My eyes swept over Mr. Johnston as I stepped inside the classroom. There was something strange about him, but I couldn't quite put my finger on it. I continued to stare at him for a few moments, before I realised I was in the doorway. I maneuvered myself out of the way and students milled inside. There was conversation everywhere, people shoving each other and I think someone got punched in the face...

"All right, all right," Mr. Johnston called loudly in a booming voice, causing me to flinch slightly in surprise. "Shut up and stand at the front or all of you are on detention for a week. Let's go."

Detention for a week?

Jeeze, this was only my first lesson. I trudged to the front, alongside all the other complaining students. He beamed at us, clapping his hands with enthusiasm, as if he was relishing in the sight of us being miserable. He rocked on the balls of his fee. It was a little creepy.

"I'd like to inform you you will now be in a seating plan. No next to your friends. Your behaviour last week was unacceptable and if there is a repeat today, believe me, you will all suffer the consequences severely. Even if you're new."

His eyes connected with mine, and automatically mine narrowed. I had made a vow to myself to try to be good, so I could get out of this place, but if he pushed me, I was going to retaliate.

He quirked an eyebrow at me, wanting me to say something back, but, I gritted my teeth and looked away. I could practically feel the satisfaction roll off of him in waves. Stay cool, Hayley.

He paired us up and I fell into a chair. I stared at the vacant seat beside me.

Apparently, whoever I was sharing a table with would not make an appearance today. I was glad. I wanted to sit back and see everything.  Also, I liked it positioned me in the back row, so I didn't have my back to anyone. That was always a plus.

It was about half-way through the lesson, (and four students had been sent to the principal's office) before the classroom door swung open and Colin strolled in casually. Mr. Johnston paused and gave him a flat, irritated stare. He let out a deep sigh, annoyance clear on his face. Colin didn't acknowledge him, which made me smirk.

"Why are you late Mr. Denver?" he asked, but Colin continued to just have his back to him, as though he didn't realise he was there.

"Well?" Mr. Johnston prompted.

Colin ignored his question completely and gave the class an impassive stare. "Is there a seating arrangement I'm unaware of?"

"Since you were absent and missed the introduction of the lesson,  yes. There is now a seating plan." he explained, whilst walking towards his desk. He pulled out a sheet of paper and ran his finger over it, his eyes narrowing slightly as he read through the names. "You will be acquainted with Ms. Larson who is at the right hand back of the classroom."

"Great," he said sarcastically and dragged his feet after him.

"Oh, and you were late because?"

Once again, Colin doesn't respond. He sat beside me. I stared at him, awaiting a response, but he kept his eyes glued to the desk. A wave a smoke wafted towards me, signalling what he'd been doing before coming here.

"Maybe you should use some deodorant," I suggested.

"What are you implying?" he snarled, still not facing me. He began tapping his thumbs on the desk and I just stared at him incredulously.

I hated people who fidgeted all the time. He began tapping his knee on the desk, shaking it. I almost growled in frustration.

"That you reek of smoke and it's disgusting."

"You didn't think it was disgusting yesterday when you were taking a drag with Jeremy," he sneered without hesitation, still not looking my way.

"Oh yes, one puff of a joint. Not a cigarette."

"Fuck off."

"Why don't you?"

He slammed his fist onto the table, causing a few people to glance over. I almost winced at the impact. "Why don't you just keep your mouth shut before I make you."

"Oh, I'm shaking." I retorted sarcastically, jutting my chin out. "Threaten someone who gives a fuck."

"Fine."

"Fine."

He faced away from me, and I did the same. So much for having perverted thoughts about him. I had only sat with him for a few minutes, and he was already driving me insane. Also, it didn't help that he was left-handed and I was right. Causing us to bump elbows frequently. 

"Can you quit hogging up all the space?" he asked darkly.

"Maybe we should switch sides." I suggested, trying to be light about the situation. I felt too tired to argue with him right now.

"Maybe you should keep your suggestions to yourself."

"If you get to speak than I do too." I snapped, irritation lining each word. "Now, if you have a problem, fix it or get over it. One or the other."

"Do you realise who you're speaking to?"

"Do you?" I questioned challengingly.

We had a staredown for a few moments, daring the other one to add something else. Our stares were becoming heated before a throat was cleared. We dragged our eyes away from each other, to see the class staring in amusement.

"Care to share?" Mr. Johnston asked sweetly, loving the fact that we were having a problem. This just made me angrier.

"No, we're fine," I answered for the both of us, my voice coming out harsh.

I'm sure I'd be able to negotiate better than Colin could, even if I was pissed off. I'd rather not be sent out on my first lesson. I was going to try to be good. Well, decent anyway. I wanted out of this hell hole.

"Actually, I don't think this arrangement is going to work out." Colin said, glaring at me.

"Well, suck it up Princess, you're not moving." Mr. Johnston grinned. I'd started walking when Colin pushed me out of the way arrogantly. I stuck my foot out automatically in response, which caused him to stumble forward and ram into a desk painfully.

"What the fu-"

I ducked from his reach and darted out of the class. I grabbed Imogen's wrist and tugged her arm roughly. "Come on, let's go before Colin kills me."

She snorted, clearly amused at this. "Ah, so you've seen the infamous side of Colin."

"Unfortunately."

"The last girl that sat with him ended up having a mental breakdown and got moved to a mental facility. Teacher's say it was the stress and pressure of this school. Everyone else thinks it's Colin and his anger management." she panted beside me.

"Oh, excellent." I bit out.

She smirked. "Ah, the joys of being new..."

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It was eerily silent in the bathroom as I lathered my hands up with soap. I wiped them down, and stared at myself in the mirror for a few moments. My round, green eyes looked tired and I had slight bags under my eyes.

I had slept terribly again last night. Since I had 'night terrors', or so they call it, I found it difficult to sleep sometimes. It wasn't quite insomnia, but I walked around, woke up screaming, hit walls. I saw a flicker of movement to my left in my peripheral vision. I whipped my head in the direction and frowned,  seeing nothing there. I peered around suspiciously.

After useless eye-roaming, I shook my head, concluding that my sleep-deprived brain was probably imagining things. When I turned to exit, two girls were blocking the path. Eliza, the girl who I had threatened to cut with my knife, and a girl I hadn't seen before.

Not my imagination, then.

"Did you really think you could get away with threatening me?" Eliza asked, her eyes narrowing and her arms folding neatly across her chest.

Oh, very defensive.

"Sort of, yeah." 

I've been in fights. I know girls like this. I could handle myself.

"Where's your knife?" she asked, going directly to the point. "I want it."

"It's not on me," I lied swiftly, shifting my weight to my left foot so I leaned onto the sink and exhaled. "I don't carry it on me at all times."

"Don't lie to me."

I shrugged at her as if that was a good enough response. "Could you please move out of the way? I have a pizza that's calling my name."

"You're not going anywhere."

As soon as I took a step forward, the minion that flanked Eliza lunged at me. It only took two couple of seconds to pull my arms back. Before I even had time to think, I received a blow from Eliza who had also come forward, causing me to stumble to the right. They shoved me into the wall, being pinned by the other girl. Her elbow was pressing into my throat, instantly cutting off my air supply.

That move, I've most often used. I tried not to gasp for breath, as that would be what she wants. I stared back at them both emotionlessly, feeling the numbness rise through my stomach and spread through my veins like poison. I knew that wanted me to crack. I had been in fights before. I knew how to handle myself in a situation like this.

"Two against one? I'd rather sort it out between us two, Eliza." I said, my voice coming out cold and bland. It was hard to speak with the girl's elbow against my throat, but I was proud how strong my words come out.

"I don't care," Eliza deadpanned. "Hand it over."

Just as I was about to take action, the bathroom door swung open. Another girl whom I hadn't had the pleasure of meeting appeared.

"Eliza, Colin has just entered the hallway. Did you want to see him still?"

"We'll switch places then. I want her knife. If she struggles, use it against her." she ordered. She turned to me and smiled sweetly, revealing two rows of shiny teeth. "Well, I have other matters to attend to. Have a good day."

I rolled my eyes as she turned away and exited. She had her eyes on Colin. Once the door was shut and the other girl was still looking over her shoulder and I knew it was time to act. I brought my knee up, connecting it with her abdomen.

She sucked in a breath of surprise, collapsing to the ground. I ripped my knife out and took a step forward. The other girl's eyes widened and with one fluid movement, I pinned her onto the sink. I wedged my knees between hers and pressed the knife against the base of her throat to the extent that it drew blood. She was squirming and flailing, so I dug the blade in deeper, pressed my entire body against her.

"You really don't have a clue who you're dealing with," I said in a flat, level voice, knowing that menace dripped from every single one of my words. My eyes bored into her wide, fearful ones. I resisted the urge to smirk.

In the mirror, I saw the other girl slowly rise and, I spun around, swinging blindly. The knife sliced across her cheek, which caused the girl to let out an ear-splitting scream. I fled.

I stepped out, running face-first into Eliza. She stumbled back in surprise, obviously not having thought it possible for me to escape. Amateur. Without a second of hesitation, I brought my fist up, socking her in the nose.

She fell backward with a cry of pain and I pivoted, coming face-to-chest with Colin. He took me in with wide eyes, a little started. It didn't take long for the amusement spread across his face and he smirked knowingly.

"You've cracked."

Pushing past him without a word, I stormed away. I couldn't believe I had cut someone. I rounded the corner, only to be reefed back via my hair by something. Well, someone to be more accurate. My foot got caught, causing me to fall backward and collide with something hard.

I whipped around and tried to shove the person off me, but they were far too strong. They ripped my hair and I yelped. They twisted my arm behind my back and I gasped from the sudden pain. The person tugged me so that I was literally being dragged backward. 

This day was definitely just getting better and better.

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