—Chapter Six—
✦ R I X T O N ✦
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When the bell rang for first period, I nearly ran out of homeroom. I hated that time. It was almost always horrible, with the loud chatter and rude teenagers. I shuddered to myself and headed towards Algebra, praying Ariana was right with her answer of twenty-one.

As I entered, I was nearly run-over by a short guy with blonde hair and blue eyes. He mumbled a quick apology and rushed away. I watched him go before frowning, shrugging, and taking my spot towards the back.

Kids continued to swarm in, and I did my best to ignore them as I doodled in my notebook, knowing it was childish to do but unable to resist the urge. I was just so bored. And the fact that Mrs. Kise, our teacher, had a nasally voice didn't help. Sometimes she made me want to dig my eyeballs out, especially when she wrote on the chalkboard.

Finally, she closed the door and stood in the center of the room. "Attention, please," she rasped, and I stifled my grimace. Listening, I tried my best to focus as she began collecting homework.

I had always hated math with a burning passion, and I knew that Ariana did, too, which didn't leave me with much confidence as I turned in my paper. Still, I was thankful for her to give me a response at all. Something was better than nothing.

While Mrs. Kise sorted the stack she held in her hands, she began the lesson. I made an attempt at listening—I did—but she was going to either make me die of boredom or irritation. It wasn't her fault, and I felt guilty for feeling so negative towards her—though I wouldn't tell anyone—but I just despised this class.

Just when I was about to explode, the same boy from earlier slipped in, looking at Mrs. Kise timidly, who had stopped talking to stare at him. "You're late," she criticized, and in response, he held up a bathroom pass.

"Oh, well. . . Set it up on the hook," she muttered, and started up again.

I watched as he obeyed, then went to his seat, which was only a few down from mine. Snapping at myself not to stare, I glanced down at my feet. The next hour trudged by pitifully slowly, but at last it ended.

I jumped into action, eagerly collecting my things as the bell rang once more. I was the first out as I headed towards History, which I shared with Ariana. Thankfully, the distance wasn't too far and I soon reached my destination.

Sadly, Ariana was already there, a scowl on her face. I was disappointed that I hadn't beat her there this round, but that melted away as I approached. "What's wrong?" I demanded, this time set on finding a valid answer.

"Stupid Jan Everrs," she spat, and I sighed. I should have known. Jan was a person (down the long line) of people whom Ariana loathed.

"What did she do?" I asked, letting my stuff fall onto my desk, which was directly beside hers.

Ariana turned to me, her eyes blazing, and snapped, "She tried pushing me into a garbage can. Again." Her hands were clenched into fists and a seemingly deadly fury radiated off of her. If there was one thing that pissed her off, it definitely was a snobby girl trying to shove her into the trash.

"I'm sorry," I said truthfully. "But I'm also angry." I clenched my jaw. "Jan's a bitch. She always has been."

Ariana huffed, blowing a strand of hair away. "I kinda figured."

"So what happened afterwards?" I pressed.

"Well, I got what she was about to do so I ran away. She put her hands on my shoulders and I swear I nearly punched her," she muttered, scoffing.

"Yeah, but you know firsthand that being hit doesn't feel too good," I reminded her, remembering the time where she had taken a bullet for me, and in result almost got pummeled.

"I know." Ariana stared at me. "My intention isn't making her feel good, it's making her keep her grubby paws off me!"

"Look, relax," I tried to calm her. "Think rationally. You could get expelled, suspended. It would ruin your future. Jan isn't worth that."

Ariana didn't respond as she lowered her head, moving only to adjust her glasses. I sighed, knowing she'd probably be in a bad mood throughout the rest of the day. I couldn't blame her, though.

But now I had to go have a talk with Jan.