Zenobia really…didn't want to go to class today. Even just sitting against the wall, listening to the meaningless chatter around her while waiting for the bell to ring was enough. She was hungry, she was tired, and her cheek was finally starting to hurt from earlier this morning. Her eyes wanted to close so badly, and no one would probably notice if she did, yet she kept them open. Her attention unfortunately was on her so called 'friends.'
"Man, I'm really not feeling it today."
"We should ditch."
"Yeah, yeah, we can go steal some shit at Gerry's Grocer Goods."
Her mouth twitched on hearing that. She really hated these people. Not a single one of them actually gave a damn unless it involved money or getting something out of it. It made it all the worse knowing they only stayed around her because of her mask.
Like her, they were outcasts that didn't belong, so they clung together in hopes of making themselves feel better. However, instead of trying to make use of the opportunities presented to better improve themselves and their skills, they'd rather commit crimes to further throw themselves into the mud. Something Zenobia didn't appreciate.
Ever since freshman year, they've followed her like leeches, as if expecting her to happily host their delinquent activities. She doesn't even know their names, just calling them by the masks they wore. It was shallow of her, she'll admit and usually, she felt guilty even though she really didn't need to be. Today…she really didn't give a damn and wished they'd leave her alone.
"Hey Zenobia, come join us. We can all grab a bite at Lucia's." All she wanted to do was take a nap, rest against the walls underneath the staircase in peace before class…and she couldn't even get that. She rolled her eyes as she stood up, grabbing her black backpack by the arm strap.
A sigh escaped her as she gave each of them a deadpan stare. A raven, a demonic looking red mask with black tears flowing down, an ugly, puke green, bull shaped mask and finally, hers. A deteriorated fox. All symbols that their fellow students dubbed strange and shady. It didn't matter if their eye colors were considered "normal" or "positive." They were stains to the public.
"Not interested." On the one hand it was frustrating being judged like that and it wasn't fair that people talked shit behind their backs. On the other hand, the three in front of Zenobia weren't helping themselves by ditching class and committing petty crimes. She was sure that if she tried getting to know them more and actually hung out with them for more than ten minutes in the morning, she'd be able to see that these people were more than just bad first impression delinquents.
"Awww come on Zenobia!" And wasn't that sad? Despite what she told her mother, she still had that nasty, groomed habit of taking into account that first impression and making critical judgements of people she didn't even know. Making her already bad mood worse. Shaking her head with a sigh, she turned away.
"I'm not interested in hanging out with you. Leave me alone." She only took three steps before a hand latched onto her shoulder. It grinded down, putting as much pressure as possible, but she ignored the pain, not blinking even when she was spun around, facing the raven. Even though his entire face was shrouded in feathers, she could see the rage pouring off him in waves.
"You think you're so badass, Zenobia? Too good for us?" He pushed down harder; she could hear his teeth clench. "You're just a nobody, a loser! I'm so sick of you acting like you're above us."
If he was waiting for her to argue or fight back against him, he would be disappointed. Even when the muscles and bones within her shoulder screamed in agony, she kept her expression neutral. She refused to give him the satisfaction of dominance. He really picked the wrong day to do this.
"Get. Your hands. Off me." Her voice lowered; a deep timbre of ice laced in her words. She almost smirked seeing the others behind the raven shiver…almost. Her gaze burned into his while she waited. Like with her mother this morning she could see the movements slow around her, but she found herself puzzled.
"You think you scare me bitch?!" There was a small glowing outline around his body. Even when he raised his fist high behind his head, ready to swing, she couldn't help but tilt her head as she watched. The outline was wavering with the windup, as if there was…hesitation. Only for that hand to be stopped before it could shoot forward.
"I do hope there's a logical explanation as to why I've found such a sight before the bell?" Everyone, with the exception of Zenobia, found themselves stiffen. All their eyes drawn to the stern voice that loomed over them. The raven masked boy chuckled nervously as he released his victim, taking a few steps back while clearing his throat. His full attention was on the tall, slim, brunette that stood before them with her arms crossed.
"Oh hi, Principal Mude! I was just uh, showing Zenobia how to properly curl her fists. She's been watching some really cheesy kung-fu movies and they're not at all realistic, you know?" Zenobia had to admit that it was a creative excuse that he pulled out of his ass just now. It didn't help and wasn't believable at all, but still creative all the same.
"Is that right?" Before anything else could be said, the bell for class rang. The raven found himself jumping, nearly smacking into his friends in an attempt to turn away. All of them glancing at one another before shooting their hands up to wave.
"Oh well, look at the time, I gotta go. Later Zenobia!" All of them scattered in different directions. Leaving Zenobia and the principal left standing in the hall while everyone else made a beeline to their destinations. A few minutes trickled by, neither of them moving before the older woman huffed. She planted her hands on her hips while her gaze followed down the slowly emptying hall. As if she was still searching for the raven and his friends.
"Are you alright, Zenobia?"
"Yeah."
"Are you sure?"
"Uh huh."
She didn't look convinced in the slightest. Despite being masked halfway up as a wolf in dark blue and bronze, there was no sense of intimidation to be found. Her eyes, those glittering sea blue eyes, were filled with concerned sincerity when she turned back to Zenobia.
"I don't tolerate any sort of bullying at my school, Zenobia. If they are not being respectful, you need to tell me." She really didn't have anything to say. There was no point in lying, because Ms. Mude saw the incident happen right there in front of her. However there was nothing for her to really say.
She didn't intend for things to go like they did, but she was rude. Not really giving a shit about them and their plans. Today it seemed like she just couldn't help but say the wrong things. Pissing people off more than she normally did. Still, she wasn't worried, she didn't care if Ms. Mude came to her rescue or not. They weren't her friends. Their reactions wouldn't bother her.
"They wouldn't have gotten far in bullying me."
"Is that so?"
"It would've been self-defense after the first hit."
At that Ms. Mude tilted her head, a twitch of a smile forming. Though what she was exactly smiling about, Zenobia wasn't entirely sure. Maybe she was amused at the fact that Zenobia had full confidence in kicking ass after the raven hit her? Or just the fact that she would've used the self-defense card had Ms. Mude not intervened?
"Well, we'll need to have a more thorough discussion about this. That can be done at a later time. What class are you going to? I'll walk you there."
Color Zenobia shocked. Though she'd heard time and time again that Principal Mude was a nice, caring person, this was the first instance where she was actually seeing it. Though that made her feel bad. With that pit in her stomach, she couldn't help but be honest with her.
"I…actually wasn't planning on going to class today."
"Does it have to do with what I just saw?"
"No. I just don't feel like it."
Ms. Mude hummed, not saying anything after that. Though she did look her over again. Zenobia fidgeted in place, eyes wary. Though that wasn't due to the principal's gaze but rather habit. Developed after being scrutinized for so long by her peers. If anything, the head of the school was really calm from the moment she arrived.
"Did you know students are allowed to take up to three sick days throughout the year without a doctor's note?" Zenobia raised an eyebrow at that. Of course she knew that. Everyone did. She couldn't help squinting in confusion.
"Yeah. So?"
"Honestly, I like that rule. It's alright to take a day or two off once in a while, don't you think?"