Augusta looked up at the cloudy November sky, and buttoned up her coat. The year was running to an end and the frosty air was sharper than before. Days were becoming shorter and nights growing longer, but Christmas still seemed so far away.

Like her classmates, Augusta had packed her books and fled immediately after her Advanced Placement Physics class. Nerds who wanted to spend any more time than necessary in school were unrealistic stereotypes.

She fell in step with other students who were on their way out of the school gate. It was a hectic day and after the closing bell, Augusta joined the mad rush to escape the school premises. Her haste fueled by a craving for a hot cappuccino at her favorite café.

Regular students wrestled each other to get into the school buses. Cool kids on the other hand, sauntered into their cars and trucks. Some were borrowed, some were blue. Same colors, same models. Others were busy chatting in groups instead of going straight home. The usual lusty pairs were kissing out in the open. Yuck.

Augusta looked on with disinterest and shook her head. Each day gave her more reasons to be sick and tired of high school. The cliques and the drama were tiresome. "Just seven more months," she mumbled.

Seeing a path between the sea of students, Augusta kept her head down and tried not to be noticed as she marched out of the landmines of bullies. There were plenty of reckless, popular jerks, and juvie candidates who would leap at a chance to look tough at her expense. Keeping hope alive, she rushed to the car park short cut.

"What's the hurry, braniac? It's not like you have anywhere to go," a high pitched voice jeered.

Augusta sighed. "Oh no. Not again."

Scattered giggles among the people sparked an arrogant laugh of satisfaction from the speaker. All bullies craved attention, and this one was lapping it up like a hungry dog.

Augusta knew that voice. It was Marina Marsh. The rough chick that hung out with old bearded biker dudes. She tripped Augusta 'by accident' in the Chem lab some months ago. An unrelenting menace who refused to leave Augusta alone in the hallways, at the cafeteria and now after school.

Adjusting her collar, Augusta pretended not to notice she was the victim of another round of belittlement. She kept moving and didn't look back.

More laughter ensued. "Is she deaf?" another person asked.

Then came the downpour of insults...

"What a loser."

"Stupid braniac."

"Why does Pedro talk to her?"

Augusta took a deep breath. The last dig stung. Even the strongest emotional armor had dents and cracks in it. Her determination to stay out of trouble, and maintain her spotless behavioural and academic record felt like a burden. She winced at the weight on her shoulders, but reminded herself that by June it would all be over. Princeton would never consider candidates with a record of unruly behavior. Augusta could not afford to put her chances at risk.

"Just seven months more," Augusta whispered to herself. Fighting back tears, Augusta hastened her steps.

Augusta's heart plummeted when she heard the steps of someone running toward her. Verbal abuse and emotional trauma were crippling, but her worst nightmare was a physical altercation. Augusta turned around and Marina Marsh sneered at her, and flipped her pink tinted hair over her shoulder. She was a few inches shorter than Augusta, but had a solid build. Her typical black leather skirt was paired with a tight, red top.

A crowd gathered in a semi circle, but backed away at a safe distance.

"Why can't you leave me alone, Marina? What have I ever done to you?" Augusta asked.

Marina flipped her hair again. "You're existing," she replied. "And I don't want that," she added with hands on her hips.

"Ooh burn!" someone in the crowd gasped and people laughed.

Where were teachers when bad things were happening? Augusta wondered as she snuck a glance around her. No doubt, the students would watch the drama or place bets instead of trying to help. The joys of modern society.

"I don't want any trouble," Augusta said in a calm voice. She backed away in slow steps, but did not turn around. Remembering that her phone battery had died, she groaned. The call for help plan failed before it started.

Marina moved closer to Augusta before shouting to address the crowd. "Did you hear that?" she squealed. "Braniac is a freaking coward. Wah wah. What a baby!"

Augusta's pulse raced. Marina had never been mean in such an obvious way. She took deep breaths as sweat broke out on her skin despite the cool air. It was about to go down.

When she felt something hard and cold behind her, Augusta flinched. She realized she had backed into a streetlight and stepped forward. Marina was right in front of her with a glint in her eyes. The blood thirsty audience had increased in size, and when Augusta's eyes darted back and forth, she spotted no help in sight.

Marina shoved her and she staggered backwards but did not fall. "Leave me alone, Marina!" Augusta pleaded.

Marina pushed her again and cackled. "You're not so special now, are you? How will Calculus get you out of this?"

"It's not my fault that I'm smart," Augusta whispered.

Marina face flushed with anger. "What did you say?"

Years of turning the other cheek had led to this moment, and Augusta's frustration simmered below the surface of her usual calmness. "I said it's not my fault that I'm smart," she replied in a trembling but louder voice.

"Ouch. Clap back," a random person joked and some people clapped.

"Yeah. Marina is kinda dumb," another agreed.

Marina was not the brightest light bulb, but the timing of that person's diss was terrible. The move was a clear attempt to fan the flames of a volatile situation. Augusta did not want that.

The defiant gleam in Marina's eyes dimmed for a moment. Augusta never stood up to her, and the side comments from the onlookers shifted the momentum.

What happened next took only a few seconds. Marina charged at Augusta with fists raised and screaming, "You're no big deal and you're not welcome here!"

Augusta side stepped her antagonist and dodged the attack. Marina lost balance and sprawled on the grass when she collided with the streetlight.

"Fight! Fight! Fight!" the crowd shouted.

Augusta raised both fists and squared her shoulders. She stood with knees bent and her feet slightly apart. "Enough Marina, get up and leave," she said.

"No! This is my country," Marina shouted.

An uneasy silence settled on the previously noisy crowd. Marina was a notorious bad girl, but for the first time she had openly outed herself as a xenophobe.

Augusta scoffed. "Breaking news. I was born here and both of us have foreign origins."

A few people clapped and whistled. Some loyal Marina stans booed.

Marina rose to her feet and rushed to Augusta for another attack. With clenched teeth and tight fists, she attempted to hit Augusta again. Maintaining her defensive stance, Augusta braced herself for possible impact. Marina's fist aimed for her face, but she deflected it with her forearm. In response, Augusta delivered a left handed upper cut to Marina's jaw.

Marina fell backwards and lay motionless on the ground, with her arms and legs spread in a star shape.

Tension thick enough to be sliced hung in the air. Augusta never wanted to use the skills she learnt from her father. He was a five time West African Boxing Champion, forced to retire after a head injury almost killed him. Knowing her dad, he would have returned to the ring if her mum did not give him a tearful ultimatum. Boxing or their marriage. Seven years later, it was less traumatic to forget him in intensive care and think of him after their relocation to the States. As an Economist turned fresh foods businessman.

"Dude! That's a TKO. Total knockout," a guy shouted and others hooted. One of Marina's friends pushed through the crowd and helped her up. Marina blinked with a dazed look on her face. She walked on unsteady legs as her pal slung her arm over her shoulder.

Despite how she defended herself, Augusta panicked and fled the scene. As her feet thudded on the pavement, a million thoughts raced in her head. A golden rule she had was to avoid anything uncontrollable or scandalous.

Augusta did not feel like a victor. She saw herself as a victim—of emotional abuse which forced her into an undesirable situation.

The sudden realization of her feelings for Pedro was kept in order by putting up emotional boundaries. He had a sweet side that touched her heart. Augusta considered her decision not to act on her feelings a painful sacrifice. She had never felt that way about anyone, but risking her heart and mind for a player was ridiculous.

The fight with Marina on the other hand could cause a scandal, even though Marina attacked her. Augusta hoped the situation would blow over. She prayed everything she worked for would not collapse like a house of cards. What would happen next?