Power Corrupts. Insanity Cures.

Chapter 17. The Problem Child

Hello hello hello! First off, if you have been waiting for this chapter for ages I suggest you read "Update Part 2" before reading it. Secondly, HELLO! It's great to be back and I hope this chapter was worth the wait. Thanks so much for all the support. Thirdly, and lastly, and most importantly, this story is mine, and, despite what my hiatus might've implied, I love it and am determined to continue it until its finished, so no one steal it. Enjoy!

Chapter 17. The Problem Child

"Awareness is the enemy of sanity, for once you hear the screaming, it never stops."

- Emilie Autumn

"Genna? Genna? Genevieve!" Paige leaned over and nudged her best friend.

Genevieve flinched from her touch and sunk even further into her seat. Paige frowned at her.

"What?" Genevieve mumbled.

"I was talking about Toby's party. Where you even listening?" Paige asked impatiently.

The history teacher looked up from his desk to check on his students, and Paige pretended to go back to scribbling notes. When it was safe Genevieve whispered: "I'm sorry Paige. I'm not feeling well."

And it certainly showed. Usually one of the most fashion conscious freshman, she was dressed in a shabby hoodie, plain jeans and sneakers. Such casual wear stuck out like a sore thumb in St Alexandria's, where appearances and reputations were everything. Her clothes were matched by an exhausted expression and weary eyes. Paige eyed Genevieve as she jiggled her foot nervously.

"It seems like you're always 'not well' lately," she grumbled, but dropped it.

When the bell rang Genevieve jumped up and flung her bag over her shoulder. She was the first out the door and Paige hurried to keep up.

"Hey, hey what's the rush?" she huffed, as Genevieve speed walked down the hallway.

"I just want to get to English early," Genevieve said through gritted teeth.

"Um, why?"

She didn't get an answer and Paige finally grabbed a handful of Genevieve's jacket and jerked her to a stop.

"Geez, just wait a second will you? I need to talk to you about Toby's party," Paige crossed her arms and pursed her lips in thought, "Leila's going to be there and you know how she is. If we don't get our look just right...Do you want to take a jet to New York tomorrow and go shopping?"

Genevieve was massaging her brow with one hand, her eyes closed, "Uh, yeah, sure, do what you want."

Paige scowled, "Genna, are you not listening to me again?"

Genevieve opened her eyes, but she didn't look at her friend. She was looking around her, at the hallways that were quickly filling up with people.

"No...no I'm listening," she replied weakly.

Paige watched her suspiciously. She was shifting on her feet as if she was going to bolt at any moment, her green eyes flitting wildly around.

"Are you on drugs?" Paige accused, only half joking.

Teenagers laughed and talked as they shuffled lazily down the now crowded hallway. The clack of shoes, the slam of lockers and the rumble of conversation was a constant clamor. But the way Genevieve was acting, the noise was deafening.

"Shut up, shut up, shut up, shut up," she muttered, rubbing her temple again.

Her bag fell off her shoulder, spilling its contents across the floor, but she didn't seem to notice. She ran her fingers through her hair and clenched it into fists. A few kids close to the two friends were starting to take notice of Genevieve's weird behavior.