The morning rush kept the hallways of the high school loud with the squeaking of wet sneakers, slamming lockers, and continuous talking and laughter. While it was high energy, Victoria's mood fell low with those surrounding her.

"C'mon, you can't kiss a boy? We're tougher and tougher than any chick can be. Not even your edgy 'girlfriend' is as rough," spoke one of the males.

Some laughter followed from his statement before another male made a comment. "Plus you're making the pool smaller of available ladies if you and that senior are dating. So come on..." He went to reach out, just lightly brushing Victoria's exposed neck with his hand.

She flinched away and glared at the male who touched her. "Go mess with one of the girls who actually want to screw with you. Or better yet, go screw yourself off." Victoria slammed one of her books into her locker from her bag. "It's not like an asshole like you can even get a girl to be committed to you."

A couple of "oohs" went through the dudes, the one who took the burn laughing to hide his anger. Even with new ways to mess with one of their targets, dealing with a smartmouth made their time harder sometimes.

"Look, princess, you don't..."

"What are you threatening my girl with?" Valentine spoke up from behind the tall wall of muscle. Her voice was firm and loud, it was also clear enough for all three males around Victoria to hear.

The one cut off eyed Valentine up and down, a scoff leaving his lips and speaking right after. "That she should shut up, Holiday. Or do you want to join her in our 'cleansing'?"

Valentine looked at him for a moment as she made a silent popping motion with her mouth. One hand went to unzip a pocket on her jacket while another went up to start removing the dangling earrings she wore. "I mean... You can try me, asshat." She put one earring in her pocket. "Or, if you know what's good for you, I'd stop now before I get Mr. Woodford involved." Valentine made a glance down the hall, indicating with her gaze that the principal wasn't far away as he took his morning stride greeting students.

The three glanced over, their cocky expressions fading. What color they had escaped their faces as grim looks took all of them over.

One with brown hair took a step forward and shook his hand towards Valentine. "You wouldn't..."

Valentine smirked. "Oh, but I will."

In that instant, a loud SMACK was heard through the hallway. Many heads turned to look at the noise, which saw Valentine on the ground, a pained expression and her hand on her face. Above Valentine was the last male who spoke, his hand still sticking outward.

"You dare hit me? What's wrong with you?" Valentine yelled in a trembling voice.

With the sound of the commotion, students moved out of the way as two teachers rushed from their rooms to the scene, the principal running not far behind. They assessed the situation, attending to Valentine first and ushering students to give her space as they helped her up from the ground.

"What happened here, Miss Marzo?" Principal Woodford asked as he tried to see what had happened to her face.

"These three boys... They were harassing my girlfriend. I tried to back her up, but this one hit me." Valentine pointed at the brunet.

"What? No!" He countered. "She is faking all of this! I did not touch her!"

"Mr. Deckard, I know you and your friends here. Do you really think I'll believe you, troublemakers? To the office, now!" The shout from the principal made the three of them jump and run from the scene, thankfully listening to him and heading to the office.

"Do you need to see the nurse?" One teacher asked Valentine.

"No, it was just a slap. I should be fine to go to class," Valentine replied.

The principal took his eyes off the three after they turned the corner heading to the main office and then turned to Valentine. "I am sorry that this has happened, Miss Marzo. You and Miss Cummings are free to come to see me or any of the counselors if need be. We're here to help you ladies and the rest of your community in this school."

"Thank you," both girls spoke.

After another moment of reassurance that Valentine was fine, the teachers left to their respective rooms as time was growing ever closer to when the first period would begin. Once they disappeared into their classrooms, Valentine approached Victoria and opened her arms.

The two stood there in an embrace for a moment before Victoria pulled away and looked into Valentine's eyes. "That was a massive stunt you pulled."

A small smile came on Valentine's face and she shrugged her shoulders. "Eh, those guys are known as bullies to the teachers and the principal, it is so easy to get them into trouble."

"Still, it's wrong. Plus you hurt yourself. That slap was loud!" Victoria went to lean in and inspect Valentine's face, seeing where her warm skin was much redder and hotter than normal. "You should at least ask the nurse for ice."

Valentine grabbed Victoria's hand and clasped it with both of hers. "I will be fine, Tori. You finish up and get to math. I'm going to go to my first period." And with that, Valentine stood on her tip toes and gave Victoria a short and quick kiss on the cheek before heading off.

Victoria watched as she left, slinging her now much lighter bag on her shoulder. Despite being one of the few all A seniors, Valentine would still be gutsy. She still had trouble comprehending why Valentine would make such acts.

It wasn't until a moment later that the five minute warning bell went off. Victoria turned to shut her locker door and then headed off herself to her classroom.

=====

"There were three of them on you?" Elaine asked as she and Victoria worked together during in-class work time.

"Yeah, they were trying to make me kiss one of them." Victoria replied. "What did you get for number four?"

"X equals twelve."

"Shit," Vitoria spoke under her breath as she looked back at her written out work. "I really wish I was better with this stuff."

Elaine took a glance at Victoria's notebook and used her own pencil as a pointer. "You forgot to carry the three here. Try fixing that."

"Thank you." Victoria rushed to fix the problem, hoping to keep in sync with her friend as they worked and talked. They were thankful their teacher allowed discussion as long as people stayed productive.

"So, how did the three get in trouble with Principal Woodford?" Elaine asked, her eyes not moving from her paper while finishing the next equation.

Victoria paused in her work as she thought back to the situation. "Um, I don't know his name, but that one brown haired dude who's the shortest in their group? He slapped Val."

Elaine looked up from her work, hazel irises seeming tiny from all the white around them. "He did what?"

Victoria lightly bit her tongue. Was this right? To lie about the situation? She didn't want Valentine to get in trouble later on if a rumor did start.

"Yeah, he slapped her. Hard enough that an earring of Val's came out." Each word made her more uneasy.

"Wow... just wow." Elaine rested both elbows on the desk and looked down at her paper, not focusing on any spot. "I know they bully everyone like crazy, but to slap Val? They usually are only physical when they bully Zane or one of the other guys. Or... ya know, Jenna."

The mention of their friend made them both more upset. It had been over a year now, but they still missed their friend. After she appeared on the news last October, they knew who had pushed her over the edge.

"I still can't believe how much farther we have to go though... I mean, we are in one of the largest areas for the LGBTQ community in the country. Yet there's so many people who hate on us with a passion." Victoria spoke intensely.

"It isn't right..." Elaine shook her head. She took a glance towards the front of the room, seeing the time on the clock. "Although, we should probably focus on these problems. We only have half an hour left and I don't want to have homework."

Victoria nodded. "Agreed."