IN A SECOND. I saw Branden's eyes lift as he's hand moved as quick as it did with he's sword, only this time it was his hard fist coming upward, I knew exactly were it was heading for my face- My right eye I presumed.

  But I saw it coming, I ducked it in the nick of time, coming back up with a racing heart, I found myself clutching my chest, like my heart had just jumped out of it. Branden made no further attempts to come back. My brows narrowed under my glowering gaze at him.

  I was Transfixed.

  Any more delay, I would have felt the painful jolt on my face, writhing as the crowd would jeer, but I didn't let that happen, giving Branden the satisfaction of knowing he'd made his mark on me and every one witnessed that was something I was willing to never allow to happen. But to my surprise I still heard groans of sharp pain. Not from me because I had successfully dodged the hit but the groans were coming from behind me.

  I saw Branden's siren eyes widen to saucers for the first time. He looked alot stun as we both stared at the victim to our childish fight. It was a hit he mistakenly took for me, he's eye swelled as he held it sobbing like a toddler- when it's lollipop snatched from it right before its eyes. I wasn't the only one staring in disbelief, I and Branden glanced at each other gingerly as we turned back at poor Federico.

  Thoughts fired round and round my head of how all this could have been avoided, scenarios kept on playing in my head of how I could have cleverly chosen my words, and been more wise. Branden's adorning character had shockingly shifted to some juvenile one, his attempt to show me that my talking couldn't go so far if I ever decided on doing something as stupid as this, backfired.

  The guys around us jeered while others snickered and others merely went 'Ooh' again, but they all went silent when we heard a sharp voice at the door.

  ''What's going on back here?'' He asked.

  Everyone, including Federico all bulged at the door. Incoherent rumble passed among us, I was curious to know what it was about everyone seemed altered by this character. I finally heard one go.

  ''Oh Shit! Mr. Lawerence they're in for it. .'' The voice sounded alot familiar to the guy who said I was in for it.

  I crossed, it was always one greater being than the other, before this teacher known as Mr. Lawrence everyone seemed tied on Branden, now Even Branden looked fretted, I knew if he was breaking a sweat I needed to be very worried.

  ''Do you want me to repeat myself?'' He asked again his voice alittle louder and stronger than before.

  And all the howling idiots went mute watching him like he was an executor, I prefigured their silence was either because neither of them wanted to throw Branden under the bus out of fear, and they feared that what just happened to Federico would happened to them next or they were loyal to him, which ever one it was, I was sure Branden's name was inserted. Although I was stun about one character who wanted to speak up. Yep- wanted to, that was as far as he could go, but to be fair he didn't stop because he thought otherwise he stopped because Ryan Austin discreetly nudged him in the gut, so hard it actually made his face turn pink.

  Of course Mr. Lawrence didn't notice that, it was at the back after all, Mr. Lawrence instead just glanced at all our guilty faces. And I began to visualize; myself giving up myself and Branden excluding Federico, in all of this he had already gotten his fair share of punishment he didn't deserve, I didn't want him to get dragged in anymore. Although my thoughts seemed to get darker staring at Branden, if Mr. Lawrence decided on interrogating all of us, one by one, I'd gladly spill whatever he needed to know.

  He's eyes squinted, as they began to peer at where the trio of all this stood. He's eyes met Branden's who was making some intense eye contact with him, I bit my lower lip wondering if he'd interrogate Branden first, I was so sure he was going to turn the story around and play as the victim. It was low but after that punch I was sure he'd do anything to save his neck.

  I then wondered again even if he picked Branden to speak out and I objected to Branden's lies who would he believe, I was sure every single soul but Federico would take Branden's side. It was the Dark swan's words against mine, I already knew exactly how that was going to turn up, in all this I wondered where Tino was, he wasn't among us, that was for sure, but even though he was, Branden still had the numbers.

  I felt like an idiot being caught up in all this, how could I let myself fall into such a trap, to be fair none of us half expected this was how it was going to turn up. I saw Mr. Lawrence begin to fish out words.

  ''You over there.''

  My heart thumped so loud I was sure that the whole room could hear it. I stared at Branden, they wasn't much to imagine of how Branden's fabrication was going to sound like: Aaron and Federico were having an argument and Aaron got physical and threw a fist at Federico, and Branden came to our aid and tried to cease the fight. Or I and Federico were fighting and he came to our rescue before we got any further, or this One's good, I was straight up bullying Federico and he came in to Federico's aid and saved him from the evil Newcomer's mistreatment.

  I was sure he'd go with that one or he's own; something in those lines but one thing I was accurate about was that in every scenario his psychotic head came up with I was always the Federico the obvious (probably because of that eye throb) and he, they wasn't much to paint on that picture, he was always the outstanding

  ''Sir-'' Branden uttered and I swore I could see the satisfaction and murky mirth, whisper lies into this conniving crook's ears, but to the break of everything Mr. Lawrence interrupted Branden, shutting his eyes like Branden's voice was something as repulsive as some screeching creature.

  ''Not you Richards.'' He uttered, so he knew Branden? Although the real question was But according to he's tone he didn't seem like a fan of him, that was a first. ''You.''

  By you'd think he was referring to dumbfounded me but unfortunately not, he was referring to the guy making everything a whole lot suspicious by avoiding eye contact and hiding his throbbing eye by looking down, almost the other side.

  I didn't know whether to call it genius or dafty- Daft in the sense that if you wanted to avoid being picked for anything look less timid and stare at the person in the eye and he might spare you or overlook you, but in this case Federico just might have looked like he knew what he was doing.

  He didn't say a word, he just pointed at himself without ever lifting his head. Mr. Lawrence head tilted trying to see what looked like he was hiding.

  ''Yes you, come here.''

  Like an obedient pup Federico marched to the front- well not marched more of shuddered like a wounded beast, I couldn't believe Federico was actually faking a leg injury. He's legs were alright, the problem was his eye but why was he leaping, dragging his foot, his head in his shoulders while he bent his shoulders inward like a kid with so many insecurities.

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  He was faking an entire show, how was it possible for everyone here to keep a straight face on and not laugh their heads off, but people couldn't ignore that it was a serious matter and instead of laughter people were scowling- Branden didn't find it amusing, I saw his face glower at Federico, probably cussing every second of Federico's existence, I noticed that Branden's friends had the same expression. I wondered by any chance they got would they trip him and make the whole leaping authentic, they all seemed like the were fantasizing how they'd make it all real.

  Mr. Lawrence seemed to buy the story. He looked like one of those court judges, staring at the accuser; emotionlessly with a stone cold look on but his face making a slight quick display of pity.

  He finally made it to the front, surprisingly with no interference, it seemed like neither of them wanted to get into trouble, and match their friend's situation, in spite of their efforts I supposed Federico would still rant them out, it was hard to threat Federico when he so badly wanted to get even at you.

  He stood like a beaten up soldier infront of him, looking like he was going to collapse any minute, his lack of sleep already made him look crazy, his sudden body language and not to forget the cherry on the cake, his throbbing eye. Of course Federico looked like more than just a punch got him, he looked like it was either an entire gang that got him straight or he was run over by a huge truck and he actually survived-

  Mr. Lawrence looked at him from head to toe, I wasn't sure if that face he was making was out of remorse wondering what the hell happened to that poor kid or he was just disturbed.

  ''What in the Lord's Name happened to you?'' He asked him, getting a hold of Federico's chin, examining his throbbing eye.

  However, Federico didn't speak, he instead got even more creative, showing him his sad brown eyes bleary. He was taking this acting performance way too serious, next level type of shit, the only thing missing was a runny bloody nose, I was sure everyone got lost in and started to believe it all. What I wanted at that moment was for Federico to ditch the sullen act and speak up.

  ''Speak up boy, who did this to you?''

  But Federico made no attempt to speak, testing a curious man's patience was Not any thing wise to do, he needed answers all that acting to actually get there and go all mute! it was frustrating I was trying MY hardest to not join everybody else's intrusive thoughts and kick Federico, back to his reality.

  I saw Federico move his hand, and I wondered He stretched his hand straight, everyone pretty much looked nonplussed about what exactly he was doing, he stretched his entire arm and had his finger pointed, as everyone motioned out of his way so that they could give just enough space for one person, Branden Richards.

  That wasn't awkward. Branden's face was twisted with appall and dark gloom glowing fiercely, you could see the unadulterated hatred he had in his eyes, and I took matters in my own hands and decided to make a random guess on who Branden hated more at that point. Me or Federico. I did somehow start all this but Federico gave it a middle and I supposed a climax.

  Mr. Lawrence eyes lifted as they traced Federico's navigation, right at Branden, he squinted his eyes at Branden, I had backed an inch away from Branden, you know so that he solely had the spot light.

  ''Ah. . Richards', bullying is prohibited, you of all people should observe that, you are the vice president of the student body and you are caught in an act of questioning your leadership.'' He said. ''What do you have to say before I give your shenanigans alittle tweet?''

  ? I wondered. Vice president of the student body, Branden just kept on getting more interesting.

  ''Sir. He's lying.'' Branden uttered, still casually.

  ''He's lying?'' Mr. Lawrence repeated with much mockery, nodding emphatically. ''This wound here it looks fresh. Is it lying as well?''

  Branden went mute. He looked like he was contemplating what to say next. ''Sir-"

  ''Hold it Richards.'' Mr. Lawrence held his hand up, he then looked back at Federico, who was pitying himself.

  ''Sir Branden's Not to blame- well he was caught up in the fight, with that guy standing next to him and that guy got hit instead. Mistakenly!'' A voice uttered profusely pointed at each one of us.

  There it was! I knew someone was going to say it, pin me to a fight which was sheerly shameful to call it one, but Ryan Austin could never leave Branden's side.

  Mr. Lawrence turned at him. ''And who asked you to speak?''

  ''You- you did ask what happened, I know what happened.'' And so Now he decided to talk, when he's buddy's road looked gravel. ''And so does everyone here Branden wasn't alone in this, Westlake over there started all of it.''

  ''Stop acting like I had my fist out first, Branden's the one who got physical.'' I agrued, ire kneading me in the face, the gap between my brows thickened.

  ''Only because you were going to fire first, might as we-" Branden spattered. I couldn't believe he was just going to lie like that.

  ''That's Not True!" I denied.

  ''Don't deny it Westlake you wanted to square me just as much as I did.''

  ''Unfortunately for you I didn't, all I wanted was to get done with that ridiculous topic on that girl.''

  ''That Girl?!'' I saw Branden show bare teeth as he moved closer. ''If you dare so as to disrespect her One more time Westlake. I'm warning You!''

  ''What will you do Branden?'' And he got in my face, the furry I could see in his blazing blue eyes, I won't lie I was alittle frightened by it all, he looked so murderous, on the brick of ice.

  ''Enough!'' Mr. Lawrence yelled. ''I've heard enough. Richards! Westlake! Principal's office Now!''

  I could've kicked myself, why was it that every time Branden challenged me in anyway; with or without his awareness, I couldn't keep it together, I couldn't control myself, I stupidly gave a reaction, which I was sure was exactly what he wanted, how could I have been so stupid to fall into he's trap and become part of the problem, he didn't want to go down alone but with me.

  He Jutted his shoulder against mine as he stormed out first, I was second. I wondered what exactly was going to go down at the principal's office. I had been there before during my first time and the principal- Mrs. Russell seemed like a woman who wouldn't even hurt a fly, I wasn't to stained on that, because I was sure our punishment was probably reprimandment and detention.

  Mr. Lawrence accompanied us, and while we waited in the room outside the principal's office he was in there narrating what happened. Branden leaned crossing his arms against the wall; before the first chair, his eyes sharply focused on the principal's office door, in the lighting of the room it made his eyes look gray and consumed with nothing but anger. I on the other hand sat as I crunched up almost to my lap burying my face in my hands, I should have been pacing around and around it helped me think properly and remain philosophic, but instead I just sat; quietly, there waiting- waitng for what? probably for it all to end.

  Mr. Lawrence didn't spent much time in there, he opened the door and asked us to come in. We stood side by side as she adjusted her glasses and peered at me first.

  ''Alwyn?'' Her voice sounded alot struck and disappointed staring at me, I was sure she questioned the first impression she saw of me, the present overshadowed the past.

  I looked down, I squirmed, this was hard I found it, to look in the eye of person who had high regards and expectations in me, I had disappointed her and I could see it written across her slim face. All that I hoped for now was that she did not refer me as a hypocrite.

  ''Branden?'' She uttered in disbelief, by her consistent tone I began to wonder did Everyone shock this woman? I understood that most of the kids here were suppose to be well behaved and allergic to bad/poor behavior but this was just getting really annoying.

  She looked at Branden with so much disappointment more than what I saw when she looked at me first. Her tone gave me the impression that Branden was this high standard character who hardly ever broke any rules, the guy with the good grades; the teacher's favorite; the trustworthy guy basically some protagonist in a story, another glimpse of this guy's character.

  ''Fighting is against our rules!'' Her squeaky voice sharpened as her clueless face turned hard but even hard she still looked like it wasn't right- something wasn't right with her face, being tough did not suit her, what did suit her was to be some jolly lady who believed that bad days were nonexistent and was forever in a state of ecstasy, good enough to let two delinquent students skip off with a warning, just a thought, and her voice, I didn't even know where to start.

  She sounded like she was scolding her five year sons, she also sounded alot disappointed and seemed to be focusing on that entirely.

  ''Who started all this?''

  ''He did!'' We simultaneously uttered pointing at the other. Like two stupid kids, we started each explaining ourselves both with a Narrative that sounded different from the other, talking over each other, rumbling loudly, both eagerly trying to win back some trust.

  ''Can you both just shut it!'' She yelled on top of her lungs, and we fell silent. Mr. Lawrence merely just shook his head in displeasure, disagreeing with our childish behavior.

  Mrs. Russell looked out of breath like she had been yelling for more than an hour- it had just been five seconds . She glared at us. If I was to remain calm and atleast still positive, I might as well say that at that point I was willing to bet she was more disappointed in Branden than me.

  She had six little words to say to us- clever and yet so terrifying. Those six little words that were enough to wake you from any sort of nightmare, no matter how deep you were in: Detention for the both of you, I wished but instead.

  ''Your parents have alot to hear.''