Breaking Boundaries (unordinary love story)

Chapter 12: Break A Leg

Turns out I didn't have to confront Rick about it. On Monday he swung by me and plunked my study guide on my desk. I noticed he wasn't in his sling anymore - guess he took it off as he recovered.

"Thanks for the free answers," he said. "I just needed to borrow it."

But it wasn't returned the way it used to be. It was crinkled and had a coffee stain on it. Ew. It was also folded at the corner.

"It's funny how you treat my things the same way you treat yours," I quipped.

"You're welcome for returning it to you," he answered.

So my week started off with a ruined study guide.

The bright side? Well, at least I got it back.

But then I worried that Rick was stupid enough to copy word for word, and the teacher would find out, and both me and Rick would end up getting busted. I really didn't want to get in trouble like that. In fact I never had.

Lunch wasn't any better.

I paid for my lunch (tater tots and chicken nuggets and fruit punch). I walked across the cafeteria with my tray. Suddenly Zach stuck his foot out in front of me, and I tripped over it.

I tumbled forward and fell right on top of my lunch tray.

My punch toppled over and spilled.

I flew right into a huge mess.

"Nice trip, onion head!" Zach laughed.

Then came laughter from everyone. The entire cafeteria was gawking at me.

I could have died of embarrassment at that moment, but I was too furious to feel embarrassed.

"Hey clumsy, how do you like the taste of your lunch?" sneered Rand.

"Her face is so ugly, she makes other onions cry," added Phoebe.

My stomach tightened and I died a little internally.

And then Max showed up, anger written all over his face.

"I've warned you before..." he seethed. "Leave Misty alone."

"What are you gonna do about it?" Zach challenged.

Max took a step forward, grabbed Zach by the collar, and shoved him into the trash can.

"What the hell?!" yelled Zach.

The whole cafeteria was just as shocked as I was.

Phoebe ran over to get Zach out, struggling to pull him. Zach brushed the trash off himself then pushed my brother.

Max retaliated by putting Zach in a headlock and getting ready to punch him. Zach grabbed Max's arm and wrestled him off himself and Max staggered back.

"Guys, stop!" I cried.

"FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT! FIGHT!" the whole cafeteria chanted. Everyone was already circling around us.

Max and Zach already had their fists up.

"Max..." I said. "It's not a good idea. He's not worth it." I was silently begging him to leave it alone.

Good thing two teachers showed up just in time.

"What is going on?" demanded Ms. Johnson.

Mr. Cardulla was pushing his way through the crowd. "OK, enough! Break it up."

Zach charged at Max, but Mr. Cardulla stopped him by grabbing him hard enough so that even when Zach tried to escape, he couldn't. Ms. Johnson grabbed Max.