Song of the chapter = mad woman by Taylor Swift

"Look at her go... she's hopeless!"

"Oh, not her again!"

"Can't she skip one day?! Gotta see her every day!"

"Nerd!"

"Hey babes, you dating the algebra book now?"

I heard these nasty comments as I walked towards the algebra class. Everyone around gave me taunting looks as I passed by.

Ugh! Why don't they EVER get tired of  mocking me? I mean, I am tired of hearing these now! OH, STOP FOR THE LOVE OF GOD!

"Hey, Carter!" a high-pitched female voice called me from behind. I already knew who that was, and why she was coming over to me.

"What?" I asked in irritation, as I turned to face the 'Living Barbie'.

This 'Living Barbie' was called Tina Sherry, one of the popular cheerleaders of LA High. As always, she was wearing a super-tight pink top and a super-short pink skirt.

Living Barbie... pathetic!

"So..." she started, scanning my clothes like always, "I feel so sorry for you, hon."

I turned around and tried to leave. What good could have been there for me if I had stood there listening to her 'Oh, I'm so beautiful'-talk?

"Guess you really don't have a daddy to buy you something good," Tina said, mockingly.

You're gonna regret it, hon...

A nasty frown took over my face. My blood started boiling with fury and my heart ached for the loss of my dad.

Before the rational part of my brain could stop me, I balled my fingers into a fist and threw a punch in the middle of her face. I don't really know how it happened, but somehow seeing her broken nose brought me satisfaction. Tina was stunned. Of course, she didn't see that coming – it's not every day when the perfect nerd starts a fight.

"How. Dare. You!" Tina exclaimed as she raised her hand to slap me, but I was faster. I pinned her to the ground and kept on punching her.

We hardly noticed that we had become a catalyst to a huge crowd that chanted, "Fight! Fight! Fight!". About a good few minutes later the principal came and stopped the fight.

"Both of you, in my office...NOW!" he bellowed, his face red with anger. After throwing one last glare at our direction, he left.

***

Tina and I walked towards the principal's office, shooting daggers at each other. The teachers gave us nasty looks, but the students were pointing at us and whispering stuff to others.

"Come in," came a deep voice from inside the office as Tina knocked on the door.

We entered and saw our principal giving the two of us calculated looks.

"Sit down," ordered the principal of LA High School. He was a person in his mid-50s, but his features gave a different vibe. He was a tall and dark-haired man, and was dressed in a very fine suit.

"So, how come on such a beautiful Autumn Monday, two teenagers start throwing themselves onto each other and give the others nasty nosebleeds?" he asked calmly, though he looked pretty strict.

"She insulted me and brought up my father. Sir, you know very well why that's inappropriate for me," I said before Tina could say something that would make her an angel in the end.

Tina was way too surprised by everything that had been happening and she could not process that she was already in the danger of getting detentions.

"Uh...what?! How dare you?! She's lying, Sir! I didn't do anything like that!" Tina lied.

"Sherry, I can clearly see you're lying," the principal said, his voice deepening, "I can see it in your eyes."

"What?" she asked as she gazed into his eyes.

According to the whole school, Tina Sherry had a wild crush on the principal (she was unaware that he was more than 50 years old) and I had always thought that it was just a rumor. Now, I was certain. I could clearly see both of their intentions. She wanted to jump on him, but he wanted to get rid of the nitwit.

I loudly cleared my throat to stop Tina's daydream. And, it worked.

"So, Sherry, detention for the whole month for insulting Carter, and Carter, your punishment for starting the fight will be given by your AP Algebra teacher, Miss April. Sherry, you can leave. Carter, you wait."

I murmured a small 'Okay' as 'Living-Barbie' left the room.

"What's wrong with Sherry?" he asked me with a frown.

Oh no.

I tried to suppress my laughter, but failed.

"Why are you laughing?" he asked with a confused expression on his face.

"Well, um... are you sure you want to know the truth, Sir?" I asked and my lips twitched.

"Uh... yeah."

"She has a mega-crush on you since last year," I burst out laughing.

"What?" Now, he started laughing as well.

"She doesn't know I have kids, does she?" 

"I don't think so."

We were laughing heartily when the school bell rang.

"Well, you should go," he said when he had finally stopped his mad laughter.

"Yeah," I took my bag and algebra book and left.

***

"You're late, Carter," Miss April said, a disapproving look drawn on her face when I made it to the class.

"Sorry," I mumbled, nervously.

"Sit down."

I went to sit on my usual seat, the one that was surrounded by empty seats.

"Now, before we start the class, I would like to introduce you to a new student: Mr. Brian Adler," Miss April declared and pointed to a tall boy around the age of 17-18. He was standing right beside the teacher, a smile painted across his lips.

QOTD = If a girl at school was pestering you, what would you do?

Fun Fact:
The character, 'Ms. Fiona April', was inspired by Professor McGonagall from the Harry Potter series.