This is quite long... a Cassidy moment with you-know-who-or-not :)

Enjoy!!!!

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Chapter 9 - Turn The Tables || Cassidy's POV

"Suspended." 

That's the only thing I understand at what Mr. Ricarpo said.

"You can't," I said, shaking my head. This is worse than cleaning the art room every day. The guys and girls, a.k.a. the popular, witnessed me getting suspended.

"What makes you think I can't?" Mr. Ricarpo challenged me.

I can hear the girls giggle about something they were whispering about and the boys looked as uncomfortable as ever.

"I need to speak to you. Privately," I said, looking at the other people inside the room that isn't me and Mr. Ricarpo.

"Please?" I added.

Mr. Ricarpo didn't say anything against my decision so he asked them politely to get the out of his office. For the first time, it wasn't me who was nervous on talking alone to Mr. Ricarpo about something bad, it was him.

"What are you planning on? Make sure it isn't dangerous, hurtful, involves with crying-" Mr. Ricarpo asked.

"No. It won't. I promise. I would tell you something in exchange of not suspending me." I smiled at him.

"What on Earth are you talking about? What would that something can make me change my mind?" he asked, clearly not trusting me.

This is the part I take advantage of what I have against the people - the guys - who betrayed me.

"Well, what if I told you a secret about what the boys have been doing while they left me alone cleaning the art class last time? I bet no one told you that right, they only tell you bad things about me which clearly is unfair that I get suspended, don't you think so, Mr. Ricarpo?" I said.

"What are you talking about?" he said with more interested.

"Well, I would only tell you if you keep it a secret," I said with my knowing smile. I feel like selling drugs to someone, I have this evil smile and Mr. Ricarpo looks like an innocent kid falling for my charms.

"Yeah, yeah, what is it?" he agreed. Seriously, I think he is the reason why the students at Desden High aren't very good with discipline. I'm thinking of even letting him replaced by a better Principal, but I kept that thought to myself since I can take advantage of him sometimes.

"Remember how you said no party allowed during weekday nights that involved with drugs, well, that's where the guys went when they left me alone for Stella's party," I filled him in.

He was quiet for a while and stared at me. "I don't trust you," he said. I was taken aback after I told him something other people wouldn't then said those words to me.

"You have to. It's true. I have witnesses," I said, biting my lip, not wanting my friends to blame.

Mr. Ricarpo looked at me for minutes, trying to find something suspicious.

"Well, since you have never brought up about witnessing something as bad as this to blame someone, I believe you," he said finally.

"You do?" I asked, not sure if he was tricking me.

"If you don't want me to believe you-" he said while turning away from my attention to other stuffs.

"No, no. Forget that I said that," I said, taking back my words.

"I need more information before doing any actions like suspending them," he said with more business-type talk.

"Oh. Well, that's all I know," I said, sadly. I'm regretting tuning out when Clarissa was telling us about the details of the party because I'm not interested.

"So, the guys skipped their punishment and let you clean the art class alone. That's breaking the rule number one. They went on a party on a weekday with drugs, that's breaking the rule number two. They didn't stop the party, that's breaking the rule number three. They didn't admit that they did that, instead they kept it a secret; it's breaking the rule number four. They -" Mr. Ricarpo kept on talking and talking and I almost got bored and I couldn't catch on how many rules the guys have broken but there's one thing I'm sure of.

I don't have anything against the boys now. Well, it sucks.

I can see Xavier talking to a girl with wavy blonde hair and wearing a low cut shirt. The girl was totally flirting with him but the worse thing was that Xavier was giving what she wanted. Bleh. I turned my attention to Reese talking about cars but I can't help but observe why the girl would wear something like that to impress guys. She's wearing everything shorter than my outfit yesterday!

I rolled my eyes and finally came with a conclusion so I can move on to listening Reese.

My attention was averted when a-guy-who-left-his-girl-with-a-disappointing-smile came over to us.

"You," Xavier Princeton said while pointing his finger at me. I stared at his finger and giving him a confused look.

"What about her?" Reese asked.

"Me?" Clarissa said as she turned around from her locker.

"No, her," Josh said behind Xavier.

"Oh, her," Clarissa replied.

"Yes, her," Reese clarified.

"Okay, it's me, I get it. Stop with the hers," I snapped.

"Sorry,"my friend mumbled.

"Why did you mention it to Mr. Ricarpo?" Xavier said as he pulled me away from my friends. My arms hurt a little from his force so I try to escape from his strong hands and glared at him. Could this man be any more gentleman?

I ripped my arms from his hold and glared at him.

"You guys left me with no choice," I said, crossing my arms.

"What choice?" Jack asked. They are now from two boys into six boys. The guys.

"You guys didn't tell the truth. So I'm just letting Mr. Ricarpo listen something that is true." I raised my eyebrows.

The boys were left speechless, not knowing what to say as I rolled my eyes. "Now if you guys can just move away -" I said as I passed through their big bodies.

"No," Connor said as he didn't move from his spot, making me stuck in my place. It was the first time he said something to me since the incident of disagreeing to let him help me.

"What's the problem?" I asked tiredly, but trying to cover it up with my strict voice.

"The problem is why did you let us get suspended? Do you know what will happen if you get into trouble with us? I bet you-" Connor said but I cut him off.

"If you guys haven't notice, I have been with a lot of trouble actually that was started by you guys. And you guys don't control me so I can do whatever I want," I said and shoved them as I walked pass through them, but I was not in luck as their bodies didn't move a bit.

I feel like I'm in prison. Is this what it feels like to be locked up with guys who hate you?

"What is it now?" I exclaimed.

"Take back what you said to Mr. Ricarpo," Asher said. They were making things harder than I thought. At least I did something right and honest.

"No," I said courageously. Plus, Mr. Ricarpo wouldn't believe me if I said I was lying, so there's really no point of going back.

"If you didn't we will -" Xavier started.

"What? Make more lies? Yeah right, as if Mr. Ricarpo will believe you guys now that you guys are suspended," I said with a grin. Well, suspended with me. But I was suspended for the wrong reasons which is not the case with them.

Suddenly, I heard the bell ring and I can see fewer students in the hallway. The guys noticed, too, and they left me and Xavier dealing the problem alone.

I try to side step to make way, but Xavier is miming me. I let out an exasperated sigh and close my eyes. Is this ever going to end?

I looked at him with dangerous eyes as I move to the left, which he did the same. I moved to the right then quickly moved to the left, but again, having the stamina of a basketball player, he didn't let me win.

"Have you ever heard of revenge, Mr. Playboy?" I asked him with amusing smile, remembering him talking to the girl who wears little clothes.

"You know, those tricks of flirting with poor girls and just dumping them the next morning just sucks, you know. Sorry for my language, by the way, I know your mother tries to keep you censored with bad words like that," I said giving him a pity look.

"So you notice me a lot, I see." He clenched his jaw. "I didn't know you find me awfully interesting and attractive if I must add," he said, replacing his anger with a smile. I glared at him but to only see a dark hole in his eyes.

"Interesting to look at how a guy like you could not treat girls the same as how you treat Stella and company. And you're the last person whom I will call attractive; I've seen better," I said, making sure his big ego won't get any bigger. Truthfully, I have seen guys more attractive than the guy standing in front of me but it's because of Clarissa's bedroom full of posters of dudes. Who are celebrities like Francisco Lachowski.

"You don't know anything about me so you don't have the right to say that, young lass," he pointed out. I was taken aback at his answer but I tried to keep my cool and acted like I didn't heard what he said.

"Careful with your words, who knows what might come out on my mouth when Mr. Ricarpo hear more bad stuffs about you guys," I said, not liking he just called me a young lass. Nothing about me is lass, I'm a very grown up woman who can stand up for herself and others. He's the one who's supposed to be called a lad.

"Then tell him, I'm not scared," he said.

"Oh, I would. But I was waiting for a time where I can take advantage of it. For now, I'm okay already with what you guys deserve," I sneered.

I can see his nostrils flaring and his hand taking action to punch me but he was controlling it as if not wanting to hurt me. He is showing his true devil side.

"You know, you can just beg for my forgiveness and I can help you guys," I reminded him, patting his cheek and walked away.

But he gripped my hand so hard that I winced my eyes and he pushed me to the wall.

"I started the game so I'm finishing it, Jones." Xavier came closer to me letting our nose touch, "you'll be sorry for messing with us," he whispered on my ears. It's more like hissing. 

He left me dumbfounded there at the hall and walked towards our class. I try to relax myself and let my heart race back to normal. To say I am angry is an understatement. I am outraged. I closed my eyes until I have a normal pace of breathing.

Once I heard the second bell, I ran towards the class and as I entered the room, I saw Xavier's face immediately flirting with another girl. I turned away from him with my fist clenching as Mr. Cabrera, my English Literature teacher, told me to sit down.

"Miss Jones. Miss Jones. Miss Jones!" Mr. Cabrera said as he tried to get my attention.

"Sir?" I asked him, getting back to the reality.

"Explain to me chapter twenty of the Romeo and Juliet," he said.

I looked at my book that is on chapter sixteen and quickly moved the pages. Mr. Cabrera noticed me not being attentive and shook his head.

"Stand for the whole period, Miss Jones. And start listening." he walked back to his table and started explaining.

I sighed in relief, not wanting another meeting with Mr. Ricarpo. I look back at my drawing that was on the corner of the page at chapter sixteen and narrowed my eyes.

Tit for Tat.

I admired my work that was designed with swords, axes, fire, death, stuff like that.

If flats are "in" this season of fashion as what Clarissa said a while ago, well revenge is definitely "in" for the entire year for Cassidy Jones.

"Stop with the devil smile," Clarissa said, ruining my moment. I rolled my eyes and moving on with chapter twenty-three.

"Sssh," Reese shushed us. If there's one person on every group of friends that helps you keep away from danger, it's Reese. A guy out of the girls. I know.

"What are you planning now?" Clarissa whispered to me. I told her what happened a while ago and she seemed quite eager of my revenge plan. I tried to bend down a little since I can't hear her perfectly because I am standing up.

"I don't know yet, but when I do, I'll tell you," I whispered back. If there's the chaperon to every party, then there's the DJ that keeps the party going, and that's Clarissa.

Whenever Clarissa agreed on something I planned, Reese always says that it won't turn out good, which I never listened to him because I already know that.

Helping with kids in the middle of fight won't turn out good. Punching the guy's face won't turn out good. Meeting up with the popular ladies after school won't turn out good. Involving to the people planning on embarrassing someone won't turn out good. Still, who was there to contrast Reese? That's right, my partner in crime, Clarissa. Although she's a little bit girly girl, she screams when she sees a spider ten feet away; she has a very good sight, what more can she handle on punching a guy's nose? But Clarissa was my cheerleader in times of need like this.

While I have no idea what will happen next on my plan, for the first time since today, I listened to what Mr. Cabrera's speech.

"Ms. Jones, report to my office. Now," The speaker blasted.

"What did he want?" Reese asked. We were sitting in our tree when the Principal ruined my calm relaxation.

"Probably another punishment," Clarissa sighed. I stood up and removed some grass from my pants as I start to walk away. "Gotta go, bye guys!" I waved at them.

I tried to hide my surprise because I'm not used to being called through speakers because that meant that everyone in the school heard my name being called. I didn't hide my embarrassment, instead, I walked with my head a bit high. I hurried to Mr. Ricarpo's office, wondering why he would call me out of nowhere. I don't think there's another punishment since none of the guys told me a while ago.

I knocked at the door two times before I heard a familiar voice, "Come in."

I saw the boys sitting on the couch already and rolling their eyes.

"Sit down, please," Mr. Ricarpo said, not removing his eyes from what he's looking at his desk.

"Is there a problem, sir?" I asked politely, not wanting any trouble or punishment.

"Yes, we have been waiting for you for half an hour and still you haven't come," he said.

Who's we? And why are they waiting for me? Is something happening that I don't know-

"They didn't tell me that I was meeting you today," I said as soon as I realized what he was saying.

"I told you a while ago to meet Mr. Ricarpo's office exactly after class before recess; I'm pretty sure Mr. Ricarpo saw it on his CCTV a while ago while waiting for you. You should have followed us when we exited the classroom so you wouldn't go here late," Xavier scoffed.

"W-what? Mr. Ricarpo that's not--"

"Enough. What's important is that you're here now," Mr. Ricarpo said, finally diverting his attention to us.

I saw Xavier smirked and I growled at him. I knew it! They intentionally didn't tell me so I would get in trouble and Mr. Ricarpo would get mad at me. He would believe Xavier, of course, as I remembered that Xavier and I were alone at his CCTV. I hate it that I can't really say anything against him. There's enough proof (or lies *cough*) as what Mr. Ricarpo would say when I deny it.

How can the guy that offered me a ride and said goodbye to me be the same guy as I am seeing now? Bleh, erase erase. Good thing I didn't just act like one of the girls at class. I knew it there's something suspicious about the guys.

"I want you guys to help the event for the Spelling Bee Contest that you guys helped decorating, wait, and did you guys helped on that part?" Mr. Ricarpo asked.

"Yes," The guys said with an irritating voice. They all stressed the word yes and I couldn't help but smile a little at their sad impression by the Principal. I sat solemnly at the chair in front of Mr. Ricarpo, wanting this whole ordeal to end. I can't wait to get out of this wrath.

"Okay, that event will happen in an hour, sorry for the short notice but unexpectedly they are lacking in helpers because others are sick," he said. Sick? The weather is fine, it's not raining. Why are they sick? Aren't they taking vitamins or something?

"How could they all be sick at the same time?" Asher asked but Mr. Ricarpo chose to ignore his question and kept on talking.

"So, you guys have to be at the gym as soon as possible and the program would take three hours max. So can I count on you guys?" Mr. Ricarpo asked, as if we have a choice. Which we never have since this is all part of our punishment.

We all nod at his offer and before I exited the office, I noticed another thing about Mr. Ricarpo, he also likes unicorns.

"Microphones, check. Tables, check. Pencils, check. Waters, check. Folders, check. Audio, check. Chairs, check. Backstage people, check. And who are you guys suppose to be?" Fallilah asked, still looking at her checklist.

"Helpers," I said cheerfully, hoping she would get my sarcastic respond.

She must have noticed us now and took her attention away from her checklist. She gave us a heartwarming smile, which I was grateful for at least someone appreciated my presence. "Oh, hey! Okay, you guys can stay over the east side. Extras, check!" Fallilah said.

We all went to the east side. The boys have been ignoring me and if they do talk to me, they would put out a rude act, knowing that I have nothing something against them make me feel back to normal with no powers. But I was happy that they weren't being all nice to me because that creeps me out. I'm used to them getting along with me and then arguing the next second.

"Hey! Are you guys going to help us again?" Laura asked. We just shrugged out shoulders while the other boys flirt with her. I rolled my eyes and folded my arms at my chest.

"Wow, Mr. Ricarpo wasn't kidding when he said you guys like to volunteer." Laura smiled gratefully at us.

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Nick winked at Laura. Here we go again.

"Nothing so far. But you guys can go to the audio in case there's a problem," Laura replied, obviously not hinting that Nick was flirting with her.

Nick glanced at the guys and nodded at them."Sure. Come on guys." They all followed him except for me as I stood loyally to Laura.

"Well, who's going to help me here if you all go?" Laura pouted. I gave her a knowing look that I will help but I'm guessing she likes the idea of a guy doing things for her. Maybe I prefer Fallilah than Laura now.

"Nomer?" Laura asked, looking at Connor. The guys laughed at Connor's another nickname made by Laura while I tried to hide mine.

"It's Connor." Connor smiled at her.

"Great! Thanks for helping me, now you guys can go now. Shoo shoo." Laura shooed them as she instructed us what to do.

Connor gave me an I-did-not-even-agree-on-her look but I gave him a do-not-let-her-down look. I think he got the message because when Laura was looking at Connor, he gave her an assuring smile.

"Okay," We both said to Laura.

Connor and I were instructed to stay beside Laura in case of emergencies like she might ask us to find the contestants if they are not here on time or bring more water if it runs out. I think we need to be physically fit to run around places and go back here immediately.

"I wonder what the guys' jobs are if we're the slaves," Connor said to me.

I gave him a shocked look. Is he really talking to me? One moment he was ignoring me and hating me then next thing I know he was talking to me like I was one of his buddies.

"What?" Connor gave me a questioning look.

"You're talking to me," I said in deadpanned. I raised my eyebrow to check if it's some kind of a joke or act. He gave me the same look then sighed.

"So? I only act like one of them when they're around." Connor rolled his eyes.

Things just got way to cliche. "W-what?" I stammered. I don't understand. I know I read it somewhere in books wherein people acts fake just to make people appreciate them, but I'm not sure about it in reality since I never met anyone fake... yet. Wait, why is he honest with me? Is this another trick? I've been fooled once, I'm not letting them fool me twice.

"I'm not that ignorant person as you would thought I am. I only act like it if I'm with the guys. You know, to act tough," he said with a boring tone. He put his hands each on his pockets and tip toed, not looking at me anymore.

The gym was busy with people all talking in their walkie-talkies. I just watched them all move around while I'm here doing nothing. "Why?" I asked curiously. It's not everyday to see someone losen up their act if this is even real.

"Seriously, you don't know?" he asked me. After a few seconds, I shook my head, not sure what he was going to say next.

"You know, guys try to show off that he's tough especially when he's with his friends. To show off, really," he informed me as he ran through his brown hair, I can see his muscles on his arm and I can't help but look at it. I can see a bump on it and I tried to look away quickly. I think his muscles are larger than Reese's.

"I bet yours is bigger," he muttered, looking at my arms.

"Huh?" I was confused.

"You got bigger muscles, so don't go all whiny talk with me on why I have smaller ones." He rolled his eyes.

"You... you thought that I have--" I didn't bother continuing as I found myself laughing at what he said.

Did they really though I was that muscular? Wait, was he the one who wrote that on my paper?

"This isn't pretty much what you expected, right?" I showed him my muscles, not that big, but I'm working on it. I don't know what came through me; I haven't been this open to someone before. I didn't even talk about my muscles with Reese and Clarissa. It's just weird to talk to them about it. One, Clarissa is not interested on muscles unless it's on guys. Two, Reese hate being defeated when it comes to guy stuffs and being muscular so when one time we both checked if who's larger, that was not repeated because his ego was gone by that time and started to work out twice now.

Maybe Connor talking about acting-macho made me feel open, too. We laughed as we joked about who's more muscular and who would win if we did fight physically.

Maybe if I go with the flow, I'll get to know ahead of what the guys are planning. Connor might be their spy and making me fall again for their traps. "How many days are you suspended?" I said, changing the subject. I looked at my shoes, trying to avoid his gaze as I can feel his eyes at mine.

"Why do you want to know?" He raised his eyebrow.

"Never mind." I rolled my eyes. I thought we were losing the tension, but I thought wrong. My plan needs to be working.

"We didn't," he said in a low voice.

"What? Why not? I mean, how could you guys-" I started but he puts out his hand.

"Let me finish. We weren't really doing drugs, as what you said to the Principal, and we didn't really left you alone because you have friends with you. And it was not Stella or Sheena's party," he said. After he silenced me by putting his finger on my lips, I was left dumbfounded.

"We promised not to do it again and he let us free," he finished then removed his finger from my lips.

"How dare you put your dirty finger on my lips?" I would say. But I didn't. Instead, I thought of how they didn't get suspended. Maybe they got warned only, but for all I know, our Principal is very strict when it comes to rules.

After coming back to reality, I gave him a dirty look and wiped my lips with the cloth of my shirt.

I said nothing to him in case I might say something wrong; I liked him being not prissy at me even if it was just for show. Maybe if I stopped retorting things I would normally say to the guys at him, we would be civil for once.

And suddenly, there was a loud screeching scream.

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a u t h o r ' s  n o t e : 

How do you feel about Cassidy softening her guard a little to Connor? :o

Anyway, enough drama, the picture above is what Xavier look like whilst flirting a girl =') And you guys can vote, comment, or just smile because life is pretty a beautiful disaster.

sourire ! It's French for smile.  

"...and he smiled a lot. The smile did not mean that he was happy. It meant he was stronger than most people, and that he intended to take advantage of it."  ― Michael Cadnum, Flash