16. Poppy Seeds
August walked into the lunchroom and was met with sharp glares in one direction and sharp snarls in another. She gulped, this was going to be a great day, hint the sarcasm. She sighed and walked towards the food line that was thankfully short. Squeaking sneakers made themselves known and she turned around to see Claude's smiling face. "Hey, I already got you some food since you were taking a little longer."
She told her head, that was really thoughtful of him. "Really, thank you. You didn't have to—" He shrugged. "I didn't, but I wanted to. Come on let me help you." He offered her his arm and she took it and allowed him to guide her to their table. She didn't normally like to be a damsel but for now, she'll let him do this, he seemed happy to help her out since he missed a chance to help her get away from her enemies.
"Hey, new friend!" Sara called, displaying a dazzling smile as she jumped out of her seat, her long strawberry blonde curls bouncing as she ran up and surprisingly gave August a tight hug, being very mindful of her arm and leg. "Hey, girly. What's up?"
"I'm great, come on, I bet you're hungry, we got you some good, I hope you don't mind, Claude ordered you a chicken salad and we got you a smoothie."
"Urgh, that sounds heavenly. Thank you." August squeezed Claude's hand in thanks as she pulled him along with Sara's pulling off her arm. He pulled out her chair and she sat down to join her new friends and her boyfriend and his siblings and a few of the video club members.
Across the cafeteria Cory, Bucky, Benton, and Peter were very displeased with August getting their friends suspended. Cory rolled his eyes, tsking at them. "It's so unfair how that tree humper gets off with a simple detention and Brook and the girls get suspended and get days of detention."
Bucky slammed his fist down on the table and glared at his best friend, his cold electric blue eyes side glared at Cory. "Shut up. That bitch is gonna get what's coming to her."
Benton ran a hand over his short black afro and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat then cleared it as he spoke up and asked the obvious. "But... why do you guys hate her so much?" The two friends directed their glares at him and the skin on his bones jumped and he cringed waving them off. "I—I'm just asking because... because you guys seem to really hate her and she hasn't really done anything to you guys... I mean, it's more like you two started this mess and now you're losing a fight that you began." Peter gripped his shoulder. "Why don't you stop before you dig your grave any deeper, you already have two feet in your mouth... I don't think you wanna taste a third." He said making Benton look at him from over his shoulder. He shrugged him off. "I'm serious. August hasn't done shit to anyone and yet you guys are using her as target practice for some bullshit vengeance plot. I mean, why the fuck do you even care so much about her? She's just a girl who likes plants."
Bucky's fist tightened and Peter's eyes caught it then saw his expression. "Did you not see what happened to use in art class? That bitch painted us like a fucking Van Go."
Benton scoffed. "You mean Van Gogh, and she didn't start that fight, you did Bucky." He stood, rushing Benton as he fisted a hand in the front of his t-shirt and lifted him from his seat. August and company's eyes snapped over to their table as most of the cafeteria looked at the commotion. "Watch your fucking mouth, Ben." His words were as hard as his eyes and as venomous as a viper.
Benton's jaw twitched as he looked down at his friend, someone who he had befriended from young. He didn't like the colors that painted his character now as a teenager. "You caused your own problems when you began bullying an innocent girl." He shoved Bucky away making him trip over the leg of Cory's chair. He fall back to the floor of the cafeteria, his eyes wide as he looked up at Ben. He turned to Peter. "You're not a monster like him... you should probably find better friends than that." He sucked his teeth and started to walk away as Bucky jumped back to his feet.
Peter saw him brush away Cory who tried to stop him. At that moment Peter made his choice, as Bucky pounced forward towards Benton, Peter sprung from his seat and tackled the older teen to the floor, using his hand to shove Bucky's head back. The teen cried out as his head and the floor kissed. Peter gasped at what he had done, Benton whipped around, the students all gasping, flying up from their seats, smartphones were out in full force taping the scene. Peter flew back, falling to his butt. Benton reacted quickly, grabbing Peter's arm, pulling the teen making him scramble to his feet as Benton yanked him away from the scene, shoving through the crowding of teens before they escaped out the side exit. Cory stood in stunned silence as the security guards ran in with a teacher. He looked at the stunned Cory and Bucky who was crying while holding onto his head.
August couldn't believe her eyes. What had they all just witnessed?
》》》》》
The event that had erupted in the cafeteria was all everyone could talk about as August sat in her English class as Mr. Schrindo explained what their next essay would be. She smiled as she looked over at her teacher, his smile still making the majority of the class swoon as he made an English joke. At least these students actually cared for the class unlike in history. She took out her phone, checking her messages in her new group chat that she had been added to along with Sara, Shyanne, Wesson, Quincy, Ainsley, Blaine, and Claude.
Sara: So are we just gonna ignore what happened in the cafeteria?
Ainsley: I mean, everyone saw it happen, but there's so little buzz about that fight. Why the hell is that?
August: No clue, it's weird. I mean the most popular boys in school just made a feud... I mean that's serious.
Quincy: True, I wonder why
Sara: Urgh they're probably mad about August getting their friends in trouble.
Blaine: I believe it. Benton and Peter aren't quite the bullying type.
Wesson: Yeah, but what was that argument about?
August: Me. I bet.
Claude: Don't just assume that, Auggie.
August: And why not? I won't be surprised.
Quincy: Why should we care?
Shyanne: Why shouldn't we care though? This is big, they're bullies.
"Seems like an invigorating conversation."
August: Busted, gotta go.
"H—hey Mr. Schrindo, what's up?" He had his arms folded and his face relaxed as he smirked at her. "Oh, nothing much just teaching."
"Cool... lovely lesson by the way."
"Why, thank you. You know, I could take that away, but you're not one to be distracted in class and I can't complain about your work either, so how about this, I'll give you a break this one time since you've had a bad week, but put the phone away or I'll deduct from your participation grade."
"Thank you, sir, I'm sorry."
"Don't mention it. I'm giving the whole class research homework just for the fun of it." Everyone groaned and August sighed. He was a great teacher alright, but so damn wicked when he wanted to be.
》》》》》
"Hey, where does opium come from?" Blaine asked as he scrolled through his phone.
"Poppy seeds," August replied as she walked towards her friends who had taken to hanging out outside infront of the school to wait for her after her detention ended. "Hey Auggie," Claude said walking up to her and kissing her on the cheek. "I told you I could have helped you out. Why didn't you call?"
"Because I didn't need it."
He pouted, and she sighed then pulled him in with her good hand and kissed him, this time a little longer. Ainsley cleared her throat, separating the two. "I'd say get a room, but you two just might."
She pushed her brother away gently and sat next to Sara. "So, what's the word on Ben and Pete?" Claude rose a brow at his sister. "Since when do you act so casual with them?"
Blaine rolled his eyes. "If you hung around long enough with us then you'd know that Peter and Benton aren't as bad as their friends. Peter helped me with my studying and Benton actually spends free period with our sister in a study group."
He scratched his head. "Oh..."
Quincy and Shyanne jarred at each other from their corner by the staircase.
"So, wait, poppy seeds are used to make opium? How?" Blaine asked again.
August groaned a little. "Why are you so interested in this?"
"Because opium addiction seems to be getting worse in New York."
August hummed and sat next to him on the bench. "So, opium, the milky fluid that they extract from and unripe poppy seed pod are what they use to make the drug. In the past and now it was used for pain-relieving and morphine, which also came from it as well, and then Hermon is what drug cartels use. The whole process of making it is long and hard since it takes a lot of time. Each process in harvesting the fluid from the poppy seedpods leads to a new drug, opium to morphine and morphine to heroin which is the finished product. And that final product is known to be one of the most addictive drugs out there. But I rather poppies be used for their beautiful flowers and not their addictive substances."
"How do you know so much about that?" Wesson asked.
"Because," she said, "I researched a lot about flowers and plants ever since I was a kid, my knowledge ranges around flowers and their uses and histories, etc. I am an A-plus student after all."
Shyanne snickered. "Oof, getting cocky there, August."
Claude blew a raspberry and sat next to his girlfriend as he threw an arm around her neck. "She's very much a genius and that's one of the reasons why she's good company."
She stuck out her tongue at him and they all began laughing. August might have gained herself some unwanted bullies, but she did come out of it with some good friends.
August walked into the lunch room and was met with sharp glares in one direction and mean scolds in another. She gulped, this was going to be a great day, hint the sarcasm. August sighed and walked towards the thankfully short food line. Squeaking sneakers made themselves known and she turned around to see Claude's smiling face.
"Hey, I already got you some food since you were taking a little longer," Claude said.
She tilted her head, which was thoughtful of him. "Really? Thank you. You didn't have to—" He shrugged.
"I didn't, but I wanted to. Come on let me help you." Claude offered her his arm and she took it and allowed him to guide her to their table.
August didn't like being seen as a damsel, but for now, she'll let Claude do this. He seemed happy to help her out since he missed a chance to assist her in getting away from her enemies.
"Hey, new friend!" Sara called.
The blonde displayed a dazzling smile as she jumped out of her seat, her long strawberry blonde curls bouncing as she ran up and surprisingly gave August a tight hug, being very mindful of her arm and leg. "Hey, girly. What's up?"
"I'm great, come on, I bet you're hungry, we got you some good, I hope you don't mind, Claude ordered you a chicken salad and we got you a smoothie," Sara said, sitting August next to her.
"Urgh, that sounds heavenly. Thank you." August squeezed Claude's hand in thanks as she pulled him along with Sara's pulling of her arm. He moved her chair to help her as she joined her new friends, her boyfriend and his siblings, and a few of the video club members.
Across the cafeteria, Cory, Bucky, Benton, and Peter were very displeased with August getting their friends suspended. Cory rolled his eyes, tsking at them. "It's so unfair how that tree humper gets off with a simple detention and Brook and the girls get suspended and gets days of detention."
Bucky slammed his fist down on the table and glared at his best friend, sending a cold sharp side glare at Cory. "Shut up. That bitch is gonna get what's coming to her."
Benton ran a hand over his short afro and swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. He cleared his throat before he spoke up and asked the obvious. "But... why do you guys hate her so much?" The two friends directed their glares at him and the skin on his bones jumped. Benton cringed while waving them off. "I—I'm just asking because, you guys seem to really hate her, and she hasn't really done anything to you. I mean, it's more like you two started this mess and now you're losing a fight that you started."
Peter gripped his shoulder, "why don't you stop before you dig your grave any deeper? You already have two feet in your mouth... I don't think you wanna taste a third." He said making Ben look at him from over his shoulder.
Benton shrugged him off. "I'm serious. August hasn't done shit to anyone, and yet you guys are using her as target practice for some bullshit vengeance plot. I mean, why the fuck do you even care so much about her? She's just a girl who likes plants."
Bucky's fist tightened and Peter's eyes caught it then saw his expression. "Did you not see what happened to us in art class? That bitch painted us like a fucking Van Go."
Benton scoffed, "you mean Van Gogh, and she didn't start that fight, you did Bucky." He stood, rushing Benton as he fisted a hand in the front of his t-shirt and lifted him from his seat.
August and company's eyes snapped over to the scene at Bucky's table as most of the cafeteria looked at the commotion.
"Watch your fucking mouth, Ben." Bucky seethed.
His words were as hard as his eyes and venomous like a viper. Benton's jaw twitched as he looked down at his friend, someone who he had befriended from young, and cared for like a brother. He didn't like the colors that painted his character now as a teenager who was grieving. "You caused your problems when you began bullying an innocent girl." He shoved Bucky away, and the older one stumbled and tripped over the leg of Cory's chair. Benton lunged forward to try to catch Bucky, but he was too late, his friend was on the floor of the cafeteria, his eyes wide as he looked up at Ben. He turned to Peter. "You're not a monster like him... you should probably find better friends than that." He sucked his teeth and started to walk away as Bucky jumped back to his feet.
Peter saw him brush away Cory who tried to stop him. At that moment Peter made his choice, as Bucky pounced forward towards Benton, Peter sprung from his seat and tackled the older teen to the floor, using his hand to shove Bucky's head back. The teen cried out as his head and the floor kissed. Peter gasped at what he had done, Benton whipped around, the students all gasping, flying up from their seats, and smartphones were out in full force taping the scene. Peter flew back, falling to his butt. Benton reacted quickly, grabbing Peter's arm, and pulling his friend who scrambled to his feet. Benton yanked him away from the scene, shoving him through the crowding of teens before they escaped out the side exit.
Cory stood in stunned silence as the security guards ran in with a teacher.
The teacher found a stunned Cory and Bucky who was crying while holding onto his head.
August couldn't believe her eyes. What had they all just witnessed?
》》》》》
The event that had erupted in the cafeteria was all everyone could talk about as August sat in her English class as Mr. Schrindo explained what their next essay would be. She smiled as she looked over at her teacher, his smile still making the majority of the class swoon as he made an English joke. At least these students actually cared for the class unlike in history. She took out her phone, checking her messages in her new group chat that she had been added to along with Sara, Shyanne, Wesson, Quincy, Ainsley, Blaine, and Claude.
Sara: So are we just gonna ignore what happened in the cafeteria?
Ainsley: I mean, everyone saw it happen, but there's so little buzz about that fight. Why the hell is that?
August: No clue, it's weird. I mean the most popular boys in school just had a feud... I mean that's serious.
Quincy: True, I wonder why
Sara: Urgh they're probably mad about August getting their friends in trouble.
Blaine: I believe it. Benton and Peter aren't quite the bullying type.
Wesson: Yeah, but what was that argument about?
August: Me. I bet.
Claude: Don't just assume that, Auggie.
August: And why not? I won't be surprised.
Quincy: Why should we care?
Shyanne: Why shouldn't we care though? This is big, they're bullies.
"Seems like an invigorating conversation." Mr. Schrindo quipped.
August: Busted, gotta go.
"H—hey Mr. Schrindo, what's up?" August asked hiding her phone
He had his arms folded and his face relaxed as he smirked at her. "Oh, nothing much just teaching."
"Cool... lovely lesson by the way," August said.
"Why, thank you. You know, I could take that away, but you're not one to be distracted in class and I can't complain about your work either, so how about this? I'll give you a break this one time since you've had a bad week, but put the phone away or I'll deduct it from your participation grade."
"Thank you, sir, I'm sorry."
"Don't mention it. I'm giving the whole class research homework just for the fun of it." Everyone groaned and August sighed. He was a great teacher alright, but so damn wicked when he wanted to be.
》》》》》
"Hey, where does opium come from?" Blaine asked as he scrolled through his phone.
"Poppy seeds," August replied, walking towards her friends who had taken to hanging out outside in front of the school to wait for her after her detention ended.
"Hey, Auggie," Claude said, jogging up to her and kissing her on the cheek. "I told you I could have helped you out. Why didn't you call?"
"Because I didn't need it." Claude pouted, and she sighed, then pulled him in with her good hand and kissed him, this time a little longer. Ainsley cleared her throat, separating the two.
"I'd say get a room, but you two just might." Ainsley pushed her brother away gently and sat next to Sara. "So, what's the word on Ben and Pete?"
Claude rose a brow at his sister. "Since when do you act so casual with them?"
Blaine rolled his eyes. "If you hung around long enough with us then you'd know that Peter and Benton aren't as bad as their friends. Peter helped me with my studying and Benton spends free period with our sister in a study group."
Claude scratched his head. "Oh..."
Quincy and Shyanne looked at each other from their corner by the staircase.
"So, wait, poppy seeds are used to make opium? How?" Blaine asked again.
August groaned a little, "why are you so interested in this?"
"Because opium addiction seems to be getting worse in New York."
August hummed and sat next to him on the bench. "So, opium, the milky fluid that they extract from an unripe poppy seed pod is what they use to make the drug. In the past and now it was used for pain relief and morphine, which also came from it as well. Hermon comes from the plant also and is what drug cartels use. The whole process of making it is long and hard since it takes a lot of time. Each process in harvesting the fluid from the poppy seed pods leads to a new drug, opium to morphine and morphine to heroin which is the finished product. And that final product is known to be one of the most addictive drugs out there. But I rather poppies be used for their beautiful flowers and not their addictive substances."
"How do you know so much about that?" Wesson asked.
"Because," she said, "I researched a lot about flowers and plants ever since I was a kid, my knowledge ranges around flowers and their uses and histories, etc. I am an A-plus student after all."
Shyanne snickered, "oof, getting cocky there, August."
Claude blew a raspberry and sat next to his girlfriend as he threw an arm around her neck. "She's very much a genus and that's one of the reasons why she's good company."
August stuck out her tongue at him and they all began laughing. She might have gained herself some unwanted bullies, but she did come out of it with some good friends.
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