The Struggle (2nd Book of Life Button series)

Nevesytnewt

It's been a week since little miss perfect blonde bitty brat got here. Tensions are high but I'm happy I left a mark on that pretty little face. I see the bruises

Yes I do still live with the Guys. No I don't talk to Cadmar. I talk to the other Guys though. Everyone else seems to understand but him. He doesn't talk to anyone but little miss perfect now. Like she owns him or something. Apparently I also broke that tracking device when I tackled her so that's good.

"Erhm...I have some bad news this morning Ethel." Falon says nervously, shuffling his hands.

"What is it?" I ask, putting some cereal in my mouth.

"Well...do you remember when you had to answer the questions of different people with-"

"Yes I do." I say sharply. No I'm not over that dang idiot.

"Well..that's today. And he insists that he's bringing Tracey with him. As his Second. He spread that...and that means you wouldn't be Second. So either you show up and you challenge Tracey even though the month thing isn't up for you or you just give up your position."

"Out of the question. I'm not giving my position to the spoiled brat. She got everything...every single thing I got and more when we were growing up. The respect of the people and everyone in the village is mine. Being Second? That's mine. C-C-Ca-He was mine. She just has to take everything from me." I whisper the last part, staring into my cereal.

"I know he hurt you Ethel. I don't understand why he has been acting like this with her. She is so rude and obnoxious and not even polite in the least. It's so un-Cadmar-like to like someone like that. He just is-was so head over heels for you." Falon says sadly, "He loved you. I don't understand what happened that day."

"She did this sort of thing with every man in our school. It's disgusting actually, how men just fall to her feet if she wants them to. It's as if she-"

"Had some secret that made them do it?"

"Yes! I think after this little question thing, imma have to do some snooping. Wanna help?" I say mischievously.

"Of course I do. What are best brothers for?" Falon says, ruffling my hair as he walks by. "Get ready, and be over there before Cadmar is. Or else you'll look foolish."

"Of course Falon. I'll see you later." I smile the first real smile since then. Later I'll find out if she did something to Cadmar. And if she did, she's in for it. And it is death.

I leave as soon as I'm done eating and I know for a fact that I am ahead of Cadmar and his side pal gal. "Goodmorning Ethel!" It is Athena. "I heard that someone dethroned you from being Second. What a sh-"

"No one dethroned me. So get that rumor out of that pretty little head of yours."

"Well...whatever...I don't really care. But I am gonna mention this to Cadmar since he's the one who started it."

"I don't care about him. I don't care about him whatsoever." I deadpan, pushing pass her and into the small place where Cadmar and me first did something together. As a team.

I remember falling over and Cadmar laughing. It was a true moment. Something that might never ever happen again.

I sit in the chair of the Second. I look at the clock and it's time we start. Hmmm I wonder where Cadmar is. "First one can come up."

Then I almost die inside. It's Tracey and she has a dead set look in her eyes. "Why do you hate me so much?"

I growl, holding the chair arms with both hands. "Because you were the reason that I was sent through The Trials and almost died. You were the reason I found out my mother was the Killer. You were the reason that I fell in love with Cadmar. I loved him so much. And you tore us apart. You know me here as Ethel, the Second. I'm one of them in charge. But when I had my brown hair then you might've known me as Acid, the Last. The one you made fun of for years and years." I yell.

Tracey's face is pure gold. Shock is written on every feature. "A-A-E...huh? You can't be Acid. She was a wimpy shrimp who went to my school. She was a Brunette. You have purple hair."

"That's because Cadmar made it purple for me. No, not purple. Lilac. Lilac is my favorite color. And I wasn't wimpy or a shrimp. I was silent and strong. If you went through all your life being bullied and you couldn't do anything about it without a chance of dying, what would you do? Die? No. I prefer something called living. Although that life was worse than death itself. I am done with you. Leave since I answered your question."

"I'm not going anywhere. I-I cha-cha-"

"Save your breath til after I do the questions. Then I'll fight you. And I'll beat you to a bloody pulp."

"Why not now? You scared?"

"Oh honey, you should be scared. I didn't even take my anger out on you in full yet. All those years of torture and bullying and getting me almost killed? Imagine that times a million because that's the pain that your gonna feel when we fight."

"But Cadmar said-"

"WORDS DO NOT DO ANYTHING! FIGHTING DOES! ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS AND I DO NOT EVEN SEE THAT PUNK HERE!" She winces at my yelling. Her fault for getting all snotty.

"Maybe that's because I was waiting to see how you'd react if I sent her in here." A male voice says from the doorway. And in struts Mister A Hole himself. "I am surprised you restrained as much as you did."

I look away from him and back towards Tracey. "He may have shown up but I wasn't lying back at the house when I said I'd never talk to him again."

I flick my eyes over to see hurt flash over his face. "But Ethel-"

"Next."

"E-"

"NEXT!" I yell, sending Tracey out. She turns on her heel and leaves.

In comes Derrick, "Hello there Cadmar. Hi Ethel babe." He blows me a kiss. I roll my eyes in disgust.

"Hi Derrick. What's your question?" He asks.

"My question is are you and Ethel still a thing? Cause if not, I want a piece of dat gurl!" Derrick smirks.

"Well it's really very complica-" Cadmar starts.

This should hurt him, "Oh no we aren't anymore Derrick. But I don't think I would want to be with you either."

Derrick leaves in silence and we are just here. This is gonna be a long question session.
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DANGIT Tracey! Why you gotta be so ruuuuude?

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