"See ya at lunch." my brother calls to me and my sister, before walking away.
I watch him go then turn and follow Rylee down the hall to our homeroom.
I still can't believe Tacoma had just left Rori at home. I feel bad for her.
She's not as bad as he thinks she is.
She is actually kinda nice.

"Mica, hurry up or we will be late."
We just make it into our seats right before the last bell rings.
"Good morning, class." our teacher calls from the front of the room. "Good morning Mr. Monroe." the class replies.

                          ***

When we are let out from lunch, Rylee leaves me to go use the reststroom.
I wait by our lockers in the empty hallway.
After a bit someone turns the corner up ahead.
It is Tyson Neel from the grade above me.
I wonder what he is doing down here.
We lock eyes and he walks right over to me.

My panic rises as he stops beside me and leans against the locker there.
I smell liquor on his breath as he says,
"Well, well. Whats a pretty chic like you doing all by yourself?"
Tyson is on the football team and stands at least a foot taller than me.
I stutter and step back but he grabs my hand.

That's when I scream.
I try to rip my hand from his grasp, but he is too strong.
Dear Lord help me!
"LET GO!" I scream.
He smirks.
"Yes. Let her go!" a voice calls from down the hall.
We both hurriedly turn and to see Mr. Cass the assistant principal, and Miss Adelaide, my music teacher.
Relief washes over me.
Thank you Lord! Thank you!

I take Tyson's alarm as an opportunity, and tear my arm from his meaty hand.
I run over to the two adults.
Miss Adelaide wraps me in a hug and  Mr. Cass chases after the fleeing Tyson.
Tears are running down my cheeks by then.
"Did he hurt you at all?" my teacher asks in her sweet voice.
"No." I choke out. "He just scared me."
She sighs. "I guess that's good. Mr. Cass and the police will take care of him. Don't worry. You won't see him for a long time."
I nod and wipe the tears from my face.
"Do you wanna go home?" She asks kindly. "No thank you ma'am. I'zll be fine."

I reply. "Can I see my brother?"
She nods. "You sure can. Why don't we go find him right now."
We are about to leave when another voice rings through the air.
"Mica! What happened?"
It's Rylee. She runs over to me and grabs my hands. "Why do you need to see Tacoma?"

I quickly explain what happened and she wraps in a tight hug.
"God had mercy. Thank you Lord."
I nod into her shoulder.
When she lets me go, we head up stairs and through halls to my brother's Math room. Miss Adelaide goes in and returns with a frantic Tacoma.
"What happened? Are you okay?"
His anger builds as Rylee and I explain.
"If I was there I would have taught him good lesson! That stinkin, gutless jerk!"
he cries in fury.
After this day, I will stick closer than ever to Rylee.
                         ***
I now sit on the grass watching the football team practice.
Tyson is noticeably not on the field or bench.
I sigh. Today has been hard.
Rylee is sitting next to me.
School is out, but we are waiting for Tacoma. Supposedly he got in a fight with Rori, and the new kid (Miss Adelaide's son)
"protected" her. Now they are both in detention.

I don't really believe it.
I know Tacoma doesn't like Rori and they argue every one in a while, but fighting?
Like with fists?
"Miss Tau."
I look up to see the principal standing next to me.

Me and Rylee both stand promptly.
"Yes Mrs. Lobeck?" we say in sync.
"There is a police officer in my office wanting to talk to you, Mica." she says swiftly. I swallow and grab Rylee's hand.

"Can my-" the principal cuts me off.
"Yes your sister can come. Now follow me."
Sitting in her office is Officer Hollin.
I remember meeting him when my class took a tour of the police station last year.
He smiles grimly at me.
"Miss Tau, I would like you to answer some questions I have."
I nod.
He asks, I answer.
                             ***
After a bit he says thank you and then we are free to go.
Tacoma is sitting on a bench outside the office when we come out.
"Ready?" he asks.
Rylee nods.
"Wait,"I say before he can walk away. "what about Rori?"
Tacoma rolls his eyes.

"Mason gave her a ride home."
He spits the name out like a disease.
"Aint that the new kid?" Rylee asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep. That girl could make a snake do 'er bidd'in." he spits.