What can I do?

12: School is war

When the bell for the second class rang through the gymnasium, it was obvious that there was some tension in the air. Well, it would have been obvious to everyone if the class was not composed of 12 year old children. As a result, only two students had noticed what was happening.

Gus ... wasn't one of them. It was therefore most naturally in the world that he went to greet the news. He hadn't been able to speak to her in math class, but the sports teacher hadn't arrived yet so why bother? This girl had intrigued Gus throughout the first class. She had arrived in class with a huge, really HUGE smile. And even though she had calmed down in an hour, she was still intriguing. She had pink skin for crying out loud! Certainly, the young man had seen more strange before, but it was still interesting. Did this girl have a terrian as a parent or grandparent? As he came in front of her, Gus remembered the name she had given during attendance.

"Hi Kipo" he said smiling. "I'm Augustus, but it's a bit long. You can call me Gus."

Without hesitation, Kipo shook his outstretched hand. She was about to answer when a mocking voice was heard.

"Whatch out Gus. You'll get shredded."

Both children, and surely the rest of the class some level or another, turned their attention to the one who had spoken. A tanned boy with dark hair.

"What do you mean ?" Gus asked, lost.

The boy, pleased with his effect, adopted a smile as arrogant as his posture before continuing.

"This girl, she managed to alienate the fierce Wolf before the damn first day. If I were you, I'd be careful who I talk to."

This young man, as pretentious as he was vulgar, was indeed one of those who had noticed the angry looks that Wolf had given the new girl during most of the first class. And as the troublemaker that he was, he was going to have fun with that information. Without losing his sassy look, he approached Kipo, from whom Gus walked away.

"I'm curious" mocked the brat. "To make it bad with Wolf that quick, you gotta love trouble. Hey, I bet that's why you changed schools. You got fired! So tell me, what did you do?"

The more this boy spoke, the more obviously Kipo seemed uncomfortable. The troublemaker who had annoyed everyone the year before had already found a new victim after only an hour in the building. The majority of the class had learned to ignore him so that he would lose the ridiculous sense of power he took from it, but only one student thought it fair to learn this lesson on the new girl. So, with an bored sigh, she joined the small group and gave a bit of tought.

"Say Mattholomule, are you ever tired of putting on a show?"

"What? Jinora, don't you want to mind your own damn business for once?"

As soon as he is provoked, he become aggressive. Matt was such a simple bully that it was boring. Jinora therefore continued.

"That's exactly what I do. I satisfy my curiosity. I mean, I understand that you'd want to intimidate someone important, like the top of the class or the best in sports. It makes you feel like you're better to the best. But what are you gaining in this one? You're making fun of someone that nobody even knows and you start rumors that you imagined barely ten seconds ago. It doesn't make you sound interesting, just stupid."

During the whole speech, the girl's tone had never sounded aggressive. From start to finish, her voice had remained neutral, almost indifferent. Having been the best student of her grade last year, she had already found Matt trying to bully her. This boy had no form of talking skill whatsoever and as soon as he knew he was defeated and humiliated, he would clench his teeth and left while grumbling a little "shut up". This time was no exception.

"Well said Jinora!"

It was the teacher who had just spoken. Truth be said, she had arrived just as Matt was starting to annoy Kipo and was going to teach him how to live when Jinora stepped in. It was always nice to see children solve their problems like grown-ups. With a smile full of pride for her student, the woman went to stand in front of her class and officially started the class.

"Hello everybody. I teach sports for the first three grades so you have surely already had me as a teacher. I will still introduce myself for the new ones and those who don't bother remembering names. I am Mrs. Netossa. Be good students and I will be your best friend. You try to play smart with me and I will teach you to respect a lady!"

Following this little speech, the playful tone of which drew a smile from some students, the teacher generated little threads of light with her fingers. Joining her hands, she also joined the threads until she created a sphere the size of a soccer ball.

"Now, I suggest that we warm up a bit with a game of dodgeball. Think fast!"

In an instant, the ball was two meters above the heads of the students. In a second, a huge pink furball was in the air with the ball. To the surprise of absolutely everyone in the class, a terrian Kipo landed on her feet, all smiling. She then branded the ball towards the ceiling, proud of her trophy.

"Well" Netossa sighed. "That's something else."