Wait, what do you mean?"
"Oh, sorry, guess that was a spoiler. Well they get captured by O'Brian at the end and painfully rehabilitated. Figure I might as well save you the trouble." she said smiling.
"Oh, ohh really? What a bummer. Well I guess now I don't have to read the rest of it."
"Oh no, you're still reading it, and I'll tutor you for the upcoming assignments if I have to. You're going to ace all the quizzes!" she said with motivation, a sign that her bond with Seiki was growing a bit stronger than before. Still, she didn't think she could ever reciprocate his feelings. One day she'd have to let him down with that. Hopefully she could do so gently. They were both so caught up in conversation with each other than the tall figure who quickly shot in front of him. They jumped in fear when he slammed his hand in the lockers to their right.
"Ya thought I wouldn't find you bitch?" said the intimidating, tall dog. Camilla knew him all too well. He was a whole foot taller than the others despite being in their same grade, only making them more fearful. "V- Vero, please, don't do this."
Elsewhere, two half-abyssinians approached a hallway intersection preparing to meet with the rest of their friend group. Well, almost all, as Jeremiah wasn't there to join.
"Come on, man!" Said Juli, the siamese-abyssinian mixed girl said, now basically whining to her half brother. "It's like so annoying, every time we have to go home and I have to hear you whining about how you'll never have a chance with her, when you didn't even ask her!"
"Well, I want to. I really do." replied Marco shyly but in a louder tone than usual. she means the world to me and if there's any chance we all split by graduation it'll just be more awkward to have to ask over Skype."
"So why don't you just tell her now?"
"Well, I don't want her to say no! It's, selfish I know. But whether we all stay together or split off, it'll hurt just hearing it. I think I'd rather we just stay friends. No need to ruin what we have now."
"Are you really going to be fine with that?"
Before the two could continue, the sound of yelling interupted caught their attention. Juli fast walked, then ran, with Marco following behind her. The two turned the corner of the hall, seeing the source of the yelling to the tall dog.
"Oh? Why not? This is the second time you blew me off!" Vero yelled, raising his voice. The surrounding students continued to mind their own business. Nobody but a few caring to do anything more than watch and whisper. "I told your ass that my dad's going to lose his shit if I fail chemistry! You are not going home till these fucking retard reactions!"
"Redox reactions" Camilla shyly corrected under her breath in a force of habit, only to be met with Vero charging up to her, grasping her by the shoulders and pulling her forcefully to his face. "Listen to me you fucking nerd, I don't care what you call it, just get it done!" he screams as he slams her onto the lockers, causing her to lose footing and fall. Her scared feline friend finally spoke up at the sight of the girl he loved being attacked.
"Leave her alone-" slap!
Seiki's vigor is cut off in an instant when he falls to the ground. His vision briefly blurs, and he notices in the corner of his eye that his glasses is cracked. He crawls back to get distance, still too stunned to get up.
"Some knight in shining armor you are." Vero said before turning to Camilla, who was now trying to get up. Vero grabbed her by the arms to force her up. "I think you're going to be of more use than just chemistry problems." he says, smiling sinisterly as he moves closer to her face. Camilla closes her eyes and tries to move her face. Just then, a screaching wail accompanies the fist that slugs Vero on the left of his face, sending him falling to the ground. Camilla staggers back hitting the lockers, briefly panting before looking up at her rescuer.
Juli heaves a sigh, but turns to Camilla. "Need a hand?" she asks, her demeanor flipping from rageful to calm in an instant. Camilla stares blushing briefly before snapping out of her trance.
"Whoa, oh yeah, thanks!" she says taking Juli's hand. She quickly gets behind Juli and Marco, who comforts and tens to her. Although flustered, she's more surprised to see her putting up a fight. This wasn't good. None of them wanted to be in Jeremiah's situation. Her disciplinary and academic record didn't need a bad rap, especially with graduation appropaching.
Vero coughs, wiping his lips only to see drops of blood on his hands. "UGHHH, AGAIN?" he shouts as he quickly gets up. "I'll make you pay for that you little shit!"
Despite the hit, Juli would be lying to herself if she thought the tall and fit dog rising up didn't scare her. He was usually her source of gossip for the lastest drama in their grade, but being involved in the gossip was another issue. Vero groans and runs, charging at her. Juli takes a few steps back, holding her hands up. The dog pulls back his arm ready to swing. As he's a foot away, instinct kicks in. Juli's arms motion upward to create a block, catching Vero's arm. In a moment Juli swiftly elbows him in the jaw. His head looks to the ceiling as he falls again hard on his head. The three notice Seiki sitting on the floor, watching in awe. Vero puts his elbows on the floor, lifting his upper body. Not having it, Juli marches forth and stomps her foot into the bully's face. He would never mess with them again.
"Hey, I saw that!" The group turned to look at the staff member, except it wasn't just any ordinary one, but rather the same who disciplined Jeremiah. He walks up to see Vero dazed and groaning in pain on the floor. He watches briefly in pity, and turns angrily to Juli. "You're coming with me, right now."
"But he attacked my friends!" Juli argued.
"He'll be disciplined, but that doesn't give you the right to assault him when he's down. You escalated the situation, and there will be consequences for this."
"Dad told me to fight back, and I'm done putting up with his shit. Someone has to stand up to-"
"That's enough, and and that's what you said when one of your friends got suspended, yet last week you said that you'd tell your peers to ignore him. So unless your dad is giving you contradictory advice, I suggest you make up your mind. Principle's office, now!"
Principle's Office; An Hour Later
"I have to say, I wasn't entirely sure why your daughter couldn't keep her stories about her parental advice straight, now it's become clear."
The principle stared down the abyssinian and siamese who sat in the awkward silence of the room. Two very different vibes emitted from them, the former having an expression that can only be described as pissed off. The latter, frowning in worry about the consequential discipline.
"Principle, she-" Augustus was cut off.
"Did the right thing." Abbey said as he abruptly stood up. "That kid's done this several times before, Juli told me all about him and he gets away with this almost every day!"
"That's why it's our job to discipline him, that doesn't give any student the right bully back even harder." replied The Principle.
"She was defending her friends, and frankly she's done more for this school in a minute than you and the other staff members all year! Every time you give Vero detention he just comes out the same, and you've always tolerated his bullying. You even suspended Jeremiah instead of him! When are you going to take some real action? "
"Hmph, I can see insolence runs in the family." he replied. Augustus quickly reaches up to hold Abbey back when steps forward with his fists balled up. "I need to firmly enforce the school's rules." the Principle continued.
"If I keep letting your's and your friend's violent children on the loose without discipline they'll just recklessly repeat this incident. I've already had enough complaints from Vero's parents and I don't need any further trouble with them. They and I are working together to take the necessary steps to work together and resolve Vero's behavior.
"Yeah, if you call lining your pockets with dirty money "resolving"."
"That will be all. My decision to suspend Juli for the week is final. I do hope you can do the same with your little miracle. Though, we can't really call her your miracle if you want to be technical." he said smuggly.
Augusutus felt like his hand would burn just from Abbey's blood boiling under his skin. "We'll do what we can, we both promise to talk to her, right Abbey?" he says, cupping Abbey's right cheek and turning him to face him. Abbey couldn't help but be taken in my Augustus' gentle smile.
"Yeah, we don't want any trouble. We'll take our leave, and talk to her." Abbey said complying. Abbey gently let down Augustus' hand and quickly walked out the office room with his husband following. Augustus sees Abbey turned away from him, letting out a deep sigh. Abbey turns around.
"I can't believe you did that you just, sucked up to him." he says, waving his arms gesturing.
"Because he was right about one thing. People don't take kindly to physical attacks. Sometimes talking them down and convincing them is the only way, though, I see it's going to take a while with him."
Abbey sighed in frustration again. "I've never felt so tempted to kick someone's ass in a long time. He'll never be verbally convinced, he'll just keep villifying our children while letting the real bully get away." Augustus puts his hands on Abbey's shoulders, looking at him face to face.
"Be that as it may, if we go in there yelling and threatening the only ones who will get in trouble is us. Juli will be able to come back after the suspension, and hopefully Vero won't bother them again. We'll just have to hope he got humbled enough to not do this again. They don't have much longer till they graduate Abbey, so we won't have to put up with him for long either.". Augustus wasn't wrong, and as much as Abbey loved him he hated that he had to accept that. He felt so helpless, that his daughter was being punished for standing up for her vulnerable friend, and that their bully was getting away scott free, again. But his advice would have to do. He forced a smile and put his hand on Augustus' neck, planting a kiss on the smiling siamese.
"Alright, we'll do it your way. Let's just hope everything works out.". The two proceed to walk outside the main entance to find Juli, waiting at a bench.
"You know, she's almost of age. You think we should tell her? You know, about how she was born? She's a miracle in more ways than one?" Abbey asks.
"It, would be nice, but there's a lot of risk in that too. Maybe one day…" Augustus replies.
Adaptation of the stories and characters of Bittersweet Candy Bowl by Veronica Vera; Pride Tree, and Weird Science by Robert "CometESwooze"; and Bittersweet Remix by Spacecorn.
Characters Camilla, Mikayla, Marco, Jeremiah, Kyle, Juli, were created by Baxter and named by Spacecorn, who created Seiki and Vero.