It's Hard to Breathe

Distractions and Success

The rest of the weekend past uneventfully, and all too soon, everyone found themselves back in school.

However, their teacher seemed distant. Even Circ, who hardly paid attention, noticed.

She barely ever gave directions, gave them an entire free period on Wednesday, forgot about the Unit test, and didn't even get them inside from recess one afternoon.

One day, the color drained from her face altogether, and it became a noticeable effort for her to even form a half smile.

So one day, Glimmer, ever the caring girl, asked Ms. Marineta what was wrong.

Their teacher took a deep breath, "Well, over this weekend I discovered I was pregnant."

Everyone clapped for her, saying encouraging things-except for Fintan and a few members of his gang.

They just snorted sadistically, looking bored out of their minds.

"Before you keep celebrating, there's more. My new boyfriend happens to be the father, and I shockingly found out that he's actually a scammer, when I thought he was a successful business man. I don't want to turn him in, but I know it's wrong for him to do what he's doing. He knows I know, and is buying me things for my silence. Expensive things, like small diamonds and designer brand clothes. While I like the treatment I'm getting-he's a perfectly normal guy on the outside; sweet, caring, the whole package-I don't want him to break the law just to be able to treat me. What should I do?"

"Turn him in!" Glimmer exclaimed.

"Give it some time to make sure that you're a hundred percent sure." Tiergan said.

"Don't do anything yet, but try to find out if there's anything else he's doing." Cyrah suggested, and Prentice nodded along with her.

Everyone shouted different suggestions, and among the chaos, Ms. Marienta spotted Gisela calmly raise her hand.

"Quiet down, everyone! Yes, Gisela?"

"Get as much out of him as you can, then frame him for a larger crime, and tattle to the police." The girl stated, chill as ever.

Her classmates turned around to gape at her in shock. Well, minus Fintan, who just relaxed as he waited for the outcome.

"Gisela, how could you?" Glimmer asked, shocked.

"It's wrong to do that!" Cassius reprimanded her.

"Yeah, Cassius, we know." Several people snapped.

Cassius was all set to retort when Gisela intervened.

"Guys, quit." She held out her hands for peace while her close friends tried to shut him up.

"Thank you." Ever polite and smarmy, Cassius turned back to face the front again.

"Yes, please face the front. I don't want to have to look at that atrocity you call a face anymore." Gisela told him, her attitude not wavering.

An angry flush crawled up the back of his neck, but he ignored her.

Fintan and a few others snickered in spitefully delighted glee.

Ms. Marineta grinned faintly in wry amusement. "I think I'll do part of Gisela's plan; get as much out of him as I can-but not too much or he'll get suspicious."

"Why not? He lied to you, probably cheated on you, and you two have a child." Gisela advised.

"You know what? Why not! I'll do it." The teacher declared.

"You go get that nasty little.. " Glimmer trailed off, not wanting to be expelled.

"Gotcha." Ms. Marineta winked with a smile, and was noticeably more optimistic throughout the rest of the day.