Try not to kill me for the late posting please haha I wanted to try to finish a couple more before posting AND I had major writer's block but I finally got a couple chapters out! Another coming soon.

This chapter is dedicated to Apricity31 for supporting me and this book even when I didn't post for so long. Thank you ❤️

"Welcome to advanced creative writing, day two." Mrs. Calibri, aka Savannah, said, facing her half-asleep class. Her soft brown eyes landed on Natasha, who was the only one alert and ready to take notes. "Natasha, please collect everyone's homework."

"Of course, Mrs. Calibri," Natasha said stiffly, making a point of not calling her Savannah. She got up and collected papers from everyone - well, everyone except an embarrassed Sally Can, who was then called into the hall by Mrs. Calibri.

Natasha sighed as she dropped the pile of papers onto Mrs. Calibri's desk, then sat back down in her seat. A minute later, Mrs. Calibri entered the room again with a flushing but relieved Sally Can behind her. Mrs. Calibri motioned for Sally to go to her seat, then picked up the pile of papers Natasha had left on her desk and began flipping through them.

"Ahem," someone said from behind Natasha. Mrs. Calibri looked up and flushed.

"Right. Class, you may have silent reading time."

Natasha rolled her eyes while the rest of the class cheered quietly and began reading. How unprofessional, she thought. Mrs. Calibri may have acted like she wanted to give the students a friendly space, but all she really wanted was a paycheck for doing nothing. Natasha rolled her eyes once more and flipped open her re-read of To Kill a Mockingbird, one of her favorites.

"Natasha," Mrs. Calibri called as the children were heading towards the school. Natasha got up with her book in hand and went over to Mrs. Calibri's desk to collect her paper, which she was sure she'd received an A on.

"I'm sorry," Mrs. Calibri said as she pushed the paper into Natasha's hand and motioned for her to read it in private. It was a good thing she did, because when Natasha read the news in the hallway, she nearly collapsed onto the ground. It couldn't be - it just couldn't be!

"Natasha?" Amethyst appeared out of nowhere, hand on the bathroom door handle, eyes on Natasha. "Are you okay?"

"Fine, fine, totally fine," Natasha whispered, more to herself than to Amethyst. Amethyst shook her head and walked over.

"That's two fines too many. What happened?" Amethyst prodded, clearly concerned. Natasha tried to shove the paper behind her back but Amethyst spotted it and flipped it over. Her mouth fell open.

"Oh Natasha, I'm so-"

"Forget it," Natasha muttered.

"But-"

"Forget it!" Natasha snapped. Amethyst stepped back, looking hurt, and Natasha immediately felt guilty.

"I'm sorry," she said quietly. "I just-" Natasha scrambled to her feet and past Amethyst, straight into the girls bathroom without a second glance backwards. Amethyst didn't dare follow Natasha in.

What do you think Natasha's grade was? What will Amethyst do?

~ writesthetic