"Wait! Stop!"

I was racing down the sidewalk. My feet were pounding on the pavement at a steady rhythm. I was sweating, beads of water rolled down my face. My heart was pounding, harder with each second. I was gasping for air with each step, my lungs tiring out as it went.

"Please!" I begged. "Stop!"

I ditched the sidewalk and began to ride on the street. I ran past cars, and switched lanes earning a few honks and beeps. Some pissed off drivers stuck their heads out of their windows and yelled insults at how crazy I was. Maybe I was.

Who knew this was a typical morning of Naomi Lorraine.

I just had to keep up the pace. They'll have to stop at a red light sooner or later. But that was when I heard it. Just right in front of me, carried out of the windows, towards me.

It's Nerdy Naomi, Naomi Lorraine

Running for the bus, on the lane

Look how she runs, down the street

Too bad the bus is hard to beat.

I didn't have the energy to waste to roll my eyes. Great, they started singing it. The stupid little rhyme some kid made up in the bus. After that he got famous, and everyone chants it. It's a nursery rhyme starring me.

If you've finally realize, I'm chasing the bus.

Every morning, after I've dressed for school and ate a quick breakfast. I walked over to the spot where the school bus picks me up. Immediately then I take off my glasses then put on my running shoes and tie my hair back. It's then I notice a yellow blur coming down the street. Due to my bad eyesight of not being able to see far away, it would take a while before the blur forms into a school bus. Sometimes I like to imagine the bus would then slow down and stop right in front of me. The doors would open up for me, and I would be able to climb in and take a seat.

Like that would ever happen.

The bus would always zoom right past me. The wind would blow in front my face, I would accidentally inhale some of the black smoke of the bus, and would notice that trail of oil trailing from it. Then I'd start to run, sprint across the sidewalks. I've memorize every crack, rock, plant in my route after all those weeks, months, years I've ran after the bus.

Sometimes the bus would slow me down, giving me hope, but it would speed up again all of a sudden, crushing it. Other times it would stay in the same pace, having the kids place bets on how long I would last or when I would give up. T    Then there were those rare times the bus would stop for me. Of course, there must be good reason for it. Not like there was some nice kid who begged the bus driver to stop for me. Mostly it would be for some nice kid who wants a piece with me, I owe some school work to, or is waiting with a custard cream pie for me (long story short, I smelled like pie the rest of the week).

Suddenly I heard the wheels screech. The cars right next to me have also slowed down to a stop. I tried to slow down and stop, but I realized to late. I immediately rammed my face to the back of the bus. Everyone in the bus could have easily hear the loud thunk, and then I could hear the laughter in the bus. I heard the doors at the side of the bus open. I slumped my shoulders and walked to the side of the bus.

I was going to step into the bus, but the door closed right on the face. It opened up and tried again, but the doors closed right away. Finally the doors opened and I was let in. The bus driver used to be a senior in Dartwell High four years ago. Let's just say his dreams as a professional skateboarder were crushed and now he drove the bus for Dartwell High.

"Hey Naomi," he sneered. "Didn't see ya there. Sorry if I missed ya."

I made a forced smile. "Oh that's alright. You can't blame the stupid for seeing what they want to see. Like their dreams of a professional skateboarder. By the way, how's that going for you?"

His glare hardened. "What did you say you little-"

I heard a beep right behind me. Everyone, including the kids in the bus and the driver looked over outside. A sweet red Audi convertible with it's top down rolled next to the bus. I couldn't believe my eyes, I never thought I would ever see one in person. I noticed all of the guys were drooling over the car, and the girls were drooling over the ones in the car.

I turned back the the driver. "You know what, never mind. I'm not going to catch a ride on this bus today. Better yet, never again. I'm going to be getting dropped of by my friends by now on. Be sure to skip my stop for now on, not like you haven't done already."

There was another beep.

"C'mon Naomi, we're going to be late!"

"Okay! Okay!"

I walked over the the back seat of the car. All four of us looked up at the people in the school bus, and had the same idea in out minds. We gave them the finger as Bennett drove away. Leaving the school bus and it's riders dumbfounded, while the light was green and drivers behind them honking at them.

"You told us you always take the bus to school." Jordan said.

"But you never said you have to chase it about ten blocks before you actually ride it," Declan finished, frowning.

"You guys I-"

"You didn't have to lie to us, Naomi," Bennett sighed. "It wouldn't be any trouble picking you up. You're right on our route."

I lowered my head. "I'm sorry."

Jordan rolled his eyes and turned around from the front seat.

"It's okay, besides it sure was a surprise when we saw you running right past us."

"And it was also worth picking you up with the look on their faces when we did," Declan with a smile on his face.

"But what I want to know," Bennett started. "Is how in the world can you run that fast for that long?"

I grinned. "Let's just saying after running for the bus every morning and away from bullies every afternoon, I've worked on my running and stamina."

Honestly, I was a bit proud of my running, that's why I'm the fastest runner in track. I would have thought the guys would have been proud of me too, but instead they slumped back in their seats, wearing the same frowns on their faces.

I furrowed my eyebrows. "What's wrong?"

Jordan smiled. "Nothing. It's just our time of the month."

I blinked. "Wait, guys have time of the months? Since when?"

Given I'm a girl, you can't blame me for my limited knowledge of the male gender. Still, this is my first time ever hearing this.

"Once a month," Jordan began. "On a night of a full moon-"

"What you guys turned to werewolves?"

Jordan rolled his eyes. "No, I was going to say we go the whole night eating junk food like there's no tomorrow with random mood swings."

I eyed them but shrugged. "Well if you guys need a pad, just ask."

They all coughed at the same time.

"What, do you guys prefer tam-"

"Hey look, I can see school!" Declan yelled. "Drive Bent, drive!"

Bennett hit the gas and we sped right past another school bus. He drove into the school's parking lot and parked the car in one of the teacher's parking space that is near the entrance.

"Bennett, this is a teacher's-"

"What are you talking about Naomi?" He asked innocently as he turned off the car. "All I see if an empty parking space, I don't want to put it to waste."

I shrugged. "It's your car, your problem."

Jordan took off his seat belt and hopped over the door, not bothering to open it up. Bennett glared at him, but decided to ignore it as he got out of the car. Declan opened the door for me, and helped me out.

All four of us stood side by side, facing the school.

"You ready? Cause I'm ready."

"Why are you asking me if I'm ready? Of course I'm ready."

"It was just a question."

"How about you?"

"Oh, ready yourself."

"And you?"

"I'm ready. All ready."

We took a deep breath and began to walk.

-

I dropped my binder.

By being tripped and almost crashed on to the floor. Thankfully, Declan with his quick reflexes, grabbed me by the backpack to pull me up and effortlessly snatched my binder just when it was about to hit the ground.

"I'm not the clumsy type," I swore to them. "I have never broken a dish before in my life."

He shrugged. "No problem, it wasn't your fault anyway. It was probably a bad omen because of him."

"Hello Nerdy Naomi," Raymond grunted, a scowl on his face.

"Hello Raymond," I growled.

Declan was right, my trip must have been a bad omen because of him.

"So I see you're still sticking with them," Raymond mused.

I gasped in shock. "My, what a excellent observation of the obvious."

"Shut up," he growled.

"Hey, don't talk to her like that," Declan growled back, taking a step forward to Raymond.

Raymond took a step back, staring at Declan right in the eye. A few seconds have passed until Raymond finally looked away. He backed off and reunited with his friends for back up.

"Whatever," he said, crossing his arms. "But listen here, Naomi. Don't think just because you got these three as bodyguards doesn't mean anything. They can't be around to protect you 24/7."

"Wanna bet?" Jordan challenged, but Bennett grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back.

This time Bennett stepped forward to face Raymond. "Well listen here Rody."

"It's Raymond- I mean Ray!" He glared at me which I only smiled innocently. I guess I call him Raymond one too many times, that he accidentally called himself that.

Bennett ignored him and continued, "Don't think because you can bully her, doesn't mean we'll let you. You can't be around to bully her 24/7 too, and even if you do, we'll know and come back at you with ten times the damage."

"Is that a threat?"

"I don't know, did you just threaten Naomi?"

"'Cause our's was a promise," Jordan piped up.

Raymond just glared at Bennett but didn't reply. Instead he looked at me, having the guts to wear a smirk on his face.

"Not unless she keeps her mouth shut, which she already is with whatever you guys are doing-"

Let's just say Raymond wasn't able to finish that sentence. Probably because of the the fact Bennett punched him right in the nose.

Raymond cursed. "I think you just broke my nose!"

"Really? I was actually trying to break your face."

Jordan shrugged. "You were close though."

"Still gotta work on you aim, Bent," Declan told him.

"True. True."

"This isn't over," Raymond roared at the four of us.

He was clutching his nose with both of his hands. But blood was still seeping out his grasp. There was a puddle of dark red blood already forming. His goons were panicking, now that their leader was injured. Some ran to the restroom to get some napkins. Others were trying to give him advice like to hold his head up which only got a lot of cursing from Raymond. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. But I just watched from behind Jordan who was standing protectively in front of me, watching the show.

"Dude, we should have brought popcorn," Jordan told us.

"I know," Declan agreed, "and some drinks. Definitely drinks."

"Are people video taping this?" I asked them. "They really should- Oh, nevermind, they are."

"Hey, ten bucks it'll get a thousand likes in Facebook."

"No way, double it, and it'll be a hit in Youtube."

"What is going on here!" A shrill voice demanded.

Everyone froze at the sound of the voice. Then slowly turned their heads simultaneously to see who's it's source. And guess who it is? Principal Lucinda Barnes, the principal of Dartwell High School. She has a short stature, even though the inches on her high heels should change that. Her dirty blonde hair is tied into a neat bun. No matter how many pounds of make-up she wears or how many surgeries of botox she received, won't change the fact she is... I don't want to say old, but yes, old. She wears the same exact outfit every day, every month, every year. A black women's suit, but not pants, skirt. Yes you heard me, skirt. Her legs, are not skirt approved, but that doesn't won't change no matter how many professionals tell her that her legs are not skirt approved.

If you know who Ms. Ramos is, you would think Principal Barnes are related even though they look nothing alike. Just their personalities, it's like their genes are from evil people. So please excuse me of the mean yet very thorough and accurate description of the principal of this school for how many years. Though some people think she's been here since the dinosaurs but is like a cockroach. No matter how many times you stomp on it, it can go on living for days. Only for her, it's years.

"Oh no," I muttered. "This is bad. This is very bad."

I already know how this scene will play out. Principal Barnes will demand what will happen. Raymond will obviously snitch and tell that Bennett hit him. Either Bennett runs or turns himself in, Barnes will get him into her office. She'll call his parents, have Raymond's parents charge him with assault. This will be listed with many of the other things in his record. Then he'll be suspended, even worse, expelled.

"Bennett punched me," I heard Raymond tell the principal, pointing right at him.

I turned to Bennett and told him, "You have to run."

He looked at me with a blank face. Actually Bennett always wears a blank face. Let me try it again. Bennett just looked at me.

"What are you talking about?"

"Get away from here. Move to Mexico. Change your name to Jeff. Whatever, just get out of here," I urged him, trying to push him away towards the exit.

"Why? What's the worst that can-"

"Bennett Frazier!" Her voice roared. "Come here right now!"

"Never mind, it's too late," I said. "It was nice knowing you."

"What are you-"

"Go before she goes Hulk on you. Go. Go!"

I pushed him forward. He stumbled a bit. Which under different circumstances would be funny, maybe even cute, but it isn't, it was sad.

"What's happening?" Jordan asked me.

"Nothing. We just gotta pray. Look at everyone. What are they doing?"

Declan answered this one. "Their closing their eyes and facing the ground."

"I know. They're praying. Now pray."

Bennett finally arrived in front of Principal Barnes. He towered over her like a skyscraper. But that fact didn't faze her. She looked up to him, arms crossed, a pissed off look at her face. Bennett was his usual calm self. Not knowing what could possibly happen right now.

"Well, well, well, look what we have here. If it isn't, Mr. Bennett Frazier."

I looked at Raymond who was smirking. Actually it's a bit difficult to determine if he's smirking. Half of his face is red and his nose is covered with toilet paper. So even if he was smirking, it was a pathetic fail. You can't have the privilege to smirk if you don't look the part too.

"How about we have a little talk in my office?"

He shrugged. Yes, shrugged. "Whatever."

"Whatever?" Principal Barnes repeated. "Whatever? Well let me tell you what is ever, Mr. Frazier. You do not use that vocabulary around me or in this school. You will be using proper English and address me as either Principal Barnes, Ms. Barnes, or ma'am."

"Not sir?" Somebody muttered.

Everyone in the hallway gasped. My jaw dropped. Who is their right mind would actually say that? I whipped my head around. Someone near me said that. Who was it?

"Who said that? Who?" Her voice screamed.

Her eyes began to scan the crowd, face after face. Eyes like a hawk, ears like a bat. She'll find the source. Then there never will be a source in the first place. Her eyes finally landed on me.

"You. Nerd girl."

I gulped and pointed at myself. "Me?" I choked.

"Yes you. Say 'not sir?'" She ordered.

I automatically followed her. "Not sir?"

"No it's not you. You have a squeaky voice."

Well excuse me for having a squeaky voice under these conditions. It's not like you scare the Bejesus out of me or anything. She moved on and began to do this one by one.

"Hey you, Four Eyes."

"Hey you, Goldilocks."

"Hey you, Chewbacca."

"Not sir?"

"Not sir?"

"Not sir?"

Each was either too high, too low, too girly, too boyish or the kid just fainted. I know I heard that voice before. Was it someone who bullied me? Someone who forced me to do their homework? But what idiot would have enough guts to make a comeback to Principal Barnes? Finally she reached Declan.

"You, Meathead, say it."

Declan grunted at the nickname but said it gruffly, "Not sir?

"How about you Blondie? Say it."

Jordan snorted. "Why?"

Oh no...

"What do you mean why? Just do as I ordered you to do."

"Okay, just tell me why."

"I am your principal, you will do as I say."

"Jordan just do it."

"Yeah, listen to Nerdy here. Do it."

Unless... No, it couldn't be him. I mean, now that I think of it. The voice does sound like Jordan's. And Jordan is stupid enough to make that comeback. And to actually question Principal Barnes...

"Okay then," Jordan said, grinning. "One step for kid. One leap for kid kind. Why can it be all of those, but not sir? Huh Principal-"

Jordan was able to finish that sentence. Principal Barnes yanked him by the collar and dragged him to where Bennett was standing. Then she grabbed Bennett's hoodie and dragged him as well. Jordan was whining and complaining that she was ruining his shirt. While Bennett was somehow looking his usual cool self even though he was being dragged by the principal.

"You two are coming to my office!" She roared. "Everyone else, dismissed!"

The three passed by a group of girls. Somehow Jordan tipped an imaginary hat from his awkward position and he gave them a flirty smile.

"Ladies," he said charmingly.

The girls swoon and started to fan themselves. I rolled my eyes. Even when Jordan is going to what could be the closest thing to an interrogation/torture room, he still has the ability to flirt with girls. Soon they reached the end of the hall and in front of the main office which has the principal's office inside. She opened the door and threw Bennett and Jordan inside before going into the office herself. The sound of the door slamming shut was the only sound in the hall.

Soon everyone started going to their class. Raymond has a smug look on his face as he passed by me. Elbowing me at the side, which made me stumble back a few steps, but not have me fall down. He whispered something in my ear and walked away. His underlings following right behind him.

Declan was beside me, asking me what just. He didn't look too worried, as if this was normal for the three of them, but he was still just curious. He wanted to know what his friends got themselves into, and what's so scary of the business bat who dragged those two idiots away.

But his voice and questions tuned out as I stood there, staring at the door to the main office that held the principal's office. I thought of what Raymond told me, and knew he was right.

Strike one, strike two. One more strike and I'm out.

Hey everyone, sorry or not updating for so long. Hope this makes it up to you. And I hope you enjoyed it. While you wait for the next chapter, check out my most popular book "The Pental Pal" and a new book I posted "Two Letters."

My favorite lines is when Naomi tells Bennett to change his name to Jeff and the praying part. Ha, that still makes me chuckle.

See you in a bit.

RubixCube89201