Kelling Academy: Fighter

Chapter Three CAMERON

Micky choked on air, tripping over his feet and stumbling. "What?"

I looked over at Sammy, clearly wondering if he lost his marbles.

James shrugged. "I think it's a good idea." He shrunk slightly when we all stared at him. "I mean, he already riled Mr. Wales up, and he looks, and sounds, dumb enough to agree."

I patted James shoulder. "He does sounds really stupid."

Micky slapped my arm. "It's just cause of his accent. Anyone talking like that would sound like an idiot."

Sammy cleared his throat and walked into our next class. "We'll ask him at lunch."

We all walked into the class. Mrs. Kidney writing something on the chalk board. I was surprised to see that Jed kid sitting in the exact same area he sat in the last class, a forming bruise on his jaw. 

He looked pissed about something, and it was even scarier than his smile. I could see why Sammy'd want him in our group. He'd be a perfect scapegoat...and intimidation with how tall and wide he is.

I sat beside him, Micky sitting on my other side. Sammy sat in front of me and James sat on Jed's other side.

More kids flooded into class, sitting down and waiting for the teacher to start teaching.

"Mrs. Kidnay?" Jed asked, raising his hand once she finished her lesson. "I gotta question."

Mrs. Kidney frowned and looked at Jed. "What is it, Jed?"

"Do ya got both of yer kidnays?"

Micky choked on his laughter and clamped a hand over his mouth. I snorted and James shook his head while Sammy just looked at Jed, probably contemplating his purpose.

Mrs. Kidney's wrinkly face got red and she stomped over to Jed, slapping him in the face, his head turning sideways from the force. For somebody so stocky and short she sure did hit hard. "Yes, I do! Don't make snide remarks!"

Jed's pissed face turned into a honey-sweet smile. "I wasn't bein' snide."

Mrs. Kidney grabbed Jed's hands and put them on the desk, hitting them with the ruler in her hand so hard that his scarred knuckles began bleeding.

I saw Micky and James wince. Sammy raised an eyebrow and I rubbed my own hands.

Jed grunted and looked down at him hands. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes, face blank. He started incoherently mumbling something.

"Does that hurt, Jed? You trying not to cry, redneck?"

I frowned. Poor Jed. I hate when people taunt me.

"No, ma'am," he said. "I'm tryin' not ta hit ya."

Every kid in the class gaped at Jed, shocked that he'd ever say something like that to a teacher. I was too.

"He's so gonna die."

"Oh man."

"Bye-bye, new kid."

"Does he not know when to shut up?"

"He's my new hero."

"I'm in love."

"I hope he doesn't turn her mean. She's, like, the only nice one."

Mrs. Kidney gasped and backed away from Jed. "You wouldn't dare!"

Jed's eyes were still closed when he sighed. "Have ya even read mah file?"

Before she could knock his daylights out the bell rang. Nobody got up except for Jed, who walked calmly out of the class with clenched fists.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and waited for my friends. 

"Is he mental?" Mickey asked. "He said he'd hit a teacher!"

"I wonder what was in his file?" James muttered, scratching his head.

"We so need him in our group," Sammy said. "He'd be perfect."

I smacked the back of Sammy's head, standing on my tip-toes to do it. Stupid tall people, being tall and all that. "He is crazy, Sammy!"

Sammy shrugged. "You don't know that."

Micky snorted. "Yes we do. He said he'd hit a teacher."

"That doesn't mean he's crazy," James pitched in.

Sammy nodded. "Exactly."

I rolled my eyes, throwing my hands up. "No, it just means he has anger issues!"

Micky nodded. "And I don't think he can control that mouth of his."

Sammy waved his hand dismissively. "He can distract. Get off topic."

I groaned and kicked Sammy's shin. "I hate you."

Sammy grinned. "I know."