Stares followed Daphne as she went over to her locker. She kept her head down, steady hands assembling her books and bags in. She had avoided surfing the internet because she knew the news she'll find will only spoil her mood. So when her presence aroused murmurs, she didn't let it bother her and told herself they were only saying good things.
But that didn't last when the delusional trio approached her, Rosaline jabbing her side with her sharp nails as she walked past.
Sharon sniffed the air around her, the side of her mouth pulling up in an evil smirk. "That's thoroughly cleaned up. But I bet there are some other places that are still tainted. Like…" Before Daphne could walk away, Sharon placed her hand flat on Daphne chest, right on top of her breast and began to rub slowly down. Her finger slipped under shirt, hooked onto a button, and yanked it off.
Gasp cut through the class as a button popped off and skittered across the floor.
Daphne mouth twitched. Anger exploded behind her eyes, hot and blinding. Her fingers curled so tightly her nails bit into her palms.
And the whole class were watching. Phones out and camera flashing again.
If roles were reversed, if blonde Daphne stood there instead, the class would have erupted. Someone would have intervened. Someone would have shouted. Someone would have helped.
But she was just the other Daphne.
The invisible girl.
The girl left out of class plans.
The girl people tolerated until she became entertainment.
Still Daphne didn't mind, she preferred her own space than to beg to fit in a place she wasn't wanted.
Now now they were paying attention to her to watch her disgraced.
There was one thing her mother told her about the cycle of bully. She had said, "Today they'll slap you, and if you keep quiet, they'll be back tomorrow to break your bones, keep quiet again and you'll be dead the next day after that."
Was Daphne ready to have her bones broken? Hell no! She'll be the one break bones instead.
BANG!
A sudden blur slammed into Sharon. Her face slammed to the locker so loud, the whole class went quiet.
Tessa stood between Daphne and the others now, her bag swung to the front, shoulders squared and eyes blazing fire. She seemed ready for a dirty fight. Sharon staggered back, blood already streaming from her nose, her stare wild and unhinged as she aimed for Tessa.
Tessa hand was faster. Her palm cracked across Sharon face. The impact sent Sharon's head cracking into the locker again with a cry. This time, she didn't bounce back immediately.
" Oh you fucking bitches!" Tessa roared.
Blonde Daphne and Rosaline recoiled instinctively.
Yes. Tessa was crazy in a loud fearless way. The kind of crazy that was unpredictable. That's explained a little why she was Daphne best friend.
Two guys stood, walking up to Tessa, blocking her from her targets. "Move." She warned, stepping as closer to the taller one.
"No you move, take your little tantrum to your class."
"Okay," Tessa took a step back, then kicked him square in the groin. He folded instantly, collapsing with a strangled sound, hands clutching himself.
The room erupted again.
The second boy froze, staring at Tessa like she'd lost her mind.
Truth was.. crazy suited her just fine. She grabbed his tie, yanked him down, and slapped him hard across his face.
And one of Tessa's elder brothers was a professional boxer, and had learned some things
" You should have stood up for my friend too." She snapped, slapping him again before shoving him aside.
She marched towards Sharon and blonde Daphne. She unzipped her bag, and pulled out a nylon bag full of flour, before they can avoid it, she slapped the nylon across their faces.
The air exploded into whites. Flour filled the air like smoke, coughs, curses and screams overlapping.
The blonde screamed so loud, Tessa honestly hoped she tore her throat.
" You mad bitch!" Sharon shrieked.
" You ugly dumb shit!" Tessa spat.
Daphne lunged forward, grabbing Tessa's arm, trying to pull her back as Tessa and the blonde tangled, fists flying, and hands in air.
That was when Rosaline attacked. She yanked Daphne's hair from behind, dragging her backward with a vicious force. Pain shot through Daphne's scalp, but she reacted instantly.
She grabbed Rosaline's wrist, twisted it sharply behind her back, and shoved her forward. Rosaline screamed as Daphne slammed her against the window, palm pressed flat against her face, bending her over the sill.
" Daphne!" Ernest's voice thundered as he burst into the classroom, his face draining of color at the sight gracing his eyes.
He went over to Sharon, who was still struggling to get on her feet. He help her up, pulling a chair for her to sit in.
"Let her go. Now." He ordered, walking closer.
Tessa hurled her bag at him. "Stay out of this."
" Let go," Rosaline wriggled, and Daphne twisted her hand more, she let out a sharp scream.
"No, you stay the hell still or I'll push you over" Everyone gasped at her statement.
"You won't." She said breathless but certain.
Daphne pushed her further out the window. " Dare me again."
" Just push her out!" Tessa urged, sounding impatient already, her arms locked tightly around the blonde neck." It's just two floors down, maybe if she hit her head a little, she'll have a little sense."
"She must be crazy." Someone said.
" Daphne," Ernest called, voice low and with forced composure, "let her go."
" If she and her friends promise to leave me alone and apologize for what they did." Daphne said with steady voice, her grip unwavering.
Tessa had managed to get the blonde on her knees. " You heard her, apologize."
" I didn't do anything wrong, so I'm not apologizing to a bloody nobody." The blonde said with tired breaths.
Tessa snarled, tugging at the blonde ponytail so her head was forced up. " Just fucking say sorry."
"What is in heaven's name is happening here?"
Everyone quickly adjusted in their seats, chairs scrapping loudly against the floor and phones disappearing into bags, only the class president stood frozen, and the five girls at the back of the classroom looked like actors of a horror movie.
" Holy crap." Tessa muttered, releasing the blonde as the principal stepped fully into the room, eyes taking in the flour and the blood.