Aatikah's POV

Something needs to change. I'm fed up of being called the blunt bitch just because I always tell the truth as it is. Well, I'd rather be that way than a compulsive liar like Kayla or a sucker for pleasing adults like that midge of Kaitlyn-Marie Greens. If it were solely for me, people like her wouldn't even be worth of staying in this world.

I know, I know, I'm being a true bitch, but should I be blamed for that? Maybe yes, but not as much as other people usually do. When I hear comments like you're a rude little brat and so on, my confidence takes a plunge.

However, I really feel like something is truly going to change. In fact, I heard that Mrs Roth decided to resign after the Principal found out a compromising secret that would get her into massive trouble, which means that we'll have a new English teacher. But who on hell is going to be? Also, what about essays? Does it mean we have to redo them, or what?

Never mind. Anyway, I need to get ready. Today, Meeya and April are giving me a lift to school (though I'm not sure I can trust them because of their reckless way of driving, especially April's), which means that I can't be late otherwise I'll be forced to walk or, even worse, take the school bus. I hate it. Once, two of Kayla's so-called midges (Jenna and Billie) were caught backtalking of my friends, saying loads of shit about them and also trying hard to mortify their reputation. For example, "Did you know that Meeya Bowe still sleeps with her stuffed cat?" they said or, even worse, "I've never seen girls such as April Ling. They're so lacking class."

They had to be acting, to be honest, and, anyway, they're no longer Kayla's friends (I think one of them, if not both, moved schools because I haven't seen them ever since).

As soon as I see Meeya's car, I rush towards it almost forgetting to notice that my backpack is open and I'm dropping all my books on the pavement! Luckily, my friends are helpful enough (or, at least, Meeya is) to pick them and help me to put them back in the schoolbag.

"How are things going?" asks Meeya, who, unlike me, isn't particularly affected by what happened yesterday, since she already knows she got a poor grade in that fucking essay. The same applies with April.

"Hmm... nothing much. At least, we're getting the chance of going to school by car," I comment, hoping to sound convincing enough, but instead I only obtain a confused look from Meeya and a frown from April - typical of hers, to be truly honest.

"I mean," I try to explain myself, "that Kayla won't even dare bitch around if she sees us going to school by car instead of walking as usual." However, I still gain disapproval from April. Is she being a true friend or no, after all? I can't bear with her attitude at all, to be honest.

"You don't need to please anyone, let even that snarky bitch," advises Meeya. "Just be yourself. Anyway, we must move, otherwise we'll be late." After saying so, she fastens her belt, immediately followed by me and April, and we leave in the direction of the school. Hopefully, Kayla hasn't left yet - she has the terrible habit of taking ages to shower, get dressed and so on. Yes, she still looks beautiful and gets good grades. How come?

As soon as we arrive, we head towards Room 19, where we're supposed to have yet another stressing English class... oh, I forgot, Mrs Roth is no longer our teacher. It may not be as stressful as usual.

"Do you think the new teacher will be cute?" asks Meeya under the belief that it's a man. But what if it's a woman? I've never liked female teachers; in my experience, I've only dealt with biased people (towards Kayla, obviously) so far.

"At least, let's hope they're not so strict," comments April, who hates teachers in general. Well, like me and the majority of the other students, but with the difference that she really hates sucking up to them... but, hey, I don't like that either.

As we reach the room, we take our usual seats, shortly before Breckin reaches us. He starts winking at both Meeya and April, which clearly causes reactions of admiration (I suspect at least one of my friends is crushing on him), then he approaches me. We shake hands, then I ask him, "Have you heard anything about the new teacher so far?" He shakes his head.

"Huh... that means it'll be a mystery until we meet them so far," I state therefore. Meanwhile, the room is crowding with other students, starting with Kaitlyn-Marie Greens. Usually, she would arrive accompanied by her friends, given that she can't stay separate from them. However, today she's alone. I can definitely say it's not for revising any subject - there are no tests today.

Never mind. That girl shouldn't be that much of a problem for me. Instead, what irks me is seeing Kayla showing off her new school bag like a diva would show off her cover boyfriend. She's brought her new pet friend, Lianne (what happened to Rachel and Trisha? I thought they were her friends) with her; however, they're not alone: Nikko Lawson, yeah, that little spoiled brat, decided to join them. Kayla and Nikko have been friends for a long time, and someone even suggested they had a fling long ago, though that's not a matter of mine. I hate both.

"I don't think that girl looks very happy." April is whispering this while pointing at Lianne, to which I agree. Has Kayla ever had a true friend? The truth is, I highly doubt so.

Luckily, this question is bound to be quickly forgotten because a man is coming in. He must be in his forties and, other than seeming a very serious person, kind of scares me, especially his look. I can't exactly say if he's giving a glare or a glance, his expression is very difficult to decipher.

Anyway, he claps his hands to get some attention, which he quickly obtains, as everyone else seems to fear him, as well, with the clear exception of Kayla. She's only caving to what he says or does just to please him as she couldn't give a fuck of what he could do to her right now.

"Good morning, class. I know you've been told that you would have a new teacher," he says. I overhear someone attempting to whisper, but then the noise quickly stops.

"My name is Glenn Porter," he continues talking, "and, since today, I'll be your English teacher."