Shamelessy Bad

10. Fighting

"Hey, Princess. Where do you think you're going?" A low raspy voice says behind us.

We turn around to see a short-statured male with short slicked black hair. He's pale like an Irish man and his eyes are blue and piercing like Mandy's. He has a light Chicago accent when he speaks.

"What're you doing harassing my sister, huh?" He tries to grab me by the wrist. Carl pushes him away.

"Leave my girl alone, Mickey!" He says.

Mickey pushes him back. They're nose to nose now. I push them apart and face Carl.

"Carl I can handle it," I tell him. He nods and backs away.

Mickey scoffs as a crowd of kids circle around us to watch the fight. It's kind of a shame that they'd just stand and watch a girl get harassed.

"Handle me? Yeah, I'd like to see the little bitch try."

I walk up to him and stand so close I can tell he didn't brush his teeth this morning, if ever. He smiles a mischievous grin.

"Whatcha gonna do, Shrimpy?" He challenges me. "You're gonna need a step ladder if you wanna hit me." I think about it but then shake my head.

"Nah, I've got a better idea." He turns his head with his eyebrows furrowed.

"What the fuck are you ta-" His voice is cut off and becomes high-pitched as I grip his family's jewels.

"You know, I've had ponies back home charge me that are a lot scarier than you. I could break them without a problem, so don't think for a minute that you'll be a bit of trouble." I threaten. Everyone's eyes are wide with bewilderment. He clears his throat trying to hide his tiny whimpers. "What did Mandy tell you?" I ask. He blinks rapidly and beads of sweat appear on his forehead.

"She told me you hit on her and wouldn't leave her alone." He speaks quick. His voice is shaky as he winces in pain.

"Where is she?" I ask, tightening my grip.

He can't get the words out so instead of telling me, he points in the direction she's in. I let him go and start walking in the direction until I find her in the girls bathroom. She's reapplying her skanky eyeliner as I walk in. When she sees me, she gives me a knowing smirk.

"Aww, your face is still in tact. My brother must not have gotten a hold of you yet. Can't wait to see it when he does." She laughs.

"Yeah, you're right. He didn't get ahold of me. I got ahold of him." She rolls her eyes.

"Yeah, right."

"You know, it's pretty funny. A guy will tell you anything you wanna know if you squeeze them in the right place." I cross my arms and put my weight on one leg as I jut the other out. "You wanna know what Mickey told me?" I ask her.

"Mm, no. I don't really care." She turns back around to mess with her eyes. I chuckle.

"It's sad, really. He said that I hit on you? If that's your way of trying to get back at me for something you started, then you're weaker than I thought."I scoff. "At least with Karen, you took matters into your own hands."

She whips around to face me. Her face is twisted in fury as she screams at me.

"Weak? You think I'm weak? You're the one who keeps hitting on my boyfriend and trying to cozy up to him while you string along his little brother like he's your fucking lap dog. I may be a slut, but at least I own my shit." I bust out into laughter only infuriating her more.

"Is that really what this is about? You think I'm after Lip? You couldn't be more wrong. I like Carl. Mandy, if you really think that I'm into Lip then you're not only weak, but you're also insecure. It's not an attractive feature. It's only a matter of time before he realizes it too and dumps you like the white trash you are. I'd be careful if I were you." I smirk. She takes a few steps towards me. "I mean, why are you even still in school? Oh, that's right! You were too busy studying every dick in school that you didn't have time to study. You have a problem, Mandy. Maybe you should get some help."

She reaches her fist out until it connects with my left cheek. The force knocks me into the bathroom door. Tears have started to flow out of her eyes but her makeup doesn't budge much.

"You stupid little bitch, don't you dare talk like you know me! Don't you fucking dare. Keep your mouth shut or I will fucking end you, do you hear me? And stay the hell away from Lip!"She yells so loud I'm almost certain that everyone outside the bathrooms can hear every word. It sure bounces off of the walls enough. I storm out of the bathroom and straight to class. Carl catches me along the way. He immediately glances at the bruise my cheek bone from where Mandy struck me.

"Oh my God. Are you okay? What happened?" He gently touches it, but I turn my face away.

"I'm fine. Me and Mandy got into it. That's all." He picks my face up to look at him.

"Are you sure you're alright?" I nod my head slowly.

"Yeah, let's just walk to class." I sigh.

Each class drags by, each one feeling like an eternity. I struggle to keep my head focused on the lessons. Finally, the last bell rings for us to go home. I meet Carl outside and we walk to his house. My stomach flips with every step closer to the house.

When we get there, Lip is waiting on the couch for us, well for me. He looks at me with such disappointment that I feel myself shrinking. Carl stops behind me.

"What? What'd I do?" He asks. Lip shakes his head.

"No, it's Cass." He says as he turns to me. "You need to apologize to Mandy. She's been upstairs bawling her eyes out since you two got into it at school. She missed all of her classes." He raises his voice. "Look, Cassie. I don't know what's going on between you two, or while the two of you are in this stupid rivalry, but it ends today. Get your ass up there and apologize and set things right." I set my bag down.

"You're right, Lip. I'll go apologize now." I start up the stairs and follow the sound of sobbing.