"Don't worry, Omera. At least, Mr. Howell is chaperoning."

"What? How do you know that?" I question her. She offers me the sign-up slip and I scan it quickly. I spot Mr. Howell's name amongst them, and I don't know if I even want him there. I'm basically going to be the janitor for all these students, it isn't the most attractive thing.

"I didn't know Mr. Howell's first name was Dan." Maci states as she reads his name as well.

"Oh I knew that." I shrug off as I read the description for each of the days. He told me back when we were talking on the bleachers, right before he broke things off.

"How did you know that?" She asks in curiosity.

"I asked." I state quickly, I didn't want to give away too much information. Maci is way too honest to ever lie, if I ever told her it would be like telling the principal. I take my eyes off the paper and look at her. I didn't want to seem rude for not paying attention, she's like my only friend here.

Maci is the only friend I have that is sweet,
innocent, and selfless. I don't know why I like her better than all my other friends back at home, I've know her for only a few weeks. I look at her, studying her features in admiration. If she notices my stare, she doesn't show it.

"He told you? He doesn't tell anyone his name." Maci states in a bit of disbelief.

Before I could respond Mrs. Wickenburg orders us to make our way to the lunchroom, Maci and I stand up. We exit the auditorium without a word, the only noise made is Maci gasping as I trip a girl.

"I'm skipping lunch." I tell her as I begin looking through my bag for my room keys. Maci stares at the black combat boots I began wearing instead of the regular flats.

"What? Why?" Maci questions as she grabs my arm.

"I don't want to go?" I state as if I'm questioning it myself.

"Lunch is mandatory." Maci tries convincing me not to break the rules.

"So? What more trouble could I get into?" I reply with a shrug. She doesn't seem to have an argument back.

"Ms. Williams, you must attend lunch." Mr. Howell says from behind me, I turn quickly and roll my eyes when I see the brunette teacher by his side.

"I'm not hungry, Sir." I reply as I keep looking in my bag for my key.

"That does not matter, Omera. You have to attend lunch." Mr. Howell sighs as he watches me digging around my bag.

I finally pull my key out of my bag. "What will happen if I decide to ignore you?"

"Young lady, get to lunch." The brunette says with a harsh tone as if she expects me to run away in fear. I pause and slowly shift my gaze to her.

"Can you piss off?" I snap at her with a bit of edge in my tone.

"Excuse me?" She asks in disbelief.

"This doesn't seem to be your business." I say motioning between Mr. Howell and I, she looks lost for words. I don't think teachers have been treated this badly before, the teacher and Maci can't seem to believe it. Mr. Howell just casually puts his hands in his pockets with a bored expression. He's probably used to all the disrespect from me.

"Young lady, you do not talk to your teachers like that." The brunette responds at a loss for words.

"And you don't step into people's business, that common sense." I snap back with attitude. She gives me a angry look and before she could respond Maci speaks.

"Oh my god, Ms. Lilian I am so sorry. Omera is also sorry, right Omera?" Maci panics at the scene.

"Not really, no." I quickly answer. I look back at Ms. Lilian. "Can you leave? Why are you
still here?" I ask her. I wouldn't be rude to her if I wasn't completely jealous that Mr. Howell might like her. If he did there's no way he does now with the blank stare he's giving her.

"I have never met such a rude girl in my life." Ms. Lilian says in anger as she tries finding more things to say.

"Okay...?" I reply with no interest. She clenches her fist and angrily stomps her foot. Mr. Howell cracks a bit of a smile and she notices right away.

"You think this is funny?" Ms. Lilian accuses him. Before he could defend himself, Mrs. Wickenburg exits the auditorium.

She quickly noticed the scene. "What is going on here?"

"Well I-" Ms. Lilian begins to say but I step in front of her.

"Mr. Howell was addressing the fact that I had to attend lunch, then she gets into my business. I told her to give me privacy but she began throwing a tandrum." I quickly accuse. My father told me that people believe the first thing they hear so I make sure that my story gets out first.

"That is not true, she was trying to skip lunch and I was assisting Mr. Howell in confronting her." Ms. Lilian argues back, I shake my head quickly.

"It was my business, ma'am. Mr. Howell didn't ask for assistance, so she shouldn't get involved in things that don't concern her." I reason calmly with her. I run my fingers through my dark hair as I talk.

"She does have a valid point." Mr. Howell comments. Ms. Lilian looks at him with a glare, which he responds to with a shrug.

"Ms. Brooks, who do you think is right?" The principal asks Maci. Her eyes widen in shock, her mouth hangs open a bit in surprise.

"Why are you asking her? What importance does she serve?" Ms. Lilian pathetically whines as she points a finger in Maci's direction.

"Ms. Brooks is an excellent and honest student. She's been the president of student government for the last two years. I trust her judgement." Mrs. Wickenburg praises Maci but this seems to add to her panic.

How funny, Maci and I are complete opposites. She might be the best behaved student and I'm the worst.

Maci looks like a deer caught in headlights."I-I...."

"Ms. Brooks be completely honest." Mrs. Wickenburg states calmly. I give Maci a pointed stare, she has to defend me. I'd look like a complete idiot if she doesn't.

She stares at me with a sad expression as she trembles in her spot. My competitive mood drops when I see her on the verge of tears. You could practically feel the pressure on her. I can't put her through this, she's about to have a breakdown. I sigh as a way to relax, I peak at Maci once again before I begin to speak.

"It was my fault. I should have been more respectful. I take responsibility." I blurt out, I discreetly grab Maci's hand and give her a tight squeeze.

Mrs. Wickenburg looks at me and nods but turns back to Maci. "Do you agree with that, Ms. Brooks?"

I squeeze Maci's hand again. "Y-Yes ma'am."

"Very well. Go with Mr. Howell for your punishment." She says to me with not a trace of anger. Maci offers me an apologetic look but I roll my eyes playfully, offering her a reassuring smile.

I look at Ms. Lilian's smug face. "You better get that look off you face before I shove my foot down your throat." I spit as I push past her.

"You should respect students before they can respect you." Mrs. Wickenburg shrugs as Ms. Lilian says silent. I'm a bit in shock as she says it but I don't get to see the rest because Mr. Howell yanks me away from the scene.

I struggle to keep up with him as he walks up the steps. He seems a bit angry as we approach his room, my arm aches from the force he puts on it. What has gotten him so mad anyways? Did I say something wrong? I hope he doesn't spank me again, that would be embarrassing. I'd much rather stay for hours scrubbing desks.

Once we're in his room he shuts the door and locks it.

"What are-" I try asking about the punishment but he pushes me against the closed door scanning my face.

"What am I going to do with you?" He asks gently.