"What are you doing here, weirdo?" I asked, crossing my arms and giving her my best "I can't believe you're this stupid" look.

"You think you can just get away with throwing eggs at me and Deanesh? You've got another thing coming," she snapped, her voice rising.

"Then why don't you do something about it right now, goofy?" I replied, my tone dripping with sarcasm.

"You sure have a mouth on you," she sneered, trying to look intimidating.

"What do you really want, Carmen?" I demanded, already tired of this pointless conversation.

"I came to break the news to you," she said, her voice full of fake sweetness.

"What news?" I asked, bracing myself for the nonsense she was about to spew.

"Anthony and I are back together," she declared, smirking as if she had just won some grand prize.

"That's amazing," I shot back, my voice thick with sarcasm. "You two tramps deserve each other. Now GET THE HELL OUT OF MY YARD!"

"Or what?" she challenged, stepping closer as if daring me to do something.

I was about to give her a piece of my mind, but my mom heard the commotion and pulled me inside before things escalated. I wasn't even mad about her and Anthony getting back together-I was just disgusted at how quickly he moved on after claiming to love me. What a fool I had been. But honestly? I didn't care anymore. Those losers could have each other.

My mom told Carmen to leave, and despite her barking like a rabid dog, she finally slunk away. Mom came to my room, concern etched on her face.

"What was that all about?" she asked, sitting down beside me.

I told her everything about the breakup with Anthony, Carmen's pathetic visit, the whole ridiculous saga. She could see in my eyes that I was done with it. She hugged me and said, "It's okay to be okay."

As soon as she left my room, I grabbed my journal and poured out every bit of frustration. With music blasting, I let the words flow freely. Hours passed, and an idea sparked in my mind. Maybe I should go out in the middle of the road and just and I did just that.

While laying in the middle of the road, I didn't care if a car was coming. Staring up at the stars, I found a rare moment of peace. Just as I was losing myself in the tranquility, a voice broke through.

"Hey, crazy girl, what are you doing?" It was Adam, a classmate with a reputation for mischief.

"Minding my business. You?"

"No need to get feisty. Just wondering if you're okay," he replied with a chuckle.

"My bad. I wasn't, but now I am."

"I get it. This does seem peaceful, but aren't you scared a car might come?"

"It sure is peaceful. And no, not really. Why don't you join me?"

"Hmmm, I don't know. I mean, we could get run over."

"Okay, scaredy cat."

"I'm no scaredy cat."

"Well, you're definitely a chicken."

"Fine, I'll join you."

After a bit of playful banter, he finally laid down next to me. We laughed and gazed at the sky, enjoying each other's company. Adam turned out to be pretty cool, not just the fool who set off a stink bomb in computer science class. We had been classmates since middle school, but I always thought he was weird. Now, I was starting to see him differently.

The ground felt so cool and comfortable that I almost dozed off. Adam, however, gently nudged me awake and insisted on walking me home like a true gentleman. When we reached my gate, I thanked him for the wonderful night.

"No, thank you. I had a great time," he said, smiling.

We bid each other farewell, and as he walked away, I felt a sense of calm and happiness. I went straight to my room and fell asleep, feeling more at peace than I had in a long time.

Sunday was a breath of fresh air. I spent time catching up with my friends on Instagram, making sure everyone was okay. My mom and I enjoyed a delightful mother-daughter outing, which I truly appreciated. It was one of those perfect days that you wish could last forever. But, as always, Monday rolled around too soon, bringing with it the start of another tedious school week. If only the weekend or holidays could arrive in the blink of an eye.

I dragged myself out of bed, did my usual morning routine, and headed to school. I knew the day would bring its share of challenges, but with my friends by my side, I felt ready to face anything. I met up with the girls Karissa, Xalia, and Jaelee who had all arrived before me. We chatted and laughed, enjoying the calm before the storm, until the bell rang, signaling the start of English Literature class.

Entering Mrs. Murg's class, we were greeted with her usual chipper attitude, which, let's be real, always hinted at some impending drama.

"Good morning, girls," Mrs. Murg greeted us as we walked in.

"Good morning, Mrs. Murg," we chorused back.

"I have a special activity for you four today," she announced, a mischievous glint in her eye. "I want you to participate in a debate against Deanesh and her crew."

I rolled my eyes. "Seriously, Mrs. Murg?"

"Yeah, why?" Karissa added, clearly as unenthusiastic as I was.

Mrs. Murg's smile widened. "Because in our last class, you brought the fire. And I expect you to bring it back this time around."

I couldn't believe it. Mrs. Murg really wanted us to debate against Deanesh and her crew. She acts all innocent, like she wouldn't hurt a fly, but she's the messiest teacher in the whole school. Still, we had no choice but to agree. The topic? "Should pineapples be banned from pizza." Really? That's the best she could come up with?

Nevertheless, my girls and I got to work. We collected notes, revised our points, and practiced our arguments. We were ready to kick some serious butt.

"We're ready, Mrs. Murg," I announced confidently.

"That's great, come up to the front of the class, girls," she said with a smile.

We walked up to the front of the class, the anticipation thick in the air. Let the battle begin.

The class buzzed with anticipation as Team A and Team B prepared to face off. Mrs. Murg, the stern yet secretly amused teacher, stood at the front, ready to moderate the discussion.

Team A consisted of me, Karissa, Xalia, and Jaelee. We exchanged confident glances, knowing we had prepared well for this moment. Across from us, Team B sat with smug expressions: Deanesh, Natalya, Abriela, and Amoy.

Mrs. Murg cleared her throat. "Today's debate topic is a hotly contested one: 'Should pineapples be banned from pizza?' Team A, you're up first."

I stood confidently, addressing the class. "Thank you, Mrs. Murg. Ladies and gentlemen, pizza is a sacred culinary creation. It's a harmony of flavors and textures that should not be sullied by rogue ingredients like pineapple. Pineapple is a tropical fruit; it has no place in the world of savory pizza."

Deanesh couldn't resist interrupting, her smirk as sharp as her words. "Dena, your arguments are as outdated as your wardrobe. Pineapple on pizza is a modern twist, an innovation that brings joy to many."

I shot her a glare, my voice laced with sarcasm. "Maybe you think it's innovative, Deanesh, but I think it's a culinary crime. Mixing sweet and savory in such an extreme way is chaos on a plate. Pineapple's juicy sweetness disrupts the balance of flavors in a pizza."

Karissa nodded in agreement. "Exactly. Pizza should be a symphony, not a cacophony. The acidic juice from pineapples makes the crust soggy and ruins the texture."

Natalya rolled her eyes. "Pineapple adds a refreshing contrast to the richness of cheese and the saltiness of ham. It's about creating a balance of flavors that excites the palate."

Xalia smirked. "Excites the palate? More like confuses it. Pineapple's strong flavor overpowers everything else. You might as well just eat a pineapple and call it a day."

Abriela smiled slyly. "Oh, come on. You guys just have a narrow taste range. Pineapple on pizza is like a party in your mouth."

Jaelee raised an eyebrow. "A party? More like a disaster. And let's not forget the texture - hot, mushy pineapple bits against the chewy crust and gooey cheese. It's a mess."

Amoy laughed. "A delicious mess! Food is about exploration and breaking the rules sometimes. Pineapple on pizza is the perfect example of that."

I leaned in, my voice dripping with sarcasm. "Oh, Deanesh, you would advocate for culinary anarchy. But some of us prefer to respect the traditions that have made pizza a beloved dish worldwide."

Deanesh smiled coldly. "Dena, your so-called traditions are just limitations. If we never tried new things, we'd all still be eating plain bread and water."

Taking a deep breath, I smirked. "At least plain bread and water wouldn't ruin a perfectly good pizza. Deanesh, you wouldn't know good taste if it smacked you in the face."

Deanesh sneered. "And you wouldn't recognize culinary creativity if it danced in front of you wearing a pineapple costume."

Mrs. Murg stepped in, her tone firm. "Alright, ladies, let's keep it civil. Both sides have valid points, but remember, the goal is to persuade, not to insult."

I grinned, feigning apology. "Apologies, Mrs. Murg. In conclusion, banning pineapple from pizza isn't about limiting creativity; it's about preserving the integrity of a classic dish. Let's keep our pizzas delicious and our pineapples where they belong - in fruit salads."

Deanesh smiled sweetly. "And I would counter that embracing pineapple on pizza is about evolving and enhancing our culinary experiences. Let's not be afraid to mix things up and find joy in unexpected places."

Mrs. Murg nodded. "Thank you, both teams. That was spirited, to say the least. Now, let's open the floor for questions and comments from the rest of the class."

The class buzzed with chatter, clearly entertained by the fiery exchange between me and Deanesh. Mrs. Murg raised a hand to quiet the room.

"Alright, everyone, let's cast our votes to determine the winner of today's debate," Mrs. Murg announced.

The class filled out their ballots, and after a few moments, Mrs. Murg collected them. She tallied the votes at her desk, the room silent with anticipation. Finally, she looked up with a slight smile.

"It appears we have a winner," Mrs. Murg said. "Team A, congratulations. You've persuaded the majority of the class."

I couldn't help but smirk at Deanesh, who looked less than pleased. Victory was sweet - almost as sweet as pineapple on pizza.

After our triumphant class debate, I was elated. My friends and I had skillfully argued against Deanesh and her clique, making our case with flair. As we gathered our things to head to lunch, Mrs. Murg left the classroom. Out of nowhere, Deanesh sneakily pulled my hair and sneered, "You little pig."

Swiftly turning around, I slapped her across the face. "Right back at you," I shot back, my voice firm and my eyes defiant.

The classroom erupted into laughter at Deanesh's embarrassment. Flustered, she hastily fled the scene. My friends Karissa, Xalia, and Jaelee stood beside me, grinning broadly.

"Well, that was unexpected," Karissa chuckled, barely containing her amusement.

"Girl, you really showed her," Xalia added, impressed by my quick response.

Jaelee nodded approvingly. "She deserved that. No one messes with us and gets away with it."

We made our way to the cafeteria, the adrenaline from the confrontation still coursing through me. I felt empowered, knowing I had stood up for myself and our group. Sitting down at a table, the buzz of gossip about the incident followed us.

"You handled that like a boss, Dena," Jaelee said, raising her water bottle in a mock toast.

"Thanks," I replied, relieved to have my friends' support.

Karissa took a bite of her sandwich. "Deanesh thought she could embarrass you, but she ended up embarrassed herself."

Xalia smirked. "Now everyone knows not to mess with us. We're a force to be reckoned with."

The rest of lunch passed in a light-hearted mood, discussing weekend plans and school gossip. Despite the drama with Deanesh, I felt a strong sense of camaraderie and strength among us. We were united, ready to face whatever challenges came our way.

The school day continued swiftly, filled with lessons and assignments, but I carried with me the satisfaction of our victory and the solidarity of our friendship.