I never thought I'd ever be where I am right now. I never thought I would be the one taking the walk of shame just like the many people I've seen take throughout my high school career.

Although, I couldn't say everyone was shameful as they walked down the hallways, a furious teacher dragging them by the arm to their own dreaded hell, it was safe to say I was one of the people who were ashamed. And I didn't like it one bit.

When Mr. Baird pushed through the door leading to the main office, my heart seemed to drop further into my stomach. I wished hard that this wasn't real, just a terrible nightmare.

"Oh, Mr. Baird! I-I'm assuming a meeting with Crawford is needed?"

I made it my goal to keep my eyes trained on the rugged tan carpet below my scuffed up gym shoes, but I knew Ms. Lee, one of the school's administrators was sending me a disdainful look from behind her desk.

The swiveling of her chair made me look up just as she reached for the cortelco phone stationed in the corner of her wooden desktop.

She smacked her gum loudly before blowing a bubble rather obnoxiously. "Hi, Principal Crawford, do you have any visitors at the moment?"

She was silent for a second before her knowing green eyes dragged over to meet mine. "Yes, we have another faulty this week." She emphasizes her words with the kind of snobbish tone that made me want to have the same repeat that had gotten me here in the first place.

It lasted a few short seconds before I realized how violent I was being. This was nothing like me.

I immediately dropped my gaze, my cheeks heating up quickly.

Ms. Lee was quiet for another moment before she replied. "I'll send her in right away, sir."

With that, she put the phone back in its rightful place and hummed softly as she rose to her feet.

Ms. Lee wasn't any older than twenty-six with her petite body, long blonde hair and calculating green eyes.

She rounded her desk before running her hands along her pale blue maxi skirt and patting down the baby hairs that might have been sticking up out of her tightly pulled back up-do.

I raised an eyebrow, wondering if she realized just how much she needed to schedule another hair appointment if she wanted people to believe she was an actual blonde. About seven inches of her dark roots stated otherwise.

Her lips were set in a tight line as she looked at me disapprovingly.

"I'll escort her to Crawford's office. Thanks, Steve."

Mr. Baird finally released his hold on my arm, taking a step back.

He crossed his arms over his chest, his gaze sliding over to meet mine, but his next words were directed towards Ms. Lee.

"Let him know I don't want to see this young lady back in my gym class until she learns how to control her anger."

He frowned, his thick eyebrows furrowing together.

I suck in my lower lip to keep myself from saying anything.

He didn't wait for a response before he started making his way back out of the office.

Ms. Lee was only able to guide me a few steps forward before Mr. Baird's deep voice stopped both of us in our tracks.

"Oh, should I send the...victim down?"

I couldn't help the scowl that crossed my face.

Victim? I don't think you'll find them. There is no victim, you asshole. Don't be fooled.

I continued to spew everything I wanted to say to the gym teacher in my head as Ms. Lee rested a hand on her hip, her eyes narrowing.

"That'll probably be best. Who knows how different their stories will be."

I physically grimaced, hating the way they spoke about me like I was some lying criminal.

Without another word, I was yanked through a doorway and down a hallway before being shoved into the cluttered principles office.

Principal Crawford was an overweight man in his early fifties who always wore his rugged suits and polished dress shoes. He had an overbearing black mustache that once matched his balding head that had hair once upon a time. His rounded glasses always sat on the bridge of his nose, so his eyes were peering over them which went against the whole reason of glasses in my opinion.

He slowly stood to his feet when he saw me, his brown eyes widening a fraction.

Ms. Lee was talking, but I wasn't paying any attention to her. I was too busy focusing on the beating of my heart and the dread that slowly flooded into me.

"I mean, I don't know what the deal is with the senior class this year. It seems as if, they're all turning to violence nowadays. In my day--"

"Thank you, Ms. Lee, but you can take your place back at the front desk," Crawford said tightly his eyes never leaving mine.

I heard the sharp intake of her breath as she slowly backed up. "O-Okay, I'll have the other person involved waiting up front, sir."

I squeezed my eyes shut when the door clicked shut behind me.

Principal Crawford stood behind his desk, towering over me by about a foot and a half.

"Well, I'll be damned. If it isn't Malona Parker, in my office. Involved in a scuffle, I've heard?" His rough voice and the reality of the situation hit me like a ton of bricks, momentarily taking the breath out of me.

If I ever thought hitting Joyce would be any sort of remedy to our feud, I was sorely mistaken in that moment.

It's real, I thought. This isn't just a horrible, horrible nightmare.

* * * *

Hey my loves! Here is another chapter, the first in 2018! I hope the year's starting great for you guys!

I've recently started bullet journalling, and I can't wait to see how my writing and organization will improve!

What are your goals for the year?

I know this chapter is pretty short, but what are your thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

Make sure to leave a comment and vote if you enjoyed<3