"The original bad boy spends his life on what he considers useful."

4| Wet Thy Principal Part II

Splash!

The entire cafeteria--well, the corner of the cafeteria dedicated to the fundraiser--roars in laughter as the ruthless rebels or Arsen's gang splash the principal with water balloons. My eyes fix on the tall, lean built guy who bought an entire bucket of water balloons to soak the principal with. I admit, Arsen has an amazing aim when it comes to hitting someone in the face.

Explains my forehead injury pretty well, doesn't it?

Speaking of the devil, I never receive an opportunity to query him about the Skylar person. He spends too much time surrounded by his friends (of all types).

"Hey!"

Someone snaps his fingers in front of my eyes and I blink up in surprise. A medium-built guy with his friends behind him awkwardly waits at my startled behavior. I've known them since middle school. These guys also live with a dented reputation after getting caught selling drugs on campus last year. His name was Sean.

"Sorry," I murmur in embarrassment. Involuntarily, my focus sets on Arsen whenever he falls in my line of vision. My friends had gone to the lunch line to get their lunches, hence no one else sat selling tickets besides me.

"I wanted to buy ten balloons." He hands me the right amount for ten water balloons and nods a thanks at me before entering the war zone with his buddies. I watch the show, determining the correct approach towards Arsen without receiving any injuries. Fulfilling someone's last wish is crucial.

What if the man haunts me?

Dear god, no!

Turning my attention back to the matter at hand, I find Isa and Danie returning from the lunch line while chattering loudly. We switch quickly, so I can get my lunch. The fundraiser continues, wetting the principal and the floor. As I'm heading out the lunch line, I hear thunderous sounds and come in contact with a water balloon smack on my face. Before it hits me, a small of glimpse of the culprit catch my vision.

Blinking my eyes rapidly, I don't know how to respond or react.

My entire face is soaked, including the front of my shirt.

About ten feet away from me, Arsen's face show neither remorse or guilt. He hit me! Actually he missed the person who was standing in front of me.

Surveying the scene, I conclude the fundraiser has turned into a water balloon fight between Arsen's and Sean's groups. The administrators and the principal attempt to stop the teenage guys without getting wet--an impossible task! Without sparing another glance at them, I head towards my friends, however, someone runs and hides behind me, hands on my shoulders to protect himself from the water balloon attacks. I realize it's Sean and try to shrug his hands of my shoulders.

"Leave me alone!" I snap.

Needless to say, Sean has dragged me into warzone.

Arsen doesn't even care as he chucks more and more water balloons my way to hit Sean. Instead, all hit various part of my body--none of which I appreciate.

"Get out of the way, Valerie," Arsen mutters through clenched teeth. A part of my heart feels a tug and flinches at him using my full name. He used to have a special nickname for me, that he only held the rights to utilize.

Arsen steps in front of me, a bucket full of balloons in one hand and a hand with a balloon reaching around, trying to bring down the already ducking opponent. I try to step sideways, however Arsen presses up further, his drenched body not quite touching me due to the foam lunch tray while he attacks his enemy, gluing me in the spot.

His soapy scent catches me by surprise. In the crowd and the area he hung out with, I didn't expect cleanliness. In addition, his face zooms next to mine, looking past me.

I stiffen.

Noticeably, he senses my reaction to the proximity and draws back to look right into my eyes. Little water droplets race down the sides of his face from the tips of his hair. I gulp, breaking the gaze.

He's not the guy he used to be.

Nor will he ever be.

The administrators forcibly carry away the rule breakers and maintain control over the lunch block again. I regain myself and meet up with my friends who pity my situation and help me clean up in the bathrooms. We wait till end of lunch and rush to our last period--gym! All thanks to gym class, I have extra clothes to change into.

"I can't believe they dragged you into that mess!" Danie says outrageously.

"Neither do I," I mumble, assembling my wet hair into a bun.

"I dunno, but that water balloon fight looked fun." Isa sighs. Danie and I glare at her. "Okay not so fun when you end up wet head to toe by extremely hot guys." She smirks suddenly. "I made you sound like such a slut."

I punch her elbow and she grimaces.

"You have a point," Danie admits. I stare at my best friends in disbelief. "Don't even deny that for a moment, even you were staring at Arsen in awe."

Was I?

Of course not!

"Awe? As in staring at his awful sight?" I question, rejecting her preposterous accusation.

Isa clucks her tongue. "He was doing the same to you. Do you know him from before?"

I shake my head vigorously and bend down to tie my shoelaces.

Arsen was staring at me, wasn't he?

Maybe because I didn't obligate to his move out of the way order.

"Whatever. He isn't the right guy for any of us, anyways. Who knows when he'll end up in jail, right?" Danie jokes.

Hopefully never.

Wait, why am I even concerned about Arsen when he can't be bothered about me?

The girls and I head out to the gym and find a completely different setup with three or four unfamiliar faces. Normally, the class strictly focuses on high school girls, today two men are also here. Our teacher, Mrs. Davis, yells at us to huddle in the front, so that she can introduce the new members.

"Girls, in our Girls On The Move class, we have a lot of things planned. For the remaining end of the year, we'll focus on self defense for teenage girls," Mrs. Davis announces. Like the most of the class, excitement fills me at her words. In NYC, knowing how to defend yourself is mandatory.

Our teacher introduces the guests who'll help us till Winter break.

Mr. Hudson is a second degree black belt and a college student. At six foot two, he towers over everyone in the class. His beautiful emerald green eyes hold a friendly vibe. In contrast to him, there's Mr. Dexter, a nineteen year old third degree black belt gazes at all of us as if he's going to chew us alive. Mr. Dexter is much leaner compared to Mr. Hudson. The last person is a young woman named Ms. Johnson. Astonishing, the brown haired and brown eyed woman appears much more amiable than the handsome men.

We divide into groups of six.

Before anything progresses, the school principal enters the gymnasium, followed by a group of swimmers--I mean, soaked guys.

"Why the hell are the troublemakers here?" Danie asks groaning.

"Satan rejected them," I reply.

Isa, Danie, and I suppress our laughs.

The principal informs our main teacher, Mrs. Davis something and from the death glare she gives the boys, we can confirm the bad news heading our way. As soon the principal leaves the guys here, I cringe. My eyes flicker to Arsen who's busy conversing with his buddies.

"Please don't tell me--" Danie doesn't finish her sentence.

"Ladies, we have new additions to our class for the self defense lessons," Mrs. Davis declares with a tight look. "Such amazing gentlemen volunteered to aid in our lessons on how you'll defend yourself, in case someone like them--I mean, someone their age--happen to attack you." Of course, we're going to learn how to save ourselves from trouble with the help of trouble. I want to drop this class, immediately. Who knows who my partner is?

None of the rebels strike me as partner types.

Arsen raises his hand.

"Can we choose our partners?

Everyone gapes at him . . . including myself. The nerve of this guy! After the cafeteria stunt, it's evident the principal is punishing them by locking them in this class. If Arsen expects to establish his own demands, he's completely wrong.

"Of course, why not?" Mrs. Davis smiles, her tone laced with heavy sarcasm. "Why don't you teach the class as well? I'm sure the adults standing here won't mind payment for babysitting."

"Well, if you insist," Arsen shrugs. He begins searching around for his partner.

I bring my hand to my face and shake my head lightly.

All these black belts can karate chop or drop kick him within seconds. Arsen's dancing on thin ice. The moment it broke would be the moment he'd fall out of his world.

"I'll take the one hiding her face," I hear him finalize.

Who's hiding?

I bring my hand down from my face and casually glance around, realizing all pairs of eyes on me. Danie holds her hand to her mouth, clasped in a fist. Her body shakes with silent laughter. Isa's apologetic and flinching expression tells me I may be in trouble. Mrs. Davis thoughtfully scrutinizes at me.

Oh god, what have I done?

I turn my eyes on Arsen who actually displays regret.

Naturally, he didn't expect it to be me.

Within seconds, whispers emerge through the room and Arsen's focus shifts to Mrs. Davis.

"Is it too late to rectify my decision?" he inquires.

Well, that's cruel.

My teacher smirks.

"Our first choice is always the best choice. I'd love to have you paired with Valerie, since you're the first one to choose. As a matter of fact, all of you guys can pick your partners."

Needless to say, no one knows what's cooking in our teacher's mind.

¤》¤《¤

A/N

I love this story. My only one written in the present tense (in my entire life), so please feel free to KINDLY point out my mistakes/errors.

What do you think is going to happen?

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