This is War

Chapter 6

Chapter 6 - Natalie's P.O.V 

"Go, go, go!" I hissed and they ran, getting out of the 'danger zone' as soon as they could. Sprinting to the edge of the hall, the bell rang and I smiled to myself. Perfect timing. 

I watched as Noah Hall walked down the hallway, stopping at one of his goon's locker, and laughing at something he had said. Impatiently, I tapped my foot as I kept my eyes on him, making his way casually down the hallway. He paused at his locker and pulled out his phone-- a new one, not the one I broke-- and his shoulders shook with a laugh as he read what was on his screen. 

Glancing over, his goon was missing and I let out a quiet breath of relief. He wouldn't have any backup to attack and kill me after this little run in. 

My attention back on Noah, he began to put in his combination for his locker. He pulled it open and I shrieked, my vision suddenly blinded by blue. Wiping my eyes, I looked up to see Noah Hall laughing and his goons next to me cracking up. I wiped the paint off me and flung it at them and they stared at me shocked before their faces morphing into those of anger. 

But they were cut off by a sudden bellow, Noah down the hall getting covered by yellow paint with bits of rubber stuck to him-- paint-filled balloons were always a classic go-to. I guessed he had the same idea. 

He slowly turned to me and marched over, though not looking all that lethal with yellow paint all over him. Some kids pointed and laughed, which I silently thanked them for. 

"You look ridiculous," He spat, trying to take me down. 

I shook my head, laughing so hard there were tears coming out of my eyes, "No way, Hall. You're definitely more ridiculous! I mean who pours paint on themselves with their own locker?" 

"Hall! Brooks!" A new voice bellowed and we groaned in sync. 

Principal Jenkins charged toward up, steaming with anger. 

Noah smirked at me, "You're busted now, Brooks." 

"Not likely," I whispered just in time as Mr. Jenkins approached. 

He glared at the two of us, "Are we really going to be starting this again?" 

"Oh, absolutely," Noah spoke with confident innocence, "You see, Ms. Brooks here challenged me, and I never back down from a challenge." 

"My office. Now." Our principal managed to say through gritted teeth. 

We walked past everyone in the hall and I caught Matt's eye, who was giving me a curious look. I sighed and averted my eyes; I still didn't understand why he would like someone like me. 

Noah and I stood in Mr. Jenkins' office, not sitting because we would get paint on the chairs. Shifting my weight from my left foot to my right, I folded my arms. 

"I want the full and honest story starting with you, Mr. Hall," He stated firmly, leaving no room for argument. 

He smiled, "Gladly. Well, I was in chemistry and the bell rang, so I walked out and to my locker, when Natalie popped out and attacked me viciously with paint-filled water balloons!" 

"That's redundant," I mumbled but they ignored me. 

Mr. Jenkins nodded, "Okay. So, you say she attacked you. Ms. Brooks, your story please." 

"Of course," I smiled, "Well, I was standing in the hallway when all of a sudden I felt something being poured on me, so I screamed, naturally. It was Noah's friends, they had the whole scheme planned. And then, I heard him shout and I looked over to see him drenched in yellow paint. I honestly swear I had no part in it." 

Lying to Mr. Jenkins had become my area of expertise over the years. 

He nodded, "Well, of course you know I have security tapes around here." 

Our confidence faltered, but he continued, "I'll pull them up right now to see which story is the right story." 

Neither of us said a word as Principal Jenkins began clicking and typing away on his computer. Finally, it was silent as he watched something on the screen. He smiled and turned the monitor around so we watched. The video showed my friends and I around Margo's locker, right next to Noah's. Our brilliant thinking, making sure we wouldn't get caught. 

Then the camera zoomed back, showing the hallway I stood in as well as giving a view of Noah's locker. 

"What were you doing standing there, Miss Brooks?" Mr. Jenkins asked me. 

I answered as I continued to watch the video, "I was waiting for a friend of mine." 

He nodded in acceptance. 

Students flooded out into the hallway on the video, but you could see two boys pour paint over my head and a few moments later see paint being dumped on Noah from out of nowhere. I almost smiled in triumph, but I kept my cool. 

"One week of detention, Mr. Hall," Mr. Jenkins told Noah, who surprisingly didn't object. He turned to me, "You're free to go Ms. Brooks. I appreciate your honesty." 

Giving them both a smile, I walked out of the office and to freedom. 

"Ah!" Kate shrieked, jumping up from her chair, glancing down, and then glaring at the boys. The two laughed, high fiving at their childish prank. Like in The Sound of Music, they had placed a pine cone on her seat. Kate picked it up and chucked it at them, the pine cone bouncing off of Logan and onto Margo. 

I busted out in laughter. 

Dylan shook his head at me, "I still think you're on a suicide mission trying to go against Hall." 

Stopping mid-laugh, I gave him a sour look, "I'm doing just fine against Noah. After all, I'm winning three to two." 

"I call planning your funeral!" Olivia exclaimed through a mouthful of Doritos-- she hadn't stopped eating since we arrived at Dylan's house. 

Kicking my legs up onto Kate's lap, I rolled my eyes, "I'm not going to die. I'll be just fine." 

"So since you're going on a date with Matt, can I ask Noah out?" Margo suddenly asked and the room went silent, except for the tv playing in the background. 

Logan was the first to speak, "Go for it!' 

It was cruel, to tell her to even try, but in a way I figured she'd brought it down upon herself. Us, her friends, would be there to catch her, though. 

She seemed happier after that, sitting giddily in her seat. We tried our best to ignore it, but it bothered me. Why was she so interested in Noah Hall of all people? Getting the images out of my head, I tried to focus on what Olivia and Kate were saying. 

They were talking about Matt. 

Dylan poked me in the arm and I jumped, then glared at him, "What?" 

"Thinking about Matt?" He teased. 

I rolled my eyes, "Why would you think that?" 

He chuckled, "Because you're smiling and you always smile like that when we talk about him." 

"Shut up," I mumbled and tried to cover up my blush, but failed epically.

∞