What Would You Change?

Badass: Chapter 10

I walk out of the library, and feel raindrops start to pelt my face. Of course, I didn't even know it would rain. I mean, it was a little cool this morning, but I definitely did not bring an umbrella to school.

Ugh. This day.

The rest of my classes seem like a blur. All I could feel is the buzz of anger pushing me forward. I don't need Trina or Robbie. Fuck them. As if they know what I'm going through. At one point, during AP U.S. History I started gripping my pencil so hard, I accidentally broke it in half.

AP Chem is next. I rush into the classroom with a newfound determination. I slam open the door until it hits the opposing wall with a loud bang. However, I don't look back towards the door, instead I find my next target, my usual seat and slump into her.

Mr. Rowner raises both his eyebrows at the display he just witnessed. He's lounging in his chair reading a nonfiction novel and both his feet are spread out onto his desk. But, as soon as he hears my commotion, Mr. Rowner immediately sits upright.

"Is everything going okay Ryan?" Mr. Rowner asks.

I don't want to deal with teacher's fake sympathy and the need to get involved only when it involves them or causes a disturbance in a classroom. Otherwise, they're blissfully 'unaware' of the bullies and mean girls. I'm tired of playing by their rules. I need to make my own.

"Yeah, everything's just peachy." I say sarcastically. I do my best to not obscure the detail of putting both my headphones blatantly in my ears. I turn the music up loud so I can block out the rest of the world. I notice students begin to file into the classroom while I do this.

Cody gives me a small smirk as he walks to his desk, and I can't help but blush back.

I hear Mr. Rowner's voice off in the distance, most likely telling me to take my headphones off, but no, not today. Today I don't play by their rules.

It isn't until I hear and see a large hand slam into my desk to get my attention that I notice Mr. Rowner was trying to speak to me. His body is tense, and the look he gives to usual troublemakers is now strangely placed on me.

"Ryan! Take your headphones out now! I have asked you three times before. If you don't take them out this instant you will be heading to the principal's office." Mr. Rowner practically yells.

 Suddenly, every students' eyes are on me. Really Mr. Rowner? Really? Trying to make an example out of me?

I can see he's trying to embarrass me, but I won't be cast in the shadows any longer. I won't be the one who just sits there and takes it.

I decide I will only take one of my headphones out but not the other. Who cares? It's not like my life was any better when I listened to teachers. So why shouldn't I try the experimental method and see if this is any better? And anyways, weren't we taught to question authority?

I look Mr. Rowner dead in the eye, take one of headphones out and say,

"Good enough for you? You know I'll still get an A with both of them in, but if you want me to pretend to listen that's on you." I say nonchalantly.

The entire class gasps, I guess I'll be in tomorrow's gossip cycles for quite a while. The class is so silent you could hear a pin drop as we wait for Mr. Rowner's next move.

Mr. Rowner grits his teeth and the once easy-going teacher says,

"Principal's office. Now."

I roll my eyes but comply. I slowly proceed to throw my backpack over my shoulder.

Before leaving I see a note in my periphery, it's Cody. He's holding up a note card that has Badasss written on it.

He's also wearing a goofy smile, and I can't help but feel accomplished.

I get to the principal's office, and see the receptionist, Anne, working on some papers. She's in her mid-forties, and she's one of those people who thinks the world is a bunch of inspirational quotes. I give her one of my sickly sweet smiles. She knows me as being one of the smartest kids in the grade. Also, I know she's a sucker for suck-ups so I begin,

"Hi Anne!" I wave with a smile glued to my face and in a high pitched voice.

"Oh hi Ryan," she smiles. "What brings you in today?"

"Well, you see, I got into a bit of a misunderstanding with Mr. Rowner. I was trying to express how kids should be able to contend with authority because we are taught to question things. But, long story short I got sent to the principal's office."

I can see her frown, and now it's time to hone her in,

"I mean I completely see where he was coming from, and I shouldn't have been so vehement about my ideas. I just got so caught up in the moment. You know?" I say doe-eyed.

Anne looks like she's about to tear up for me.

"Oh sweetie, you shouldn't be punished for expressing your ideas! You're such a sweet girl. That's a shame." She looks around the room as if we aren't the only two people in the room.

"You know what? Why don't you sit in one of those seats, do your homework, listen to music for a couple minutes while I write off your detention slip," Anne whispers.

I smile straight back. I can't believe she's falling for this act.

"Oh my! Thank you so much! You have no idea what this means to me."

I find myself fitting into the good girl routine a little too well. I pull my hands onto my chest as if I'm truly moved by this moment. I decide to pull my headphones back on and listen to Taylor Swift's "I Did Something Bad" which felt so right in that moment.

Anne writes the detention slip as signed and tells me to get on with my next class. A part of me knew my routine would work, but I'm surprised it worked so fast and so well. Wow, why haven't I been like this before? I feel like a kid in a candy store with unlimited money.

I sit through my last class in a small daze.

When school finally decides to be over. I think I can finally catch by breath, but right when I leave the door of my last class, I see Robbie and Trina standing in the hallway talking. I hear Robbie shout,

"Wait, Ryan!"

I take that as my cue to run away in the opposite direction. I can't handle Trina or Robbie. Not right now, maybe not ever. I look for the nearest bathroom so I can change into my running clothes. At least I literally can run away from my problems at practice.

Just when I think I'm in the clear though I run into a very male body I realize when I press my hands right up against this person's chest.

"I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to run into --" I start to say but my voice cuts out when I see the person behind the beautiful chest is Cody.

"So, we've found each other again I see," Cody says.

"Uh, uh yeah," I say, trying not to look directly into his eyes.

"Quite the stunt you pulled in class today. I still need help with AP Chemistry, and I know you end practice at the same time I do. We have class first thing tomorrow, and I still haven't done my homework. Please? And maybe we can talk? Or more than talk?" Cody asks while swaying and smiling cheekily.

"You know what. I'd actually love that."