The New Kid

Chapter 13

It was Monday morning. Sunday had gone by in a flash, what with homework and chores my parents had cut out for Reagan and I to do. It was nice to have unpacked around the house more. I found things I forgot I had and nestled them on the white shelves in my room. I had to admit, I needed that day at home. It was a balanced weekend. A little social life, a little family time, a little me time, and I completed my responsibilities, but not before midnight. I was going to bed too late, but maybe I could sneak a nap in after school. 

I hopped into the car, coffee to-go mug in hand, and revved up Robin. It was a crisp morning and the sun was shining brightly. I couldn't believe I was saying it, but I was excited to go to school and see my friends. 

I was early to first period. I rubbed my shoulder a little bit and stretched in my seat. Christian wasn't in class yet so I doodled in my sketchbook for a few minutes. 

I was drawing Emma Stone's tiny, round nose when I heard someone call out my name. "Avalon." I turned in my seat to face a perfectly-tanned Clara. "Yeah?" I asked her slightly condescendingly. She looked at me smugly, "How's the shoulder?" I studied her, arched brows and all. "What do you care?" I asked her. "Well, I just wanted to let you know, that was warning number one." Tuckett  walked in just then, and I gave Clara a final glare. What did she mean?

Christian sauntered into class a minute late looking slightly sleepy but nonetheless very attractive in his blue-denim jeans, Docs boots, and black V-neck. Clara waved at him flirtatiously. He paid her no attention and just sat down directly behind me per usual after shooting me a handsome grin. 

I was simmering over what Clara had said all hour. If she had something to do with my falling down the bleachers and cranking my shoulder the other day, this would be war. Clara didn't know who she was messing with. I wasn't about to be a push-over. The trick would be to get back at her when she was least expecting it. 

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"We have to do something!" I exclaimed as I threw my hands up. "Ow, bad idea," I said and clutched my shoulder, still purple and bruised. Christian and I stood by my locker while I exchanged books for second period and he stared at me long and hard before he commented on what I had shared about Clara from earlier in the day. "Are you sure? Are you sure Clara was insinuating that she was the reason you tripped?" I nodded my head vigorously, "Yes! She said 'that was warning number one,' all snooty-like. Ugh!" Christian started looking pretty unhappy - I hadn't seen him frown much before. "You're right. That was way out of bounds, I'll talk to her." "Christian!" I exclaimed again, "I need to do it. I'm not a push-over." His frown turned into a slight smile, "Look, tough girl, I'm the reason you're being threatened and bullied. Let me talk to her about this insanity. I don't like you getting hurt because of me, or at all." He wasn't going to let me get another word in, so I sighed and said, "Let me know how talking to her goes."

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We were at lunch now and the table was in uproar, "She did what?" Tristan practically shouted. "I know, it's pretty bad. She's crazy." Clara and her table were eyeing us every now and again from the middle of the caf. "Why does she want me to stay about from you so badly, Christian?" The boys started sniggering at my question, but Christian's face remained blank. "I'd, uh, rather not talk about it right here right now, Avalon." I didn't like all the mystery, especially now that it was starting to impact me and my shoulder directly. "I'm going to get to the bottom of this with or without you Christian," I challenged. He looked taken aback, "Look, I did what I said. I talked to her. She didn't 'fess up to anything but I told her to leave you alone and that I wasn't interested...at all." I hoped that wouldn't just enrage her more. "Fine," I responded to Christian. He and the boys knew full well that "fine," meant not fine. 

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I was still deep in thought about Clara and what I should do about her. I wasn't sure Christian would keep his word and defend me yet. Was Clara his ex or something? The boys were so secretive when it came to stuff like this. The school day was out and I headed over quickly to my locker, avoiding the stampede of kids going every which-way. Once there, I realized there was a note shoved partially into my locker. 

It read: Meet me by the bleachers and we'll talk. - Christian

Why couldn't he just text me? Weirdo. 

I grabbed the books I needed for homework that night and slung my backpack over my shoulders. I was going to see what this was all about.

I got to the bleachers, luckily unharmed by said stampede of kids. I didn't see Christian, just a bunch of students hanging around. "You. Avalon," I heard someone call out behind me. A big kid approached me at a quick pace. This didn't feel right. I turned to get out of there, but another tall kid was coming toward me from the other direction. Each of them grabbed me by one arm and I winced at my shoulder being clenched abrasively. They hauled me beneath the bleachers. I was kicking and trying to get them to let go, and seriously, no one even bothered to help me. Stupid bystanders.

"What is going on?! What do you guys want?" I huffed when they finally let my arms go, slinging my arm forward from their hooked hands. To my horror, Clara and the ditsy chicks appeared from the shadow of the bleachers, grinning slyly from ear-to-ear. "I see you received my invitation," she said smoothly. I shot her a mean look. "Forging notes now, I see Clara? Why is that not a shocker?" I retorted. "I knew you wouldn't be able to pass up a chance to be alone with Chris," she mocked. She dismissed the two big kids, who remained silent throughout like henchmen under a spell, with a wave of her flawlessly-manicured hand. Her two friends stuck around. They stared me down, arms crossed. They were trying too hard to look intimidating. Hot pink and mini-skirts didn't phase me at all. I turned to leave, since no one was gripping my arms and forcing me to be here any longer. "This is a joke," I muttered under my breath," readjusting my backpack. "Ah-ah, before you leave..." Clara started, "This is warning number two. Stay away from Chris. Don't sit with him and his friends anymore, don't talk with him anymore, and certainly don't invite him over anymore. You can pick another boy from the crop though, if you want. That's me being generous." I looked at her as if she were insane. Oh wait, she was. 

I didn't want to hear any more of her nonsense. Without another word, I started to leave, but then I swiveled back on my heel and lunged at her and her friends, stopping short of their faces. They looked momentarily terrified before they recomposed themselves. "You're not the only one who knows how to threaten and follow-through," I warned back. With that, I left swiftly. I got to the parking lot, and just sat in my car for a good while, scheming.