High School Recall

Chapter Five

"What, you're not manly enough to have something like that downloaded?" Chloe challenged. Guilt-tripping students with testosterones was proved easier than she thought.

Brian looked to the side, avoiding the girl's intimidating stare. Why did he have to be the sidekick of someone who messed with this chick?

"Yes, or no?" she pressed. "You owed me that one time you –"

"Fine, I'll do it. Just – don't tell anyone about that." He scratched the beck of his head. It seemed like both options have a death sentence attached.

"Your secret is secure with me," Chloe reassured.

He flinched from the pat she gave on his shoulder.

"Don't disappoint me, Bry-Bry." She grinned before leaving the boy in the deserted hallway.

Character building class was breathing easy air compared to the AP classes she had to take. Mrs. Guthrie was the teacher; Kind, pretty, and patient. The only tasks she gave out were presentations and reading. Her class is the perfect time to act out Ivan Lindqvist's reputation downfall.

"You choose the cutest pictures," Valerie gushed, looking back at Chloe. "I always found the ones with watermarks." She frowned.

Chloe half-shrugged. "I had time yesterday."

"I'm really sory about – "

Chloe held out a finger to stop her. "Stop apologizing, I've heard enough."

Valerie smiled sheepishly. Her phone bill might just blow up after the dozen texts and voicemails she sent Chloe when she was unavailable. "Sorry about that,too. I didn't know you take courses."

"Now you do, don't panic next time." Chloe lightly smiled at the memory. Her phone heated up a few degrees last night.

"Be quiet, please. Valerie, Chloe," Mrs. Guthrie called out.

Both girls ducked their heads, zipping their mouths shut. The presentation from a group was still going, talking about finishing well – the topic they were given to research on.

"Alright, that was very good. Next group," Mrs. Guthrie prompted.

Chloe watched with raised eyebrows when Ivan rose proudly from his chair, scraping it against the floor. His group stood as well, strolling to the front of the class. She met Brian's eyes, giving him a questioning tilt of the head.

Brian nodded curtly, wiping the sweat on his forehead. The poor boy didn't like getting his hands dirty.

Chloe was sure of the type of student Ivan was; the one that let te others do the work whilst he donated his USB to save the project in. He was making the game too easy.

Ivan handed Brian his USB, and the sidekick plugged it into the CPU.

Chloe smirked. A few clicks, and...

Gasps echoed around the room, turning into laughter quickly.

"Oh look," Chloe raised her voice. "Ivan is a man," she emphasized, earning more laughter. The file names on the screen were clear, and the fact that it was his data made it more of a trouble. She raised her eyebrows challengingly at the bully, whose face was turning tomato red by the moment. A wave of satisfaction ran through her when Ivan scowled. The bully finally got to meet his worthy opponent.

"Ivan, come with me to the office. Now." Mrs. Guthrie didn't bother to cover the trace of anger in her voice.

Ivan followed the teacher with his tail tucked in between his legs. The only thing missing was the wave of a white flag.