“Oi!” Mr Rogers snaps his fingers. “How many times do I need to tell you to keep your dick in your pants, Conner?!”
We both jump away from each other.
“Sorry, Mr Rogers,” Conner calls, which earns him sniggers from everyone in the class… except Andy. He glowers at us, and his lip curls in disdain.
I bite my lip and turn away, feeling uncomfortable with his intense glare.
When the classes finish,and the bell for lunch rings, I leave mathematics with Samantha. She worries about her test results, as mathematics is her worst subject. I cheer her up, telling hershe will do fine, and even share my answers, which I know are correct.
We round the block and head into the sea of students lined up at the cafeteria. We weave through the crowd when I trip. I fall forward, landing on the cement, grazing my arms and hands. The skin peels, and red blotches of blood and dirt swell inside the wounds.
“Fight! Fight! Fight!” people chant suddenly.
I turn around to Sammy. She grabs Sarah Jane’s hair, a livid expression on her face. She yanks the curls back until Sarah Jane lands on the asphalt.
“What the fuck was that for,Samantha?” Sarah Jane spits.
Sammy lowers her hand to me, and I murmur my thanks while standing.
Sarah Jane’s friend—the one who offered me the shower at the camp—helps Sarah to her feet. Her hair, which was in a silky, shiny braid, is a lumpy mess with hair ripped from the side.
“You know exactly why I did that, bitch!” Sammy shouts, pointing at Sarah Jane. “Don’t fuck with my friends, and bitches won’t get stitches.”
I glance around at so many phones, their red lights blinking as they record Sammy yelling at Sarah Jane. Sarah Jane steps forward, but her friend halts her. She is taller. I know she’s on the girls’ basketball team. A fair few people in my grade proudly talk about her. She will carry our basketball team to victory.
“Oh,” Sammy laughs, taking a step forward. “Are you Sarah Jane’s bodyguard or something?”
Sammy goes to launch at the girl when the crowd breaks away for a second. Dylan comes through, grabbing hold of Sammy. I love her energy, but this girl can step on her.
“You, Noya,” Sarah Jane calls, halting me in place. I want to follow Dylan and Sammy as he drags her away, but Sarah Janecalling my name halts me. “Do you always get your friends to fight your battles?”
“I never asked for a fight,” I answer. “You’re the one who started it.”
“You’re nothing but a fucking slut, Noya.”
“Hey!” Aaron moves through the crowd. “Fuck off, Sarah Jane.”
“Oh,” Sarah Jane scoffs. “Well, isn’t it the social fucking reject? Why don’t you go play with your toys like the little kid that you are!”
“Look, just because you’re hurt that Conner has moved on from your desperate, worthless, self-centred arse doesn’t mean you need to bully every person who fucking talks to him. And they aren’t toys. They’re collectibles!”
“Shut up, fucktard! Nobody even likes you!”
Aaron laughs like the villain in D & D. “Guess what, Sarah. Not everything revolves around school and how popular you are at school. Grades do, and I’ve seen yours. You’re going places. Not to ANU, but places.”
The crowd makes anoohsound, but I desperately want to flee the situation. Then I notice Troy and Finch. Finch waves his hand towards me, beckoning me to follow them. The crowd disperses as I leave because the teachers on duty finally arrive. Sarah Jane flees, but I see the embarrassed look in her eyes. What Aaron said must have hit home for her.
“Hey, are you okay?” Troy asks.
“Yeah. I’m okay. Thanks, Aaron,” I say once he moves towards us. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“It’s nothing. She had it coming.”
“Where’s Conner?” I ask.
“He went to the office as soon as lunch break hit. Said something about the talent show. Since he didn’t arrive, I’massuming he’s still there,” Finch answers. “We can go with you to find him if you like.”
“No, it’s fine. I’m going to see how Sammy is.” I clasp my hands together. “Thank you for your help again.”