"Yup." Naomi agreed, pulling books out of her bag and setting them on the table. "Study hall. I don't mind. It's better than some elective I don't need." The trouble with transferring schools mid-semester was how far behind she'd gotten. Ashkent Creek wasn't following the same curriculum that the Boston school system had been. As she'd never transferred mid-year before, she didn't know what to expect when going into the new school, but she did know it wasn't this. Some of her classes were going over material she'd already, and others were on something completely different. Or maybe her school in Boston had gone over it but she'd just skipped that day. She'd skipped many days, despite the fact that she was always claiming she was going for the 'perfect attendance' award. Her parents believed the lie, that was all that mattered.
The jokes at the other table were being loud. Naomi ducked her head out of habit, were they talking about her? Were they already going to start being mean? Her heart raced, but she managed to keep her face blank as she stared at the books in front of her. This was fine. She just had to catch up with work and they wouldn't mess with her. She paused. Who cared if they messed with her? She was powerful now she cou- Cole was standing up now, jumping out of his seat and headed straight for the letterman crowd. What was he doing? Naomi turned in her seat, her eyes following him as he confronted them.
It took a second for Naomi to realize what was happening. Cole was defending whoever those kids had been laughing about. He wasn't going to stand for bullying! A smile pulled at her face. He wasn't standing up for himself, that much was clear when they asked if he was his boyfriend. She wondered who the he was? Maybe she shouldn't have been ignoring them, but be more ready for action. Sure she could take action if there was a wish, but Cole didn't have wish-granting powers... at least she didn't think so. He was just taking a stand for something he saw as wrong.
Naomi shuffled to her feet, tripping over a chair she didn't notice in her haste. Luckily she was able to catch herself before face planting, and with all the attention in the room fixed on Cole and the joke, there was a high chance no one noticed. She took a step towards them, ready to help if Cole needed anyone, not that she was sure she could help. Physical strength wasn't her strong suit. Besides, it looked like Cole wouldn't be needing her assistance. Her eyes grew wider as she watched him dodge punches and shove someone who looked twice his side across the table. Wow. He was strong. Strong and good. He was like an actual high school hero!
Anger rippled at her from the empathy link. She could feel the anger of a jock about to rush forward and punch Cole, and the one who had been shoved across the table. Good. Be angry. See what it's like to be humiliated in front of everything. Cole, on the other hand, was stone cold calm. At least, she thought he was. Wait.. there was something missing. Her gaze fixated on Cole's face. He looked angry, but she wasn't getting anything from her empathy off of him. Why was that? She could sense the anger of everyone else.... She'd have to save that question for later. Security guards were rushing in to grab the offending kids. Cole included. "W-w-wait!" Naomi stammered to a passing guard. "Cole didn't do anything! He was defending himself!" The guard ignored her, taking away the kids. Just like that, she was standing there alone, with only the cheerleaders nearby.
"What are you staring at freak?" One of them snapped the one who Cole had called out. The one who he had seen tripping Kloe at lunch. She was angry. Probably because she knew Cole was right. Naomi might not have seen the cheerleaders perform yet, but she was willing to believe Cole on that topic.
Pulling herself together, Naomi gave the girl a glare. She was hoping it'd come across as fierce, but she doubt it did. "You." She hissed, turning away and walking back to her table. She could feel their gazes bearing down into her. Oh, they didn't know what they had coming. She'd get a wish from them. that was certain. Maybe she could trick Cole into making a wish like she had with Jason. They obviously deserved it. She sat, her back straight, her shoulders pulled back confidently. There would be no bullying here. No sir, not in her school.
The rest of study hall went by without a problem. The librarian sneered at the kids, her fingers twitching on the phone just in case any other kid tried to pull something. Â Naomi worked silently, writing out plans to tournament each bully she'd seen today. Homework could wait, there was justice to be had.
Finally, the bell rang. Naomi got to her feet, shoving everything back into her bag. The cheerleaders passed her, making sure to jostle her as they left, despite the ample room they had to go around her. Naomi scowled, displeased by their existence. She'd just finished zipping up her backpack when she noticed Cole's stuff was still at the table. No one had come to collect it. She considered giving his backpack to the librarian, but sh didn't trust her not go through it in search of "bombs" or something. Seriously, how long could she keep her face scrunched up like that? No, she'd just take it to the office herself. Naomi grabbed Cole's backpack and headed towards the office.
Naomi was rounding the corner to go to the office when she saw Cole leaving. "Cole!" She called out, stumbling forward, his backpack outstretched to him. "Cole, that was so cool." She couldn't keep the excitement down. "I've never seen someone stand up to bullies like that. The world needs more people like that. Are you in trouble?" She glanced from the office door back to him. "They know it's not your fault right? You were just doing what anyone should. You're a hero of the school. Where did you learn to fight like that? They had nothing on you?" Naomi swallowed, realizing that she was really going overboard with the compliments. "Anyway, I brought your stuff. I didn't want to just leave it in the library." She paused, and then finally added. "Don't you wish that all bullies would just disappear? Or something..."
pixelskylines
theartofmadeline
kianamaiart
jacobvanloon
2087
titsay
prguitarman
gracieabrams
