Rivalry

East Land Prep. 11:05 A.M.

The girls walk away from their lockers and down the hall, separating at the intersection; Angela and Ashley make a left while Kelly makes right, Sally follows after the brunettes.

Sally knocks thrice on the door of room 25 and Mrs. Ernest answers the door immediately and smiles sinisterly at Angela and Ashley. "Well, look who decided to grace us with their presence." She then turns to Sally. "How much detention will they be getting Ms. Gullings?"

"It's their first offense this year Mrs. Ernest." Sally holds her height as Mrs. Ernest eyes narrow. "They get a warning."

"If you don't punish offenders the first time, how are they going to understand not to do so again?" Mrs. Ernest reprimands as Angela and Ashley step inside the classroom.

"Because the second time won't be as easy." Sally answers.

"But if you punish them the first time, there will be no need for a second time." Mrs. Ernest berates.

"If you have a problem with the way we handle punishments in regards to tardiness, I suggest you bring it up with Principal Martin not me, Mrs. Ernest." Sally maintains the calmness in her voice. "Have a good day."

Mrs. Ernest closes the door noisily after Sally and turns to glare at the two late student in her classroom who have settled in comfortably into their desk at the back of the class. "As I was asking before out rude interruption, can anyone tell me where we left off last class?" Mrs. Ernest sneers at the brunettes, "Miss Lopez?"

Ashley looks up from her bag, where she is digging for her notebook, her eyes dance around the room, all eyes are on her. "Why ask me when Hannah clearly knows the answer."

"Miss Seal put your hand down." Hannah Seal brings her hand down as a blush takes over her face and neck. "I asked you Miss Lopez."

Ashley glances at Angela who is biting her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "Okay," Ashley turns to her leering teacher. "We left off with habitat destruction."

If Mrs. Ernest was shocked at Ashley's response, she didn't show it. Instead, she proceed to glower at Ashley. "And do you remember what I said? Put your hand down Hannah, I am asking Miss Lopez." Once again, the class chuckles as the brunet brings her hand down again, her face bent to look at her joint hands on top of her desk.

"Do you?" Ashley questions and Angela has to place a hand over her mouth to cover the smile forming in her face, fully aware that Mrs. Ernest has no idea what hole she is digging for herself. "Are you sure you should be teaching? You have quite the memory loss."

The classroom falls silent; eyes following Mrs. Ernest begins walking towards Ashley. "Am I to take by your jesting that you don't know the answer, Miss Lopez?" Ashley stares back nonchalantly at her teacher who continues walking towards the table. "May I remind you that class participation is part of your grade?"

"You may," Ashley smirks at Mrs. Ernest. "Go ahead, remind me. I am all ears."

Angela leans back against her chair as Mrs. Ernest comes to a stop in front of Ashley, all eyes on them. "Clearly your parents' divorce and your father's affair is getting to you." Angela gapes at Mrs. Ernest as Ashley stands straighter in her seat, starring at her teacher in amusement. "Maybe your time would be more wisely spent in the counselor's office?"

Ashley's eyes twinkle as she leans backward against her chair. "And maybe you don't like your job." Mrs. Ernest raises an eyebrow. "Clearly you want to be fired." Ashley snarl takes Mrs. Ernest aback. "Students' personal business, no matter how public it is, is not open for class discussion." Ashley glares at her teacher. "You don't want me as your enemy Mrs. Ernest. You teach at a private school where money speaks above all and it's no secret that my parents are the biggest donors." Mrs. Ernest visibly swallows and Angela can see her realizing she took things too far. "They might be divorce, and I may have a little sister now, but that doesn't mean my education is not a priority. A word from me and we might have a new Environmental Science teacher." Angela rolls her eyes at Mrs. Ernest clear fear of Ashley's words. She never understood why people bite more than they can chew. "Now, I believe Hannah has the answer to your question." Ashley turns to the brunette at the front of the class. "Hannah, If you could please remind Mrs. Ernest of where we left off on Monday."