"Study up, newbie!" Bianca whispered in my ear.

Bianca spotted Ms. Kalinowski from afar. Butch exited the hall and headed our way.

"Mel, right?"

"Yes, Ms. Kalinowski."

"Good, you remembered my name. Many students can't even do that, just like me, I constantly forget names."

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Bianca subtly roll her eyes: she really didn't like butch for some reason.

"You both played great! Judging by the photo in the hall of fame," the teacher nodded towards the display case with goblets, medals, and photos, "you're the head cheerleader here. You're doing great; most of your peers are afraid to do anything other than pompons to avoid breaking a nail."

Bianca winced but didn't say anything.

"But you're doing great; I'd love to see you in action this Saturday!"

"Absolutely, ma'am!" Bianca replied blandly.

I was a bit puzzled why Bianca didn't like Ms. Kalinowski. Sure, she wasn't a pushover, but she put the jock in his place. Yeah, she was a bit rough around the edges, wanting to assert herself, but she did it good-naturedly. Could Bianca be one of those girls who didn't like other women? In math class, she almost jumped on the teacher's desk and did splits at the board... Maybe she did have some kind of history with the former teacher?

"Mel, are you involved in any sports activities at school?"

"No, I just transferred here a couple of days ago. Before that, I was into swimming."

"Too bad, the school pool is terrible, only little kids from elementary splash around there: short and not deep, like a tadpole pool. But how about joining the basketball team? We need players. What do you think about it?"

"I don't even know..."

"Come on," Bianca said. "Basketball team is mixed – guys and girls, if you catch my drift," she winked at me. "Cheerleaders practice in the small gym at the same time."

"She's right, think about it. Talk to your parents."

"Ouch!" Bianca exclaimed.

"What happened?" butch gasped and rushed to help her, but I was faster and offered her my shoulder. Bianca sniffled plaintively like a little crybaby girl and wrapped her arm around my neck.

"I totally forgot about our conversation. We just left the school nurse. She said everything's fine, but she suggested I should rest at home. Mel kindly offered to take me home."

"We should call your parents."

"I don't want to bother them. Last time, they almost got into an accident when I sprained my ankle at the rink, rushing me to the hospital. The nurse said everything's fine; my leg just needs rest."

With each word she said, my eyes widened more and more, but I remained silent, playing along with her directorial vision.

Ms. Kalinowski looked skeptical, first at me, then at Bianca. Queen's eyes were filled with tears, and her pretty nose turned slightly red, but her face remained composed, clear: the perfect damsel in distress, making you feel acute need to protect and shield her from everything. No doubt Kalinowski bought into it.

"You still have classes, I'll inform the teachers," Kalinowski finally said.

"Thank you, ma'am!" Bianca moaned with gratitude.

"You sure don't need help; I can carry you to—"

"No-no," Bianca replied indifferently.

"I'll handle it myself," I said confidently. I really didn't like her offer to carry her. I hugged Bianca's waist tighter, and we headed towards the exit like two battle buddies on the frontline.

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